❄❄ Let It Snow ❄❄ :: Christmas 2012 Chatter Thread

chirpychick

I've just seen this too which might be of interest

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2227612/Cheapest-Christmas-dinners-Asda-2-47-person.html

p-pincher

Hi everyone

Ive not posted for ages but the Christmas preparations are in full swing and feeling really organised at the min. Kids mains presents are done thanks to the argos and tesco 3 for 2. Not really bought much stocking stuff cos were going NYC at the beginning of December so I'm bound to spend loads on them there. Also getting my 2 sisters and mums presents over there as well. Ive been saving up for ages (as well as no birthday presents) so we can have a really good time.

Got quite a bit of nectar points, topcashback and tesco stamps as well so hoping to not have to spend to much actual money on the rest of the presents that need getting. Been stocking up on extra christmas bits, chocolates , biscuits etc with my normal grocery shop so hopefully my christmas shop wont be too big.

Love Primark all year round but even more at Christmas time, i've stocked up on Christmas pjs, slippers, jumpers, throws, cushions, antlers with flashing noses, baubles, reindeer wash mits, and tea towels. Phew i'm sure there's still loads more in there i could spend on. Same in poundland, theres so much in there.

Hope everyones doing well, this is such a lovely thread, so much support for everyone. I'm getting so many ideas and inspiration from everyone so a massive thank you for everyone that contributes xxxx

msgigglewick

Afternoon peeps, dd4's bday today then i can get back in the xmas swing! though i wore my new reindeer pj's last night and woke up to snow! (in somerset) mother nature must have thought it was xmas too

Just doubled up £30 of tescos vouchers and got another pair of xmas pj's for me, some xmas undies, batman socks, batman pj's, some school uniform bits for the girls AND a christmas themed tshirt i know my dh will wear!!!! 'its got bah humbug! ' on it lol so perfect!

Im gonna order the reindeer jumper for me from newlook i think on tuesday now

chickywiggle

ooops busted listening to my christmas tunes by someone coming to collect an item I was selling.

moneysavingmumofone

Possession- Great news about your DHs job!! :j

CHRISSYG-Gutted as I saw the Baileys bear sets in a B&M on holiday and it said £3.99! Must have been the wrong label!

chirpychick-Ive been meaning to get one of those bird feeders that stick onto the window (no garden) for ages, must remember to! Cant put it on the kitchen or bathroom windows though because a local cat likes to sunbathe there lol! We really struggled to find a boys name we liked, there were a few that we thought were 'adequate' but none that really clicked. Quite late on I thought of a name that I loved and that was it! Easy for me though as it really was the only name I liked! I know of people who have hopped between names right until the baby was born but I think when they arrive you just 'know' what name suits them. Ive also known some people to take the mickey out of a name but I would hope they certainly wouldnt do it once the baby is born and thats their name for certain iyswim! I really like Levan!! My little brother didnt have a name until pretty much the day he was registered lol, he was only 12 days old on christmas day and he was still 'baby' The girls name I adore is quite long and I was put off by what people would say/think but reading on here has just made me more determined to have it if we ever have a girl lol. About the tesco clubcard exchange, I think you can only double up in multiples of £5 so you could only double £5 of your £8.50. Really annoying as I have £14.50 worth and OH got £9.50 worth this time grr! Good luck on your healthy mission. Me and OH are hoping to have a similar lifestyle change. I have so many little health problems that Im sure are because Im fat and constantly feel bleurgh. Just so easy to stay and not do though which is why I am still huge and DS is 7 1/2.

nic2075-Hope the funeral went as well as can be expected. x Wilkinsons has lovely gifts, I want most of it!! Big hugs, hope you feel brighter soon. xxx

kayandy-Sorry to hear about your bfs uncle, I hope he is at peace now. xxxYou have all certainly have a very sad year, Im sure you will make this christmas an extra magical one with lots of new happy memories. x

Damzel_In_Distress-Thanks for the Rudolph link-DS would love that. I was just about to sulk that we dont have a Dunelm Mill nearby then looked on their website and they have one in Reading which is my nearest Home Bargains! 26 miles away but Im sure we'll be going that way before christmas! They had a GORGEOUS light up Rudolph in Family Bargains, it was approx up to my knees. (not good at measurements lol) but thought it ws pretty expensive at £24.99. I NEED it though and even DS saw it and straight away said it was the one from the film! He also said he'd buy it for me aww. I love charity shops too, love it when they bring all the christmas stuff out. Last year when we went to see the reindeers in Maidenhead I got a lovely white ceramic sign that spelled out christmas and the nativity scene is nestled amonst the words. It lights up too and was only about £2.50.Just tried to find a pic of it on google, didnt find it but found this which is beautiful! hame its so expensive!http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nativity-Advent-Candleholder-Abbey-Press/dp/B0054L4Q78/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1352034848&sr=8-1-fkmr0

ELJAYCOCK-I sometimes lose that buzzy feeling too, horrible isnt it. Hope you've got it back now.

SugaJen-Lol love that Rudolph will be your elves pet.

OwnMyOwn-Love the choc slabs! I saw a gift bag in Tesco with something like Warning will probably contain socks.
Ds has just said to me nobody has a bestest mum as you and made me cry. He is quite like your DS, he doesnt get sarcasm or jokes (except 'pranks' like fake poo and whoopee cushions etc!)and takes things literally. At school the teacher told the whole class that if you got 3 certain coloured letters sent home you get kicked out of school. For ages he kept asking me for a mobile phone afterwards and I couldnt figure out why he all of a sudden wanted one. (hes only 7!) then finally managed to get out of him what the teacher had said and he thought they would literally kick you out of the school and leave him outside by himself and he would have no way of contacting me!! He still didnt really believe me when I explained it was just a saying and it took me weeks to convince him. Am having a hard time getting Drs etc to take his 'symptoms/quirks?' seriously but hopefully we'll get there! Im glad you found something your DS will love. Your granny slipper comment made me laugh as my OH always says 'your nan would like it' at most clothes/shoes I choose, Im 24 but think I have an older taste in clothes! I love your DDs name.

littlemschatabox-I hated it when we had a new bathroom/kitchen installed and new electrics done in every room. I had nowhere to hide at all, its just so awkward isnt it lol!

PopularFurBall-Im sure the post office usually have charity pins at the counter?

Nanamia-Great idea, what about an orange bath bomb? Can you get orange jelli baff? (stuff that turns bath water to jelly) Face painting kit to turn her into a tiger? Tiger teddy?


When I was on holiday we went to a farm and this lady had the most beautiful blue coat on with snowflakes and reindeer on it! My mum said the style is a blanket coat so Im on the hunt for one! It really was gorgeous!! It was long and hooded, blue with a pattern all over which included snowflakes and reindeer. If anyone sees it could you let me know please, think theyre expensive though.
Was a bit disappointed to see Westfields grotto is now £10 for a family ticket as last year is was just booking fee but we'll have to go as we were late last year due to traffic and the meanies wouldnt let us in. Wish Id booked the Harrods grotto now but too late now! It will cost a fortune either in petrol/parking or train tickets (will be simpler by train!) too grr.
Thanks for all the christmassy book recommendations, have added them to my Amazon basket for when I have some money!
A few people have mentioned Dr Who Monopoly, I bought this for DS for either christmas or his birthday and its great! It want the new 50th anniversary edition though, it was this one although it was a few pounds cheaper when I bought it: http://forbiddenplanet.com/71940-doctor-who-monopoly-limited-edition/

Still got about 8 more pages to catch up on lol, will be back later!

kerrylm

Well, I popped out on my own today. Left the kids at home with dh. Peace! I have been looking for big gift boxes for the kids xmas eve hamper and had no luck. However, there's a Birthdays that closing down near me and their biggest boxes were 49p each! Bargain. Got 2. The blanket won't fit in though as I sorted through all my things for the hamper before I went out and there's loads! B&M have some lovely 'decorate your own' gingerbread houses and cookie christmas tree. I know it's cheating and I would normally bake from scratch, but that time of year is always busy

Our local 'entertainer' toy shop had festive glow sticks for £1 with Santa etc on the top. Good for the hamper.

How would you all suggested 'wrapping' the chocolate slabs in cellophane? I can't 'see' it. Would you wrap like a parcel with alll the sealing underneath or up like a hamper???? Oh the decisions to make!

Lovely to hear that some of you have had snow. I love the snow and whilst out today I was tempted to buy for snow tracks as dh's car always gets stuck on our road.

OMO, could you please send/put on your 'method' for money trees? They are great and my teenage nephews ask for money now Not festove but in the shape of a tree would make me happier!:rudolf:

spacecadet1

TigerLilly1003 wrote: »

Morning

Went a walk round poundland yesterday for the lady wanting spongebob items for her work hampers they had money tins (very colourful and nice), toothpaste and beakers!

Im currently after a mr and mrs board game, they are going for about 20 - 25 pound on ebay, amazon are they £40 atm, argos sold out.. im being emailed when there back in stock. I don't mind paying up to 15 pounds but that the maximum. I have a price watch on camelcamelcamel for them. So if anybody see's the game at a lower price please let me know!

I'm also wanting any ideas for how I could present a large quantity of malteasers for my OH. Something fun.. :snow_laug

Many Thanks

Have you seen on my owns maltesers pint a few pages back? Pint glass with maltesers & something white on top like marshmallows, white maltesers, popcorn.

I'm making sweet trees this year, one of which will (hopefully) be maltesers. You could do one of those.

moneysavingmumofone

OwnMyOwn-They all look fabulous!! Best of luck with selling, Im sure you'll do great!

snugglebunny8-So sorry you are having problems RE the car. We have had 4 or 5 people go into the back of us, 3 times the car was written off. Twice as soon as they got out of the car they were trying to say there was already damage and this bit was already falling off etc, makes you so mad!! Once they gave a completely false phone number but luckily there were just a few scratches that time. Once OH went into the back of a mans car as it was parked on a bend where there was no visibility until you'd actually turned the corner and by then it was too late!! The man claimed for whiplash even though he wasnt actually in the car at the time!! (he was a taxi driver and was knocking on someones door) That gobsmacked me it really did! :eek: It is really disheartening when you're a decent, honest person but the fact that you are will get you through. Sometimes you wonder why you bother when so many people seem to be thoughtless and uncaring but you are kind, honest and caring and in the long run that is all that matters and you will be happier than those bitter, dishonest people. xxx

carlamarie-I love your DS' name, one of my fave boys names is Ron.

cymrumam-LOVE the New Look jumper! Adore the penguin one but I cant wear black grr. For anyone buying anything from New Look you can exchange £7.50 of tesco clubcard vouchers for a £15 New Look gift card! Might help you too carlamarie with your nieces gift card?

pinknfluffy28-So sorry you've lost your job. OH was made redundant in 2010 and found a job over a year later! BUT he is much happier now even though its less money he is far less stressed and enjoys his job. So hopefully something far far better is just around the corner for you. x

my3girls-How fab is your maiden name lol! Hope your DD3 is ok? You can use a metal tin for choc slabs if you line it with cling film first.

littlemschatabox-Hope your money is refunded asap, what a horrible thing to happen!! xx

hismissus-I made wine glass charms for a baby shower, sooo easy to do. Round earring wires are perfect for it.

kerrylm-The glow sticks sound fab, my DS loves them at the moment!!

Phew caught up at last! I didnt abandon christmas completely whilst on holiday as I bought my uncle a plush Frankenstein that dances and sings Monster Mash and two cardboard merry christmas banners. Could have bought so much more, the B&M (think it was in Utoxeter?) was HUGE! Much bigger than ours. Was on a very tight budget on holiday though so couldnt. Am feeling a bit gutted at the moment as next months wages (16th nov) will mainly be going on some larger than usual bills and havent got any money until then so no christmas shopping for ages. Should be able to get some with Novembers pay but not much so 14th dec (last payday before xmas) will be a busy shopping day!! Ive already scaled down what I want to get people but it still seems the money wont stretch as theres xmas outings to budget for (all cheap but still adds up) and the real xmas tree that I promised DS this year. Starting to panic a bit! Dont want it to be like last year when I spent every spare penny on the last xmas presents then had no money at all! I still have so much to get and know exactly where the cheapest place to get it is so just frustrating to not even be able to get a few bits. Sorry moan over!

Nanamia

Welcome home moneysavingmumofone I've missed you:) Hope your holiday was stress free and your batteries are recharged ready for the festivities Brilliant ideas for my orange hamper. Picked up orange cooking utensils yesterday cos she loves to bake (I've promised to put our aprons in the suitcase so we can bake together again) x
Chirpy I've just read the article you linked too, certainly worth thinking about.

Nanamia

Welcome back to you too Snugglebunny I knew you wouldn't be missing for long

Moneysavingmumofone arghh I feel your pain! I've been repeating my mantra I will not spend. I will not spend. I will not spend. Hopefully you will find what's left on your list and have a little left over for some festive treats and family time:) I loved a Christmas walk last year when the houses were all decorated outside as well as in. DGD1 loved it too and home for hot chocolate (got DGD2 this year to start the tradition with)