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

princesskitty29

Thanks all for your well wishes on the house, i'm quite excited about it.

04624181 i've already started planning how i'm going to decorate the new house for Christmas! We'll have two spare rooms and my family will stay with us next year, so one will be 'White Christmas' and the other will be 'Scandi style Christmas'! I am getting a tad ahead of myself though, fingers crossed it all goes through! Your family day on Boxing Day sounds lovely, just shut the world away!

springdreams I love all of your birthday wishes!

linz I hope the cold passes quickly in your house. Wiggle currently has his millionth cold!

Baby boo oh that must have been a bit of a shock finding out you're going into hospital so soon, not the greatest timing. I do hope all goes well and you recover quickly. Try not to stress too much, Christmas will still happen and i'm sure everyone will rally around.

Peppapig I feel the same, we spend all year building up to it but it still feels like it's coming too quickly! Ah I recorded Kirstie's Handmade Christmas but we had too much recorded so I deleted them the other day as I have hardly any time to watch anything, but kind of wish I hadn't now!

fiesty yay really glad all went well with the scan and you can stay at home and enjoy Christmas! Don't worry, I had lots of plans to bake but haven't managed any of them yet!

nic oh bills are never good at any time of year but are especially hard around Christmas. At least you won't carry any more credit over to next year which is great. I'm sorry to hear about your dad, I hope that you can all have a lovely Christmas together. I'm like you, I really want to recreate those lovely, happy Christmasses with my family.

freespirit you are super productive sometimes I feel like I need to get myself into gear! Glad you are feeling better and that Thumper is improving in time for Christmas.

mandco I won't put presents under the tree because of Wiggle, but even before he came along I didn't used to put them under the tree, I used to get paranoid about someone peeping through the window and seeing them! Oh poor Taz and poor you! They never listen do they?! Wiggle is just starting to defy me on certain occasions, grrrr. I hope all is ok and you managed to get a bit of sleep.

mrs-moneypenny what a great idea getting some pizza boxes for your selection packs – I must make a note of all these ideas!

mrsinvisible phew you have so much going on! I hope you manage to relax and have some 'me-time' over Christmas.

murie I hope your DH is feeling better this week after leaving his old job.

I've got some cards to finish writing today and i've nearly finished the cross stitch picture for my parents, going to pick up a frame on Saturday. I'm feeling quite relaxed about everything which is great and the benefits of starting early are paying off. It's going to be a long day though, I woke up at 4:15 and every time I went to nod off Wiggle woke me up by coughing bless him. Lots of snot wiping going on today too – joy!

04624181

freespirit66- I am glad to hear you and Thumper and feeling better. The phlegm is better out than in but being sick is not nice for the poor little mite. You have all been through so much. I truly hope your dd gets sorted out and is pain free over christmas x
mandco-oh no, I hope Taz is ok. Its all fun until there are tears. My 2 never listen, always got to end in tears. I hope he is ok x Bet you are shattered. We received gifts for the kids off my auntie and some more off my cousins. Those are under the tree as the kids know that they have come from family.
murie-hope you ok x
mrs-moneypenny-I still have my pizza boxes to do, I keep forgetting!! I love build a bear x I watched the christmas shw last night. I honestly was flabbergasted when they revealed how much money they spent! unbelievable. I am going to do the frozen veg though, thought that was a fba idea x
mrsinvisible- It does not matter how prepared I am I still panic now it is the final few days before as I feel like I have forgot something x I am sure that you will have a fantastic time, we are all here if you need to vent xx

Well Hubby has announced he is working from home today so is available to help a bit with tasks this morning. We had a chat last night about an event we were going to on saturday that would of put alot of pressure on us to go to as we have so much to do. We decided to send our apologies rather than try to fit everything in. SO it now means I can finish wrapping, do my 5 chocolate selection boxes (pizza boxes) and catch up on the washing. Amazing what saying no to one event does- it has made saturday free to clean and then tea and family movie night x
big hugs and christmas sprinkles xx

FeistyFidget

nic2075 wrote: »

The end is in sight (I think) just a couple more things to get. But need to wait til I get paid on Wednesday :-( so trying to get all online stuff this week and can pop to Primark on wed. Would love to have it all done, but money is so tight. And now get a £200 electricity bill to be paid be Christmas Eve, my car need front tyres and possible other work. I need to pay the rest of Littlewoods from last year before jan 1st.
However I have avoided all credit this year and bought what I can afford. So no more Littlewoods and no credit cards this year.

It's hard to enjoy the festive season with money worries constantly there and the worry that my Dad is so unwell. But then I remember what I do have and am very lucky x

I'm really sorry to hear about your Dad I don't think your post sounded ranty at all, rather it was inspirational that you are not caving to the masses and racking up debt! You should be proud of yourself :T

mandco wrote: »

Belated birthday wishes to those I missed

freespirit glad to hear thumper is getting better. Sounds like you've had a busy few days but while you may feel like your behind think how much more you'd still have to do if you weren't so organised

Babyboo goodluck today

Fiesty glad the scan went well hopefully you can relax a little now

Nic feel free to vent much as we all love xmas it can also be a very stressful time of yr.

almost finished present wise just waiting on a couple of things to arrive. Delivered most of the gifts that need it though the ones I picked up in return are now taking up the space I cleared. What do you do with received gifts before the big day? just wondering if I should put them under the tree or keep them in the cupboard to be put out xmas eve like I usually do?

going to be a long night as taz bumped his head earlier he was bouncing on the bed and fell off lost count of how many times I've told him not to but do they ever listen :wall: anyway I've been advised to let him sleep but wake him every hr so not worth going to bed so think I'll have a look on pintrest while I have time to waste.

A week today its Xmas :xmastree:

When we lived at the flat they went under the tree but we were on the fourth floor :rotfl:I think we will stick them under the tree this year though as there aren't too many as we have been good and cut back.

I hope Taz was okay?

mrsinvisible wrote: »

gosh, what a marathon catch up that was!!!!!!! 5-6 pages, sorry, l cant remember everyone, read though, and celebrated with each success and commiserated/wept for the problems, issues and crises' . Free, poor Thumper. poor DD and Poor poor you. Hope that all the 'small stuff' doesn't sweat you, and that you have a super Christmas with them all.
Feisty, bug ger the decs and wraps and anything else that doesn't get done, you are cooking a bub, you have a new home, and you have love, received and to give, nowt else matters, its all smoke and mirrors. xxxxx
Sorry l have been invisible recently, blame any combination of a)nasty bug, b)roof problems and ceiling repairs, c) preparing for invasion by family.. (at this point l hyperventilate, feel butterflies and get a bit teary ) they arrive today, tonight, ETA 2130hrs) d)DD falling downstairs again! must be a thing for our thread.e) reasonable and not so reasonable requests from random other people and the absence of a usable 'no' response from me.
l haven't had time this year to do any of the Christmas hanging baskets or the indoor arrangements, may get one or two done this week, but if not l don't think the world will stop turning.l think l have got ready in time, presents wrapped, food sshopping done, and house reasonably clean and decorated.
oh dear, l must have hit the 'go advanced' button and now don't know how to post this, it may vanish, if not l have learned something xxx

Ooo MrsI the family are coming! Just think in a little over 12 hours your house is going to be full to the rafters :beer: Have a brilliant day!

Well if no-one orders anything else from me we have 13 orders left to get out before I can officially close the shop! I'm torn between closing the virtual doors a day early to save my sanity and trying to stretch out a few more much needed pennies (starting maternity early from the main job has wiped out any hope of paying bills etc for January :eek:).

Any gifts that are left to purchase will have to be with tesco clubcard vouchers etc as there is officially nothing left in the pot! We did spend double the amount that we would usually on the in-laws (including a shared gift of a kindle fire) but seeing as they have been so flipping amazing this year, it would have been rude and unjustifiable to not do something special!

DH is now winding me up by saying there is no point in putting the tree up now :mad: I swear the man has a death wish! An angry hormonal, pregnant woman is a force to be reckoned with and he does take great delight in poking the mama bear just to see what will happen!

Money_maker

Noticed my local Asda has fresh wreaths down from £10 to £5 today if anyone still needs one :xmassmile

freespirit66

Afternoon everyone, i have got DD1s stocking presents wrapped now and the dogs presents so no more wrapping to be done :T I have caught up on James Martins christmas cookery shows and the Back in Time christmas programmes, just need to watch Nigellas christmas special but first im going to get the mince pies made and baked i think then that is another big thing off of my list, i drove DS and his friend into work this morning as they were both still hungover from their work do last night :cool: they had a great time and DS was commended on arranging the whole day of events on a very drastically cut budget :rotfl:that boy will never get into debt haha!

MANDCO oh no i hope Taz is ok and slept ok throughout the night, i hope you will be able to catch up with at least a nap today to make up for being up all night, aww kids get so excited this time of year they just get so carried away with the moment yes you are right if i wasnt so organised i would be in a right old tizz now! I dont usually put presents out until christmas eve either

MURIE DD2 is just so bogged down with everything she is putting herself last which isnt good, how she hasnt broken down yet is beyond me, she has so much on her plate!! She sent me a photo of her desk with her pile of invoices that need doing omg it is just unbelievable but work wont do anything to help her :mad: what with doing the work of two people, her health, thumpers health, and christmas she is just spinning plates atm. I bet you and DH are glad its his last day today, glad you saw a solicitor too!

MRSMONEYPENNY i love the pizza box idea i might pinch that for next year my lot would love that :rotfl:i flipping agree, im sick of being told what to eat, what to drink etc. It is only a minority who really need advice and help, most people know what a balanced diet is, yes and your mp has got double standards you are right! Hope you have a great last day at school!

MRSINVISIBLE sorry you have been ill with a horrible bug, D-Day has come around so quickly, i hope you have a wonderful time with your family over the holidays, and i hope DD is ok and didnt hurt herself too badly. Make sure you get some downtime/me time over the holidays too

PRINCESSKITTY i dont think i have had chance to say congratulations on the putting the reservation down on your new house, very exciting Aww poor wiggle i hope he feels better soon and you can catch up on your sleep

04624181 aww thankyou very much my lovely, i hope you have a productive day tomorrow now you have turned down an event, its surprising that an extra few hours can make such a difference

FEISTY thats against the law not putting a tree up in a new house on your first christmas there!!

MONEYMAKER that is fab value thankyou, i hope you are well!

princesskitty29

mrs-moneypenny what was the Christmas programme you watched about people spending lots of money? I'd be interested to see that. I love seeing what other people do at Christmas.

fiesty men! Only a man would say there's no point putting a tree up! You'll have to show him who's boss when it comes to these things!

freespirit I do hope your poor DD can get some much needed rest over the Christmas period.

We've got a nice relaxing weekend this weekend, we had a naughty McDonald's breakfast this morning then popped into town. I picked up a frame for my parents cross stitch picture (thanks for the tip about Wilko's newthrift they had perfect ones in there) and the last present for DH. I just need to get an orange for DH's stocking and a clementine for Wiggle's which I can get next week. We went into town very first thing and it was already really busy, but I wasn't stressed as apart from those two things I wasn't out to do any Christmas shopping so it was great. I've wrapped some presents already today so everything should be wrapped by the end of the weekend. I then just need to frame the cross stitch and i'm all done yay! :j Wiggle had us up at 4:50 this morning so it's going to be a long one, but we're going to Zizzi's for tea with some Tesco vouchers so no cooking today! I hope you all have a lovely weekend.

vulpix

Hello folks,We have been without internet for 4 days,doing work on it in the village to speed things up.

Today we have been to Chester as it was Mr V's birthday yesterday.I got an offer for steak n chips £11.There was a starter too with that price.It was beautiful and a quite swish restaurant right in the centre of town.I love Chester if you have never been and get the opportunity I highly recommend it.Today the Sally army band were playing carols and it felt very festive.So nice to soak it all up in the knowledge that I am all ready.All we bought was some chocolate orange fudge ,and a car park...£11.50 to park shouldv'e done park n ride.

I spent 9 hours,yes really,cleaning the kitchen yesterday.I had to wash everything several times,bucket after bucket of cleaning water.I now have a clean functioning kitchen,I love it,it will be amazing.The builders have finished now until next year.It is huge,the kitchen and dining room and extension all knocked into 1 room.

Love to all who need it.

Vx

Ps still no decorations up,need to clean the rest of the house,then its full steam ahead.

FeistyFidget

vulpix wrote: »

Hello folks,We have been without internet for 4 days,doing work on it in the village to speed things up.

Today we have been to Chester as it was Mr V's birthday yesterday.I got an offer for steak n chips £11.There was a starter too with that price.It was beautiful and a quite swish restaurant right in the centre of town.I love Chester if you have never been and get the opportunity I highly recommend it.Today the Sally army band were playing carols and it felt very festive.So nice to soak it all up in the knowledge that I am all ready.All we bought was some chocolate orange fudge ,and a car park...£11.50 to park shouldv'e done park n ride.

I spent 9 hours,yes really,cleaning the kitchen yesterday.I had to wash everything several times,bucket after bucket of cleaning water.I now have a clean functioning kitchen,I love it,it will be amazing.The builders have finished now until next year.It is huge,the kitchen and dining room and extension all knocked into 1 room.

Love to all who need it.

Vx

Ps still no decorations up,need to clean the rest of the house,then its full steam ahead.

Ooo we need pictures once you're ready!

I have told DH the tree is going up tomorrow night, he just rolled his eyes :rotfl:
We did a final push today and all the boxes are in the house and all bare one are unpacked. It is one that was stored in the in-laws workshop and the damp and mold has gotten to it It was all my lovely bathroom smellies, lotions and potions. It's sat in the hall at the moment as both DH and I are cream crackered and neither can cope with the stress of figuring out what to bin and what to try and salvage.

The christmas food list has also been edited and I did some wrapping yesterday afternoon, so I finally feel like I am making head way! I have 8 orders that are cut and just need assembling and then it's off to the post office Monday to say adios to the shop until the new year! Heaven :cool:

mrs-moneypenny

Princesskitty it was on Thursday night at 8pm bbc1 called eat well for less at Christmas with Greg Wallace and Chris bavin

Been coasta with Dh this afternoon for a hot choc then went pub. Outside socket is fitted, last gift posted, pressie swapped with friend, missed sister who did a card drop but will see her in the gap between Christmas and new year, bought a gift for mal to give DGS for his first Christmas. Going to watch holiday inn now with Dh.

Hope to make ds1 a birthday cake tomorrow it's his 21st on Monday his birthday request steak for tea and a game of pool at local pub with his dad and me so happy to oblige that.

Have a good night all, off to watch the film.

System

mrs-moneypenny wrote: »

Princesskitty it was on Thursday night at 8pm bbc1 called eat well for less at Christmas with Greg Wallace and Chris bavin

I watched that even if they make all the changes their food/drink bill will still be around £600 :eek:.

Did anyone watch the benefits program Christmas on the poverty line ? All but one of the families on it were amazing. The lady with the spinal issues in Blackpool [I think] has raised a lovely set of well balanced children , the one in Cornwall however needs a good shake she was spending money she didn't have on gifts one of the boys said he didn't even want ! Because it made her feel good , a sentiment she repeated often .

Only one more shift before I am finished until the 27th, where I work isn't usually busy in the run up to Christmas but it has been absolutely mad today .