*The Holly and the Ivy* and the You Know What 2013 Chatter Thread.

Mojoworking

Well I've not moved out of the house since The 23rd!! Now that I want to venture out DD has finally succumbed to a cold that has been brewing for about a week - but to be honest I don't mind, I'm really enjoying just playingg games and all the bits from christmas and doing "nothing" well it's doing stuff I want to do - instead of what I have to do. I'm going to have a big clean through today as OH is at work - almost definitely. One week then back to the daily grind of work etc so I might stretch it out one more day.

I'm impressed with all of you who got to the sales - I just couldn't face all of those people so will just have my eyes open for bargains through the year.

I didn't do hampers as such but I did - in that it was boxes of random bits with no set theme just what I thought people would like - which they did - this year I'm going to go with themes and just get on it.

My middle name is procrastination - feel free to kick me into action.

Thanks everyone for sharing I've really been inspired and moved all the way back from page 12 of let it snow xx

Own_My_Own

Rosygirl wrote: »

OMO- enjoy your time off work, what a lovely feeling. Not sure if I have said thanks for the new thread yet, so thank you very much! Could I just ask if you could change my birthday to 16/12 please?

All done

Island_mum wrote: »

Hello all. I don't know where to post this so thought I'd ask - next year I want to send my MIL an advent parcel (24 little pressies to open one a day) as she lives alone but I don't have too much in our budget to do it so am looking for online, token gifts online if anyone has any ideas or can point me in the direction of an existing thread? Thank you :-)

Are thinking of posting them to her everyday or all at once ?

Or are you giving them to her personally ?

Do they have to be on-line gifts ?

By little, do you mean size (for posting) or money (for budget) ?

Sorry I know that's a lot of questions, but if we know exactly what you need, I am sure together we can find them for you.:D

---

It is pouring with rain here again
There just can't be much more up there surely.
Am going to Colchester today, I really hopes it stops soon.

What a lovely Christmas present that poor mother is getting today, with her abducted daughter coming home. I do hope her little girl (now 6)remembers her after 3 years.

I have spied some new links mentioned over night, so am off now to add them

azjh77

couldsavemore wrote: »

m

azjh77 I started to crochet this year it's very easy once you get going. I found a great blog called attic 24 which has good tutorials you may find it useful.

That was the link that decided I wanted to crochet! I am in love with the wreath! http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/2012/05/may-rose-wreath-ta-dah.html

Will be getting some hooks and wool as soon as poss! (and still putting off my essay...)

his_missus

Morning people,

Hope you're all well.

I've got a few family birthdays coming up in January - dad, mum and BIL's 40th. Mum n dad were their usual helpful selves when asked what they wanted: Dad - "yes please" Mum - "same as dad" so have decided to get them vouchers for their fave restaurant as a joint pressie and probably a little something each to open on their actual birthdays. BIL wants to not be 40 and a new manager for his footy team. He says not to make a fuss - I've never known a man not want to turn 40 and I've never known my BIL to not want to celebrate a birthday.

Have any of you ever bought for a man who didn't want to be 40? Did think about a "getting older" survival kit or maybe a retro hamper of things/toys/sweets from different eras. Or do I just go for a bottle of booze/smellies as usual and not make a fuss?

I'm really looking forward to turning 40 this summer as is my Hubby

azjh - now I want to learn to crochet

weeclick

madz2802 wrote: »

Has anyone seen any cheap christmas wrapping paper on sale?
Instore or online?

Yup! Card factory yesterday was a true bargain - Got 6 rolls of wrap for 50p!!!! Boxes of cards down to 49p each and family cards were on average about 30-40p each. Ended up walking away with 2 massive bags filled for £6. My arms really hurt after an hour of walking around town with them lol

azjh77 wrote: »

Milky, 1 sugar! Cheers!

I find I wrapped my kids presents so early last year I forgot what I bought Eldest DD ended up with 2 hair turbans and about 3 pairs of leg warmers. Need to make sure I do a list this time! Will prob. need help with the whole organisation too! Running a house, 4 kids, planning Christmas and trying to pass my exams is going to make 2013 a tough one!

This year I started taking photos on my phone as I wrapped so I knew who had what (I suffer a brain condition which can sometimes cause brain fog (or memory loss to you and me lol) which really helped! This year ready for 2013 Im going to make up a folder and have a "memory board" for each person and as I take the photos will print in work and stick on their page in the folder so I get a good overview of what one person has at any one time!

Mojoworking wrote: »

Well I've not moved out of the house since The 23rd!! Now that I want to venture out DD has finally succumbed to a cold that has been brewing for about a week - but to be honest I don't mind, I'm really enjoying just playingg games and all the bits from christmas and doing "nothing" well it's doing stuff I want to do - instead of what I have to do. I'm going to have a big clean through today as OH is at work - almost definitely. One week then back to the daily grind of work etc so I might stretch it out one more day.

I'm impressed with all of you who got to the sales - I just couldn't face all of those people so will just have my eyes open for bargains through the year.

I didn't do hampers as such but I did - in that it was boxes of random bits with no set theme just what I thought people would like - which they did - this year I'm going to go with themes and just get on it.

My middle name is procrastination - feel free to kick me into action.

Thanks everyone for sharing I've really been inspired and moved all the way back from page 12 of let it snow xx

I been to sales on boxing day and yesterday and must say its the first year I didnt notice half the crowds, I was in most shops the first, second or third in the queue to be served and no pushing from others, was quite pleasant this year to the point BF enjoyed it and thats saying something! :eek:

Back to work today, seems silly only coming in on a Friday but no choice! Cant wait to get home and watch one of my new dvds and Ihave 3 bottles of wine intended for christmas that must be consumed :beer:

daisiegg

his_missus wrote: »

Morning people,

Hope you're all well.

I've got a few family birthdays coming up in January - dad, mum and BIL's 40th. Mum n dad were their usual helpful selves when asked what they wanted: Dad - "yes please" Mum - "same as dad" so have decided to get them vouchers for their fave restaurant as a joint pressie and probably a little something each to open on their actual birthdays. BIL wants to not be 40 and a new manager for his footy team. He says not to make a fuss - I've never known a man not want to turn 40 and I've never known my BIL to not want to celebrate a birthday.

Have any of you ever bought for a man who didn't want to be 40? Did think about a "getting older" survival kit or maybe a retro hamper of things/toys/sweets from different eras. Or do I just go for a bottle of booze/smellies as usual and not make a fuss?

I'm really looking forward to turning 40 this summer as is my Hubby

azjh - now I want to learn to crochet

Ergh, I have never heard of someone WANTING to turn 40! :rotfl: my OH turned 40 in November and no one was allowed to make any reference to it (it helps that my side of the family think he is a year younger than he is - don't ask!!! - one of those mistakes that then gets too far for you to correct it) We just had a normal birthday and the only reference was a card from his brother in which he had written 'I hear life starts at 40' - which really annoyed my OH! So my advice would be DON'T make a fuss. No offence but I can't think of anything worse than a 'getting older' kit for someone who is feeling wobbly about getting older. Just get him whatever you would normally get him and don't mention the horrible number

daisiegg

Nooooooo I just lost a giant post that I posted

Will come back and try and do it again later. Going to sit here and sulk first

Island_mum

Own_My_Own wrote: »

All done

Are thinking of posting them to her everyday or all at once ?

Or are you giving them to her personally ?

Do they have to be on-line gifts ?

By little, do you mean size (for posting) or money (for budget) ?

Sorry I know that's a lot of questions, but if we know exactly what you need, I am sure together we can find them for you.:D

OMO I should have been a little clearer sorry.

I'd like to post them all at once in a box come November so she can have them in her cottage and see them all together

I say online gifts because we don't have the majority of the shops you guys seem to find bargains in (Christmas 2012 lurker here) - when it comes to chains we pretty much have Boots, Waitrose, M&S, and Co-op (plus a few clothing chains) that I can think of to have little bits in. Majority of our shops are Channel Island stores.

Then I say small for a bit of both - not too large of heavy for postage but also not too expensive as there'll be 24 plus a Christmas present and we're trying to save with having had our DD this year but I don't like the thought of her being alone in the run up to Christmas.

Thank you for replying :j

picnmix

Morning all

You all sound so organised, I have made a vow not to buy anything yet for Xmas 2013 as I always end up with stuff left over, and tend to buy because its in the sale rather than becuase its good for someone. I do start picking up toys throughout the year for the kiddies, but do find that if I buy wrap etc now, I then see things next xmas that I really want and then buy that as well. I am going to do stockings for everyone next year, so am going to start picking up bits and pieces throughout the year for those (that would be mam, dad and DH), we dont open our pressies to each other until after dinner so thought it would be nice to have a stocking in the morning with little fun gifts in. Am going to have keep telling DH this, as otherwise everyone will have a stocking apart from me on Xmas morning 2013!

his_missus

Daisiegg, I shall take youradvice and go for the usual with no mention of 40 at all.

I must confess I'm looking forward to being 40 as a) I intend to be debt free by then, b) we have a posh cruise booked for Sept to celebrate and c) we plan to have a joint 40th party and get all our friends and families together (last time was when we got married 5 yrs ago)

Thanks x

ETA: bought BIL a smellies set from N3xt

Also bought a gift set from B00ts for mum for next xmas as it was half price. It's identical to the one she asked for this year but she asks for one every year so...