Old Style Christmas Preparations for Christmas 2013

quidsy

Just post. No one will bite:D

datlex

We usually go out for Christmas. It is expensive but it is our annual treat. This year we are having a backwards Christmas. Cold meats etc on Christmas Day like you would have on Boxing Day normally. Eating out on Boxing Day instead. It will save us substantially.
Already have decorations for the tree. Got some wrapping paper from last year. Keeping presents cheap this year.

double_mummy

winniepooh wrote: »

can I join this thread please

howdy jump in

Josslette

Have got OH three lego books which include a minifigure in each. Only £2.99 each when they should retail for about £16-£18. Gotta love Home Bargains.

bossymoo

My kiddies are 4 and 2 (about to be 3) so we haven't had loads of Xmases, but we do like the Xmas Eve hampers. We tend to do a shared one, that appears under the tree during the afternoon. It usually has:

Pjs
Xmas DVD and our "night before Xmas" book
Treats
Usually a craft thing but last year was a little nativity set which they played with for ages
Carrot for Rudolph and mince pie for Santa
Baileys for me

I'm going to keep an eye out for the mini Lego kits as stocking fillers for DS. DD is easy to buy for, she's like I was, loves little mini bits of tat like lip balms, mini dollies etc. DS likes things with wheels but he already has everything you can possibly imagine.

I'm hoping for a slimline Xmas this year - DS needs a new bike and DD would love a dolls house, so thinking they are the main presents, plus a stocking and one or two things under the tree. I also buy them something from my mums family (too many kids so we buy for own own from all the aunties, works really well rather than a dozen £5 gifts) which I got in the @rgos sale - a kids tablet each with little games and audio books on, at bargain price.

I want a new cover for my iPad and that's all I can think of.

We will make grandparents some hm choc slabs to decorate, I think. We made a gingerbread house last year which was fab but intricate, and I'm afraid to say I got a bit precious and didn't let the kids near it at the end

With the slabs, they can do their own deco and I'll butt out

Josslette

Bossymoo - have you bought your son any of the lego minifigures? I think WHSmith do mini builds, like cars etc.

SIRENS

I like the idea of Lego mini figures, might get some of those for our hamper, we usually have
Pjs
Toothbrush
Bath stuff (maybe a bath bombe)
Bed time book
Reindeer food
Snowman soup
A little cuddly toy (I bought some random beanie babies from Argos reduced to 99p! Not sure a lobster is very Christmassy though:rotfl:)
Some crafty bits.
Ours are left by the Magic Elf who is put back ito the hamper for Father Christmas to collect and take back to the North Pole when he brings the childrens presents!

Skint_Catt

Does anyone do the American tradition of 'Elf on the Shelf'? I'm trying to find a suitable poseable christmas elf to do this with, though most on eBay are very expensive! I think my dd would love it!

SIRENS

Hi skint_catt

We will be in our 3rd Elf year this year, really you can use any elf that you like, there are many ideas on the intraweb to help

This is our elf

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12-Santas-Secret-Elf-Boy-plush-Fiesta-Toys-NEW-/110715791488

We have a girl and a boy, but any Elf will do.

There is usually a thread on here to do with Elf mischief nearer the time and other ideas here

http://christmas.organizedhome.com/celebrate/magic-elf-tradition

http://magicalholidayhome.com/magic/

Pinterest is also a good place to look for ideas for Elfcapades:D

If you can knit, there are patterns for making your own Elf,

Goodluck, happy Elfing!

whitesatin

I splashed out on the Elf on the Shelf book last year for my grandchildren. He woud appear in a different place each time they visited. I told them he was watching them being good and every time they were very good he would tell Santa. It was so sweet, they are aged 4 at the moment plus we now have a 2 year old who was too young to join in last year but I can see him enjoying it this year. I also made an elf from felt and a few added bits like bells on his shoes and hat (just adapted a gingerbread man shape and added appropriate clothes). I sent this home with my grandson and he still talks about it now. You know, I think they realise the elf on the shelf is not real but, even at such a young age, they know that it is in their interests to go along with their crazy grandma's fun. LOL.

Back to Christmas Eve hampers, last year, maybe around September or October, there was a really good online Harrod's sale with free p&p. I got them the cutest little bears for the Christmas Eve hamper. Also, I remember joining their rewards scheme (free) and getting priority booking for Santa's Grotto at Harrod's - it cost me £10 to make a booking for 10 of us but you got that refunded on any purchase. We had a great day out in London that day. I must watch out for their next sale if it is anything as good as that one.

BTW, I am not normally a Harrod's shopper!