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

chirpychick

caitlyn22 wrote: »

Aw I'm so pleased for you and your OH, sounds wonderful and like much deserved happiness for you both. And just think of all the fun Christmas-times to come! :j

I am SO excited about Christmas LOL! It's ridiculous how excited I am! I am pretty sure he wont have a clue and will be quite overwhelmed come Christmas day but I can barely contain my excitement LOL!!

caitlyn22

FeistyFidget wrote: »

Caitlyn, biscotti sounds amazing! Maybe when OMO is back we could ask her to set up a 6 weeks of Christmas thing where we all contribute things to do in the lead up to Christmas? That way, we 'should' have time to do it

Oooh yes, perhaps we could all take turns to trial any recipes/craft ideas and post results and images with any tips from experience! Though I suspect you'd be so much better than me as you're already so good at blogging! My 'tips' would be things like: "When mixing, steady your bowl with a tea-towel. And wear a pinny. And cover all your worktop surfaces with sheets like you're cleaning a chimney. Best get your loved ones to put on ponchos too."

caitlyn22

chirpychick wrote: »

I am SO excited about Christmas LOL! It's ridiculous how excited I am! I am pretty sure he wont have a clue and will be quite overwhelmed come Christmas day but I can barely contain my excitement LOL!!

Haha, I would be the same! I know there's FAR more to it than this but sometimes I do imagine the best thing about having kids must be getting them to bed on Christmas Eve, putting cookies out for Santa, setting out their presents for the morning and knowing they're up in bed, CONVINCED they can hear sleigh bells and believing in it all. Magic!

dropsofjupiter

:T Congratulations Caitlyn22 on our 3000th post! :T

icemice

Hi Caitlyn22 - my biscottis yesterday were my first attempt and having realised how easy they were, I will certainly be making more and they will certainly be on my 'to make for Christmas' list as there are so many varieties. Hope that you also get round to these this year. I do plenty of cake baking but another one to the repertoire can't hurt!

I usually do jars of home-made things for adults in various bags / wrap, but I love the idea of a discovery jar for the kids with money and hidden gifts. Another one to try - thanks

I was chatting about Christmas at work today and despite knowing me for years, people are still shocked to realise that yes, i do plan ahead for Christmas ALL YEAR, EVERY YEAR! Somehow, I have 40 people on my gift list so this isn't something that can all be pulled together at the last minute without throwing oodles of cash about - something which I can't and won't do, hence the planning ahead, sales, home-mades as far as I can. Needs must....

freespirit66

Evening everyone
NANAMIA - where are you? hope you are ok, i havent heard you on here for a couple of days x
TINCAN - glad you had a lovely family meal out
TRENDYJENNY - phew that is good news about boiler
SUZ24 - i would love to be able to use a sewing machine but that is one thing i am a disaster at :rotfl:
SUGARSPUN - its lovely seeing baby first time isnt it, hope everything is going ok
CAITLYN - i did really enjoy the film although it did miss out xmas day but i felt so relaxed after watching it, ha thats what i said to icemice always on my list but never got round to it, this year biscotti will be top of the list, hope it isnt too stressful trying to think what is best for your mum, omg that made me laugh i have a drawer of napkins as well, i love buying them. Are you going to post any pics of the wedding? btw your ideas for CHIRPYCHICK are lovely, you clever thing
CHIRPYCHICK hope you got some good ideas off of CAITLYN, we will have the least money to spend on christmas this year as well, i have been getting some little bits here and there, luckily i dont have a list as big as yours, but when i am stressing about it i just tell myself, its us being together at xmas time that is the most important thing, you did brilliantly last xmas, hope franklin is well.

Nanamia

Wow my lovelies you have been busy I stay off for a few days (exhausted too tired to pop on) and suddenly I'm pages behind. Was fun catching up tho

Feisty I do hope the dizzy spells have gone or eased at least! Good news about the laptop and exciting about the printer I'm "well jel" xxx
Mrsinvisible I hope you enjoyed your gardening Sunday, well done you on the present hunt, you are doing well aren't you. How was your Skype ? I'm hopeless still get upset when they've gone:( Are you lucky enough to have DGS living with you?
Jakesbakescakes hope DS2s birthday celebrations went well
Ameyturtle woooo hooooo finally news on Linky thank you so much. Did you manage to have your birthday treat today?
Hanley glad you had such a good time at the party. Your card and hamper looked fab well done you xx
Icemice how's your cold? Hope you are feeling a little better at least. Have you tried Fred Aldous ? For your wax, I'm not sure on their p&p but I had some a few years ago from them. I also (sounds daft now I'm writing it) re melted the candle wax from used church candles, not sure if you've any contacts at a local church?
Chrissy bas***ds I'm sorry but it makes my blood boil:( low life is definitely right. I'm glad they were caught but it's little justice to your parents if its unsettled them is it:( and to be so bold. Unbelievable. I hope your parents are getting over it ok sending big hugs xxx
Tin can how was the anniversary celebration? Hope you had fun
Sugarspun woooo hoooo how lovely, was that your 20week scan? Do we know prince or princess? Very exciting time ahead xxx
Caitlyn you were on good form with your present advice as usual well done. I too have a selection of napkins love them rarely get the opportunity to use them DH thinks its daft! Men!!! But I do use them when we are eating outdoors:) roll on those day xxx
Chirpy hiya sending big waves and hugs to the gorgeous Franklin Christmas is only 259 days away this year it'll be perfect and next year it'll be blooming out of this world. Treasure your little man and make fab memories xxx
Freespirit oh your girls have had a right blooming week of it haven't they:( Hoping that DD2 will be able to recoup her losses at another craft fayre very soon! Strangely (well maybe not that strange) whilst on our hols with DGD1 I caught the last few minutes of The Holiday DGD1 was glued so when we got back I ordered it from amazon n thought I'd snuggle up n watch and it's been sat on my work surface in my kitchen for 6 weeks now!!! Yes I'm a slob, you may just have tempted me to watch it thank you.

Well we've been busy little bees in the Nanamia household. DGD2 slept over last night No problem whatsoever in her new room, she slept from 6.50pm- 7.05am she was so proud of her little self She still takes anyone who'll look up to see it. When her Mum picked her up she said "had a lovely day mum" aww bless her. Brought a lump to my throat you kno how soft I am! I've still got a few crafty project to finish for her room but have had a hectic few days! Will get them done hopefully. X
Stayed with my friend today till she was settled onto the ward, bless her she was so tired, sat waiting six hours. I was blooming shattered so can't imagine how she must've felt. It's a wonderful hospital and I owe it for saving my DH and the hanging about was just unfortunate Spoke to my friend at 10pm and they hadn't started the chemo yet so her discharge will be delayed which has upset her Hope she manages some sleep tonight.
Spent a few hours with DSiL yesterday, she has a follow up appointment tomorrow for long stay patients on ICU - I bet they won't recognise her Can't wait it hear what they say xxx

SugarSpun

I'm 17 weeks, and yes we do know what we're having

All that pink clothing staying in the attic.

craftymummy_2

Congratulations Sugarspun! :T

PoppyGirl

Suz24 wrote: »

Just popped back again to thanks for the hot choc advice, hope everyone is having a good monday.

had my thinking cap on for pressies to make for people, will need to start now though and master the use of a sewing machine haha

Poundland have cello cones sold as disposable piping bags. Packs of 20, which works out cheaper than ebay.

You've come to the right place with regards to making gifts!