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

FeistyFidget

I have been lurking and reading, but sadly too busy to post

I wish I could decorate cakes as beautiful as you lovely ladies, serious talent indeed

Risky, thank you so much for the shout out - has increased my views a LOT I also vote for the kitchenaid!

If anyone is doing a baking hamper they had cupcake teatowels reduced down to 50p in primark - I was very tempted!

Also store 21 has lots of makeup gift sets reduced to £1 too

Trendyjenny

Friends taking me to butlins 70's weekend x big dose of fun x just what need but got to find some energy x

I'm really lucky to have you lot plus friends and family x

noodles86

Trendyjenny wrote: »

Friends taking me to butlins 70's weekend x big dose of fun x just what need but got to find some energy x

I'm really lucky to have you lot plus friends and family x

That sounds great! Have a lovely time x

his_missus

hello all!

Hope you're all well. Sending hugs if you need them xx

I haven't really been following the thread much, it just moves too quickly for me to keep up with but I did want to share something with you all.

Last Saturday, I made Hubby a movie night gift bag, using your ideas from the previous let it snow thread, just for a surprise. Put in it a DVD, pizza and garlic bread (uncooked of course, from the SM) a couple of bottles of beer and some M&Ms and he loved it.

Thanks all for the idea xxx

girlinayellowdress

Nanamia wrote: »

Pinksteps how are you ? We are all still thinking of you and your family xxx

Hi, things are okay. Funeral set for 3rd April which would of been his 81st birthday. Just getting all the formalities sorted.

Have actually been looking towards christmas [what this thread is all about] and thoughts that we will be having my mother staying with us. So any ideas how to make it extra meaningful would be appreciated, it will be myself, ds and mother.

Awaiting physio to call for ds to have more tests.

Apart from all that just bimbiling along catching up here when i can. shall soon be back in the fold xx

Trendyjenny

Are there any family traditions that you do ? Or is there something that reminds you of him x

I used to help my nan complete 52 presents for grandchildren great grandchildren etc x I doit on a smaller scale now for immediate family x

Children have colouring book pens sweets and a cracker x adult couples have bottle of wine ( for Xmas table) and box of biscuits or after eight mints x
My family really appreciate the gesture and I love doing it x
I know other relatives miss it but you have to draw a line and 52 on top off my family would be extremely expensive Christmas x

princesskitty29

Ruth_honey and OMO it's funny you mention the silk flowers as only this week i've been toying with the idea of using artificial flowers. Thanks for posting the link to the boquet at The Range OMO, I have to go there to get some table number holders so I will definitely check them out!

After chatting to you all on here and all of the encouragement you have given me i've given myself a pep talk! I am going to my parents whis weekend as it is my mum's 60th tomorrow and we're going to make a practice cake to either make myself feel better or decide that I should go with pre-made! When I first started planning my wedding this is the cake I wanted:

http://pinterest.com/pin/568086940465814932/

I'm not confident enough to do the dowelling, but after much thought over the last few days I have decided (if all goes well this weekend) to make one big chocolate cake and decorate it with two doves I have bought and some flowers like it is in the picture, then just make lots of cupcakes to go with it. I have bought some pretty cupcake wraps to finish them off and I have a lovely glass cake stand for the big cake. Thanks for the pics of the pre-made cake that you iced Nanamia, it's lovely and that is now going to be my back-up plan if things don't go well this weekend!

I am sorry to have been going on about my wedding as I know this is primarily a Christmas thread, but I can't tell you all how much you've helped me these last couple of days, I am now much less stressed and am thinking more clearly. Thank you so much for your encouragement and suggestions, I now feel so much more confident that I will get everything done and it won't all turn out rubbish! xx

Own_My_Own

princesskitty29 wrote: »

Ruth_honey and OMO it's funny you mention the silk flowers as only this week i've been toying with the idea of using artificial flowers. Thanks for posting the link to the boquet at The Range OMO, I have to go there to get some table number holders so I will definitely check them out!

After chatting to you all on here and all of the encouragement you have given me i've given myself a pep talk! I am going to my parents whis weekend as it is my mum's 60th tomorrow and we're going to make a practice cake to either make myself feel better or decide that I should go with pre-made! When I first started planning my wedding this is the cake I wanted:

http://pinterest.com/pin/568086940465814932/

I'm not confident enough to do the dowelling, but after much thought over the last few days I have decided (if all goes well this weekend) to make one big chocolate cake and decorate it with two doves I have bought and some flowers like it is in the picture, then just make lots of cupcakes to go with it. I have bought some pretty cupcake wraps to finish them off and I have a lovely glass cake stand for the big cake. Thanks for the pics of the pre-made cake that you iced Nanamia, it's lovely and that is now going to be my back-up plan if things don't go well this weekend!

I am sorry to have been going on about my wedding as I know this is primarily a Christmas thread, but I can't tell you all how much you've helped me these last couple of days, I am now much less stressed and am thinking more clearly. Thank you so much for your encouragement and suggestions, I now feel so much more confident that I will get everything done and it won't all turn out rubbish! xx

It is also a chatter thread. You just keep going on, if it calms your nerves, and you get ideas.

And I am loving the cake. It looks very pretty. (If you know what I mean):D

If you do end up making it yourself, how about also making some in loaf tins or square tins. M&S do wedding cake slabs. Their are a lot easier to cut and wrap, if you are giving everyone a slice.

FeistyFidget

TrendyJenny have a lovely time

Princess chatter away - we really like to hear what's going on in each others life. If you're happy to do so, would love a pic of the practice cake

Not a good day for us
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/60001079#Comment_60001079

Peppapig

FeistyFidget wrote: »

Not a good day for us
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/60001079#Comment_60001079

Feisty, that's such a horrible thing to happen. I do hope it all turns out ok and the people that have your nan's best interests at heart get the outcome they, and your nan, deserve. It's not nice to have to say bad things about family but how sad that some of nan's other relatives seem more interested in what she has than in her.

Caitlyn - huge congratulations, hope you had a fabulous day!

Nanamia - your cakes look amazing.

Pinksteps - hope you and your family are ok and that everything goes as you want it to on 3rd April.

Trendyjenny - hope you enjoy your 70s weekend, it could be just what you need.

Noodles - love the sound of your WI. I wonder if they're all like that.

I really thought I'd remember all the bits I wanted to say while I was reading through the last couple of pages but now it's gone out of my head so I'm really sorry if I've missed anyone off - hugs to those that need them.