Christmas 2017 mega index/christmas chat!!!! Yes, it's early I know :)

Prinzessilein

Sort of preparing for Christmas......

I have started my 'December' shelf in the kitchen cupboard....I start to collect an extra tin or two each week leading up to December....This means that come the last month of the year I have a nicely stocked shelf!...This has two major benefits...one, I know that if I am snowed in (and disability means that mobility is iffy even in good weather!) I can happily survive for a week or two.....and more importantly, it means that December can be a no-spend month as far as 'essentials' go - which is useful as there are always so many 'extras' that crop up before Christmas!

So far I have powdered milk, tinned tuna, tinned steak filling (it was a 3for2 offer - so I used one and put the other two on the shelf), and some tinned fruit......this week I want to see if I can spot an offer on tinned veg - and baked beans are a good stand-by!......Oh and I also got a twofer on washing up liquid, so one of those went into the cupboard too.


And on a more 'obvious' festive note...

I have a real issue with hair-loss and wear broad hair-bands to cover the worst. (One day I WILL get a wig!!!)...I saw some lovely fabric flowers in a local haberdasher shop...I bought one of silver ones with a little crystal in the middle....and then bought a couple of broad black hairbands from the market ...sewed the flower to one side of one and it looks very pretty and festive!...I am planning on embroidering a green and red holly leaf/berries on the other head band.

nannywindow

Happy Kitties I am in awe that you have almost finished for Christmas. Oh I wish I was as organised !
Unfortunately I never know what to get for people until closer to Christmas, other than my DD, as we like to swap themed hampers. We are the only ones who appreciate the hard work and the thinking that goes into them. Last year my theme for her was anything related to the word "Snow" and hers to me was "Reading". I have already picked this years and have bought a few things already.
Prinzessilien I don't have a shelf but a box because if things are on show we might start tucking in :rotfl:. I have bought a bottle of wine and a box of biscuits to put away, not a lot, but will add to it bit by bit.

jackyann

I'e been buying stuff whilst on holiday.
I was delighted to find a little craft shop selling tiny pottery hearts and snowflakes cheaply. I have 4 nephews/ nieces abroad. I send a small Xmas ornament that they can either hang on a tree or at a window. I sometimes find it difficult to find something light, cheap and nice, so am very pleased.

freyasmum

pipkin71 wrote: »

Chilli jam sounds delicious, freyasmum

Doesn't it?

Long time no see, pipkin - I hope you and your girls are well.

Card Factory have their Christmas stock out now and the garden centres near my mum have had their stock out since June! I have to say, the older I get, the more I dislike the commercialisation of Christmas. I Like Christmas in the shops in December - soon it's going to be year-round! X

VfM4meplse

My Christmas prep started on holiday last week

I bought a very reasonably priced bottle of 3yo whiskey because it would come in handy for Christmas cake. The fruits will get their soaking after the BH . Eta: having pulled it out of its bubble wrap, it's Napoleon Brandy.

Oh yes and I usually slip small gifts into Christmas cards for friends that I don't see that often: I found some beautiful brooches in Italy that fit the bill nicely.

pipkin71

freyasmum wrote: »

Doesn't it?

Long time no see, pipkin - I hope you and your girls are well.

Card Factory have their Christmas stock out now and the garden centres near my mum have had their stock out since June! I have to say, the older I get, the more I dislike the commercialisation of Christmas. I Like Christmas in the shops in December - soon it's going to be year-round! X

We are, thank you Hope the same applies to you too

I don't like the commercialism of Christmas (although I can totally understand it, as it is a money making business.) I don't get to venture to the shops that often so I miss a lot of the retail push and you don't get that so much with online shopping.

I do love all the preperations for Christmas though and the build up to it - watching Christmas movies while snuggled under the duvet (even in July :rotfl::rotfl:). I've always found something magical in Christmas even though my girls are adults now. I think I just need grandchildren and then I can go and see Santa again

mickey54

Thanks C J ... Always difficult finding or thinking about novel ways.

Will only do this for the girls though ....

amber03

Love the Xmas threads,as I have just had my hols I now go into Xmas mode. Love doing little goody bags for everyone which goes down well, have been buying a few little bits so need to sit down and see what I have actually got. We do have a lot of birthdays leading up to Xmas so buying presents can be a pain, mor for what to buy as everybody has everything. One of my DS's bought a house this year so think he would rather have money. Was going to buy my eldest DS a espresso coffee maker machine as he loves the stuff, but two days ago he walked in with a machine he was bought as a leaving present from his work colleagues, so back to the drawing board for him. Really need to sit down and make lists and more importantly find everything I have bought so far as I have a tendency to forget where everything is.x

maryb

Is anyone doing the Organised Christmas countdown? One of their plans started last weekend but I think the main one starts this coming weekend (Labour Day in the US)

Or is there a thread on another board that I have missed?

Prinzessilein

I went to 'The Works' today...picked up a couple of little items for the Operation-Christmas-Child boxes...whilst there I noticed they have a pack of 2018 Calendar and matching Diary...lot of designs and only £3 for the two...SO I bought a couple (one with scenic views and Psalms..and one with countryside animals)...they will make excellent additions to the present box!

Also, Mum bought some new cookie-cutters from a bake-store...snowflake design....so I'm guessing Christmas baking is on her mind too!