santas Challenge 2016... Gifts, chat, challenges

crazy-cat-lady_2

Ah ok. I get it.
I know, we never had anything like it. All my friends who have youndchildren post photos every day leading up to Christmas of their elves, so it felt like a right of passage now.

I know I'm going way over the top for her first Christmas when she will never remember or know. But I've always been over the top for it and hopefully it'll be in her genes too. She won't be a bah humbug like her daddy.

I've also ordered her a letter from Santa from theNSPCC in exchange for a donation. Have to admit I read it in a preview and got all choked up. Blummin' hormones

Anglea

Hi everyone,

I don't know how many of you were with me on the original Santa Challenges thread before mum2one took over - but it was back then that I first heard about Rudolph day and taking photos of elves moving about the house and elf doors.

The original thread was based on an American house organising site with special emphasis on organising for Christmas and other occasions throughout the year.

So I assume it was an American tradition brought over here, similar to baby and wedding showers which I'd never heard about when I was younger.

I've heard of fairy doors at any time of the years but it's only since the American ideas are becoming popular that I think of it at Christmastime.

So you all have Boots fever !!!

Is cinder toffee the one that looks like honeycomb?

I bought some new cards after looking through my previous stocks last week (mostly cards I'd prefer not to use - so why buy them??)

mum2one

I love the elf at Xmas shame miss hoodie is too old; u can really let your mind go into overtime, elf could be naughty - sat on kitchen flour with flour - - a printed recipie for cookies.

I've treated myself to Xmas magazine, glass of wine 2ngt and chill xx

[Deleted User]

Hey all,

Hope you are well.

I managed to pick up another couple of presents over the weekend.

Wilko's have some good items on sale at the moment,. if any of you bake they have one of those large mixers for 12.50.

Dxxx

chanie

I haven't bought any Xmas presents for a couple of weeks, but I only have about 6 presents left to buy, excluding the children and OH. My focus has been on decorating the house, instead. We have done the lounge and plan on doing our bedroom and kitchen before Xmas. Luckily, the rooms only need painting, so is not as horrendous as it sounds.

We got our halloween decorations out today as I wanted to see what we had/needed, in advance of the children's Halloween party. At the same time, we also got our Xmas decorations out. We remembered that we threw away some lights last year, so I can now keep my eyes out for a bargain between now and then. Xmas stuff is in the shops for ages, so by the time Xmas arrives, stuff will have sold out.

Me and OH have also decided to have Xmas at home this year. We normally go to visit our families so don't have to do anything. I've started to write a list of what we need so I can start buying in advance. I bought some carrots today in Lidl for 29p, so I'll prepare them to be frozen and they can be eaten at Xmas. Luckily, our children don't eat much, so Xmas won't be expensive.

I've been on the hunt out for some Xmas eve pjs for DD, but I'm really struggling. She has about 4 sets of Frozen Pjs so I don't want to get her more. She isn't into my little pony and the non-character pjs I've seen aren't very nice. That's pretty much the selection.

mrs-moneypenny

Ordered mils Christmas presents this afternoon.
Picked up a lovely elf jacket from Tesco yesterday for DGS it is gorgeous. They had some lovely Christmas clothes in for all ages.
Need to try and get some wrapping done this week as I want to do a pressie drop.
Managed to find out ds2s gfs fave perfume so added a bottle of that to my list

Hope everyone is as well as they can be, and getting their stuff organised
Hugs to all who need one.

mum2one

Chanie - Good luck with the decorating, you can come and do ours, the trouble is once one room gets done, the rest looks a mess,,, thou to be honest it is!!

The front room I'd give a 8/10... trial and error, we steamed the chipwood off, think the plaster just soaked up the paint, next job to tackle is the dining room, thou it looks like a junk room at the mo.
Its weird we should have more time it doesnt seem to happen..

Escape to the sun next week.... can't wait, then come back and start the dining room, we get back 1st Nov, so given myself 2 weeks to do the dining room, the following week start Xmas wrapping, presents are in 3 different placces es so hoping that shoudlnt need to buy mces,

MrsTinks

I've ordered a couple of presents yet to be allocated recipients - I do this every year as I have to order them NOW LOL They're the most amazing cookies by a lady who is just fabulous! I don't mind sharing her details because I've already got my spaces on the order list LOL Happy to let anyone know - but they're not REALLY money saving - just blooming amazing Christmas cookies LOL

Most of my Christmas stuff will really take off when I get home from holiday on the 1st of November - as we go away tomorrow for 2 weeks I won't get anything done between now and then but I need a holiday! That said I intend on stuffing suitcase with sweets to make hampers when I get home LOL As we'll be in Florida there should be plenty of options too hahaha

Any of the kids can have Disney stuff as we'll no doubt end up in Downtown at some point... That said I'll only buy things I can't buy over here because otherwise why would I drag it across the pond

We'll sadly miss Halloween here which I'm a little sad about, but hopefully we will catch most of Halloween in the US which should make up for it! I can't wait!

crazy-cat-lady_2

Ordered some bits from Poundland this morning. They have some really nice Christmas items in. Decorations, door mats, wooden signs for the wall. Actually really impressed for a quid! Got a few bits last month but the rest of the lines have come in now. Can't beat a bargain
Got a few more small presents ordered. Have just got to get bits for kids on my dad's side of the family and then I'm all done. Woo.

mum2one

MrsTinks - Hope u have a fab time, and lots of bargains...

Crazy cat lady - Never think of ordering online from£1 shop sounds like some great stuff xxx