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

Hanley25

He is ok being left as my brother works full time. My mum pops in and walks him each day. But I think because he has to leave him when he goes to work he feels guilty and that's why he takes him everywhere with him when he's not working.

Laurajo_2

Well, the puppy won't know it's christmas so I'm sure he'll be fine...and I'm sure your brother will understand.

Hanley25

I hope so. Thanks.

whitesatin

FeistyFidget, I think it is probably worth a try getting to some sort of local Christmas thing. I think the retailers of any open shop are grateful for the business if it is possible to just pick up a few bits there. We have nice restaurants and pubs and a few nice shops. It is the influx of the tacky, travelling fair ground stuff that drags it all down. Same things appear at any local event and attracts the wrong sort of people. I live in a resonable, though not the best, area but we seem to have an increasing number of people who don't care about other people.

Such a shame as it drags an area down, eventually.

System

Ive come to the very painful conclusion that my lovely chest freezer has to go:( ,ive tried to fit into the limited space we now have but its time to face facts its taking too much room up.
I only bought it in January!

blue_eyed_girl

pink lady - hope all goes well for you. Such a worrying time. Sending you lots of virtual hugs. x

Whitesatin - we went to a 'German market' last year in Leeds - very disappointing - not like the real thing.

Have done a little bit of 'window shopping' on the laptop this afternoon and marked a few possibilities for some of the outstanding things we need.

Struggling to work out something for neice (nearly 18) to go with her money pressie. I always seem to get her some sort of toiletries gift set but would like to do something different. Her birthday is just after xmas too so I have to save some ideas for then too. She isn't really a girly girl - have done the scarves, gloves things. She has a motorbike and wondered if I could get something related to that but my knowledge of bikes is absolutely zilch. I was looking for something between £5 and £10 - any ideas anyone?

Right off now to catch up with Corrie/Strictly/XFactor and thinking of watching the start of the Jungle - sound a real couch potato don't I? :rotfl:

b_e_g

Ruth_honey

Peppapig wrote: »

Thank you so much for the Taste of Christmas idea Ruth - have been wracking my brain for something to do for someone who isn't into sweets and chocolates so that will do the trick perfectly. :j

Laurajo wrote: »

That taste of christmas is a great idea - I'm going to use it for DHs nana, who's in a home and doesn't get out much and is quite hard to buy for x

Yeah! :j So pleased that I've been helpful to some of you with the Taste of Christmas idea. Hope they are well received.

Enjoyed the Southbank (London) Christmas market today. Had a lovely bratwurst with cheese and bacon-it has a proper German name but I can't remember what it is now. Very tasty, though! Only bought some cheese, although they did have some lovely jewellery stands there. Saving my pennies for Brighton next week-love Silver Scene in the Lanes and want to treat myself there. Anyone know if the lights are on in Brighton yet?

Ruth_honey

blue_eyed_girl wrote: »

pink lady - hope all goes well for you. Such a worrying time. Sending you lots of virtual hugs. x

Whitesatin - we went to a 'German market' last year in Leeds - very disappointing - not like the real thing.

Have done a little bit of 'window shopping' on the laptop this afternoon and marked a few possibilities for some of the outstanding things we need.

Struggling to work out something for neice (nearly 18) to go with her money pressie. I always seem to get her some sort of toiletries gift set but would like to do something different. Her birthday is just after xmas too so I have to save some ideas for then too. She isn't really a girly girl - have done the scarves, gloves things. She has a motorbike and wondered if I could get something related to that but my knowledge of bikes is absolutely zilch. I was looking for something between £5 and £10 - any ideas anyone?

Right off now to catch up with Corrie/Strictly/XFactor and thinking of watching the start of the Jungle - sound a real couch potato don't I? :rotfl:

b_e_g

I had my first motorbike when I was 18, so here's some ideas...

Tax disc holder-amazon, eBay. Make sure it's a motorcycle one!
Motorbike ice cube tray-www.GetGeared.co.uk
Motorcycle key holder (£6.99-looks fab!)-same as above
Those clicky hand warmer things to get her hands warmed up after riding on a cold day.
Really nice keyring-maybe of a bike?
Cleaning kit-Muc off are a good brand, but online it's free P+P over £15 (but maybe you could buy birthday gift at the same time, or something for another person?)
Bike book-a travel one or guide to biker friendly cafes. Can make up a list if think she might like that.
DVD-we enjoyed The Long Way round with Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman
Mini torch or toolkit to keep under the saddle/in coat pocket
Disk lock reminder or helmet bag
Bike magazine-we think the best ones are Bike and Ride, but if she's into race bikes, maybe Performance Bikes is better
T shirt-loads of biker slogans available online
Tyre pressure gauge-very important to keep bike tyres at the correct pressure!
Bungees-always handy! I saw a pack in Home Bargains which were cheap-£3?
Subscription for Motorcycle Monthly magazine-£7.99 for 12 issues/a year. I will add that my hubby writes for this, so it would make a very good gift!

Edited to add link: http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-top-10s/top-10-xmas-biker-gifts/16348.html
This could be useful too

junior_j

Lots of packing and last minute stuff going on for Scotland tomorrow I'm excited to the point I could burst but anxious about all the travelling especially as the tubing in in my stomach must be laying on a nerve so it's really tender and sore!

Hope everyone is well! Hoping to do a lot of my shopping whilst away made sure I have room in suitcase to bring stuff back x

nic2075

Well today's Wintertainment was a huge let down. Every year Santa arrives in a Sea King helicopter, everyone lines the beach and he does a few fly pasts while waving out the open door. Then there is a lovely parade with a pipe band, dancers etc and of course Santa on a float.
Well today we thought he was coming by lifeboat this year. The lifeboat was sitting just off the beach and honking it's horn and everyone waving, but it turns out Santa had been dropped off in a 4x 4 at the carpark and would be there do receive letters. We went up, but couldn't get near. And when we did see him, it was a horrible suit with the elastic for his beard really visible. The kids were let down.

Then the parade started, the pipe band were good, the dancers were walking not dancing like they usually do, then it was the brownies dressed as snowmen. Not bad, but usually a lot more clubs and dance troops take part.
Then a horrible looking tow truck came down, all the kids were excited thinking this was Santa. But no, it was Mickey Mouse and Mrs Claus!
Apparently Santa had went straight to the town hall for the Grotto which cost £7 each to get in :-(

On my video you can here my 2 year old wee voice saying 'look, look there's Santa coming, oh no it's just Mickey, where's Santa'?

Lots of people were disappointed. If they couldn't get enough money to host it, then they shouldn't have bothered with a sad disappointing one.