A Simpler Life 2018

GreyQueen

k6chris wrote: »

Happy Christmas all - I have just put all the presents under the tree - a maximum spend of £10 per person, which all the family is doing this year. Amazing what great gifts you can create or buy for very little money. Next year I plan to simplicate more

Great thread, here's to a great day!

I'm getting some nuts for Christmas. I didn't want or need anything but wasn't allowed to say no to getting gift, so have been given some money to spend on something I would have been buying anyway (brazil nuts). I will stock up after crimble when there may even be some on sale. I might even get a deal on some choccie-coated ones.:D

The folks have mostly got books. Pre-owned books. I know a few people who buy lighty-used books secondhand as gifts, like we do in our family. It means that for £10 or so, I can buy lovely history books which often cost £25 + each and several of them. They are read, enjoyed and given with the repeated instruction that they can be given away once finished with. They tend to go to kid bruv (online bookseller) who turns them back into money eventually.

I shop for gifts throughout the year and squirrel them away - lists are key to making this work - and then I rarely have to darken a shop's door in Nov- Dec and remain relaxed and chilled out when all about me are turning into Dura@cell Stress Bunnies....... happy days.

kippers

GreyQueen wrote: »

I shop for gifts throughout the year and squirrel them away - lists are key to making this work - and then I rarely have to darken a shop's door in Nov- Dec and remain relaxed and chilled out when all about me are turning into Dura@cell Stress Bunnies....... happy days.

Lol thats exactly what i do and i save all year so i have enough money to buy all my birthday gifts for the following year in the january sales......like you say it pays to be organised and i carry a list for birthdays and xmas in my handbag. This way i can buy more for my money

GreyQueen

I was a bit sheepish about admitting it in case you Thought Badly of me. But I do genuinely know a few people who do likewise. To me, I don't demonstrate love for my people by spending a lot of money, I demonstrate love by loving actions, and also by shopping carefully for things they would like during twelve months of the year, and squirrelling them away carefully.

One little extra for kid bruv was new-from-a-chazzer-still-in-its-box. A PG Tips mug. He had one of those before but it broke earlier in the year, it was at high risk as it was used multiple times a day, being favoured over all other mugs. And now he has a new one (already been used this morning) and is happy. I was very pleased to get it - to us, it is a perfect little gift.

LameWolf

fuddle wrote: »

Hi LameWolf the recipe I used was this one - bacon and peanut butter https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2013/10/23/homemade-peanut-butter-dog-treats/

Many thanks for this, fuddle. It occurs to me that when I have a dog I know well coming to stay, it might be nice to make some treats; so I've started a Doggie Treats file on my Recipes flash drive.

nannygladys

My simpler life has for the next few days has gone on holiday!! Yes I have family staying,and although I bought extra food they went and did a very big food shop when they arrived, still I have the rest of the family coming tomorrow so hopefully a chunk of that will go!!! And anything left I get to keep!!
I know I'm late but have a lovely Yule time!
Nannyg

[Deleted User]

Great thread...I'm in!

amber03

I think xmas especially by the media and TV portray it as this loving family and friends get together, everybody gets on well and theres this warm glow about it. In reality we know it doesn't happen like that, although this year it nearly did for me.


Usually on Boxing Day we go to the in laws for tea where all I've wanted to do is just chill,relax and eat all the rubbish that is left. So deciding that today is the start of a simpler life I have said no to go out and am having a relaxing day that I have wanted. The thing is my in laws didn't mind us not going over, perhaps cos we have always done it ,it becomes a habit that people are afraid to break. Looking forward to saying NO to a lot of things these next couple of monthes.

GreyQueen

I think traditions, even modern traditions within families and within circles of friends, can become suffocating weights. But almost no one wants to be the first to break them, in case feelings are to be hurt.

Good friends of mine know not to invite me to parties as I don't enjoy socialising in groups of more than four or five people. There are various reasons for this, chiefly an introverted temperament and having had chronic fatigue syndrome for over thirty years now. Small groups for a few hours - lovely. Larger groups and/ or longer times - these cause exhaustion which will take days to shift.

I used to feel bad about being like this, as if I could become a party animal if only I put my mind to it. Then I got older and more experienced, and just allowed myself to go with my nature. True friends understand, and we do quiet(ish) things together and they can do rowdier things with others of their friends who are more suited to it.

I'm spending the Xmas-New Year break from work enjoying quiet times with family, decluttering, eating sweeties and reading books. I will emerge into the New Year recharged and ready to get on with stuff.

Kantankrus_Mare

As I am getting older....I'm finding parties a chore to "be got through" which is quite difficult as my OH is very social. I'm much more comfortable just going for a meal with a few close friends or family.

I think I have probably always suffered from mild social anxiety and I would drink to excess to give me confidence when I was younger.

Working as a supervisor/waitress in a very busy place probably makes people think I am outgoing but its a small place with lots of regular customers so I feel comfortable.

I also feel like more than one social engagement a week is too much. I'm definitely someone that needs to spend some time on my own. I like my own company! But for others this is their idea of hell.
Wouldnt do for us all to be the same I guess.

RicardaRacoon

Evening everyone

Hope you all celebrated Christmas in a way that was lovely for you! It doesn't matter what we do on Christmas, it matters that we enjoy the way we do it and don't put pressure on ourselfes!

We had a lovely day at my parents today, no pressure, no arguments, just a quiet, nice day. And I think we even got the present game to a quite good level. I don't think that there were any presents that will go into the bin right away.
Now I am home with the lights on on my Christmas tree and will watch one of my favourite movies (Gracie!) and knit socks.

I'm also someone who enjoys to spend time alone and I can do very well without big social gatherings. I love to go out with friends for a nice meal or a cuppa or also a walk. But I don't really enjoy going to parties.Sometimes it is ok once I am there, but I hardly ever look forward to them...
Most people understand, some don't... I had more than one row with a (former) friend who refused to understand... In the end she held it against me and another friend and isn't talking to us anymore because we let her down when we refused to go out almost each weekend... On one of the occasions she felt let down by us my other friend was pregnant and constantly sick and I had a massive cold....

Have a lovely evening everyone!