While I didn't get to do more than a drive-by when movie star Erik Bana was in town last week, I consoled myself by attending a Zoom presentation with one of my favourite foodies, Donna Hay, all about 'Christmas food gifts and styling'.
I'm still struggling to hit my Christmas high, but I'm inching forwards.
I finally bought my leg of ham and popped it in the freezer... I kind of had to when mum kept calling with all the latest catalogue specials - I think she was worried I was in a funk and there would be a big space on the dining table where the glazed ham usually shines... and helps feed twenty people.
Thanks mum, I needed that push.
I'm actively working on my shopping list now so I can grab some more things for the freezer and fridge and save my last trolley busting adventure for only the freshest of ingredients.
I'm planning my food preparation tasks for each day in the count down to the big one... I need at least a couple of days in the kitchen to cherry-glaze the ham and layer-up my trifles.
I'm toying with the idea of trying some hasselback butternut pumpkin with stuffing balls for the first time, along with a ham, cheese and cranberry puff pastry wreath, which I think might make good first food for our guests, especially the kids, who will range in age from eight to nineteen this year.
We've booked our tickets to attend church in the flesh on Christmas Eve - it's all very 2020 - and now we've got the Christmas tunes pumping through speakers around the house non-stop, the atmosphere is building.
Fortunately, that has helped me open my heart and purse to purchase gifts for my three girls, although I am still mainly driven by the fact that Katianna is moving to Melbourne next year and I cannot let her go without Ugg boots, sturdy leather shoes and her very own hair straightener.
She's working two part-time jobs now as she nervously awaits those dreaded exam results and the ATAR score which will hopefully lead to a university offer and a clear path forward.
Is there any such thing as a clear path forward anymore? Farewell predictability, no knowing what's around the corner.
