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

whitesatin

I have actually been able to sit and chat to an old friend who lost his wife a few years ago around this time. It made me realise just how fortunate I am.
Popped into town to collect the chess board from Argos and went into a couple of charity shops. Picked up a Transformers DVD for £1 and it was 2for1 so I got a Pilates one too. Good intentions for January, lol.

I bought a Christmas card for my husband in the charity shop. It was marked £1.29 which I thought was good but, when I got to the till, he only charged me 30p as they had all been reduced. It's a nice card too, and, let's face it, they all end up in the same recycling bin.

I also picked up two books (story books for boys) for £1 each in the charity shop so bought those for my grandson, aged 6, who has made great progress in his reading since starting school. As an ex teacher myself, I have to say I am very impressed at how well the schools teach reading these days.

All the gifts are wrapped now with no more to be bought. Tomorrow I have my grandsons coming round and we will probably go out to lunch in M&S (their favourite). My daughter will be there too with the new baby.

Peppapig

Free spirit, for the culinary challenged (I.e. Me) could you be more specific about heating the turkey please? I'm thinking now that maybe I could cook it on Christmas Eve and heat it up Christmas morning. Do you just heat it up dry in a dish or do you heat it in gravy? Do you need to pierce the cling film? Not sure how I've lasted so long really lol.

I like either of the thread names but it is a Christmas prep thread after all so can't see any problem with having Christmas in the name. . Thanks for taking on the mantle again 3forholidays.

All done here now including Christmas Eve box and elf activities for DGD. Picking her up tonight and then she's here til Boxing Day. DD will join us on Christmas Eve when she finishes work then everyone else is just for the big day. I hate the thought of it all being over soon too so trying very hard to live in the moment although not always succeeding lol.

I don't know if you remember that honorary DD and DSIL lost their much wanted baby earlier this year at six months - well they came to see us yesterday and she's 10 weeks pregnant! Lovely news but keeping everything crossed that baby is healthy this time and they don't have to go through the same torment again.

Hope the poorlies are all better very soon and that the rest can avoid the lurgy.

I'm sure I'll be on here every day but for those that won't be I'll say it now........MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE and I hope we all have a very happy and healthy 2016 xxxxx

MoneyMission2015

Hello All, I haven't been on for a while. I'm so busy, I thought being organised this year would mean these last few days would be more relaxing but with still working and picking up the odd bit that still needs picking up, I've not had chance to sit down & catch up with everybody again.

I hope you're all ready for Christmas now, I can't believe it's this week! It's finally here after all our waiting, chatting, prepping and sharing ideas.

I am super excited, somebody in work today actually said I was glowing and then joked that it must be the Christmas spirit, because they all know how much I love Christmas. It was my makeup really, I had a bit of blusher on, but I told them all it must be Christmas spirit : )

I've still got lots of wrapping to do & still in work for another few days, but things are coming together slowly.

I will come on here again before Christmas but to those who won't be on again for a while, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I hope to see you all on the new thread for 2016 xxx

mrs-moneypenny

Managed to watch 2/3 of white Christmas before dragging ds2 down for his jabs, ironing is all done and almost on top of the laundry but will need to get about 3 loads done tomorrow but will have to dry it under the drive or on the airer.
Dd3 bought the most fantastic cake round for ds1 a couple of his frien came round so we told him to go pub with them.

Plan to finish the wrapping and tidying tomorrow.

freespirit66

PEPPAPIG yes pierce cling film a couple of times, i have done it both ways with or without gravy, being under the cling film keeps it moist either way, just make sure it is fully heated right the way through but without putting it in for too long and drying it out i got the tip of cooking it christmas eve from a lovely elderly lady who i worked with when i was 18 and have done it this way every year since, it takes the pressure off on the big day because all you have to worry about are the veg and accompaniments and you get the whole oven to use as well, good luck x

Peppapig

Thanks Free I think I'll do it that way too - I'll let you know how it goes

mrs-moneypenny

Morning all
The pizza box selection boxes seem to have work well, I stuck the chocs and sweets in with a glue gun this morning. Letting the glue cool a little before putting the chocs on it. They all stay in place when I hold them upside down so I'll count it as a result.
Need to finish wrapping and tidying today, and have final Tesc0 shop tonight then just fruit and veg from the market stall Christmas Eve.

Think this is the most organised I've ever been.

Hugs to all that need them, I hope your prep is all going well.

vulpix

Ruth honey,cheeky cousin! perhaps that will be the last time she invites herself,I cannot imagine how anyone could think its ok to invite yourself to stay a few days before Christmas.

Princess kitty,my husband is a radio presenter.This is the 4th year I have recorded a Christmas story to be broadcast on Christmas Eve.It is very odd to hear yourself.I think I sound like Sally Lindsay.

0462...My kitchen is far from lovely at the moment,the builders are having a break for christmas.All the dirty work is done now though,just plastering,refit of existing units and new wortops,etc,etc,etc to do.I don't think we will stay here more than a few years so I am using the same units as there is nothing the matter with them and it will save money.I am having new worktops though as the current ones wont fit the new layout.

Peppapig,such lovely news about the baby.Congratulations.

Nic2075,thanks for the spacestation info,my youngest is 14 but I will look out for it,I also enjoy watching the reindeer webcam.

Mrs M,result with the selection boxes.I used yoohoo and every time I close the lid one of the chocs falls off.I have stuck them back and will keep the lid open as long as possible.

My turn to feel a bit overwhelmed with it all now.Been awake since 4am which just makes me have less energy for all I want to do.I cleaned the sittingroom yesterday and got some decs up in there.There isnt much point in going mad with it all this year as we are in a state of flux and we will not be here Xmas day or Boxing day.I have realised that is making me a bit sad.I so enjoy being Mrs Christmas and making a lovely time for the family.I will offer to host Christmas next year for my brothers family.

I need to press on then I can chill and enjoy the buildup.

Vx

Gettingtherequickly

Unlikely to be on again as off home tonight, so echoing Moneymission, I wish you the very best for the days ahead and for 2016. All of your prep will have paid off.

For those who are cooking bumps, hope there is not much kicking involved, for those who have first Christmas, save the memories, for those who are not having the best of times, you are stronger than you think, for those who are missing family, your thoughts and love will help get you through and for everyone else, don't eat or drink too much.

Happy Christmas!

FeistyFidget

3forholidays wrote: »

Yes, I'm happy to start the new thread but I've not decided on the name yet. It is my plan to post the new thread on Christmas Eve if that is ok with everyone.

Regarding titles for the new thread I was thinking of:

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

or

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

but I'm struggling to decide so if people could state their preference then that would be greatly appreciated. :T

Thank you so much for arranging the new thread! I actually like the name
It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
just because for me it really is But I like the other one too!

msgigglewick wrote: »

Happy christmas to all.... not sure i'll get chance to get back on here until xmas so saying it now. lol

i'm still getting over the flu. Glad i shut up the shop on the 15th. the last weekend was the hardest with 24 orders and me with no energy wasn't fun. Just got the chesty cough and funny voice left to get rid off.. sadly 2 of my girls seem to have been struck down with it atm but hopefully them being younger they will get rid of it quickly.

Waiting on 3 items to be delivered that should have been here last week. Not major items but would be nice if they come before xmas.

Don't forget Norad santa tracker (or the google one if that one takes a while to get going) on xmas eve... my girls still love following that.

Off to see my brother and his son today to exchange pressies. Sad i won't see my brother open his as dh has built him a nintendo emulator so he can play the original mario games we us to play together when we were little. They really dated lol.

Just got the food shop to do and dd1 is going to bake a marmalade glazed christmas ham for me and we're going to make some christmas cookies on tuesday with the little ones for santa.

dd4 is bouncing around like a loon lol she's soooo excited. Can't blame her having heard from santa what he's bringing her

Think i'm more excited for new year and to beable to say goodbye to this year. It's not been a kind one really.

i'll stop blabbering and wish you all a happy safe and enjoyable xmas. xx

I really hope you feel completely better by Christmas lovely, your gift to your brother sounds so thoughtful and amazing! I hope it goes down well

freespirit66 wrote: »

Afternoon everyone, i just havent had time to get on here, i am the most organised i have ever been but i am more stressed than i have ever been ???? How does that work???? I have broken down in tears a couple of times but dont know why everything is getting on top of me DD1 took me and DD2 to have our nails done this morning in town, my early christmas present from DD1 (first time in a nail bar so on my 50 things before im 50 list ) then we had a costa, i really needed it and so did DD2 it was lovely to do something so girly with my girls! Actually town was really not that busy i was really surprised

PRINCESSKITTY i watched that programme too, it was how much they spent on alcohol that made me :eek:
but then i watched a programme about expensive christmasses and wow :eek: £800,000 on a diamond christmas star tree topper anyone?? One family had a budget of £250,000 to decorate their home for christmas and might not even end up in London :eek: it was an eye opener

VULPIX glad you are happy with your kitchen and it is all finished for christmas, doesnt brick dust and plaster dust get everywhere??? Your day in chester sounds lovely

FEISTY hope your box of goodies can be salvaged

MRSMONEYPENNY love that your DS wants a night with mum and dad for his 21st thats lovely!

CHRISSY i must look out for that programme too, hope DD is good and not had any bad seizures x

NIC aww i used to love singing to christmas music with the kids in the car when they were little

04624181 thankyou my lovely, we are all fine just thumper still has a bad chest but getting better each day, have lots of fun with your nephew in the next few days

3FORHOLIDAYS ooh i love them both but im going to plump for Its the most wonderful time of the year x

MSGIGGLEWICK hope you are better for christmas! Happy Christmas to you and yours!

SALMAGUNDI have a lovely time oop north! Happy Christmas to you and yours!

Oh free, please don't beat yourself up, you've had such a tough time! It's normal that you feel a bit over-whelmed with everything you're going through! Plus I have a theory, the more organized I seem to have been in previous years, the more I try to achieve and put extra pressure on myself for perfection. This year we really had nothing done by 1st December and yet I feel the most relaxed ever and the wrapping still isn't finished!

The tree finally went up last night and we managed to watch something Christmassy (part one of the hogfather) and I whipped up a batch of orange and cinnamon mince pies! I'd like to manage some frangipane mince pies and some deep filled crumble top ones and maybe some gingerbread

Only a few gifts left to (hopefully) collect today and 99% of the food shop is done Plus because I can't eat lovely smoked salmon or seafood our Christmas food shop has come in really under-budget!

Fantastic news about the pregnancy! I have everything crossed for them