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

craftymummy_2

Feisty - that's bad and very ungrateful from your cousins. I'd be quite tempted not to get them anything in the future....


Noodles - I wouldn't spend the same amount. A 1 yr old has no idea what Xmas is and what the presents are. She'll be more interested in the wrapping paper snd the boxes, lol. For them quantity is more important and you can get away with lot of cheap but nice stuff and practical things. You also say that your OH has a big family so your little one will get plenty. And def don't listen to your OH, buying early for Xmas doesn't take the spirit away from anything.

Own_My_Own

Noodles there is no point spending the same when Mali has no idea what is going one. You could just buy for Nia and let Mali play with the empty boxes and paper. That is all she will what to play with anyway :rotfl:
I am not suggesting you do that, but you know what I mean.:D

FF I know they are related to you, but What ghastly boys. My 2 have received some terrible presents in the past but they have still thanked the giver. I am not saying your gifts are terrible, I was thinking of the fake action man ds got one year from my Aunt. It cost about £2 had sharp bits on it. But we never gave it back to her. I know I would begrudge buying for them in the future.

Can everyone pray (or what ever you do), for me please. I have been doing my family tree for about a year now, and today I came across something that has got me very excited.
My Nan had a brother, who I only met once. He died 2 years after my Nan in the 1990's. He left a wife Irene and a son. My Nan and him had lost contact years before, and even after meeting were not very close. I think to many years had passed.
I have not been able to trace his wife or son through the site I use, as they are living, so are hidden from public view. (My whole tree is private and hidden).
Anyway I was looking at Irenes tree today and while hunting for documents for her Mum, came across a tree that had a daughter as private. That means the owner has Irene on their tree. Now this may mean nothing, as I have her on my tree, and don't know her, but it could mean the owner of the tree actually knows them, and could help me contact them.

I do hope that makes sense.:o

Nanamia

Ooh Linky intriguing this might be the break through you've been waiting for. How exciting. You feeling better? You do sound brighter xxx

Trendyjenny hope you have returned safely from your 70's weekend with stories to tell Please be kind to yourself this week and know that we are all here if you fancy a chat xxx

Noodles it's a toughy (Christmas) I always tried to spend the same on my two! Sorry I know it goes against advice but its just the way I did things (still do actually) DD who was four years younger inherited lots of things from her big brother so for example I would buy new sets of Duplo to add to the collection. I know I know it's "me". Funnily enough DGDs love it now too and I'm still adding to it

Feisty I don't know how you kept your tongue! You must be saintly! That'd be two off my list for a start, fiver in a card if they were very lucky!
How'd it go today with the paperwork, hope you've managed to make a good start so it doesn't overtake Tuesday xxx

Freespirit I'm really tired so will have to catch up with how DDs second birthday went and hear how she enjoyed London in the morning. Hope you are good. Night night xxx

freespirit66

Evening everyone,
BUNBUN Thankyou, yes i had a lovely day baking, i actually got all of it done, but am now paying the price with my back my DD1 came home and was thrilled with it all, so it was a nice surprise for her and worth putting my back out for :rotfl:
FEISTY What rude children!! You must have felt so upset and frustrated! I would have been fuming! I always taught my kids to say thankyou very much, even if they had it already or it just wasnt suitable for them, i would hate for anyone to be offended
OMO How exciting, i know how it feels when you get through a brick wall re: family tree, will keep my fingers crossed for you
NOODLES It doesnt take the spirit of christmas away it saves our sanity buying throughout the year
Well i am shattered i am going to have a nose through some threads then off to bed go i, night night.

freespirit66

Hi NANAMIA
We must have posted at the same time, yes she had a great time, she adores london, and she said that even though the friends all met only at christmas on her india trip they got on absolutely great, one girl even travelled from croatia to surprise her for her birthday, bless her. She was thrilled with all the surprise baking i did for her, good job really my back is killing me now, but i really enjoyed it, am so glad i have finally got back into one of my hobbies, i think the old me may make a comeback after all :T well night night i am shattered too x

FeistyFidget

Thank you everyone, nice to know I am not being unreasonable with expecting manners I would love to not have them on the present list, but the arguments it would cause would be unreasonable (and I would be thought of as the one in the wrong). I have to say that this weekend has made me feel even more confident in our plans to move away next year.

Nana thank you, we did get some paperwork done. Unfortunately there was not only no receipts for purchases (not a single one!) but also just one bank statement, making it impossible to actually check any of the finances accurately. We also had a slight difference of opinion on priority, I think that it is more important to have the finances straightened out and accounted for, whereas others think that it is more important to put across the family disputes.

I am very OCD when it comes to financial record keeping (joys of 3 businesses) and so I found it very frustrating to have such disarray. Have told them that I will be logging all finances from now on - I know there will be issues with me even getting receipts or explanations for purchases from them, but something has to be done. I have to cancel my gym class tonight to go back and try to do more by their imposed Tuesday deadline

msgigglewick

sounds chaotic fiesty, little steps and it will all get done.

Noodles i've only ever given my under 3's a handful of pressies for xmas, they get too overwhelmed otherwise, as for moneywise i don't think it comes into it until they are a little older. as you said their gifts don't have to cost that much. the 7yr old will have a concept of money a bit, I have always said you can choose a main pressie usually around £50 and when they write their letters to santa they were allowed to dream (though the budget has always stretched to their dream pressie, it was always a shock when they got it) Now i have teenagers they have stopped asking and perfectly understand the items they'd love cost a heck of a lot more than their 3yr old sister (who we're now in a position to spoil but try not too)

Its a hard one isn't it. Check out amazon deals at least once a month as they very often have a lot of the toys for a 1yr old down to silly prices so a £20 toy down to around £5 ish. Arts and crafty sets for the 7yr old too. Hopefully you have a storage cupboard you can put the gifts away during the year.

I'm over the worst of the flu, touch wood, i think its the first time ever i've had it and don't want it again! just got the annoying cough and sore throat still but energy levels are nearly back up. I got a cookie set in the works for £2.99 yesterday its the star set that makes cookie trees, will come in handy for an 'elf' activity later in the year

freespirit66

Evening,
Its quiet on here today! I have had a quiet day just resting my back, its a bit better for it. I am watching Broadchurch but i dont know if i am enjoying it or not??

FEISTY Really feel for you having to deal with all this on top of everything going on, i am a bit like you, i keep receipts for everything and anything, i have to keep on top of paperwork otherwise it gnaws away at me.
MSGIGGLEWICK Glad you are starting to feel better, i have only ever had flu once about 15 yrs ago and i can still remember how bad i felt, i have that star cutter set, it looks stunning when made, except i paid more from lakeland a couple of years ago, you got a great bargain

Betsie2010

Reading late tonight, trying to send myself to sleep
Got appt with mediator and ex tomorrow re him not wanting to comply with court order from 3 years ago. It feels like going thou the divorce all over again....
Playing havoc with my diet too!
Best friends Dad is really not good at the moment - I'm taking him to Marsden on Weds as bf lives in Devon.
Too many balls in air at once.
Any news on when the spring wiki finally arrive ?

Nanamia

Oh my word what a quiet place today! Linky bet you are deeply enthraled in family tree websites. Dying to hear how it's gone?

Freespirit your day sounds just perfect. I'm so glad DD enjoyed all your bakes I think it was Caitlyn (please correct me if I've remembered wrong) but she has a wonderful way with words and described perfectly how baking relaxes and eases the stresses of daily life. Works for me too

Feisty thinking of you, sounds like chaos to be honest. I am hoping you've managed to find some order amongst it all and that you have a brill day tomorrow with DH xxx

Msgigglewick where've you been my lovely? I'm sorry you've had the flu, it's awful isn't it. I've known a few people have it this year and its taken a good while for them to get back to full strength:( Here's hoping you feel like your old self very soon. I bought a star set of cutters to try and make mini ones for last Christmas but didn't get around to it. Could put it on the list for this year:) Linky has promised to set me deadlines so I WILL be done

Betsie you poor thing. Such a lot on your mind. Hope hope you manage to get some sleep. Night night xxx

Opee any news. We are all still thinking of you and are ready to welcome our latest member xxx

My oh my have I had a busy day. DH and I have been clearing our box room to make it into a bedroom for DGD2. Started yesterday how does one 48 yr old harbour so much carp? (Me) Tiny box room was home to my craft table, cake decorating equipment and supplies, plus card making equipment and supplies (only I've not been seriously making cards for agggges) Plus DGDs toys. Where to put it all. I've jiggled and juggled and it's mostly got a new home and we've ordered her a toddler bed, got bedding and curtains so well on our way Need to quickly go over with emulsion and go through the toy boxes ( ruthlessly) Im hoping it'll be all beautiful for next weekend - I've got her in the morning for playgroup so it'll be her first look at the work in progress. Hope she likes it

Been out for our celebration tea with DSiL She walked into the restaraunt -no stick she's such a superstar. She walked round to mine for coffee this morning with the stick in her hand just in case. (Only 8 doors away) We had such a good laugh, really don't know why we don't do it more often. Definitely a day to count our blessings.