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Special occasions & other celebrations

Archives for December 2013

Theatre Ticket protection
Has anyone got any experience of getting a refund on Theatre Tickets bought with 'Ticket Protection'? ? The general conditions to enable you to get a refund in full which are noted on the website 'securemybookin.com' are traffic problems, adverse weather & illness etc but it doesn't state if you need a doctor's certificate…
Have I been "Santa Scammed"? Has this happened to anyone else?
I'm wondering if this has happened to anyone else. I paid through PAYPAL for a Santa letter for my little Grandson (age 2). The payment went through and i received a receipt stating the letter would be sent 11th Dec. The company, online, is Official-Santa-Letters.co.uk and the cost was £4.99. The letter never turned up and…
Underpaid postage on Xmas card.
Unsure of correct Forum for this, but it is Xmas related. Recently received basic Xmas card with current 2nd Class stamp and sorting office sticker requiring 19p for underpaid postage + £1 handling fee - total payable £1.19. The card measured 20x20cm, which exceeded current Royal Mail size by 4cm on one axis for standard…
Argos gift voucher
Within sounding unselfish, I had a voucher worth £150 for Argos for Christmas. I don't know what to do with it as I never shop in Argos and it doesn't really offer me anything I need. I'm 25 married homeowner with a son. I don't want to end up wasting the voucher for the sale of just 'using I because it's there' My…
*Stop The Cavalry* It's The 2014 Christmas Chatter Thread
Hello and welcome to the 3rd Christmas Chatter Thread. This thread is not just about Christmas, but our whole year. We have had many ups and downs, deaths and births but we have all made it through to the end of the last thread and Christmas 2013. NOTE- For all new people please please don't lurk, join in. We are all a…
jd sports
My mum bought me trainers for xmas but I need to exchange them for a different style. But my mum cant find the receipt can I still change them? How do they know that they came from there store
Turkey Crown Defrost Time
Hi all I am not sure how long to defrost for. I have a aldi crown which is 2.25kg frozen and on packet says defrost around 24hrs before in fridge. I have checked online defrost calculaters which say 27hrs in the fridge. So I decided to put in fridge lastnight at 11pm and plan on cooking it from 12noon on Xmas day Will this…
Help needed for pamper hamper please
I have been asked amongst our congregation to organise a pamper hamper for a pregnant friend. We decided pamper rather than newborn as this is their 9th child! She is an amazing mum and we feel she truly deserves to be spoilt. I will make a list then pass it round for those who want to be involved. We are a wide range of…
Christmas leftovers
Hello there - I'm sure I've seen a thread on what to do with Christmas leftovers, but can't find it. Can anyone point me in the right direction or give me some pointers here? TIA
Superdrug in store collection...
Hi, not sure where to put this but here goes. Ordered some Paco Rabanne Million spray for a Christmas present for someone via Superdrug on the 18th December. Because it was fairly late in the day i thought it best to order it to be delivered to my local store so i could pick it up, rather than risk the postal service being…
template for letter from santa I can customise?
This is a long shot, but does anyone have a link for a letter from santa that I can fully edit please? I want to be able to write a letter to my son from santa to say that he has given mum and dad money to take him out to get a new bike in january. we had tried hard to buy him a bike before christmas, but this is for…
Thrifty Gifty Santas Challenge 2014
A big warm welcome to old friends and new and here's to a money neutral 2014, here we try to find all the bargains and along the way have fun with the challenges, including the famous Miss Hoodie challenge - which is always a cleaning one. Santas Challenge - That special day of the month, the 24th, where we have a…
Help! Turkey defrost advice needed, 2.70kg bird
Ok, just went to look at the 2.70kg turkey crown I bought a few weeks ago from Sainsburys, it was a frozen crown and I took it straight home and put it in the freezer. Just had a look at the defrosting instructions and usually defrosting instructions include how to defrost in two ways, in the fridge or on a tabletop at…
Too late to post out xmas cards tomorrow?
Hi - I was meant to post out some xmas cards to my husbands customers but totally forgot! Royal mail website says they can be sent special delivery tomorrow to get there for 24th - anyone ever used this service? Thanks!
Where to Go for Boxing Day out in Mid Wales?
We want to have a family day out on Boxing Day in Powys/Ceredigion/Herefordshire that does not involve Sales! Does anyone know any places open for meals, family activities or similar? So far have thought of going to the coast and beachcombing plus maybe the cinema in Aberystwyth if it's open. Any helpful suggestions…
Xmas eve
Ok folks, after some ideas. Background is i have the last grandchild who believes in father Xmas. Last year despite them going to bed their g parents decided to pop in around tea time, they left at midnight mass. I was not happy. (Not mad... Just meant that I could not go to bed with kids so shattered next day). They…
Sugar Crystals
At Christmas, I always enjoy a good coffee, with a liqueur in it. The other year, my OH bought some crystalized sugar, which looked good when put out on the table. Looked all over for some this year (mainly supermarkets), without luck. Anyone know where I could get some.
Gift ideas for 7 year old boy
I am really struggling to buy a gift for my nephew. I have all girls so am useless when it comes to buying for boys. Can someone give me some ideas please . I suggested a few things to his mum but she said he won't play with it,such as craft toys, lego, science kits, dvd's, games for his console (he has all new releases).…
Thorntons 'The Snowman' £2 selection box plus 3 for 2
I don't know if this will be the same in all Thorntons, I bought mine from Birmingham, but they had the Snowman selection boxes at £2 each and they were also on 3 for 2. I bought 6 for £8. The snowman chocolate drops were also £1 a bag on 3 for 2.:xmastree:
Chocolate selection box tip!!
When you first get the need for a chocolate fix and you can't resist opening the tin of Roses/Quality Street etc. even though you vowed it would remained sealed till Xmas day. My plan is to eat all the naf ones first orange cream etc, and you will have all the best ones to look forward to. It works trust me Merry Xmas

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MSE News

Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland to cut overdraft rates for millions but hike them for others – here's what's happening and full help
If you're a Lloyds, Halifax or Bank of Scotland current account holder, the interest rate you're charged for using your overdraft could change soon as part of a fees shake-up. The Lloyds Banking Group, which owns all three brands, says millions of its customers will pay less after the changes – but a "few" will pay more.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more low-income households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Martin Lewis: At last a chance to fix Council Tax flaws impacting millions – debt collection, difficulty challenging your band, discounts and more
Major flaws in the Council Tax system in England could finally be fixed in future, as the Government has launched a wide-ranging consultation to review hideous debt collection practices, the difficulty of challenging your band, the overly complex and horribly-named Severe Mental Impairment discount and more. MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis, who has long campaigned on these issues, shares his response and analysis.
Energy complaints to be dealt with more quickly and Energy Ombudsman to get new powers under Government plans
If you have a complaint about your energy firm, it may be resolved more quickly in future, as the Government has announced a raft of proposals to strengthen consumer protections in the energy market. The planned changes include giving the Energy Ombudsman new powers to force firms to comply with its decisions – but it's still very early days. Here's what we know so far.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Base rate held at 4.25% – here's what it means and when it might be cut next
The Bank of England has held the base rate at 4.25%. Below we explain why, when it might be cut, plus what it means for your mortgage and savings.
Applied for South West Trains 'boundary fares' compensation? Act now to claim it
If you applied for compensation from South West Trains before the deadline in January 2025, you now need to provide your bank details to the claim administrator so it can be paid to you. Here's what you need to know.
Winter Fuel Payments to be reinstated for millions – Martin Lewis explains how it'll work, what it means and if it's an improvement
All State Pensioners in England and Wales will receive a Winter Fuel Payment this winter, though those who earn over £35,000 will see it clawed back through the tax system. It means nine million pensioners will get the £200 or £300 top-up. Here MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis shares his instant response and analysis, and we include answers to your key questions.
Winter Fuel Payments to be reinstated for millions – Martin Lewis explains how it'll work, what it means and if it's an improvement
All State Pensioners in England and Wales will receive a Winter Fuel Payments this winter, though those who earn over £35,000 will see it clawed back through the tax system. It means nine million pensioners will get the £200 or £300 top-up. Here MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis shares his instant response and analysis, and we include answers to your key questions.

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Special occasions & other celebrations

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