* I wish it could be Christmas every day * - It's the 2017 Christmas Chatter Thread

Beshki

So, after my Dad found all of last years presents untouched by my Grandparents a few days ago, I am cutting down hugely on them. Both at varying stages of dementia, neither go out etc. Decided to make up a food hamper as one thing both still do enjoy is food. Barring some goodies and a couple of mugs I picked up in Wilko, I’m kind of at a loss of what else to put in it - does anyone have any ideas?

Just picked up 3 soap and glory £5 gift sets for friends on the boots 3 for 2, plus a free gift - so all of that for £10 which I’m chuffed with!

StokieBecks

Beshki I used to do tea/coffee/hot choc (depending what they drink) , biscuits, soup, mince pies (if the date was ever good enough), tinned ham - just basic bits that I knew would get used. Ideally you need to look at their food cupboards though, there's little point doing them a hamper of basics if they are well stock piled for some things. The last couple of years before she died, I used to put together a basket of all the toiletries that my nan used to ask me to buy regularly - knew it would get used and also meant she didn't have to buy it for herself for a while.

Hope everyone is ok. Ten weeks today it will be Christmas Day

StokieBecks

the soap and glory sets sound good, will have to try and have a look what they have on the cheaper end of the 3 for 2 offers as it's a good way to add a little extra gift for people

SpekySquarehead

I had a look at Tesco Direct for their Christmas trees and they seem pretty decent. But most things looks good on the internet so not sure what to do. Supposedly B&Q have them in store and I know John Lewis do but I grudge paying £150 for one!

princesskitty29

Not much to update here, I’ve had a nasty infection over the weekend that has left me with flu like symptoms. This was on top of Wiggle having a chesty cold, Squeak being grumpy from injections and DH being grumpy in general!! He is a brilliant husband and dad but gets really stressed when I’m ill. You literally cannot be ill when you’re a mother! I had to go to the walk in centre on Saturday morning and now have some antibiotics so hopefully it’ll clear up soon. My Boots order came today with all of my 3 for 2 gifts which was really exciting, they’re now packed away in my Christmas boxes that are filling up nicely. I’m really impatient to get more things on my list but a lot of them I really need to go to the shops for which I don’t get to do very often as they’re a bit of a trek. If I’m feeling well enough on Thursday I might head to the shops whilst Wiggle is a pre-school.

Peppapig

PK hope you, Wiggle and Squeak are all feeling better. You're right of course, being a Mum you get no respite when you're poorly.

NIC I'll keep a lookout for the latte sachets for you. It's strange when they stop making or sticking something popular isn't it? I find that with the supermarket, I buy something and really like it and then they stop stocking it :mad:

PINKANGEL I've never heard of Baileys Pumpkin Spice, my sis loves Baileys so I'm off to look into that.

0462 thanks for the wrapping party date reminder, I still forgot to put them in the diary and can't find the list now but I've added 28th - got some pressies to wrap now so I can join in but must get some wrapping paper.

Yet again nothing interesting to report here but I'm enjoying reading everyone else's updates.

StokieBecks

Day off today and can't decide whether to try and finish some more card making off as these will be needed first or whether to start wrapping. Knowing me I will get sidetracked and do neither

Struggling for ideas for the males. Does anyone else find them much harder to buy for?

vulpix

Ha! I find men very difficult to buy for.My son and DD1's BF are done with helpful suggestions from the good people on here.My husband at the moment has some nuts, a tiny pot of Marmite and a mug which shows a tea colour chart.He has a birthday the week before Christmas too.I find men just buy things they need when they need it.He did say when we were out the other day that he is getting low on aftershave,but probs means he has most of a bottle left!I have learnt from experience that quirky gifts and books etc are not used.He doesn't smoke or drink either!!!!!!!!!And he has enough clothes with tags still on to open a shop.Pah!

I have done quite a bit of wrapping.I got all my stash out at the last wrapping date and realised how much there was.I have got a shopping bag for my son and eldest daughter plus partners and filled them with joint things like vodka and things for their homes.Nice coasters and soaps etc.Most of which was bought in the sales and good deals.This means whilst they have a lot for their budget there were lots of small things to wrap.The bags are done and in the loft now.All four of them have 5 individual gifts too.

DD2 is almost finished buying for,just need to get her a vintage looking record player.She has lots of other bits plus a gold locket.Oh I am also making her a Beatles cushion.

We cut back on giving gifts many years ago so I just have my Mum and MIL to get for now.Plus token chocolate and money for Mr V's grown up children.

MIL has at the mo some M n S stag shortbread and will get her loads of chocolate.My Mum is having a basket of home made produce like jam and sticky ginger cake from me and some sparkly costume jewellery and some perfume.The couples are also having a small crate with jams etc too.

The Mothers both have birthdays at the beginning of January so get luxury foods from the sales.At 84 (both) you don't need much else.

It's lovely to hear what peoples children are having for Christmas. It's all about children for me,this time of year.

Does anyone shop at Asda? Nearest to me is about 15 miles away.Could some one give me a shout when they have their Christmas decorations in store? I have been looking for a snow globe for years and They have just what i have been looking for.

I have bought silver fabric and trim to make a skirt for the Silver tree.

Peppa here are the wrapping dates:-

28th October

8th November

25th November

6th December

9th December

13th December

Vx

jakes-mum

Morning everyone!

Well I am now at the neckline on the mother's cardigan and have already unravelled it once :mad: darned thing! well actually its my fault because I think the pattern should be written one way and i'm wrong :rotfl: am now following the pattern to the letter again and it seems to be working

Ugh buying for men! they just never seem to need anything! My hubby usually gives me a list after much cajoling and it invariably contains lots of expensive techy rubbish that will get resold in may when he realises it doesn't do what he wants it to do! I am soooo stuck on my FIL though! every year I try and come up with something interesting but im stumped He smokes (which I despise and I spend a lot of my time telling him off about it!) he only drinks at the pub and he currently likes peanut M&M's which everyone will buy him (which tends to be the trend, he says he likes something, everyone buys it and I expect he then gets sick of them as he never eats them again after christmas). No holidays booked, he has wardrobes full of clothes, he was a builder so no tools (as he has his old faithfuls still) . . . I am completely at a loss and I refuse to buy him a cop out gift! It will be meaningful if it kills me! He is one of my favourite people!

I found some HP glasses on ebay btw £1.39 I think they were! Am halfway through sewing DD a trick or treat bag and then will get on with her wand and scarf, how long have I got left? 2 weeks! :eek:

right! I must get on!

StokieBecks

Glad you got the Harry potter glasses

My mum asked me to make her a couple of special Christmas cards so have made those this morning along with cards for others half's two grown up kids

So glad i'm not the only one struggling with men. Will have to start having a serious search online or if I go anywhere shopping need some good eyes as really want to get the last bits sorted now.