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

MsPawz

Hello all! I'm new to the mse forums today. I used to have a login many years ago but couldn't remember what it was so this is my "new" 1st post! Anyway I hope you don't mind me joining your thread and posting with you and getting to know you from now on!
A little of my back story to allow you to get to know me; I live at home with my DF MrPawz and we both absolutely love Christmas. MrPawz is unable to work at the moment and has been unable to do so for almost 7 years now. We have always just made the most of it and have been lucky enough to, up to now, manage to get by with little bits of money coming to us from various sources just at the right time and when we needed it the most. Recently we have remortgaged to consolidate debt that we had accumulated in the past couple of years. This was our best and only option and we had to do so due to the following circumstances; Our previous mortgage payment was so high due to being stuck on a SVR that we couldn't escape for many, many years, as my wages alone weren't high enough to pass the new mortgage stress tests. The high mortgage payments we had no choice but to meet had meant that we couldn't always meet our other monthly expenses and particularly any emergencies - which is what led to the debt accumulating. I had a credit card that was used as a buffer in times of crisis/need. Not so long ago, shortly before we remortgaged, I received a small payrise. It isn't much but it took us to a level where if we paid off the debt we might just pass the remortgage stress tests! So we gave it a go and here we are! We're now remortgaged and are *just* meeting our monthly expenses! I have got us deals, got most of our bills down to the bare minimum, am a savvy shopper and do everything I can to save us money. But I still feel like I can be *better*! More savvy, more proactive. I want to make sure we are squeezing the very most that we can out of every penny we earn. I also want to start earning more. Survey sights, ebaying, everything I can put my hand to. This goes for earnings made effectively by making extra savings too. ☺ I'm ready to be the best moneysaver I can be! So this brings me to today. I'm currently off sick and am way too ill to go in to work. But the problem is I don't get paid for this. Looking at the 3 days I'll likely have to be off (hopefully less - but this is already 2/3 of the way through that with no end in sight- thank God it'll be the weekend after that) that's £185 lost. Now I have a teeny tiny bit of money that I'd put aside to learn to drive, that I can "dip in to" to cover this temporarily. But it must be only temporarily as I really need to learn to drive an am planning on doing so in the next year. Starting in January, probably, in fact. So that is what I'll have to do. Take it from Driving Fund, but also PUT IT BACK. Now MrPawz has a plan that we put whatever birthday money he gets from his parents in to there (end of November) - bless him - and also any Christmas money we get from his parents in to there. Good plan but it won't amount to much. I can also put any Christmas bonus that I get in to there.... if necessary. Ideally though, I would like to make the money up by other means before Christmas. But we'll see.
Ok it seems like I'm waffling here which is probably because I am. This gets me to Christmas. I mentioned before that we are both Christmas lovers but as you can see we are only just meeting ourooms monthly budget and this doesn't include any special occasions. Add to this that we're also losing additional money that we need to make back and you can see how I need to come here for support and ideas and to try to keep the fun IN and theverything stress OUT Of my Christmas preparations and celebrations. 😊 so I will very much appreciate hanging around with you all - getting ready, getting merry and feeling festive. I want to make this our happiest Christmas yet despite all of our hardships. I hope you'll help me and I can be of help to you!

MsPawz. X

mrs-moneypenny

Welcome MsPawz, sounds like you'll fit right in here.

MsPawz

Thank you mrs-moneypenny! ☺

vulpix

Bloomin eck Ms Paws,that's a lot on your plate.Welcome and if there is a Christmas bargain to be found you will find it here.

Kaya,rotten luck.Fingers crossed for next time.x

Free,what a way for them to finish a holiday! They will remember that one! Sounds a lovely day out.I like to hear what you have been up to.

0462... I didn't see your pic,but I like the sound of your make,my kids would have loved that,well actually they still would at 25,23 and 15!

Chrissy,thanks for the info.I like the planter but am a little concerned that the garden already has too much going on.I want it to be elegant rather than Blackpool giftshop window!

I know i have said I have finished Christmas shopping but now I have seen some things on the Dunelm site to tempt.One is for Mr V which takes him to a Chewbacka stocking a 49p book and some Jack Daniels fudge.No point in buying a bottle of the stuff,we have a cupboard full of it.

I have slept in my own bed,aaaaaaaaaah. No other furniture in here,just the bed.I am very pleased with the new carpet.

Am having some time off from the garden,my back hurts.This morning I am going to a patchwork group in the village just so people remember me!

Vx

Peppapig

Welcome to the thread MRSPAWZ, sounds like you've had a roller coaster ride but you seem to have got on top of things, well done both of you. Sorry that you're poorly at the moment, hope you soon feel better and can look at making up lost money. This is me st definitely the place for all Christmas livers to be!

0462 I didn't see your pic, is it anywhere else, I'd love to see what you did.

KAYA sorry to hear about your driving test, must have been really disappointing for you but you'll get there.

MRSM the elf door is a lovely idea. My DD got one for DGD's elf Rosie and it appears just before Rosie arrives each year. DGD is seven now so not sure how many more years we have of unconditional belief but it's still magical at the moment. Having said that I still believe lol.

Christmas pressie buying is going well so ticking off lots of things on my lists. I can't believe how many pressies we actually buy but can't bring myself to cut it down because I really do enjoy it.

Feeling quite tired at the moment, nothing they didn't warn me about but finding it frustrating wanting to get on with things and not having the energy to get off the blooming sofa! Poor DH takes the brunt of it but thankfully he understands and doesn't take it personally. Not sure I'd be so patient if it was the other way around.

Clumsy42

Hello eveyone. Only me. :wave:

Have had some improvement after the antibiotics. But my test results were actually clear of infection so I'm concerned the antibiotics may have had a placebo effect! Trying to work out if I want to go back to see the GP - I am still having some issues, it just isn't as bad. :think:

Went to Dobbies this morning. Lovely Christmas section (well more like most of the shop lol)! It would take me an age to describe everything I saw so I'll just say you should all go visit if you have one nearby! I got a new winter hat there. It's deep purple with jewelled flowers. Quite happy about it as I'm renowned for being fussy about hats! :rotfl:

We have afternoon tea coming up next week for my sister's birthday. Can't wait! :T Also really need to find an outfit for graduation because that's coming up soon.

Peppapig - Those presents look lovely!

Welcome MsPawz!

mrs-moneypenny

Clumsy someone had a beautiful dress on at work today and when I complimented her on it she told me our big Sainsbury's are clearing all their clothes out even the new season stuff on massively reduced sale. Not sure if this is all Sains or just our for some reason but it might be worth checking them out if you have a big one nearby.

Treasurequeen

04624181 I saw your craft on your fb it's a great idea, it looks fun.

Kaya I'm sorry to hear about your driving test fingers crosed it goes better next time. It does sound harsh the reason why you failed. My test was the same, I was doing a parralel park in a dead end road and I had plenty of room and the bloke slapped the brakes on. There was nothing coming and I had plenty of room my driving. Instructor was furious but said that it was his word against mine and we had no proof. I can't drive now so haven't redone my test.

Thanks for the updated list there are a few Nice bits in dunhelm that I have got my eye on.
Nic I was umming and arghing over the gingerbread candle in home bargains the other day but wasn't sure if the smell would last. Yankee is getting more expensive so I might try these candles as a replacement and save some money.

Wow free some good birthday bargains you had there. How was the film was it any good?

Welcome mspawz.

We had a power cut here this morning and it has tripped our mains so we has SSE out to dig up the road. And we are currently on a generator from them in the back garden. Wow it is so noisy. Not much done on the Christmas front as I have only just had my internet back on, so I am trawling dunhelm and marks and Spencer's for gift ideas for my aunt and uncle who have everything.

msgigglewick

i'm loving how christmas is slowly appearing! lol our tesco has finally put out their halloween stock.. thought they wasn't going to at all. its usually out by the end of august. Got dd4 a lil top and leggings outfit. My lush order of the Santas helper gift set came (thats for me!!! lol) i have one more charm to get for dd1's pandora/chamilia bracelet to get and a calender and jumper and shes done.. dd2 is all complete apart from some foodie bits, dd2's boyfriend is done too.. dd4 has recently written her letter to santa.. shes wished for some of the our generation accessory sets (already had the kitchen on order strangely) so need to get those ordered... dd3. is just a couple of stocking fillers and a huge grey fluffy throw. Only person im stuck for is the DH my minds blank. lol

i just put some items i think i'd like to get from boots in the basket to see how much it comes too (might do their special day thing this year) its come to £46 after 3 for 2. so might be worth me waiting a few weeks.we shall see!

i think i shall start organising the elf antic box next week. Really want it all sorted this year as its dd2's 18th bday on boxing day so need to organise that too.

tis all fun and games huh!

freespirit66

Evening everyone, i got another £10 survey payout today so i have ordered DS Guiness Book of World Records, he has one in his stocking every year I got my christmas planner out and there was nothing to update bar a couple of foodie bits i was most disappointed i was so up to date :rotfl:

NIC thanks i am going to definitely get one next time i go to HB, i have been burning a YC votive today spiced orange but you have to be on top of it to smell it!!! Like you say they are getting so expensive now

MSPAWZ hello and welcome

VULPIX glad you are pleased with your carpet, i hope your back doesnt keep you out of action for too long!

PEPPAPIG oh my lovely i hope the tiredness subsides very soon for you and you are back to your busy bee self x

CLUMSY ooh i have a Dobbies 10 mins away from me now i know their christmas bits are out i will go and have a browse

TREASUREQUEEN yes it was good, i did enjoy it but as i had read the book i found there were bits missing or not mentioned, and i think i am turning into a prude because one scene was one of the girls running outside naked and i just didnt see why that had to be in there lol it must be my age!!