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

murie

Hello to all the newbies!


Having had such a lovely Christmas I haven't really bothered with the sales but went to Tesco this morning for some bits and pieces and came back £50 lighter as they had a steam generator iron reduced to £49! Mine is on the way out so decided to take the plunge and buy myself one. Im chuffed to bits as I actually don't mind ironing but its been taking longer and longer cus mine is taking ages to reach temperature. I've got a load of white shirts on at the moment- cant wait for them to finish so I can try my new iron! (sad I know!)


Pinksteps- bet your DS keeps you on your feet with a sense of humour like that! Hilarious!


My poor hound has hurt her foot- I think she's pulled something jumping out of the boot of the car. She did it on Boxing morning and was limping quite badly for a day, rested it and it seemed much better, but today she is limping again (after free falling down the last 4 stairs this morning as she always does). My gut instinct is that it is a strain (given that it seemed better after a days rest) so I don't really want to take her to the vets and pay goodness knows how much for them to tell me the same thing BUT I am a bit worried about it. Problem is that she is a very very active 6 year old GS and she is going stir crazy. She looks so morose its tugging at my heart strings!

Karrie1uk

I'm so glad I'm not alone peppapig in regifting and I do have a code beside on my spreadsheet on who it gave it to me in the first place. I prefer this option rather than taking back or asking for gift receipts etc. My husband is so bad that everyone pays cash for his presents and gives him the original receipt.

Msgigglewick I have been using food shopping lists for the last few months and I am saving a fortune on food which we didn't need. Before Christmas I went into a well known supermarket with no list and it cost me twice as much as a weekly shop had the week before. Hubby hates it as I don't buy treats etc because if it's not the list I don't buy and also that with we ended up with similar food each week but I think that was because I was on slimming world before Christmas. However if anyone has any low cost recipes which vary from the norm please let me know, would love to try a new recipe each week.

Trying to use money off vouchers in 2016 I normally was too embarrassed to use them In case they were refused but as 2016 is the year of making the most of the pennies I will trying any means possible. We don't have an Aldi in Northern Ireland but our nearness lidl has just been updated so going to try shopping around more this year by going between Iceland, lidl and tesco.

04624181

Hi all,
Trying to keep up with you all but failing miserably lol x
Pixtots and free- I do love my new kindle, it is an adventure trying to find out what it does. I had no idea that you can group your books together. My husband has bought me a memory card for it so am waiting for him to fit it so I can get started down loading all my kindle library x

Welcome to all newbies, hi to the usuals lol x
Out with the kid tomorrow, cinema and shopping. Hoping to get some bargains!
So tired, back playing up so have increased meds which make me tired x need to organise my new bag organiser, cannot wait lol x

FeistyFidget

Pinksteps wrote: »

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 !!!!!!

:rotfl: this made me really LOL, I would have fallen for it too

nitnurse-not2 wrote: »

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

We cut right back this year (main food shop was about £60) and then I spoiled it yesterday by inviting family round and buying lots of not needed food at Tesco for £20, we have lot's left over so I really don't learn

We are trying to minimise food waste at the moment and it was going really well until yesterday too. I have some friends round for an afternoon tea type thing Sunday so I may challenge myself to just use what we have in the cupboards

Mojoworking wrote: »

I've got 5 litre size mason jars - I've no idea what I brought them for or what I was going to put in them that would be vaguely festive as I'm not one for making jams etc. Need to think about them. I also bought the little mason cups with the pastel lids and straws in and put them away. I assume for hot chocolate for Christmas eve. DD doesn't even like hot chocolate just mad. Need to think of what to do with these. Just buying for buying sake!!

Christmas at centre parcs was out of this world. It was amazing but very very expensive and I don't think I could justify the cost again but glad we did it once. The accommodation the pool the staff faultless. We had ordered a real tree and it was our first one ever - we will never get a real tree too prickly and too messy but suited us there. It was beautiful but not something for the house of that makes sense. It was amazing to be on the pool and doing all that on Christmas day. It was strange that one junction down the motorway homes were being flooded and we were fine. Really odd. I live a couple of hours from Cumbria and it wasn't really hitting our news. I asked some of the workers and they were from Carlisle and said it had been bad there a few weeks ago but they were fine and getting on. It was like a bubble out of reality.

I've not ventured out yet and don't think I can face the sales tbh. I've decided that I'm not posting gifts in future the postage is too much I'll send cash to sis and she will buy and wrap if we are not seeing each other.

Pink steps how funny good on you for being so motivated I am definitely at the cba stage of Christmas!!

Nit nurse what is vintage? I'd love to see your grandparents Dec's. Our decorations are just more is more and be very thing and add more. I do love se eing people's decorations. I don't think there is a style i don't like!

The mason jars would be perfect for recipes in a jar - you just layer up the ingredients and add a tag with the recipe (lots on pinterest) I think it would make a lovely gift! The milk bottles could also be filled with sweets and gifted?

Centerparcs sounds amazing! We went with family in 2009 as managed to grab an absolute bargain, but even then we thought it was a little over-priced what with paying for most activities etc.

princesskitty29 wrote: »

Hi all, so glad this lovely thread is here to cheer me up! My mum, brother and auntie came down yesterday, my dad couldn't come as he was poorly. It was actually a really nice day as Wiggle was really well behaved. DH and I were a bit glum when they left as that meant Christmas really was over now we've seen both families and unfortunately it doesn't really feel like we had a Christmas this year. It turns out Wiggle is teething which is the reason for his behaviour over Christmas. We're happy with him today though as he slept in until 5:45, it was much needed! DH and I still woke up around 4am but we're just glad he got a good nights sleep. I'm still plagued with a sore throat (since Christmas Eve) and a really bad cough. I am so sorry to moan, I know we've not had as bad a Christmas as some would have had, I guess i'm just so disappointed as I look forward to it so much. Anyway onwards and upwards!

I usually quite like doing a bit of online sale shopping after Christmas but it's been a bit rubbish this year, probably because all the sales start Christmas Eve and I don't want to be shopping over Christmas! I have picked up a few things but not as much as I usually do. We need to go to town today so I might pop into a few places and see if there's anything around.

I've got my shiny new 2016 spreadsheet all set up and ready to go - I can't wait to start filling it in! If all goes to plan my family will be staying with us in our new house next year so i'd like to do them all a stocking and i'll have to sort the food. I'm excited already!

nicki I totally forgot to say FAB window display! I loved it! I bet everyone loves walking past your window on special occasions to see what scene you have in the window! Good work. :beer:

sorry to hear about your Dad and that both you and wiggle are poorly too! I hope you both start to improve soon

lellyo wrote: »

Morning all! Welcome fuddle and justforme!

Feisty ... I have to agree, we were watching the food channels on the lead up to christmas and i think practically every other advert was a charity one, we too stopped watching, i no they have to let people no of all the good work they do, but it just ended up playing on my mind!

Pink .... That is so funny!

Mojo... I would love to go to centre parcs, especially around christmas time, it looks wonderful, so pleased you had a good time, but like you said it is expensive.

Princesskitty.... So glad you had a nice day, sorry your dad couldnt be there. I no exactly what you wishing christmas wasnt over so quickly, think its because we are planning it for so long that it seems to come and go in a flash!

Well weather here today looks nice, at the moment, so DH has gone out on a bike ride, and when he comes back i think i will take a little trip to the card factory to see if they have any paper and cards left. My boots order has just arrived, so i now have a few bits to stash away for birthdays and christmas! Not sure what else we'll be up to, but hopefully we' ll all get out later , just to make the most of the nice weather while it lasts. Hope evryone has a good day! Xx

It was the food channel we were watching too :rotfl:

Karrie1uk wrote: »

Hi all, I have been missing this chat and the lead up to Christmas but little one kept me so busy. I'm hoping everyone enjoyed Christmas and that it was stress free.

This was the first year I hit the sales at 6am on Boxing Day. Got baby son kitted out in next for now until next Christmas and the savings were great. I then hit boots and bagged some bargains in there. Went shopping yesterday and picked up some bits a pieces for birthdays etc.

Copied my Christmas spreadsheet to 2016 and changed it to include birthdays, Mother's Day and Father's Day. December was my last full month of pay and I'm now down to stat maternity pay...hubby can't understand why I am buying presents now but I want to get things sorted now and then I don't need to worry about money.

So in the end I have 3 Christmas presents completely sorted for next year and most of mother day sorted. I also have some bits for birthdays in.

Tell me something if you received something for Christmas that you don't use do you recycle? I gave been recycling fit years but so many people think it is wrong to do.

Wow, you really were organised with your sales!

I am the queen of re-gifting, if I can save some cash and recycle to someone that will appreciate a gift more than me, then I don't see a problem with it

murie wrote: »

Hello to all the newbies!


Having had such a lovely Christmas I haven't really bothered with the sales but went to Tesco this morning for some bits and pieces and came back £50 lighter as they had a steam generator iron reduced to £49! Mine is on the way out so decided to take the plunge and buy myself one. Im chuffed to bits as I actually don't mind ironing but its been taking longer and longer cus mine is taking ages to reach temperature. I've got a load of white shirts on at the moment- cant wait for them to finish so I can try my new iron! (sad I know!)


Pinksteps- bet your DS keeps you on your feet with a sense of humour like that! Hilarious!


My poor hound has hurt her foot- I think she's pulled something jumping out of the boot of the car. She did it on Boxing morning and was limping quite badly for a day, rested it and it seemed much better, but today she is limping again (after free falling down the last 4 stairs this morning as she always does). My gut instinct is that it is a strain (given that it seemed better after a days rest) so I don't really want to take her to the vets and pay goodness knows how much for them to tell me the same thing BUT I am a bit worried about it. Problem is that she is a very very active 6 year old GS and she is going stir crazy. She looks so morose its tugging at my heart strings!

Poor pooch, I hope she is quickly on the mend. Can you crate her for a few days and then if there is an improvement it is most probably a sprain and no expensive vet visit needed?

Not much going on here, another relaxing day! We did attempt to tackle the dumping ground that is the nursery but after too much sleep (I'm trying to store it up ) and hitting the chocolate first thing I felt pretty rotten after a few hours so retired to the sofa for the rest of the day :rotfl:

I did manage to have a clear out of wrapping paper that we are clearly not going to use and I've realised we may be okay for cards next year too - just a few individual ones that I'm hoping we can grab in the sales. Our fibre optic tree is making a horrid grinding noise We've had it since Christmas 2008 and it was £70 so I will be a bit annoyed if it's on it's way out as I can't justify another one this year.

Mojoworking

Fiesty I'm going to buy sweets for the cups that will look fantastic thank you x

lellyo

Karie1uk... Yes i must admit i do recycle gifts. My son was given a game last year that he already had, so that was re-gifted to one of his little buddies, and this year he has been given 3 helicopters for his birthday so 2of them will be re gifted as well! My sister also does the same!

Vulpix....i too am a home bird, dont mind visiting family but thats about it!

Msgigglewick.... I too make lists but very rarely stick to them, especially in home bargins,... That shop is leathal!!! We dont tend to do anything special new year. Saying that tho we did all book as a family, pods with hot tubs which was lovely,lastyear. , couldn't go away for christmas but new year definatley! This year will just be a quiet one.

Mrsmoneypenny... We too hace a roast new years day, and what a lovely thing to do, giving promises of time, that's so nice, its what we need to do more of isnt it?

Murie... Your poor doggy, does sound like shes sprained her leg doesnt she? We were walking yesterday with my siste, her kids and their pooch, and today she has said his front paws are sore, he never stops, hes one of those dogs that you can never tire out!!... So he is on bed rest too!!

04624181... Hope you are feeling better soon!

Feisty... Store all the rest up you can..... Dont blame you at at all, it 'll do you good!

Well i managed to get to the card factory this morning, so pleased! I got all my special cards except one for DH, DS and my mum. Also got some boxed cards and some wrapping paper as well! .... Its a nice feeling when you no you're getting a bargain isnt it?? Had another lovely walk this afternoon along the prom again, DS is so enjoying his new bike! Xxxx

freespirit66

Evening everyone, so i went to the drs today nearly did a runner about 20 times as she was half an hour late and i have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, its really upset me as i just thought the pains and nerve pain was temporary symptoms of the menopause but this is for life, i will have to take painkillers everyday now and it also explains my 3 hours a night not being able to sleep, anxiety is linked as well, ibs, headaches oh god it really has shaken me up! On the plus side i did manage to get some diazepam for my anxiety so that will be good to know i have a safety net, i will only take it as and when i need it. And the irony is i have come off my ADs and she said they are good for pain :rotfl:So if i dont come on for a bit you know i am feeling sorry for myself, ive got Thumper in the morning that will do me a world of good!

MOJOWORKING i am glad you had a wonderful time at centre parcs for christmas, i would love to go just the once too, i have never head anyone say anything bad (except the costs involved)

PIXTOTTS some fab bargains for £11

PRINCESSKITTY glad you had a lovely day yesterday, yes i agree everything good was gone over christmas and i dont want to be shopping then either!

KARRIE1UK nothing wrong in regifting as long as the giver doesnt find out IMO

VULPIX sorry christmas wasnt so special this year, you did have a lot on your plate for the few months before
just think next year your house renovations will be all done and dusted way before christmas

MSGIGGLEWICK yes we always get together NYD for a big beef roast, with all the trimmings, apple pie for pud (same every year ) and i always open a bottle of champagne (only started the champagne bit after exH left us to wish ourselves luck for the following year)

MRSMONEYPENNY you pinned a pin today, the 'Saran Wrap Ball, we played this christmas day it was so much fun

PEPPAPIG hope you had a fab evening, my new years resolutions are to carry on with my diet next year

MURIE aww i hope you dog is ok, its so worrying isnt it? Hope she had a restful day today

Peppapig

MURIE keep an eye on that foot - our JRT was limping and I thought it might be a sprain but took her to the vet and turned out she'd broken her toe. Still not sure how she did it but she had painkillers and anti-inflammatory tabs and no proper walks for a couple of weeks and is fine now. Hope your pooch is better very soon.

The Star Wars film was fab - never really been impressed with them but this one was great (the 3D was fab too).

princesskitty29

Oooh I just can't seem to shake this virus! I guess when you've got a little one you don't have time to sit and rest so things linger around. DH is at work today, although work for him is in our spare room so he says he'll be around a little bit which makes me feel better! I went to town yesterday and picked up a bracelet in the Accessorize sale for a friend's birthday and a pack of Christmas cards from Sainsbury's for 25p! Although i'm going to try to cross stitch the bulk of my cards for this year. I picked up my Boots order but unfortunately i'm going to have to take a couple of things back, that's the only problem with buying online! DH and I got some money for Christmas and I did treat myself yesterday on the Emma Bridgwater website! I got a couple of the pink hearts crockery but also got some lovely Christmas mugs and plate that I loved. I know it's a bit extravagant buying Emma Bridgewater but I do so love her stuff and I don't indulge in many other things. Plus I always buy from the seconds, they were on sale plus they had an offer of 6 for 5 so it was way cheaper than normal.

Karrie I give any presents that I won't use to a charity shop. I am always extremely grateful for anything I receive but I think it's inevitable we'll all end up with something we won't use, likewise I probably give people things they won't use – not knowingly obviously! If you know someone that you think will like it then I don't see the harm in re-gifting it to them. It's better to pass things on than have them sit in a cupboard doing nothing.

vulpix I know how you feel, i'm a homebody too! I don't see anything wrong with people going away or going out for the Christmas lunch, it's great if you enjoy it, but it wouldn't be the same for me if we weren't at home, or at the parents.

msgigglewick DH and I can't go out for New Year, so i'm making a 3 course dinner on NYE consisting of smoked salmon pate to start, chicken and chorizo traybake for the main and raspberry cheesecake for pudding. In the days before Wiggle I would have made everything from scratch but I have to admit this year i've bought the cheesecake. Then for New Year's day I've bought some buffet food from Waitrose to graze on.

murie oh no your poor dog, it's so hard when they can't tell us exactly what's wrong! I hope it gets better for her soon.

Pinksteps I have to admit your DS's little trick did make me smile!

freespirit oh your poor thing that must have been a shock for you, it's never nice to hear that you have got a condition that will stay with you. On the plus side at least it has been identified and you can try to manage it now. You just try to look after yourself, don't worry if you can't always get on here but remember we're all here for you! I hope cheeky little Thumper can cheer you up.

princesskitty29

Peppapig I think my New Year's resolutions or goals will be the same as last year; to cook one new recipe a week and to do one pin a month from Pinterest. I haven't quite reached my target this year for the new recipe a week, i've done 43 out of 52. But I have over-achieved on Pinterest and done 14 ideas. It doesn't sound like a lot but it's better than previous years when I just kept pinning and not doing! I also want to try my very best not to waste food, DH and I aren't too bad at this but we could be better!