Not got Christmas yet

The ambiguous title refers to not being ready for Christmas and also little man not having grasped the concept of what Christmas is.

So, apart from writing all the Christmas cards we've not even got the tree down from the loft. I've mainly done the cards as most of them include a thank you card for little man's 2nd birthday presents and I'm getting value for money out of royal mail by sending two cards in one envelope.

Being born in December this is little mans 3rd Christmas which seems rather bizarre. He has no idea what it going on, he keeps pointing to Christmas trees and saying "troo" but I am sure he is wondering what on earth they are doing inside and decorated as he keeps pointing at all the outside ones more than usual.

How do you explain Christmas to a just turned 2 year old? I've taken the following stance based on his recent experiences. We are using an advent calendar and he is very excited about having a daily chocolate from it. (He is also having a daily strop about not being able to open more doors or eat mummy's chocolate but that is another story). On the advent calendar there is a picture of Father Christmas, so I have told little man that when he has opened all the doors, the next morning Father Christmas will bring him some presents. Having just had lots of presents for his birthday I hope this will make sense.

We haven't told him the religious version of Christmas at the moment.

The stressful, where are you going for Christmas dinner argument arrives every year and frankly I've lost the Christmassy feeling. DH doesn't want to go to my mums as he hates her cooking and I can't blame him to be honest. HIs mum and dad can't make up their minds as they never can do.

I just want some company, I don't want to be all alone with little man. I think next year we'll run away to a holiday cottage on a lovely island where it's warm in December so we can go to the beach and play outside - wouldn't be so much better if Christmas was celebrated in June?? Imagine almost a week off in lovely sunny warm weather?!

That's it I'm off to Australia - anyone coming?!!!

ps - oh I must add we'be hung up little man's beautifully decorated stars from playgroup on the mantle piece so we have decorated a bit :-)