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

azjh77

picnmix wrote: »

Morning all

Am going to have keep telling DH this, as otherwise everyone will have a stocking apart from me on Xmas morning 2013!

I've taken to buying a few odds and ends for myself and wrapping them. I've usually forgotten what they are by Christmas so they are still a surprise! Only sure way of getting what I want! (ended up with a pair of Red boots this year?!? Random!?!? That's why I bought my own books and smellies!)

SwipernoSwiping

Another 2012 lurker joining the frey.. hoping to follow the examples of some amazing people here

daisiegg

his_missus wrote: »

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

Ooh those sound like very good reasons to be excited, I don't blame you

picnmix

azjh77 wrote: »

I've taken to buying a few odds and ends for myself and wrapping them. I've usually forgotten what they are by Christmas so they are still a surprise! Only sure way of getting what I want! (ended up with a pair of Red boots this year?!? Random!?!? That's why I bought my own books and smellies!)

Sounds like a plan - I have to admit that I tend to buy myself a pressie from the kids for my birthday, or otherwise I end up with a box of Continental Chocs that I actually don't like, but no-one ever seems to notice that I never eat them!

msgigglewick

I buy for myself and let my girls wrap things up for me.. though this year kind of backfired.. i bought a book after mentioning oo i'd like that.. dh only actually went and got it too lol so i now have two copies and can't return as both reciepts have vanished oops lol.

I have 3 xmas pressies for adults and a couple for my dd1 so far. Not overly impressed with the sales this year really. But its still early so i hope to pick up lots and lots of bargains this year as its our last full year *touch wood* of having tonnes of debt. IF next year goes as quickly as this then i'll be happy lol.

Dd3 is now better after spending xmas rather sick but now my dd4 has the bug blah! hopefully we'll see in the new year all healthy huh! I've not had one day where i could have a christmas drink just incase i needed to drive to the hospital or drs... I've been given 5 bottles of baileys as everyone knows its an easy pressie for me (thing is i only drink really 3-4 times a year if that lol.. can't remember how long it keeps for though) Would be nice to enjoy some of it though. lol

Think i shall move all the xmassy wool from my yarn bag and make a few projects that have no relevance to xmas at all.. Not sure what yet lol

girlinayellowdress

Just made an order of sale items from the d0tc0mgiftsh0p. Some very retro decorations and ribbon. I only ever look at sale items there and never venture on the main site pages.
I am going to make a list of things to look out for during the year but admit there will not be much on it. Going to have a debt free year and save although I've not got anything to actually save for!

Snugglebunny8

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 :-)

dotcomgiftshop online is amazing, have lovely bits under £1 in sale at the moment, loads to choose from, good service too!

PetuliaGristle

Dear all, I discovered this thread just after Christmas, the links and suggestions are great! Island_mum, I love your advent parcel idea, I hope you don't mind me borrowing it for my aunty next Christmas. OMO/Miss Linky, I'll be looking out for your Christmas countdown.

Snugglebunny8

caught up! welcome newbies! and hugs to so many who have been poorly or had poorly family

worked this morning and then had an hour in town, am soooo pleased, I went into House of Fraser (rarely do) and they had all the Christmas Yankee candles in all sizes half price, I got my favourite Christmas Cupcake huge one with multi wicks for £7.75!! have put it away in cool dark cupboard for next Christmas

got a few bottles of the lovely Vanilla Dream body wash half price in Body Shop from their Christmas range was also very bad and bought another bottle of the M&S champers while its still half price and some of the lovely party food for the weekend.

From 1st Jan Im back to saving, cutting back, cooking from scratch, not spending and trying to have NSD's .... but not yet!

something lovely I got this year from my wonderful Dh was a box of very special chocolates he bought in London for me, there are I think 16 handmade choccies and they are divine, Im under instruction that I have one a day when I still down and relax with a cup of tea in the evening, as he knows I get a bit down when Christmas is over and he thought that would help cheer me up, such an absolute sweetheart to think of something I would love so much!

my lovely DS bought me the huge Pluto from the Disney Store for Christmas, ive wanted one since I was a kid! Ive no idea how he bought it and got it home without me having a clue, he got it when we were out as a family a couple of months ago, hes either a great secret keeper or Im totally oblivious as he must have hauled the huge carrier bag round without me even noticing!!! it's so gorgeous!!

I floated the ide of not taking the tree down in January and got a resounding NO! however we have ordered one of those lovely black bare branch trees from John Lewis where they have crystals and white lights on the branches, we went to a house party before Christmas where they had two in their conservatory and they looked beautiful ... and great for me as they arent specifically Christmas trees so I can have it in the corner of the living room all year

FBG85

Hi,
Long time lurker but am joining in this year, (well techincally next year) I've made lists of all the people I need to buy for and my budget and what I got them last year.
I've ordered a few bits from www. campusgifts. co .uk, they have some gorgeous things and cheap too.

I'm off to look round the sales over the weekend so will see if there's any bargains. I have 5 children to buy for ( not including my own ) I get them all pjs , so am writing down what size they will be at Christmas in case I see any.
Plus have dd1's birthday at the end of January, she got masses of stuff at Christmas so have no idea what to get her for her birthday!