* Walking in a Winter Wonderland * - It's the 2015 Christmas Chatter Thread

Cherry24

Hi Everyone,

Not been on here for a while. Just thought I'd check in.

I've seen a peel away Christmas sprout gift on the internet and am thinking of replicating it myself.

Basically, it is a sprout made from tissue paper with layers that you peel away. It can be used as an alternative advent calendar where you peel away each day with gifts in. Otherwise it can be used as an alternative Christmas cracker with a big gift in the centre and little trinkets, hats and jokes within the layers.

I'm going to have a go at making some as alternatives to crackers. I will do family and couple ones I think. Will probably put a chocolate orange or bauble gift in the centre. They can then take it in turns to open or do it pass the parcel style. What do you think? I'm pretty sure my sister and boyfriend will love this. Could also try a Christmas pudding instead.

newthrift

Just popping my head in to say hello 3 days to go until I get married so busy busy here at the moment! Hope you are all ok and sending christmassy hugs all round

nic2075

Afternoon, I'm sitting enjoying a gingerbread latte while I catch up the last couple of pages. The weather is definently changing, I have felt chilly the last few days and had my jacket on for the first time since May.

I was in B&M the other day, they had so many fab gifts for my DD (10) and Neice (13). I got loads of Swizzle/refresher goodies. Think there was lip salves, body scrubs etc. that and about 12 different coloured lip glosses for a couple of pounds.

This year I think will be the easiest year for pressies for the kids, they are in to loads and all good ages 4,8 and 10, so they love most things I get them. They don't ask for much, they love surprises from Santa.

I try and spend the same as close as I can. If I know one has more expsensive stuff, I buy a few small things or books etc to make sure they have about the same amount to open, they always get a board game to share.

Im looking forward to all the Christmas magazines coming out, and all the Chrsitmas stuff in the shops. We had a Range open near us last October, I spent hours In there walking round and spending too much on decorations

Money_maker

Cherry24 wrote: »

Will probably put a chocolate orange or bauble gift in the centre. They can then take it in turns to open or do it pass the parcel style. What do you think? I'm pretty sure my sister and boyfriend will love this. Could also try a Christmas pudding instead.

They have the wrapped segsations in poundland 250g packs if you wanted a :money: sweet for each layer

Cherry24

Thanks for the heads up Money Maker, trying to think of ideas for the layers.

DomRavioli

Hi everyone

Hugs to all who need them and high fives to those who have been epic!

Good news to report this week - work is back on (I'm one of those Appen people), and the offer on the gorgeous stone cottage has been accepted and we are waiting on legal people, so we will have a new home for christmas! So very excited to get away from the main road with its constant noise, sirens and very loud chavs.

Christmas prep is on hold whilst we box up our life (and the seven boxes of wrapped crimbo pressies so far), as is the IVF, as with the stress of that, moving and my anxiety being through the roof, I'm not sure I could cope.

Hope everyone has a wonderful afternoon/evening, and the sun has just come out!

Much love x

Haribo1

Well I dropped my little darlings off at school and went straight out Xmas shopping. Was so excited lol. Bought loads of things from b and m for all 4 of them and managed to get things for my awkward teen that I think he will love, melting zombie anyone? Even had a nosy down their very small Xmas aisle. Only bought one roll of paper as I have about 15 stashed under the bed from the January sales!!

Salmagundi

Newthrift - hope you have a memorable and truly fabulous wedding day. Best wishes to you both.

MoneyMission2015

I decided to take a half day today so left work at 12.30 & did some Christmas shopping. I had to pick up an order from Next that I had delivered to the store, so I popped in M&S which is on the same retail park because I had £20 paper vouchers to spend, so decided to get some bottles of sparkling wine to give as gifts for a few people. Bought 6 because of the offer they have, 25% off if you buy 6 bottles. So I get to keep 2 for myself now too : ) It's only a cheap one, white Lambrusco £4 a bottle but it's really nice. I actually don't like wine but I do enjoy a glass of this one.

I also went to home bargains on my way home & bought a few more bits for Christmas. I bought some tree chocolates & put them away ready to put them on the tree. It's usually the last thing I remember when decorating the tree so by the time I go & buy them, the ones we like are all sold out & the prices have shot up because of it being close to Christmas. I also bought some really cute vintage patterned small suitcases. They're not proper travel suitcases, more a funky storage suitcase and I bought 2 because I was thinking of getting my sisters hat, scarf & gloves and putting them in the suitcase with a few smaller items : )

I also got a game of beer pong. It was only £1.99 & it know it will make a good top up present for my OH and then it's something that him & his friends can play when they get together. Something to entertain them! I also bought some other little things like chocolate coins etc to put away. My stash is getting bigger now & I do need to try and find some space to put them so nobody noses through the bags or boxes. I've asked my husband to put the bigger boxes of stuff in the attic but they're still sat on our landing at the moment so I'll have to nag a bit more this weekend : )

Ooh Peppa you were lucky to get the Amazon offer. I checked but I wasn't eligible & nobody I know managed to get one. I wonder what their criteria was to decide on who got one??

pinknfluffy28

BBRosie - I spend the same amount on both dd's. There is a 7 year age gap, so DD1 is used to her pile being much smaller.

For 10 years we also had dh's dd's join us for boxing day (they are both well into their teens now, and sadly we havent seen them for 2 years, despite our best efforts... but thats another story).

I always used to make sure I spent the same on all 4 children, and we would keep back some of dd's gifts so they too had some to open boxing day. But as stepdd's got older, they also got very very materialistic, and we were unable to meet their [STRIKE]demands[/STRIKE] requests. So I took to spending half on them, what I would on dd's (at dh's request).

They still had very nice gifts, and a fair few of them, but as they were essentially having 2 Christmases, we didn't feel the need to add to their materialistic outlook!


Well, we have exchanged on the house sale today!! So hopefully nobody will be pulling out this time.

Completion set for 29th, living in a half functioning house, surrounded by boxes and half dismantled furniture. I seriously can not wait to be in our new home (though I am dreading the actual move - we are going mse style, hiring a van and doing it all ourselves... :eek: ).

Thank goodness I am almost done on the christmas front, got dd1's gopro on its way (£20 off at amazon!), so it is officially just stockings and something for dh left to get!

DD1 turns 15 3 days after we move, her pressie is all wrapped, and will go in the front with me, so that it can be put aside safe, and not lost within the "to be unpacked" pile!

Happy days :j