I’m really enjoying the Christmas period this year even although the panic and rush is truly underway.

The ‘to do’ lists for everything…from presents to crackers, turkey to trifle is never ending.

I’m doing the Christmas dinner this year and before most of you feel the need to alert the A&E at the Southern, I’ll admit up front that my sister is cooking the turkey, my dad is making the soup and my mum will oversee the roast totties and brussels sprouts.

So that leaves me with the pudding, otherwise known in our house as Tommy, and a cheese board. Surely I can’t mess that up?

I might not be that great with the cooking lark but I’m a dab hand at setting a table. My time spent working in the Royal Doulton department in Frasers in Buchanan Street during the early 80s certainly comes in handy.

I’ve still got lots of presents to buy. As usual I’m never fully organised. I always think I am but I’m not!

I have, however, purchased my Christmas bevvy. (Now there’s a surprise…. NOT!) My Prosecco was finally bought last week after numerous trips to Aldi’s as it was literally flying off the shelves. One of the workers there told me that they timed how long it would take for the yellow labelled bottle to disappear after they stocked the shelves and incredibly it was done in 18mins. Thanks for the tip off boys…I’m sorted now! I can’t verify this but according to one of the managers in my local Aldi store almost 80% of the Prosecco purchased across the UK is purchased from Aldi. I reckon I am largely responsible for those sales figures and believe I am due a bonus box…hint, hint Mr Aldi.

Glasgow Times:

It’s been ‘all go’ the past couple of weeks with Christmas nights out for me. I’ve had quite a few. Last Thursday, I was partying with my British Airways pals. As usual we over-indulged in everything. This week sees me heading to the pantomime in the King’s Theatre to see our lovely pal Des Clarke in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. As usual Des will be outstanding as Muddles while Gregor Fisher will no doubt excel as Hector The Henchman.

I’ll be accompanying my wee girl Gabrielle and the P6s and P7s from Lourdes Primary School. What with supervising these screaming weans at the Kings and all the helping out at the school discos, I and my fellow Parent Council members will be needing a wee paracetamol or two before dusting ourselves down and getting ready for a traditional Christmas lunch with some of the school moms on Thursday! Notice to the dads. You will doing the school run on Friday morning!

I’ve completed my Christmas card challenge. I think! I lose addresses, run out of stamps and never manage to remember everyone. Some of my friends have stopped sending them all-together as its stresses them out. They opt to donate a sum of money to charity. I keep saying I’m going to do the same!

Talking of donating. Tommy and I will be donating blood this week. The Blood Donor Service is appealing for people to give blood particularly at this time of year. I figure it is the best gift we can donate to a stranger. Please consider it if you are able to. As I’ve said before it is relatively painless and contributes to saving the lives of at least three others. So make the time to donate blood before Christmas if you can.

Tommy has exams this week. His head has been buried in his Law books…it’s been great I’ve had peace and quiet and complete control of the remote. No boring political shows, serious documentaries or stupid football games. Just reality trash, old movies and the absolutely fabulous series The Bridge. If you haven’t watched it yet do yourself a favour and track it down. It is well worth watching. Time for bed now. I need to build up my stamina for the socialising ahead over the next few days. Must check the paracetamol stock…