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

mandco

pinknfluffy28 wrote: »

Can I ask peoples opinion on buying for older children. Dd1 turns 16 next year, and dh thinks this should be our last year spending so much on her, to prepare her for adult hood, encourage her to want to earn herself etc. I'm not sure I agree with him.

At what age did you / do you intend, to stop splashing out on your kids? She will be getting a ps4 & huge party for her birthday next October, so I'm happy to cut back on her spend next Christmas, but not sure it should be a permanent thing. TIA x

my eldest gets a stocking and practical gifts like toiletries, socks/undies(stuff I'd have to buy anyway) plus a few vouchers again for things I'd end up paying for anyway itunes/ cinema /bowling plus I do add a couple of treats so he has presents to open then some cash to put towards something he really wants, this yr he's saving for driving lessons.He knows if he wants anything big he has to save for it now rather than just expect to get it as a present. Its mainly the type of gifts he gets that have changed rather than the cost.

while it is gutting when they find out there are lots of ways to create xmas magic so I'm sure dd will get her xmas spirit back maybe a good time to make some new traditions.
Mine are great at playing along for taz

Freespirit the wall looks great I'd love to have patterned wallpaper but never had the nerve to try putting it up
GTQ I'd be lost without my tumble dryer I do try to limit using it but over the winter I'd end up having washing hanging everywhere and never getting really dry

freespirit66

Evening everyone, thankyou for all the comments i promise i will not bore you all with it again :rotfl:well we dropped the CS bags off (another lot of stuff gone forever) and then went on to DD1s pre op checks, she went to see the consultant on monday who agreed she should have all 4 of her wisdom teeth out and another tooth under GA but said it would be at a main hospital not this community hospital and it would be about 6 weeks, so then 2 days later she received a letter with an operation date for 7th Dec, a pre op date for today and that it would be at this community hospital. It was quite handy because i dont have thumper that week and DS has the week off so can be at home to look after the dog while i stay with DD1 in hospital for the day and then bring her home. We drove there (30 min drive), paid to park £2, and off she went while i sat in the car with the dog and read a mag, 15 mins later she is back, the nurse said she shouldnt have got the letter with the dates at all because she has to have the op at the main hospital :mad::mad: fgs so now she has to let work know she now wont be off that week and wait again for a date, its ridiculous and they still have a completely wrong address down for her which she told them the other day was wrong!

NEWTHRIFT its that time of year where most people are overspending every week honey not just you! Yes it is sad there is so much hate, its really getting quite frightening thinking about it all coming to a head!

MONEYMISSION no its not sad its all part of getting the house ready for christmas :rotfl:hope you didnt have horrendous queues at the PO

MRSMONEYPENNY oh i have fond memories of my kids practising their songs for the christmas play


IRISHROSE oh blimey the snow has come early for you! Please dont send any this way :rotfl:


3FORHOLIDAYS easy presents and much loved by the kids

PEPPAPIG haha i love that big chief proudface :rotfl:


PINKNFLUFFY i never used to spend massive amounts but did carry on spending the same amount on mine until our circumstances changed and i no longer had the same amount of money, until the eldest was 22 and the twins were 20, and it really upset me to have to spend much less on them! If the situation hadnt changed i think i would have spent the same amount until they left home! I still spend £30 each on their stockings (the two still at home) and they are now 26 and 24! Will have to look for the kringl app it sounds fun!

GETTINGTHEREQUICKLY guilty as charged your honour, i use my tumble drier all year round!

freespirit66

mandco wrote: »

Freespirit the wall looks great I'd love to have patterned wallpaper but never had the nerve to try putting it up

MANDCO ooh do it do it, it has taken me 20 months to get brave :rotfl:

princesskitty29

Hi all! :wave: Just got back from Center Parcs yesterday, I haven't caught up at all yet, just checking in and then i'll go back and have a read when I can. We had a lovely week, it rained most of the time but it didn't matter too much. DH took Wiggle to a sensory class one morning so I managed to sneak in a little spa visit as only one parent could go to the class. Apparently he was the only dad there and all the mums were saying how amazing he was that he took Wiggle to the class whilst I went to the spa - his ego was huge by the time he got home! There were fairy lights everywhere and the little Winter Wonderland bit was very festive, lots of Christmas trees, snowmen and real reindeer! They also had some singing reindeer that Wiggle loved dancing in front of, it was so cute. I loved waking up amongst all the trees, I think it's good for the soul.

Whilst I was gone I had a few parcels delivered; a mini Henry hoover for cleaning computer screens for DH's stocking, an erasable pen for FiL who loves doing crosswords in the newspaper and it works on that as well, and Wiggle's play kitchen. Amazingly we found that in our meter cupboard, obviously it was flatpacked and they somehow managed to squeeze it in! I'd like to get him some toy food, if anyone has any good suggestions please let me know.

Anyway now we're back from holiday I must really get on with my Christmas planning, I would like to finish the shopping ASAP and get prepared for my North Pole Breakfast!

funny_bunny_2

DomRavioli wrote: »

I did that exact same job years ago - same shift in the MDEC! I was at Stockport, there's a few around the country, but its good pay and easy work.

You might find you're kept on after christmas.

I'm in Stoke-on-Trent and I also did it a couple years ago. Would be nice if I get kept on especially on the 6pm-10pm shift as its ideal with kids.
Had a bit of snow last night. Love it when it's falling but that's about it. I've got to go out in it today so hoping the roads are clear.
My mum went to view a house yesterday and decided to have it! Move date is 21st Dec, who decides move house 4 days before Christmas........My mother that's who lol!! Really excited for her as she has been looking for a house for a while now and this one is perfect for her, although it needs decorating and flooring all through. But she already has the keys so can do bits on her days off.
Not much happening on the Christmas front. Bought 3 Christmas advent reward charts for my boys from a charity shop, New and reduced to 37p each.
Hope everyone has a lovely weekend xx

princesskitty29

Had a quick read back so apologies for the long post in advance and sorry if i've missed anything important!

freespirit I hope you're feeling better after your anxiety attacks and that they've died down. As others have said don't be so hard on yourself, you can't help it that you feel this way, just be kind to yourself. How annoying for your DD! You do wonder how they get these things so wrong sometimes?! Wow the decorating looks fab! Well done!

Mrs_Ryan how awful about the calender, some people just have no conscience.

fiesty you can find your last post by clicking on your name and looking under 'all posts by fiesty fidget'. That's what I do if I haven't bookmarked the page.

04624181 great news on your DH's results, that must be a relief. I really love your Christmas card idea, writing in a big one every year - I might have to copy that idea!

Ruth_honey sorry to hear the bathroom refurb isn't going to plan, it's so disruptive isn't it? I hope it gets sorted soon.

Clumsy thanks for the heads up on the Christmas tree shaped crumpets, I will definitely be looking out for them!

murie ah have a fab time at the Good Food show - eat lots of bits for me! I LOVE going there and was really looking forward to going this year, but MiL is now having a birthday do that weekend so I can't make it now. DH has said I can go but i'd like to be there for MiL's birthday so will have to miss it this year.

pinknfluffy some kids don't want to be kids anymore! I still believe! In terms of spending on them at Christmas, just do whatever you feel you want to do. Wiggle is only 15 months so it's a long way off but I imagine I will still spend lots on him when he's older just because I enjoy it. As i've gotten older I spend more on my parents, I just enjoy giving gifts.

nic I am totally the same, because I buy throughout the year I think I am totally organised, then I get to about now and realise I still have a lot left to buy/do! Every year I say it will be different but it never is!

vulpix

Hi,delurking to tell you it's snowed!!!!!!!!!!! The best type,not enough to block the roads and its a beautiful sunny day today.

Free,hats off to you for the wall papering,talk about throwing yourself in the deep end with pattern for your first attempt.Well done.Will put a pic on of the giant selection box but am not as clever as you ,will have to wait 'till my daughter next visits.

With regard to stopping spending so much on the children.When mine were/are under 18 they had £100 each on gifts,after 18 they had £50.

Vx

Gettingtherequickly

Oh my word! Sat down for first drink of day, switched on TV & almost spilt my coffee in my excitement, first time I have seen th coca cola ad this year. On top of seeing snow when I got up, what other joys are ahead for me today?:D:D

Clumsy42

Afternoon everyone.

I am sooooo incredibly tired. :eek: Just got back from an OU tutorial. Had to get up early too. Very hard to get out of bed early on a morning when it's A) really cold and usually a lie in day!

While I was in my tutorial my dad went walking and found Manchester christmas market (he has all the fun while I'm sat in a tutorial!). He got us some of those nice marshamallowy things covered in chocolate with a wafer base. He also picked up some christmas catalogues. So we finally have a Boots catalogue! Can't believe it's taken us this long to get one! :rotfl:

Saw some cars with snow on top on our travels too. Certainly hasn't snowed round here though.

Hope everyone is having a lovely weekend. xx

freespirit66

Afternoon everyone, just quickly popping on will read back later, i am watching a christmas film :rotfl:but just wanted to say i have finished my cutlery holders and thought you might like a peek, dont look too closely at the sewing lol, its a pity you cant really see how glittery the felt is, but im sure they will serve their purpose and hopefully last more than one christmas