* It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year * - It's the 2016 Christmas Chatter Thread

mrs-moneypenny

Morning all
Hope all are as well as can be
Welcome to the new people on the thread and the returners

3forholidays

A big welcome to all the new people that have posted on the thread. :T

Gift cards - I just had a look a the next gift card that I received for Christmas and it says that the balance doesn't expire until 24 months after last use.

ETA: Some other gift cards might have shorter time limits on them but it normally tells you on the back. Remember that you can buy a range of branded gift cards in the supermarket nowadays.

FeistyFidget

CHRISSYG wrote: »

Vistaprint do stamps.

I have had a freebie vistaprint address stamp and it was fab! You can also get cheapish ones on ebay or kits to make your own HTH

Peppapig wrote: »

Welcome to the thread MrsBunny and poohspals and sorry Lellyo I seem to have forgotten to welcome you. Think it was because I saw your first post on the old thread and by the time I caught up with this one I'd forgotten. Blame it on my age or hormones (or lack of them lol). Welcome back Haribo and Pixtotts too.

I'm another one who de-decs early so mine came down today. Was amazed at how long it took considering there weren't as many as usual. Anyway I've sorted out some for the cs (although I won't take them in until October time) and made a list of all the rest and also a list of new ones I want for next year so feeling very organised. Unfortunately it probably won't last.

PrincessKitty hope both you and Wiggle are soon fighting fit and back to a nice sleeping routine.

Glad you had a nice time Feisty even if it didn't feel very festive. Just think, your last Christmas as a couple, next year you'll be a trio!

Just watching Paul O'Grady on ITV3 and its so sad - how can people treat animals so horribly. I could never visit Battersea it would break my heart to leave them all behind. it's so amazing that these ill treated dogs are all still so loving and trusting.

I had to stop watching live TV over the festive period as literally every other advert was for a charity and with my hormones being so all over the place it just made me feel constantly depressed. MIL and I had a big discussion about the guilt tactics used with charity adverts and it does make me a little cross as our grandma feels guilty for enjoying her christmas etc when there is so much heartache in the world. The dogs trust adverts never fail to bring a tear to my eye. I couldn't watch Paul O'Grady as knew I would be raging against the evil people that have inflicted that level of torture and neglect to the poor dogs and heartache for all the lovely dogs waiting for their forever home. We have always said that our next dog will be a rescue and will be the ugliest, oldest, most cantankerous one there

freespirit66 wrote: »

Evening everyone, spent this evening updating my christmas planner so all ready for next year and i have dropped my budget even further on some things i have also put my 2016 filofax refill in and noted all next years birthdays and important dates so that is ready to go too

I too had great fun doing this yesterday and for the first year ever I have a mini notebook with birthday and special dates and gift lists in that I plan to carry in my handbag to stop me being crappy, unsuitable emergency gifts as they were cheap :rotfl:

Welcome to all the newbies We are a friendly bunch!

Murie I have had my kitchenAid set up for over a fortnight now and have only used it once :eek: all the festive baking I did was pastry or none mixing based and so I didn't need it! I'm sure it will change in the new year though

Right must sign off as we have family coming round at 2 and they are veggies and we have no veggie friendly food in :eek:

girlinayellowdress

Cannot believe today, I set up the activity tracker to phone etc yesterday. Today after a non stop morning and a sit down for a cuppa, I receive a text saying congratulations on your positive start but sitting down drinking coffee will not help reach your goals, cue paranoia until I realise my darling son had changed his name to fitness tracker on my phone and it was him sending the text. He is such a !!!!!!

mrs-moneypenny

Lol at your sons brill sense of humour pinksteps.
Feisty I'm veggie and most foods are suitable for us, crackers, salad, cheese.im sure they won't expect a feast laid on.
Got sister her family and mum round later who aren't veggie and dd2 plus family who are vegan, so going to rummage in the cupboards and see what I can use up or if I need a quick walk to Sains to forage for supplies.
Dh is just putting the canvas up we got for Crimbo so I'm being called on to help with the spirit level.

System

Welcome to all the newbies.

I have started on birthdays I have ordered my OH some minion pj's and my DD a dog themed duvet cover from Studio , they have some of the Christmas bedding reduced if anyone wants any.

Just a day of washing and tidying up today and maybe a little veging in front of the TV later.

freespirit66

Afternoon everyone, i must stop this just lounging around all day eating and watching tv and reading :rotfl:at least tomorrow i have to get dressed and leave the house as i have a drs appt

04624181 i have had a kindle for 3 years and i still have to ask DS how to do certain things :rotfl:i just cant seem to get my head around it, this weeks question was i had put my books into groups but couldnt remember how i did it so he had to show me glad you are enjoying it

PEPPAPIG oh that is so annoying isnt it when you buy something and a few days later it is reduced, good luck i hope it is there to pick up

KILLIELILA hi and welcome to our thread, sorry it has been so stressful and disorganised this year, onwards and upwards eh

MSGIGGLEWICK glad you all had a fab christmas and fab pressies, omg you are so good i havent even left the house since christmas eve let alone done any walking, exercise

LINZ aww glad you are getting some good sleep, i hope DS finds a good routine for you, 11 months broken sleep is a looooooong time

JUSTFORME hello and welcome to our thread

3FORHOLIDAYS aww thankyou for that giftcard info that is fab, yes that is what i was thinking, getting them from the supermarkets then i get loyalty points too

FEISTY haha you will need your notebook as you will have 'mummybrain' forevermore and believe me it is real :D

PINKSTEPS oh your DS is the best, that is hilarious i am actually sitting here giggling away :rotfl:
:rotfl:

CHRISSY oh i am having trouble finding some pjs for my kids for next christmas i might have a look thankyou!

fuddle

Hey all. I admire you all for being so organised. Essentially I am too but found myself leaving the lot till the last minute for 2015 so I'd like to join you all this year. 'ello

The next pay is mid Jan and at that point I will keep my eyes open for a gift at a good price.

I too am evaluating what worked and was enjoyable this year so I can improve upon next year. So far I think it's an overhaul in Christmas decorations. I have a habit of bringing in too much green from outdoors. All it seemed to do was put me on edge re: clutter. Not good.

nitnurse-not2

Hi all,

Thanks very much for all the welcome back messages. You are such a lovely lot.

I have trawled Boots and Amazon but there is nothing of interest for me to buy. I usually get a couple of aftershaves/ perfumes but recently the kids (adults really!!!!) are a bit more choosy with their fragrances so I thought it will be better to wait until nearer the time. I got a couple of shots with glasses sets in Tesco down to £2 each but that is all.
I am going into Newcastle on 2nd Jan for lunch with OH so may have a wander then.

Freespirit: I have also begun my spreadsheets for 2016 and, new this year, is a list of NOT to do's. This includes things like
NOT to buy 6 tubes of Pringles as 2 is sufficient!
Only make half amount of Nigellas Rocky Road as that is more than enough for Boxing Day. I will keep adding to it as I think of things.

Each year my Theme changes for decorations and next year will be "vintage". I have loads of glass baubles from the 60's that belonged to my grandparents that I have never used so I am going to base my theme around them.
Off to while away a couple of hours on Pinterest for vintage inspiration.

xxx

Peppapig

Welcome to the thread Killielila, Justforme and fuddle

Good on you Feisty, our current dog was a rescue - she's definitely one sandwich short of a picnic but she fits right in here lol.

Pinksteps your DS is great, the joke text was genius :rotfl:

Nit-nurse I'm very envious of you having genuine vintage baubles from your grandparents. I did a vintage theme this year and will be doing it next year too but I've had to buy new decs in vintage style. Can't wait to see your pics next year.

I think my fridge freezer may be on the blink. The freezer gets too cold and has done for a while but now the fridge doesn't seem cold enough at the top. The bottom and middle shelves seem ok but I put the thermometer on the top shelf and it was def showing above the level that it should. I've got another freezer a bit smaller so maybe just get a larder fridge - the only time we really use the two freezers together is Christmas. Off to have a look online I think.