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

iammumtoone

thank you for the welcomes

I might have posted on other Christmas threads, I can remember much further back than last week :rotfl: I do love Christmas so it sounds like something I would do

I don't go on the sun holidays anymore as I no longer have the time to keep trying the site for the dates/places I want (by the time I finish work, there is not much left ) but have been on loads over the years, I have never had a bad experience but we did always take advantage of paying for an upgrade if it was offered by the park.

I need to think about booking a break, not sure if to book Butlins or a hotel somewhere for a couple of nights. Trouble with Butlins is you have to pay for three nights but we can only stay for 2 due to the fines you now have to pay from the school :mad:

Gettingtherequickly

murie wrote: »

oops!! I meant cake !

:D I deleted cake so u don't feel so guilty:D It's ur mum's birthday, enjoy the cake :D

princesskitty29

:bdaycake: HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY newthrift and Betsie2010! :bdaycake: I hope you both had a lovely day.

mrsinvisible what a good idea clothes swapping with a friend!

04624181 not too early to plan Mother's and Father's day – especially if it's going to save you money!

Hello and welcome iammumtoone! :wave:

freespirit I realise now it seems silly to have packed it away (obviously it's just in the cupboard so I can still have one! ) but I had a board out that said 'Baby it's cold outside, warm up here' – which was a bit of a lie because it was so mild in December! It's still winter, so when I do it this year i'm going to keep it out and not pack it away with the Christmas things. I hope everything goes well for your DD today.

We used to go on Sun holidays every year before Wiggle was born, we haven't been since as I couldn't figure out where we would put a travel cot until someone told me that the single beds in the caravans move so you can fit one in! I just haven't got around to it this year. I've always tried to get a Butlins break but have never been successful. DH booked us a short break at Center Parcs in March, although that was before we knew we would be moving and it could now clash! We're going to the Woburn one this time, and if we move before we go we'll only be living literally five minutes down the road! Although the great thing with Center Parcs is that when you're inside you could be anywhere so we get a holiday without the long journey which is great with Wiggle.

My parents are coming down today which is great as this cold has knocked me for six a little bit so it will be nice to have some company and a little help. My mum loves quiche but my dad doesn't so she doesn't often have it, so yesterday I made my first ever quiche! It's leek and bacon and it's a Mary Berry recipe, it looks good but we'll have to see how it tastes! That is also my new recipe for this week. Although the only problem with making a quiche from scratch is that you realise just how unhealthy it is!! :eek:

mrs-moneypenny

Morning all
Belated birthday wishes to newthrift and betsie
Free hope things go well for your DD,

Not got much Christmassy stuff planned today only in work part time today to plan to tidy and mend this morning. After work I'll prep tea and tonight the plan is another DVD and some knitting. I lead such an exciting life dint I LOL.

04624181

Good Morning all,

Thank you free and princess kitty 29 - I am going to order them later on and then I know they are done x
I forgot to say the mini converse handbags and rucksacks were from sports direct starting at £2.50 each x Today I was planning on starting the cleaning, organising and decluttering but DD is off with a sore throat again, she was off yesterday so hoping she will be ok to go in school tomorrow x So plan B is organising our meal plan, monthly budgets, saving goals and ways to make money by selling our stuff that we do not need and also by doing surveys etc.... any recommendations anyone? Free... who do you use please?
I am absolutely bone wearily tired. I cannot get enough sleep. I am going to bed about 10pm and am up for 6.30am but am still drained and achey.
Free I am going to try the Aloe vera juice myself as I am aching all over at the minute. My hips, legs, ankles, shoulder. I just cannot get a decent sleep at the minute as I am tired so I have no problem falling asleep, its the tossing and turning trying to find a comfortable position. Dont want to go to the drs as I do not want anymore drugs.
Ah well onwards and upwards! Im alot better off than some xxx
Did not manage to get any christmas cards in the sales but not too fussed as have got my wrapping paper xx Its my dads 60th tomorrow and I am looking forward to spoiling him. Its a big year this year. My dads 40, My sister is 16, I am 40 and myself and husband have been married 15 years x My brother is moving house and we are finishing our loft conversion. So as you can imagine every penny counts. Does anybody meal plan? And does anyone meal prep? If so tips would be gladly welcomed. Also does anybody have a foolproof budget scheme they follow?

mrs-moneypenny

04624181, when I say prep a meal all I'm really doing is getting it ready for cooking, eg I'll make a lasagne or shepherds pie in the afternoon so it can just go in the oven 30mins or so before we want to eat. I'd planned to do butternut risotto last night so cooked the butternut squash while the oven was on on Sunday so I just had to mash it and add it to the rice last night.
I am trying meal planning this year but at the weekend we shop and if I pick up some reduced stuff I'll then plan what I'm doing meal wise for the rest of the week once I've got that or by looking in the cupboards freezer etc to see what needs using or what we have in.
I follow the monthly grocery challenge thread and find that helps, there are loads of recipies on the beginning of the that I find really useful. Everyone has differ the money coming in and out and each household is different so no one can really advise you on what budget you should live within because what works for one person would be impossible for someone else. Have a look of the grocery challenge that there is a load of really good advice in the first few posts and it's very friendly and supportive like this thread.

System

Morning all,

No Christmas prep here but I am doing well for birthdays .

I have heard from the person in charge of DD's holiday last week she was going to see the stingrays on the Cayman Islands and Sat I got a text asking if she was ok to swim with Dolphins , she will be so happy as everywhere we tried said due to her Epilepsy she wouldn't be allowed.She is back on Sunday and we can't wait to see her.

Has anyone else signed up for this ? There seem to be some good reductions on some items and also a few freebies. I have just signed so I will see how it goes.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5393118

04624181

Thank you Mrs Moneypenny for the tips, I will have a look at the monthly grocery challenge thread. Like your forward planning with cooking the butternut squash cooking xx
By foolproof budget scheme I meant the way people budget. I have seen videos of people who use the dave ramsey all cash budget system, some people have a set bank account with just the cash available to spend in, I am more of a list girl than a computer spread sheet kinda girl so im currently having look to see what there is available. Im determined to get more organised with the cash, bills and less food waste.
chrissyg sounds like your dd will have lots to tell you, how amazing xx

vulpix

Chrissy,what an amazing holiday your DD is having,she will want to go every year!I would like to go too!

Still got my my cold! Have had worse.The bad chest and coughing is driving me mad.And everybody else I imagine.

Free I think you should get a new bed when you can.Treat yourself.Thats the trouble with Mothers,they don't like spending on theirselves.

I can't wait to be able to sort this house out and properly unpack.I can see how the land lies then with what I have in regard to Christmas and Birthday presents.

It is DD1's birthday in a couple of weeks.She will be 22.I have no clue as to what to get her.She wants for nothing.I don't want to just give money.Perhaps I can get her something in Amsterdam next week.

I have been looking into going to Canada in the summer.£1000 each for air fare alone.Yikes!!!!!!! Do airfares reduce as they get closer?I would so like to go to see my son but I expected the fares to be less.

laters Vx

Salmagundi

Free I think the member you're thinking of is Moneysavingmumofone (MSMOO). Do you remember, she posted to say she may not be on for a while as her husband had just come home and said he was leaving her after 10 years of marriage? I often wondered how she had got on as she didn't post again.
ChrissyG sounds like your daughter's having a fab time. Bet it's been strange not having her around the house? Her return will be one of those times when you don't mind having a floor full of washing!
Belated birthday wishes to those missed; welcome to new members on the thread.
Even with all of the bugs, it seems to be full steam ahead for everyone at the start of this new year! Wrap up warm...x