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

FeistyFidget

his_missus wrote: »

Hello all,

Will go and catch up on your news soon but thought I would chart my progress first.

All pressies (apart from Hubby's) are bought. Finished putting together my bessie's "snowed-in" hamper last night, it looks so fab (if I do say so myself) that I want to keep it I hope she likes it.

Wrote my xmas cards on Sunday morning. I just need to find the address book so I can sort the ones that need posting.

Oh, and we did a Santa Dash on Sunday with a friend and her son, absolutely fantastic fun. Afterwards we all went out for lunch to a restaurant still all dressed as Santas :rotfl:

Dad starts chemo on Thursday and trying not to let it put a dampner on the festivities, as he wouldn't want that, but it's just such a worry.

I NEED to see a picture of the snowed in hamper, pretty please!

Thinking of your dad and the family xxx

Well it may be a very small thing, but I am so flipping chuffed with myself. For the first time ever, all to be posted cards are written and stamped in the first week of December! I'm ashamed to say that I'm pants with giving out cards! This year, I will do it though most of the hand out ones are all done, and I vow to use the cheap tacky ones up on work colleages (I'm shameful) so I can get some decent ones in the January sale for next year.

Does anyone know where I can get cheap killer style jars from? I was planning ornate paper cuts and gingerbread houses to give as family gifts, but in the spirit of my vow to be more selfish, I don't want the stress. Instead I'm doing brownie ingredients in a jar. But really don't want to break the bank.

dropsofjupiter

FeistyFidget wrote: »

Does anyone know where I can get cheap killer style jars from? I was planning ornate paper cuts and gingerbread houses to give as family gifts, but in the spirit of my vow to be more selfish, I don't want the stress. Instead I'm doing brownie ingredients in a jar. But really don't want to break the bank.

Ikea seems to be the winner http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/search/?query=kilner+jar

Otherwise http://www.dunelm-mill.com/shop/cook/shop-by-brand/kilner/

blue_eyed_girl

FeistyFidget wrote: »

Does anyone know where I can get cheap killer style jars from? I was planning ornate paper cuts and gingerbread houses to give as family gifts, but in the spirit of my vow to be more selfish, I don't want the stress. Instead I'm doing brownie ingredients in a jar. But really don't want to break the bank.

Hi feisty - we got some kilner bottles from Wilkinsons last year. Don't know how they work out price wise now though.

b_e_g

Own_My_Own

Evening. Sorry for going AWOL.

Still no Christmas Mojo here. Been watching Christmas films and looking at all the lights on my night walk with Mia, but it's not there.

I'm not fed up I'm just not excited.

Does anyone know how Now TV works ? We are having trouble with free view again. Only have freesat in the lounge and the kids are getting fed up. Does it work though the internet or aerial ?

We are having fibre internet fitted tomorrow so speed won't be a problem.

freespirit66

Evening everyone,
DD1 did an eyelash extension course on sunday and she has to do 5 case studies, guess who was number one, wow it was really relaxing laying down, i nearly fell asleep, she was so gentle and they look fabulouuuus darrrrling :rotfl:haha

blue_eyed_girl wrote: »

his missus - hope all goes well with Dad's treatment. It will be a worrying time for you all. x
Posted all my cards this morning - just the ones to hand deliver now. Got two piles - I hate it when they seem to hang around for ages. I usually get all mine done and then other people give me theirs to deliver so I have to start all over again. :mad:
Been out shopping with DH an DS today so that DS can do his christmas shopping - all I can say is at times it was painful. He has just got a new gf and didn't know what to buy. All the suggetions I came up with were total no nos of course but thankfully he got sorted in the end. I didn't really get that much today but hope to get Mum sorted tomorrow.
Took a few pics of the lovely lights at the shopping centre but unfortunately they don't do them justice. Look much better in real life. As my friends over in the Cross Stitch Cafe will know by now - I'm a rubbish photographer :rotfl:

Here goes











Haven't had a proper meal so far today so we are being really [STRIKE]naughty[/STRIKE] lazy and DH has just gone to chippy as a treat.
Well I think its going to be a lazy night for me as I am shattered. Love hearing about all the preparations you are all doing.
Take care everyone.b_e_g

BLUEEYEDGIRL oh what fab photos i love the stag

Peppapig wrote: »

Thank you all for the good wishes on the birth of DGS2. We're supposed to be going over there tomorrow as it's DD1's birthday but I'm so thick with cold I might not get to go so will send pressie over with DH instead. If I'm not all sneezy I might go and just keep away from him (really want to see DD open her pressies) but if I'm sneezy like I am today then I'll stay home - I'd hate to infect the poor little soul in his first week!
Hoping to put the tree and decs up on Thursday now. Have bought a new outside door mat with robbins on and have lovely vintage style bunting from dotcom giftshop to put up outside (bought it in the sale at the beginning of the year). My name is Peppapig and I'm a buntingaholic....:rotfl:

Oh PEPPAPIG how annoying you have waited all this time and now you are ill, typical, hope you get some cuddles soon.

Nanamia wrote: »

Thank you my lovelies special thanks to b_e_g, choccymoose and freespirit I'm back off to catch up xxx

Oh NANAMIA lovely to see you back on here, hope everything is ok, and OMO i hope you are ok too, we are missing you as well x

FEISTY well done you, so you should be pleased with yourself, i can only echo BLUEEYEDGIRL AND DROPSOF JUPITER they were the first places i thought of

choccymoose

His missus - thinking of you and yours at this time, my dad has been undergoing chemo for the past 2 years, feel free to pm me if you want someone not close to you to sound off too. X

choccymoose

Woodburner going in tomorrow, all building work done then a small bit of plastering, 3 strips of wall paper then ta dah it will be done. Christmas tree and decks going up at the weekend. Fa la la la la la la laaaaaa.

Ps Kris Kringle from miracle on 34th street (Richard Attenborough) seems to have moved to my town, he walked past my friemds house yesterday and mine today lol. If its jothim, its his double!

Baby_boo

Hi everyone, I was determined to post today so here I am!
Thank you to all that post even when I'm not able to post I read the forum a couple of times a day, I love Christmas and it's so nice reading your
plans and where you are upto.
Peppapig congratulations on the birth of Dgs2 and I do hope you feel
better soon.
FeistyFidget rightly so your chuffed your doing great as well as juggling
all those curve balls.
I still have some gifts to get I have a list of who and possible ideas.
Hubby is going in the loft at weekend so I hope to put up my gold
twig and he is going to sort out a cd of Xmas music, I think that's
because I keeping singing the same line lol.
The pics you have posted are lovely and make me smile.
I'm sorry I haven't mentioned everybody my memory is dire,
I do hope that I'm able to post again before the big day.
good wishes to those that need them Boo x

fluffysox

pigpen wrote: »

Some stuff I just cut the ties and leave in situ.. a 2y/o cannot wait 20 minutes for the wraps undoing.

I hear you, DH nearly lost his temper with a Fisher Price airport on DS's birthday. Impossible to remove from box then needing assembly. My 2yr old was not happy being made to wait.

FeistyFidget wrote: »

Freespirit I am loving those photos

I purchased all cards from cardfactory yesterday, but was really annoyed as they only had one terrible 'Nan' card - the rest were Nanna, Nanny or Grandma - I then had to go to Clintons and spend a small fortune on a card for nan and dh.

I thought I was being all wise and not taking any orders after the 1st December, turns out that I still have 20 to make before I can start to focus on our Christmas! Not too sure how that happened, but I will be thankful for the extra £130 it brings in as this will pay for all remaining

I can never find Nanny cards only Nan, Nanna or most commonly Grandma.
Hope your business picks up xx

Nanamia

JJ my lovely, is it all antibiotics that upset your shunt or just amoxicillin? I do hope that the combination of chocolate and morphine do the trick. Please don't leave it to get too bad before you get some help, we can't have you back in hospital. Are you still up for your hairdressers tomorrow? xxx
Cupofchai ooh you've made me chuckle this evening and your trees up woo hoo go you xxx
b_e_g thanks for your kind words my lovely. It's nice to be missed I keep my hair very short, I'm just way to lazy to do anything with it. I'm very low maintance ha no make up either tooooo lazy. I loved your photos, I love led white lights, DH treated us to a few more sets last week. Too early for me to do decorations yet tho! Xxx
Chrissy I do wish I lived nearer, I get really disappointed when I get to the end of my ironing pile, I could carry on for ages I love it. Weird I know! xxx
Fluffysox so sorry to have missed your birthday, sounds like it was a good day tho Aren't they just the best days totally unplanned but spending time with the people who matter most Sounds like you could have your very own version of Mrs Browns Boys haha xxx
Feisty I'm glad things are looking up re DH and the shop aaarrgh if it were me I would cut my losses and get the stuff on ebay. The quicker it's behind you you can start to move forward, looks like your other orders are going to keep you busy enough. You are not being "selfish" you are focusing on the most important things in life. Brownies in a jar is a lovely present Get the jars,weigh the stuff, make a tag another job done. Tick. More time to spend with DH win win xxx
Pinklady wow go girl, that is organised. How is your pregnancy going? Hope you are keeping well xxx
Nic oh the helicopter crash was tragic, I'm so sorry you knew people involved, glad your friends in the band are safe. The people of Glasgow have been amazing haven't they. xxx
Freespirit aww sister from another mister I've missed you. My canvases are for the living room, I've put one up cos it's DH with both granddaughters but I've only got DGD2 on the other one, no decent photo of DGD1 yet!!! Frustrating don't want to really put one up without the other. Have given DS earache about the matter He's in Sydney on a course so not much help really. I just love your tree and the whole room and decorations - just beautiful. And your hot chocolate station I neeeed one, I've looked on Pintrest - I do neeed one however I don't drink hot chocolate do you think that matters haha. You poor thing hurting your neck, is it any better today? What is it with you and nerves lady? Be more careful xxx
b_e_g and Pinksteps I think Mrsinvisible needs to sort out the sleep fairys bill and pretty quickly! You two are up in the middle of the blooming night xxx
Linky I have a quiet little chuckle to myself every Sunday when I hear of your bedlam. Ha. That's my daily life I imagine your beautifully house in chaos for a few hours. Years ago I knew a lady who sat in the play pen knitting and let the children have the run of the house aha thinking about it I'm wondering if she was related to Pigpen xxx
Mrsinvisible can I have a little of whatever ou are on this week please. You are so on a roll whisking through your tasks getting everything organised. How have your evening outs gone, I love to hear what you've eaten, what the restaraunt was like, what you had for pud etc. Fingers crossed DGSs school gets all these measures in place before he transfers to high school, it's so much easier, will make his transition much smoother too. xxx
Laurajo I love your posts, your Christmas spirit is contagious, keep it up please. A few of us are waning! X
Crowdpleaser all your preperations seem to be coming together too. I'm to do Santa sleighs too, must get a wriggle on X
Mandco such sad news about Paul Walker and of course the other passenger, makes us realise how short life can be. A definete seize the day moment xxx
Quidsy thank you for bumping the list, it great just need to print and off xxx
Lazysheep good luck with the job applications My DH is exactly the same, but secretly he loves it when it's done (well that's what I tell him) xxx
Drops of Jupiter love your avatar Your weekend sounded lovely, hope DH had a good day xxx
Wuvvie bless you my lovely, you are getting there Pushing yourself to do festive things thinking of your DS, I'm really hoping things will get easier for you. You've certainly got the right idea with comfort food, sounds delish xxx
Story Time it's a good feeling to be done isn't it, I'm not wrapped completely but am enjoying being all shopped out. X
Naughty Spot ooooh I love the photos, your room looks so cosy and inviting xxx
Nicki your window is fab, what a clever thing you are. I can second the tip about washing up liquid, it really does work X
Pigpen yay you've made a great start with your wrapping. I'm sure DS3 will be delighted with his presents X
Fevertotell you've done so well with all your preperations, it's time to sit back and enjoy xxx
Orkney Star you too my lovely, workd hard and now everything is coming together X
Msgigglewick ooh I love the elf photos, what have they been up to today? X
Mrs M yay well done on sourcing perfect presents for your DH he will be delighted wont he. Made me smile about DS certificates, my housing association do that send a letter to say they are sending a letter. Drives me crazy, such a waste! xxx
Peppapig how lovely a darling new DGS how lucky we are. Oh blooming hek what a time to get a cold, hopefully you'll be able to see your DD open her presents tomorrow, even if you have to do it from the other side of the room! xxx
Ellie Wellie thank you for the heads up re the tv mags, I love to look too. Can't think that I'm looking forward to anything in particular this year except Call the Midwife. X
His missus your prep is brill too Im thinking of your DF and the family, chemo is a necessary evil unfortunately but worth it if it manages to do its job xxx
Princess please find your Christmas spirit very soon xxx
Marco dog you too, find it and blinking hold on tight to it and don't let go. You may think you are crazy, today I've posted cards to a dog and a cat!!! I am not totally crazy, it'll make my friend smile and that's what counts xxx
Choccymoose thank you too for missing me yep, it was your turn to be mother hen thank you it really meant a lot. I'm glad you can see the end to the work now and everything is coming together. How very festive. And you have your own Kris Kringle lucky lucky you xxx
Linky my lovely, I think a lot of people are feeling like that at the mo, stick with us we will find your missing mojo xxx