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

Own_My_Own

msgigglewick I love it

Amey Yes he did. He has gone home now and I am back to being tidy. I have got it down to a fine art. Kiss him goodbye, put the kettle on and run round like a headless chicken. By the time the kettle has boiled, the lounge is back to normal. I then sit and look round me while drinking a HOT coffee.

Freespirit You could never bring the thread down. We have all been through so much in the last year. You have helped us all. Please let us help you. I know it is hard to say how you feel, it's a combination of not having the words or just not feeling bothered to write them down. Sending (((hugs))).

Nanamia How's it looking ?

pixtotts

Sorry if this is repeating but matalan have their Christmas stuff online now woo!
Not a great deal caught my eye but really like this > http://www.matalan.co.uk/events/christmas/christmas-trees-anddecorations/s2538705/snowflake-tin-bowl-9cm
not a clue what I would do with it though x

fluffysox

craftymummy wrote: »

Can I ask you clever ladies for some ideas? I'm struggling to find some nice (and cheap) fluffy socks and foot cream for my mistle toes presents, so I've managed to get a cheap snowflake nail varnish from the cosmetics fairy and thought about doing a snowflake little hamper-thing for DDs teacher. Thought about getting that snowflake chocolate bar, get DD to make a snowflake Hama bead hanging decoration and maybe a snowflake Yankee candle sampler candle in a decorated candle holder (get DD to punch out snowflakes and modge podge them onto glass candle holder) do you think that's enough or can you suggest something else within the theme that's also cheap? Thank you!

I think the snowflake idea is fantastic. I teach secondary boys nowadays so don't get as overwhelmed with gifts as primary or as when I also taught girls. But the most memorable ones are those which involve thought or effort from the child. I have a little bird amongst my Christmas tree decorations which reminds me every year of the girl in my form who gave it to me at my last school. I remember one of the boys in my current school giving me a bag of fudge he'd made himself. And I have some thoughtfully written cards that I've kept. I've had lots of boxes of chocolates (which mostly get regifted to family) and a few bottles of wine which get consumed over the Christmas hols but they aren't memorable like the ones which show thought or time from the child. A handmade Christmas decoration with a nicely written card would be lovely. Your ideas of snowflake choc etc make it sound extra special.

choccymoose

pixtotts wrote: »

Sorry if this is repeating but matalan have their Christmas stuff online now woo!
Not a great deal caught my eye but really like this > http://www.matalan.co.uk/events/christmas/christmas-trees-anddecorations/s2538705/snowflake-tin-bowl-9cm
not a clue what I would do with it though x

Saw that today its lovely

fluffysox

Ameyturtle wrote: »

Evening all!
Harper had his dental check up after I finished Friday, and he managed to pull me over and I landed on my knee, so once again I have a scabbed knee at 23, but I've also been limping for my 2 days off.
Popped into B&M's today got some walnut whips for mum's december hamper, and going to get some coffee for it too, I bought her a coffee grinder last week or the week before but I think that will be a main present not a hamper one, need to pin down some more little bits for it. I think Mum's stocking this year might just be Lush! Probably will make it a retro one I think.
I need to do an approved food order to finish off most of the people at work, I am going to do each of them a little Christmas bag of sweets and then the odd extra gift for a select few. Will probably be things like nail varnishes as I can get them quite cheaply.
Would it be bad to make Dad's stocking just chocolate, beers, tea and tobacco? :rotfl:I am massive stuck and socks are a massive no go for him I like to buy socks and have been banned from doing so.
Love and hugs xxx

My Dad's favourite things are beer and cigarettes and sweets. I used to go to loads of effort shopping for gifts for him, but these three things make him happiest. He has a birthday days before Christmas (70 this year) though so he is reluctant to open gifts on Christmas Day. We do a Secret Santa at work so only spend £5 each in my dept. I write cards but many "give the money to charity". Never quite understood this as cards are not expensive- I think they just choose not to spend time writing them.
Hope your knee isn't too sore.

mandco

finally back online :T

fiesty sorry for your loss its so hard esp when its unexpected. glad the re launch was a sucess

loads to catch up on so just gonna say congrats/hugs as needed and welcome to all the newbies/returning members or I'll be here all night

craftyymummy keep checking primari I was looking for plain black ones and they def had red ones

fluffysox I hope lo puts in an appearance soon I know those last few days drag but try to enjoy the little time you have left

finally feel like i'm getting there present wise
skylanders arrived and a couple of characters brought
7 more presents brought & currently price watching a couple more
the only big ones left are waiting on the ps4 release

Money_maker

Ameyturtle wrote: »

Can I ask you for your gingerbread recipe?

We use the same gingerbread recipe as Feisty http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/4900/simple-gingerbread-house from the BBC website. Problem is that the template link is broken so you can either try this one http://realfood.tesco.com/Media/docs/Gingerbread-house-template-dd3ca72f-349d-495e-8501-fd0880c44108-0.pdf which I haven't used before or google for another one. Not sure if DS2 still has a copy of the old template or if we need to find another.

fluffysox

pixtotts wrote: »

Sorry if this is repeating but matalan have their Christmas stuff online now woo!
Not a great deal caught my eye but really like this > http://www.matalan.co.uk/events/christmas/christmas-trees-anddecorations/s2538705/snowflake-tin-bowl-9cm
not a clue what I would do with it though x

That is lovely, haha only things I can think of are somewhere to put the clementines or as the basket for very swanky food hamper lol.

craftymummy_2

pixtotts wrote: »

Sorry if this is repeating but matalan have their Christmas stuff online now woo!
Not a great deal caught my eye but really like this > http://www.matalan.co.uk/events/christmas/christmas-trees-anddecorations/s2538705/snowflake-tin-bowl-9cm
not a clue what I would do with it though x

Now that'd be perfect for my snowflake hamper if it was a lot cheaper

fluffysox

Thanks ladies for the well wishes. This little boy is far too comfy where he is. I'm hoping he decides to make an appearance before Weds as they are going to try and induce me then. DS was funny earlier he was sat on my lap saying, "Look at my new car, it goes brum brum brum" I answered him and was told "No Mummy don't talk, I am just showing the baby". Anyway baby was kicking in response to a toy car being rolled across bump so I told him the baby could hear him and wanted to play. "No baby- it is my car, not yours!":rotfl: