Christmas 16 mega index/christmas chat!!!

Serendipitious

I can only remember a few of the 24 antics DD's elves got up to last year, but the grand-kids absolutely loved discovering the mischief.

One morning they got up to find the elves sitting at the breakfast table, having scattered cereal everywhere. Another day they found the loo roll trailing from its holder in the bathroom across the landing and all the way down the stairs, with the naughty elves tangled in it at the bottom. Another time they were found in the fruit bowl having drawn smiley faces on the bananas and satsumas. One time they were even tangled in tinsel with the Christmas tree tipped over on the floor. And of course on Christmas Eve the elves were very good for once and simply sat on each child's bed with gifts of a new set of pjs and a book.

hermionesaver

Not sure about this elf on a shelf thing as seen loads of people do them last year and they looked like fun so might see if I can get a pair so the kids have one each. What do you do with them tho? Apart from let them get up to mischief in your house?

I think one of the main aims (apart from a bit of Christmas fun) is that the elves are scouts sent from Father Chriatmas to check whether your children should be on the naughty/nice list. I've seen some good elf antic ideas on Pinterest that reprimand bad behaviour and remind the kiddies that they need to be good if they want to stay on the nice list! Also if your elf is naughty and makes a big mess (with cereal or something) that the kids have to clean up it might make them realise how annoying it is for mummy and daddy to have to do this day in day out! (That's my hope anyway haha!)

One morning they got up to find the elves sitting at the breakfast table, having scattered cereal everywhere. Another day they found the loo roll trailing from its holder in the bathroom across the landing and all the way down the stairs, with the naughty elves tangled in it at the bottom. Another time they were found in the fruit bowl having drawn smiley faces on the bananas and satsumas. One time they were even tangled in tinsel with the Christmas tree tipped over on the floor. And of course on Christmas Eve the elves were very good for once and simply sat on each child's bed with gifts of a new set of pjs and a book

Some fabulous ideas here! I may have to use a few of them

Just realised our school holidays start on 16th Dec this year (in Leicester - friends in Manchester don't break up until 23rd!)

I'm in Leicestershire too, I didn't realise we had an extra week of school holidays I think lot's of xmas activities will be in order!

[Deleted User]

Hi everyone,

:xmastree:

I love love love Christmas & I will admit to being that lunatic running around the shops a few days before Christmas just bunging things on a credit card but no more, I am going to be debt free soon & I am determined to get all of my Christmas presents in an online deal, sale or with saving vouchers that I get through work & not one thing is to bought if I can't afford it :money:

I have a few presents in already & I am a bit hopeless at arts & crafts so doubt I will be making anything apart from a mess :rotfl:

Dxxx

Cheapskate

We have a few Christmas traditions, zippychick...

St Nicholas visits on 6 December, leaving chocolate coins in each person's shoes...
I make my Christmas cake during October half term and "feed" it with brandy regularly until Christmas.... :rotfl:
I make bramble vodka, VERY yummy but rather strong, too....!
Out of the habit of making cards (after many years of doing so) but am going to make them again this year, along with my own gift tags...
Mince pies are made 3 weeks before Christmas and frozen until needed, then warmed up and dusted with icing sugar, gorgeous with real coffee...

There are more, but don't want to bore, and with two young children (9 & 7 by Christmas) after a gap of 15 years (older ones 30, 28 & 24 by Christmas) it's lovely to be back in the swing of Christmas again! :j

A xo

SpekySquarehead

Hi all,

I’ve realised that OS is my style and this Xmas thread is right up my street and will suit my organised Christmas Budget Spreadsheet I started.

Like most of us MSE’rs I’ve my eyes peeled for sales and groupon deals. I’ve a vague idea on what I’ll be getting most people but there are the odd few.

Last year I bought the Thorntons bundle that Martin advertised on his email and it was a god send. Chocolate santas for kids, box of chocolates for secret santas, my mum my GF and even a few for small bags for me. So I’ll be sure to do the same again if the offer comes up.

Each year I also invest £1 into buying a new savings tin, just for Xmas. I’ve no idea what’s in it as I stopped using them once I started using YNAB but I recon there will be a little bit of ‘forgotten’ money.

SUBSCRIBED!!!

mhagster

Well we have been and done our m-early Christmas celebrations. Did the full works and I'm glad we did it when we did.

We put our tree up last Sunday and I spent the week continuing to decorate the house and garden.

We had a gathering of friends / kids friends over on Saturday night ( our Christmas Eve ) with lots of them getting into the spirit of things and wearing christmas jumpers and Santa hats.

yesterday was our Christmas day and as we were all a bit tired form the night before it was a quiet day. Gifts were exchanged in the morning and we had a lovely dinner with chicken wrapped in cream cheese and pancetta, lovely roast potatoes and parsnips, cauliflower and cheese sauce, carrots and my favourite sprouts!

Pudding was a trifle one of DD1's friend had made or a huge gateaux another friend had brought.

Some other friends had sent us a bouquet of Christmas balloons including a 4' tall santa!

DD1 and I have enjoyed making and eating mince pies, just us that like them!

Lots of people have given us Christmas cards , the weather has felt appropriately cold rather than the usual 35o + we have in December.

Enjoy your christmas preparations!

[Deleted User]

Aw so glad you all had a fab time!

Dxxx

candlelight_2013

I am so pleased everything went well, lots of memories for you all

Hugs

Candlelightx

mashedavocado

Hello all, I really need to join in with this and get myself in gear. I'm finishing work for maternity leave at Christmas so it has to be a lean one this year!


I did manage to cut back on the number of gifts I'd usually buy last year, so that's good.


Realistically I (well, we) just need to buy for both sets of parents, a sibling and partner each, 2 kids, and then our own daughter (but she's only 1, so we'll keep it lean!).


For parents I'm thinking maybe the biscotti linked on page 1, some wine, and a framed photo of our daughter (or handprints or something).


Not sure about my sister though, she and her partner don't really drink and they're very outdoorsy. It's a tough one! They do travel quite a bit, I could keep my ear to the ground for any hols they've got booked and get them a guide book or something. Hmm. Tricky.

p-pincher

Oooh I love a Christmas thread.

I've started getting a few bits and bobs over the last few days. I do have quite a big list to buy for but I love everything to do with christmas so I'm ok with it.

On the OS side we do save throughout the year so everything is paid for in advance. I love baking so I make a few things for people who will appreciate them. I've already utilised my swag buck points and I'm waiting on a quidco payout so I can make a rather large Amazon order so I can order eldest Dd's Harry Potter stuff I'm desperate to order.

Last year I searched everywhere and apart from 1 present everything I bought was either reduced or on some sort of offer. I love the challenge of finding a bargain. Hoping yo pick up some ideas from everyone on here xxx