* Rocking around the Christmas Tree * - It's the 2018 Christmas Chatter Thread

Treasurequeen

Thanks for the new thread 3forholidays. Happy belated birthday ChrissyG
I am back from a few months away from thread bullying still going on in flats and I now have a next door neighbour from hell shouting and screaming swear words all through night till 5am. As he's bed bound nothing anyone can do apparently as he's a violent man to his carers.

I have had to sleep at my parents house every night and come back during day for my cat. On a good note Christmas and Boxing Day have been great fun.

I've bought a few presents For next year on notonhighstreet sale. Lisa angel sale has some really nice bits for stocking fillers for next Christmas.

Hope everyone is ok

nic2075

Thanks for the new thread 3forholidays. X

Hope you all had a lovely Christmas? I had a lovely day with the family. Everything went well. Everyone enjoyed their dinner and had fun playing board games.
Today has been a nice lazy day. I took my DD to get her hamster for Christmas. She had been asking for months. So she got the cage and everythign she needed, and a gift voucher so she could pick her own today.
I came home and tidied up than did not much else. I did need a small nap. My sister and Bil left my 1 year old Neice sleeping upstairs last night. She is a good wee thing, but woke up at 2am then was up at 5:50am! I was shattered lol. Glad they came back early for her and their car.

Looking forward to doing very little the next few days. Just letting the kids play with their toys. Reading and trying some arm knitting I was given a set for lol.
My house feels lovely and clean from top to bottom. It's so nice to not do anything apart from dishes for the next few days.
I do have my niece staying over on Hogmanay again, I never go out and am usually in bed early. So I offered so my sister can go out to a party. Just hope the baby sleeps longer than she did last night x

kerri_gt

Thanks for the lovely new thread 3forholidays

Sorry I ended up AWOL from the last thread, RL got in the way. I was also pretty well organised for Xmas this year and had the week before off with final prep planned, then ended up ill, so was still a mad rush at the end and TBH it's taken it out of me still. I did cook etc as planned yesterday but just wasn't overly hungry so didn't enjoy my meal as much as usual. Still, guests and OH had a good time.

Was out and about today for a bit of football related socialising and managed to nip into Boots beforehand to pick a few bits up for next Xmas in the sale. Just mainly bits for kids I buy for which I can put away. Spent about £45 and have 7 gifts already sorted or part sorted for 2018.

Peppa I'm like you, would like it pack it all away now but OH, who isn't even big on Xmas says I can't until after new year. Am off on 2nd so know what I'll be doing!

vulpix

Hi Fosterdog and Nathsmam,welcome.

Christmas Eve we spent at DD1's with her BF's family.It was lovely,we played games after a meal.

Christmas day all family present including my Mum for present opening and bacon butties and bucks fizz. Lunch just 4 of us but it was really nice and I enjoyed it.I don't usually enjoy a meal I have cooked.

Another lovely day.

Today was another story. We went out for a meal with MIL.Sadly she became very upset and took it out on Mr V.We dropped dd2 off at her nans and that was very depressing as she is very ill. A sad miserable day today.

We did call into Asda and they had 3 for 2 on toiletry gift sets.One lady had a trolley full. I got some christmas cards for my Mum as it is her birthday on 6th January and she asks for cards,christmas cake and pudding,as you say jakes-mum you get more for your money with a january birthday.

I am itching to take the decorations down now too.Perhaps next time they go up we will be in a new house.

Vx

kerri_gt

Sorry to hear today wasn't a good day vulpix. Everything always seems worse when it's an arguement / family fall out at this time of year doesn't it. Well done on the sale bargains (either that other woman has a large family, is shopping for friends too...or they'll be at a car boot in the summer). OH also has a Jan birthday although I really have no idea what to get him. I don't want to just buy him 'stuff' for the sake of it but he's so hard to choose for. Funnily enough I think his fav Xmas gift (we just did small ones this year) I think is something I happened to see off the cuff walking past the shop.

3forholidays

Welcome to the thread Nathsmam. Hopefully we can get you organised for next Christmas.

Jakes-mum I'll add your birthday to the list the next time I'm on the laptop. I'm currently on the iPad at the moment.

Those of you that are purchasing wrapping paper in the sales - do you only buy one colour or buy a selection of different styles?

We had lots of different rolls to use up this year but are thinking about simplifying things for next year and just having one style of paper for the adults but buying multiple rolls of the same paper. We will buy separate wrapping paper for the children's presents as we have also ran out of that too!

Abbafan1972

Morning all and hope you had a good Christmas!

Hubby is back to work today, but I am off until the 2nd Jan.

Kids are still in bed, but youngest (13) wants to go shopping today.

Christmas was ok - went to Christmas Dinner at my parents, as they moved into a new place about 3 months ago and it was obvious they wanted to host dinner this year. We stayed over the night - was awkward as they only live in a 2 bedroomed bungalow now, so me and hubby had the one bedroom, our 2 girls in the other and my Mom and Dad in the lounge on the sofas. (I wouldn't have minded taking the lounge option, but they insisted lol).

I have put the Christmas cards in the recycling already - I didn't bother putting the card holders up this year. I just put my family ones around the fireplace etc and that was it. The rest of my Christmas stuff will probably go away on the 1st, as I don't like them hanging around when I go back to work and it's very rare these days I will leave them up until the 6th!

Have a good day everyone! x

Peppapig

3FORHOLIDAYS I thought the same thing about changing my approach to wrapping paper next year. This year my wrapping felt a bit haphazard so next year I'm going for more stylish paper and I'm going to try putting everything in boxes too so it looks better when it's wrapped. Not the stuff for the little ones of course, all that matters for that is they can rip it off quickly

TREASUREQUEEN sorry to hear things haven't improved but glad you managed to have some time with your family.

VULPIX I hope yesterday is behind you, it must have been horrid for MRV. I don't know why but somehow it always feels more upsetting when it's parents who aren't nice to us. Probably something to do with wanting parental approval as children, or it could just be me. Anyway, hope he's ok.

Now it's going to seem very odd to say this, given where I'm saying it, but I'm going to try really hard not to buy too early this year because I always seem to go off the bits I buy early on, either that or I buy 'bargains' that I don't really have a recipient for. I'm also going to have a 'no hamper' rule next year, I'll just buy actual presents instead of putting hampers together. I only really do it because I like making them but in the end I usually see something I'd rather have bought instead.

Is anyone making resolutions this year? I'm aiming to:

1. Be less snappy/more patient (haven't managed this yet but hopefully this will be the year)
2. Try a new craft every two months - watching Kirsty this year has made me want to try new ideas
3. Exercise for 30mins five times a week (might have to build up to that one)
4. Keep eating my five a day

Slushy wet snow here this morning but it looks too wet to stick around. Hope everyone has a warm and safe day.

nic2075

I keep the same paper fpr all the adults then buy 4 rolls of kids paper. So I can have santa pressies (3 kids) then one I use from me. I like the Wilko's paper as the kids ones are cute and usually 12m, so I don't need extra.

I'm also not going to buy too early. I plan to buy from October. That's close enough to buy if folk mention things and you know they will still like it by xmas. I feel if I buy now then either I won't like what I go them buy xmas, or they won't like it. I'm going to save better instead.

My resolutions are to
- be kinder to myself and looking after myself a bit better. Both physically and mentally. I do everything with the kids in mind and wear myself out.
- the go back to a big shop a week and then just fresh milk and bread. I struggle to spend £100 in one go, but I seem to spend £20-£30 several times a week! We eat pretty similar things each week, so no idea why I don't shop ahead. I used to. I think the supermarket is too handy and I do like the bargains.

kerri_gt

I generally try and buy paper that is suitable for both adults and kids, as we have none of our own I don't really want or need to be buying kid specific paper for relatives. I do plan every year to have everything nice and coordinated in all the same paper under the tree, but then I always end up with LO paper from the previous year which I find I 'need' to use up first before opening new rolls ...so invariably my plans fall at the first hurdle.
Given this year I only used about two and a half rolls and still have about 10+ in the loft, I don't need to spend out on any more paper in the sales...can't guarantee that won't stop me though!