Santas challenge 2017

Anglea

Hi everyone, sorry I've been awol, I'll have to catch up on the posts next week as I've got a friend staying until then, there's been a lot of health issues with the parents in the past month (dad had 2 falls last week) and mum had to go to hospital yesterday so my friend went with her and I stayed with dad and I also had a drama when one of my sons was on a visit earlier this month and had a seizure.

So Christmas Day was different to usual because of the parents and a lot of unexpected rushing around, last son left last night so friend and I are staying home today and tomorrow will be visiting my parents again.

chanie

Angela you have lots on your plate at the monent. Whilst running around after everyone else, don’t forget to look after yourself.

Happykitties thanks for the offer of the baubles. Luckily, I will only need two. I don’t know what I’m going to do with them yet.
I love your phrase ‘Crimbo Limbo’ it totally sums up that strange period between Christmas and the new year. I’ve been going into work and it’s deadly quiet. I rather like it as my commute is quiet and I get to potter around the office and have a sort though desk.

I bought a couple more prezzies today from Sainsbury’s. I bought 2 bling cups (like the one I bought for my relative) Reduced from £5 to £1.50, 2 water bottles reduced from £4 to £1.20 and a teddy reduced from £10 to £2.40. A couple will be belated Xmas gifts and the rest will be for Xmas 2018. They were considered purchases - I spied them in the morning but decided to wait until after work to buy them, so that I wasn’t buying for the sake of buying. I figured that cups and water bottles are practical items that will get used and they are ‘Something to open’ gifts rather than main presents.

Happy_Kitties

Anglea hoping that family health issues are looking more positive and better for your family. There is nothing worse bec u can't help but worry so much:(, my niece got admitted Boxing Day night, she has a long term chronic condition and you worry and do rush around. Totally agree with Chanie, make sure to look after yourself aswell.

Chanie my DD also calls the bit between Christmas and New Year 'Twixmas'. DD is abit all over the place being out of routine.
Some really good savings with the goodies that u bought and I like what u did so that they were considered purchases. DD and I went to a garden centre yesterday for abit of a change. Had vouchers to get free drinks there and they also were running their 50% sale. Could not believe just how much stock had gone and whilst we didn't want anything in the way of Christmas decs, we were after Christmas bath bombs and they were just setting apart the Christmas ones-50% off aswell. Felt good to just buy what we went in for:T.
Have been working on ideas for my niece. Because of her condition she is not able to live the life she really wants to. Normally I would buy her things associated with her outdoor hobbies. Have decided Christmas 2018 will be money but just don't want to give in a card. So far ideas I have come up with, have got a couple of Body Shop shower gels, which I will wrap or stick money onto, thought about a Cost@ card which I could put with something hot chocolate related. Due to her limitations now I'm conscious that everyone will be buying her the same thing so any ideas would be greatly appreciated, just something that will be a little different for her and hopefully make her smile.
If I don't get on again before next year, I just want to wish everyone a happy new year:beer:
Here's hoping a happy and healthy 2018 for everyone:)

chanie

Happy_Kitties wrote: »

Have been working on ideas for my niece. Because of her condition she is not able to live the life she really wants to. Normally I would buy her things associated with her outdoor hobbies. Have decided Christmas 2018 will be money but just don't want to give in a card. So far ideas I have come up with, have got a couple of Body Shop shower gels, which I will wrap or stick money onto, thought about a Cost@ card which I could put with something hot chocolate related. Due to her limitations now I'm conscious that everyone will be buying her the same thing so any ideas would be greatly appreciated, just something that will be a little different for her and hopefully make her smile.
If I don't get on again before next year, I just want to wish everyone a happy new year:beer:
Here's hoping a happy and healthy 2018 for everyone:)

Don’t know if you remember, but upthread, I mentioned my relative with a serious degenerative medical condition who struggles with daily tasks.
I once made them a ‘favourite things’ hamper. Over a period of time, I’d subtly found out their favourite stuff like sweets, biscuits, bubble bath etc and put it all together. Most items cost s couple of pound each, but I thought it was something nice for everyday treats - particularly for the days they don’t feel very well.

Happy_Kitties

Now that has given me food for thought. I know she always likes things like socks and I know her favourite chocolates. I could put a hamper together for her and hide bits of money in it, like roll the socks into a ball so when she opens them some pound coins come flying out.
She is only 21, was travelling the world since the age of 16 and it has all been taken away from her so anything special is a bonus. I do like the idea of a hamper for her as I don't think anyone has ever made or given her a hamper either-it would be a real treat

chanie

If she likes travelling, how about adding some ‘foods of the world’ from some of her favourite countries?


Last night I was drinking one of my cocktail baubles and when I finished with it, I mentioned to OH that I was going to do something with them as presents for the children. OH replies that knew I was going to say that as I’m always doing stuff like that!!

crazy-cat-lady_2

I have the same struggle for presents with my brother. He always read, travelled, ate and shopped at fancy places and loved he theatre. He had a stroke two years ago and can barely walk and can’t speak still. None of the presents that were relevant in the past are now. His vision is terrible so he can barely watch a film, never mind a play if we could get him to the theatre. Mainly it’s clothes and smellies which seem so wrong and impersonal. I’ve been getting him audio books by his favourite authors as they come out and plays on CD. But it’s so tough.

chanie

crazy cat your brothers condition sounds awful for you all. I think audio books are a good idea. I have a couple of others: lava lamp - the children got them for Xmas and they are really relaxing to look it. Or how about an echo dot - I know he won’t be able to give it commands, but you can play music, control lights etc (we bought them for £35 on offer).

My relative has a dengenerative medical condition and had trouble walking and using her hands. She was diagnosed about 10 years ago when she was in her late teens. It’s awful for the whole family.

crazy-cat-lady_2

That’s a great idea. Thanks. I’ll look into it. He lives with Mum full time and me and my sister help out, so anything tech we do anyway. So it might work. He isn’t able to live alone. I know you need certain bulbs and smart packs for it to control elements of the house. May be possible with something like the light, but not heat. Mum still has a coal fire and that controls the heat for the house! No smart thermos can take that on 😂
He can use his phone one handed and his iPad. That’s about it. He does like to listen to a lot of things on them. Even though it’s often a don as he doesn’t know what he’s selecting. So a dot or any Bluetooth speaker might work well. I’ll have to explain it to Mum!

So sad about your relative being so young when diagnosed. My brother was 40 and that was bad enough, but even younger is heartbreaking.

Happy_Kitties

Happy New year everyone_party_.
Didn't go out last night, my days of partying are well and truly over:D. Quiet one in with Jools Holland until 12.30am. A couple of my cats were frightened by loud fireworks going off so I'm glad I stayed up.

Chanie-ur OH obviously knows u too well if he had already guessed u would do something with the empty cocktail baubles:)

I work in inclusion, the effects on the person and the surrounding family can be just devastating.My niece is lucky in the fact that she is independent but relies on constant medical treatment which has put everything she loves on hold.
Def going to work on the hamper idea and look out for foods and things from the world she has travelled to. Already have had a couple of ideas from this to go in her hamper that I think she will love.
Excited now for this Christmas to work on this idea!