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

mrsinvisible

morning, you all sound busy and organised, well on the way to ready for Christmas!!
Got a call from the builder yesterday, he has a week available next week, can he do my roof then? Oh, yes, of course, says l, panic starting in my boots and working its way up. so this week will be emptying the loft and finding storage for it all.
l was going to start painting the living room next week, so l may put that on hold (silver lining)
Other than that there isn't a lot going on in Chez lnvis right now.

mrs-moneypenny

Chrissy sounds like your DD will come back with fabulous tales and wonderful memories.

cbsexec

Was it on this thread it was mentioned Te*** charging for click and collect?

Is it only certain areas as I have just ordered and not been charged extra for this? Confused?

System

cbsexec wrote: »

Was it on this thread it was mentioned Te*** charging for click and collect?

Is it only certain areas as I have just ordered and not been charged extra for this? Confused?

I think I read somewhere it starts in Feb.

FeistyFidget

princesskitty29 wrote: »

Well Wiggle and I have another cold, it's not the end of the world but it is enough to make you feel ever so slightly rubbish all day! Nevermind it's par for the course with a little one!

I haven't done much sale shopping but went to Matalan the other day and picked up some fab Christmas bargains! Some of the bits I actually saw online before Christmas but never got around to buying: a cute little robin mug reduced to 50p (I bought one as a present for my MiL too), a 'Baby it's cold outside' slate sign 50p, a silicone Christmas tree cake mould 50p, a Naughty/Nice kilner style glass mug 50p and some small festive gift boxes 50p for two (I bought 4 packs). So I got all that for £4.50!! I thought the sign would look nice hung by the coat rack and I'm planning to make some Christmas tree shaped gingerbread with white chocolate icing this year. The gift boxes are ideal as i'm planning to make some reindeer fingerprint baubles with Wiggle's fingerprint and these boxes are an ideal size to package them in for gifts for the Grandparents etc. The Naughty/Nice mug was an impulse buy, i'm not sure who i'll give it to but it was such a bargain at 50p and I thought it would be nice filled with treats. I daren't look on the Boots website, more because I bought some stuff recently before the 70% off sale and I don't want to see if any of the stuff I bought has been reduced anymore! I have started my cross stitch Christmas cards, i'm going to keep ploughing on and will hopefully have enough by this Christmas!

We're supposed to be heading to the in-laws today as they're having a little celebration for FiL's birthday. I'm feeling quite rubbish with this cold but part of me thinks it will be good to go as it'll be a distraction!

Oh hun, I really hope you start to improve soon! It sounds like you got some great Christmas bargains

vulpix wrote: »

Not long now Fiesty,how very exciting.This time next year you will be planing a birthday party.

All this talk of colds and stuff,not to be left out I have woken up with earache and sore throat.

Had to go to nearest town for money for the workers yesterday.Nearest bank 6 miles away.Nipped into a charity shop and bought 2 boots toiletries gift sets for £6.Obviously someones unwanted Christmas presents.No idea how much they would be,they are large lavender sets.Will do for my Mum and MIL.I also bought an organza table cloth in Christmas red for 50p.I will have a go at making some Christmas fairies with it on pegs for our craft stall.

Kitchen will be nice when its done,yes,but I have had enough now.Diet out of the window,very stressed.it is just a room now with a sink and tap whilst the floor is levelled.The wonky wall is boarded ready for plastering on Monday.Radiator removed.Kitchen being delivered on Wednesday.Good to go.We are having our bedroom plastered on Monday/Tuesday.Within the next 2 weeks all the work will be done and they move outside.The cleaning then begins!

I am going to Amsterdam with dd1 next Sunday.It will be nice to be somewhere that doesnt have a good layer of grit on everything,but I am thinking I am losing cleaning time !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry for all the moaning.Vx

Diets during major house building work are banned, has no one told you? Seriously lovely, you have more than enough on your plate, don't add the stress on, be kind to yourself and make life a little easier!
Enjoy Amsterdam, I'm sure it will be wonderful!

freespirit66 wrote: »

Evening everyone,

:bdaycake:HAPPY BIRTHDAY NEWTHRIFT :bdaycake:

PRINCESSKITTY ooh i forgot to say i still have my hot choc/coffee station all out still, most afternoons i have to have one to warm up :rotfl:

NIC aww the kids love the snow dont they, i love seeing their excitement! I havent had a Sun holiday since the kids were little, we had one each year and then we had a really filthy dirty, old rundown caravan, we complained and had to be moved and it really put me off booking one again, have you ever had any problems?

MURIE DD1 goes in tomorrow has to be on ward for 7.30am bless her i cant even go with her for a bit of support as i have thumper, but DS is taking her and picking her up for me. Oh how disappointing about the jumpers mmm i love carrot cake i havent had any for ages, hope you have a lovely day with your mum

04624181 ooh i have started taking the aloe vera juice as well for my ibs and fibro, already in just a few days i am sleeping better, no you arent going too far, buy now and save money

IAMMUMTOONE hi and welcome to our thread, were you on one of the our christmas threads a few years ago?? I thought i recognised the username?? Probably just me and my imagination The sewn gift tags sound fab!

3FORHOLIDAYS ooh where are you thinking of going?

I hope all went well for DD?

CHRISSYG wrote: »

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

It sounds like your daughter has had an amazing time! I bet your ears are going to be talked off with all her adventures, how wonderful!

Thank you for the amazon thread link, I'm off for a nosy now

mrsinvisible wrote: »

morning, you all sound busy and organised, well on the way to ready for Christmas!!
Got a call from the builder yesterday, he has a week available next week, can he do my roof then? Oh, yes, of course, says l, panic starting in my boots and working its way up. so this week will be emptying the loft and finding storage for it all.
l was going to start painting the living room next week, so l may put that on hold (silver lining)
Other than that there isn't a lot going on in Chez lnvis right now.

Ah but think of all the clutter you can get rid of MrsI! I bet once it's all sorted and organised you will feel a lot lighter emotionally! I love a good clear out, it always seems cathartic to me :rotfl:

cbsexec wrote: »

Was it on this thread it was mentioned Te*** charging for click and collect?

Is it only certain areas as I have just ordered and not been charged extra for this? Confused?

I think they just upped the minimum order amount to £40 for it to be free, but I could be wrong?

Sorry for all the birthdays I've missed! Belated wishes to you all!

Thank you all for the well wishes regarding Jr! We had a bit of a sign that things may not be too far away (although apparently it could still be a few weeks based on this gross symptom!) and I'm feeling a bit more positive. Originally my MW signed me off saying she didn't need to see me anymore as the hospital were taking care of me, but then the hospital discharged me for 2 weeks which left me a bit nervous that no-one was keeping an eye on me on a weekly basis like they are supposed to, so I've booked in with the midwife tomorrow. I don't feel that anything is wrong, but I would like her to obviously check blood pressure, baby positioning etc.

We went into town yesterday and according to my fitbit we walked over 7k steps throughout the day. I know we are supposed to aim for 10k but since they told me to rest etc I've been barely making 3k a day! Interestingly yesterday was the first day my legs didn't swell and I had my imminent labour symptom today, so I personally think I may have been taking it a little too easy! Today I walked to the post office, DH and I had a date lunch in a fancy restaurant (our last solo one for ages now :rotfl:) and I have done a lot of cleaning. I promise I'm not over-doing it, I just seem to be in the situation where I'm not comfortable sat down anymore!

3forholidays

Freespirit Hope that your DD's visit to hospital went ok.

Regarding my holidays I'm thinking about going to Suffolk this year and trying to decide where to pick as a base: Southwold, Aldeburgh or Woodbridge. Has anyone been in this area?

ChrissyG Sounds like your DD will have some stories to tell!

Feisty Great to hear from you. Glad that you are keeping well and hope that Junior arrives safely when he or she decides to make an appearance. Exciting times!

freespirit66

Evening everyone, thankyou all who wished DD1 well today, she is home, the op went well, she is just in a lot of pain, so i sent her straight to bed with a few spoons of yogurt as she was starving, and told her im on call 24/7 if she needs me, text, phone or just wake me up

IAMMUMTOONE haha its so long ago that i took a sun hol that we didnt even have the internet then :rotfl:

PRINCESSKITTY haha i have always said to DD1 that one day we will stay in a local hotel up the road, it looks lovely right on a lake, we wont need to go anywhere, we can just totally chill in the room, bliss!

04624181 the survey people i use are Pinecone Research, Valued Opinions, OnePoll, MyVoice, and Ipsos. I hope the juice works for you, i have read it can take 1 - 2 months to really benefit but i think its worth hanging on in for, my pains are worse than ever atm and i really am sick of the amount of painkillers i am taking, the deep sleep is a bonus for me, im like you i fall off ok but then wake up to go to the toilet and then awake for 3 hours! I have to meal plan each week as i dont have a very big budget for food, i like online shopping because then you can see the amount you are spending, also you can see what offers are on and base your meal plan around these, i prep when i can as it makes it so much easier then to put together at night. Since i have been doing SW my best buys are frozen chopped peppers and frozen chopped onions you dont have to defrost and it saves a lot of time (and aching wrists from chopping in my case)

CHRISSY oh that is wonderful news your DD sounds as if she is having a ball! I bet you cant wait to hear all about it and give her a big hug I have signed up for the amazon thing but will have to read thoroughly as i dont understand some of it (typical me) but thankyou for link

VULPIX oh i do hope you feel better before the weekend, i would imagine there will be something your DD would like to treat herself to this weekend that you could treat her to IYSWIM I know, i know i wouldnt think twice if it was one of the kids beds Check out :money:airfare system im sure he knows lots of websites to get really cheap airfares

SALMAGUNDI yes that is the one, she had a young son if i remember correctly, oh you have a good memory

MRSINVISIBLE yayy to a lovely new roof, the sooner the better! Then you know your christmas presents will be safe from getting wet/damaged

FEISTY ooh sounds like things are coming along nicely now :D:D

3FORHOLIDAYS ooh suffolk sounds lovely, i have only been there as a child so cant help there sorry!

MrsCD

04624181 wrote: »

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?

Hi 04624181,

Have you tried some lavender under your pillow to help you get to sleep? Or maybe drink a small glass of milk? Do you need to invest in a new pillow?

Anyhow, my version of meal planning is this:
I have written down everything I have in the two freezers and the cupboard. I shop on Mondays with DD, so I look to see what needs using up in the fridge, the freezers and cupboard first, and plan the whole week's meals around that. I have a notebook in the kitchen, with columns for each day, and write down what we're having each day. I can then work out what I need to buy to make each meal. I'm still mostly 'old school' - I use a pen and a book , but do whatever works for you.
As far as budgeting - there is no perfect way, as everyone will do what works for them.
I have a big book with all the standing orders/direct debits written in the back pages and added up so I know exactly how much will come out of our account each month. I've worked out how much I need to put aside for annual/ quarterly DDs and put that into a separate account each month.
Every time we spend, either on debit or credit cards, it is counted as having come out of the account and written in the book.
The credits are written in too, and at the end of the month, I check the statement with the book and balance it, so that what is left in the book is the same as what's left on the statement.
Once I've deducted all the DDs, I have an idea of how much we can spend on food, petrol etc., and try to only buy what we actually need.
Other people are much more spreadsheet savvy, and will do this a different way, but it all amounts to the same thing.
Keep track of what you have coming in and going out, and make sure you don't overspend. If you have a credit card, PLEASE PAY IT OFF IN FULL EVERY MONTH, or it will get harder and harder to pay off.
Hope you find something that works for you. At least there are lots of people here who can help you.

newthrift

Good Morning

Happy New Year to everyone! I hope you all had a lovely Christmas.
Thank you for the birthday wishes, I had a lovely day.

Apologies as I already haven't read back
It's been a busy and had a bit of a low beginning of the year, however, we are now getting ourselves back on a roll and i'm ready to save some money, get organised and back to it!!!
I have been looking in some of the sales but haven't brought anything to store away for Christmas or Birthday's yet. The only bargin so far I have purchased was a necklace and earring set from Dotty P's which was £14.50 and was £5 :T I brought one for my friends birthday and got one for myself :rotfl:

Time to eat my breakfast and read back!

Hugs all round

Newthrift


UPDATE

0462 - I do meal plan (most of the time) I do find it helpful. Although if when it comes to we fancy Tuesday's meal Monday I will swop it around. It does make a big difference when it comes to food shopping as I do stick to buying what we need more so. Meal prep (as in making lots of meals ahead) i've done a couple of times, but it isn't something I have ever managed to stick to. I do sometimes make cottage pies/lasagnes ahead ready for cooking to make it easier like MrsM. Everyone is different so you might find it helpful - just trial and error. There are some good videos and things on pintrest for meal prepping. With regards to budgeting - I WAS...this has reminded me to start again haha...writing everything in a book for the first month for every little thing that I spent, then I worked through splitting them in to different areas (food/bills/car/misc/personal ect..) and then sat and worked out what I wanted to be spending/saving and made myself a budget from that. Write it on to the next page and then start a new list for the following month - I too am a list person and it did work whilst I was doing it. Now I can usually do it without the need for listing.

Chrissyg - Aww that sounds execellent, I hope your DD is really enjoying her holiday! Very jealous of the dolphin swimming.





Right time to get on with my day. Have a lovely one all.

Pixie_Fairydust

Hello everyone :hello:

Its been a while since I visited! My DD had a "meltdown" thanks to her idiot ex-partner. He has been bullying and intimidating her to the point she cracked! So its been a tough few weeks but she has turned a corner.

Unfortunately ex is still on the scene as kids involved but DD has really put her foot down and he hates the new "tough" her! :T

Christmas and NY were great under the circumstances!

Here's to a fab 2016!

Prep for Christmas 2016 so far.......

The C@rd Factory - 2 x stockings 99p each - will embroider names on them for my nieces. They visit in the summer from Dubai so I will wrap up for them to take home in August!

The C@ard Factory - 2 x xmas teddies £1.49 each for Xmas Eve hamper for DGD's.

The C@ard Factory - xmas wrap reduced to 49p - lots of rolls. Just need to buy a good plastic tub to keep it all in under my bed or the cats will have a field day shredding it all!!!

Have a great day.

Pix
xx