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

Peppapig

Wow, it's quiet on here, no posts from 2:48 yesterday unti 8:59 today! Hope everyone is ok.

Welcome KERRI (apologies if we've already done this, my memory is rubbish). I couldn't find the colour in table cloths before Christmas, I think they must have sold out early.

MRSINVISIBLE hope DD got on well at the fracture clinic and they were able to do something for her.

TREASUREQUEEN glad you're all settled in now and back in communication. Congratulations on the arrival of Miley, it'll help a lot if she's using the scratching post- might save your sofa corners which is where mine used to sharpen their claws many years ago!

CLUMSY well done on the library role, I'm sure you'll get to adult literacy before long.

Nothing really planned for today but going to visit DD2 and DGD tomorrow so that'll be lovely. DD1 is going back to work on Monday, she's going to be a Health Care Assistant (HCA) at a hospice, which means we'll be picking the DGSs up from school/pre-school on Monday afternoon and staying with them until their Daddy gets in at half six. Will be ok as long as I don't have to have more surgery or chemo so fingers crossed.

vulpix

Hi Everyone,Happy New Year if I didn't already say it._party__party_

I have finally got rid of the awful cold,but Christmas is a bit of a blur,think it was ok.

New Year we went out for a posh "do" which was ok.VERY expensive but paid for as part of Mr V's work,he DJ'd after the food.I must say we have been out a couple of times to places that are "posh"and the food seems so try hard.vimto air,I kid you not.I really think they could impress without going all Heston Blumentall.I declined a couple of courses because it was just too wacky for my tastebuds.Can't remember now what it was but something nice with a drizzle of egg yolk.NO!

Bought not much at all in the sales.Mostly reduced Christmas food for my Mum's Birthday which was the 6th.She just loves that Christmas pudding,cake,mince pie,stollen vibe.

So I am now planning my next celebration.( I just love a do)Mr V is in the local panto,oh yes he is! so after the first matinee I will do some grub for friends and family afterwards.It also happens to be Chinese New Year. So as I have a massive gammon joint in the freezer I will do that with 5 spice n stuff and have it like crispy duck.I will do salt n pepper oven chips too.The trouble with Chinese food is that its cooked just before eating mainly so that will have to suffice as its the best I can think of for a crowd.Puddings I am feeling banoffee pie,tiramissu and A N other yet to be decided.

DD1's birthday is 8th February so I have bought her some scandi looking drawers from a junk shop,some habbitat olive green paint and some knew knobs.Need to press on with that.

I have decided what I would like to make on the bird theme but just need to get my finger out and start it.

We have just put all the decorations back in the loft.EPIC.We had 5 trees in the end.I have been thinking I will cut back next Christmas.I will give them money and fewer parcels to open.DD2 in particular gets too much as people feel sorry for her because her Mum died.There is a pile of stuff on her bedroom floor untouched.She is grateful for it but is overwhelmed with toiletries.

I am sorry to hear of your illhealth.Your poor hubby Peppa.Fantastic news GTQ,fingers crossed it was just a blip.Better safe than sorry.Heres hoping 2017 will be better healthwise for us all.

I am sorry that I couldn't get the Christmas story on here for you.I would still like to if I could.DD1 coming later perhaps she could do it.

Love to all Vx

kerri_gt

Peppa thanks for letting me know about the tablecloths not being about before Xmas, I was thinking of checking out another B&M today perhaps so you've saved me a trip. I'll bear it in mind for next year and pop over when Xmas stuff starts appearing.

Took a couple of bits back to the shops on Thurs / Fri, including a couple of bits from the Boots sale I decided weren't right for the recipients (got alternatives for them) I also picked up another small gift in the 50% sale so that's something else for next year sorted. Will prob have a nose in the 70% off sale when that comes around but I have what I needed at a reasonable price so I'm happy there.

Going to try and relax the Christmas vibe now, I think my problem has been that I spend too much time thinking / overplanning it all without a break.

vulpix

At last,Christmas story.

https://soundcloud.com/christine-vulpix/2016-xmas-story

Treasurequeen

I got some lovely Christmas table cloths in Aldi last year for £6.99. I have a vintage round table and I found it so difficult getting round tablecloths. But of all the places I got a few in Aldi. Two Christmas designs and an everyday design. Aldi also did square and rectangler ones for the same price. I got them at the beginning of December and they wash really well. Worth putting it in your diary for this year if you want nice Christmas table cloths.

freespirit66

vulpix wrote: »

At last,Christmas story.

https://soundcloud.com/christine-vulpix/2016-xmas-story

Aah i loved it what a lovely story and you have a very soothing voice! I tried to find it on the radio website before christmas but couldnt find it at all.

mandco

belated happy new year everyone

jj good to see you back sounds like you've had a hectic year but seems like its going well. rubbish they want to do more surgery

caitlyn welcome back glad things are finally settling into place the xmas decs sound fab

gtq good news they found nothing rubbish they want to do more tests but better to be safe than sorry. I was surpised at how many men were at the clinic when I had to go must be hard for them as its less expected? and they seem so out of place. any luck ejecting your squatters?

Today was the 1st time I've been shopping other than food since before xmas and tbh pretty disapointed with the sales ok so I know I've probably missed the best deals but never saw anything online that really grabbed me either. Did pick up a few bits in poundland reduced to 25p 3 rolls of wrap for 25p can't argue with that also picked up a few boxes of crackers as while they are really basic taz is cracker mad and 25p is a small price to pay for a happy kid they had loads of xmas frozen/marvel/starwars stuff left.
Popped to ikea and they had some bargains didnt buy much as had to carry it but did get a couple of sets of 3 storage tins cylinder or rectangular for 75p(£1 - family card discount) and sets of 3 serving dishes £3.15(£3.50) down from rrp of £20

Not holding out much hope for the boots sale as my store has hardly anything left other than the ted baker chest/sanctury star box and soap & glory stuff which have nearly 2 whole rows each. I I usually manage to get a load of stuff for the xmas stash but not sure that's gonna happen this year.

Chewie is much better though peeing for england he has to go back once he's finished his meds but fingers crossed won't need any more treatment.

debating on wether to get a fitbit/fitness tracker or not? I would like one but the price puts me off anyone have one? are they any good?

tc all

springdreams

vulpix wrote: »

At last,Christmas story.

https://soundcloud.com/christine-vulpix/2016-xmas-story

What a delightful story! Well done to your DS. And to you too for telling it so well. :T

murie

Vulpix- that's a lovely story- I particularly like the 21st century touch of Father Christmas taking a photo on his phone! A bit pat on the back to both you and your son x Your spread sounds delicious! I love a 'do' too and am currently beavering away planning DS's birthday in March with a Casino theme, making banners and signs etc, not sure on the food yet but think I might go along the lines of a buffet that I can put out in the kitchen so it frees up the living room and dining room for 'gambling' tables.


Mandco- glad chewie is better x


I think I may have missed the post with this months challenge on- as Im sure I read a page or two ago someone posted about birds being this months theme? If so are we still aiming for photos on the last day of the month?

Fosterdog

Happy new year all!

Like others I've been really disappointed with the sales this year I usually buy all of my cards and wrapping paper plus some novelty type gifts in the sales to put away for next year but there was nothing worth getting or the reductions weren't worth it so I bought diddly squat in preparation of 2017 xmas.

I did manage to get onto the Lush website for the sale but most had already sold out so I only got two items but they were a good price and will be used.

We still have way too much chocolate and junk food, I will go through them today and anything with a long date will go away for this year.

Anyone looking for bargain trees try charity shops, I always give my old trees to them, last year we upgraded from a 4ft to a 7ft tree so donated the old one. It was a really nice one too very full and bushy with pinecones and berries and was originally worth over £100 (didn't pay that for it though, bought it as ex display after xmas) and I've seen much more expensive ones that are nowhere near as nice. I donated it at summer time so the shop put it away in the stock room until later in the year so it's worth asking them if they have any out the back.

I need to start planning any homemade gifts and make lists of things to keep an eye out for throughout the year to get good prices.