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

kerri_gt

Popped into Matalan today, they have all their Christmas stock cordoned off on the shop floor ready to go on the shelves.

I picked up an aqua doodle type thing for a friend's daughter in Lidl today, 1/4 of the price of the Tomy one. Also grabbed one for my mum to give to DN / DGD for Xmas.

nic2075

Looking forward to Matalan putting their Christmas stock out. I love all their decorations and wrapping. I bought the kids new stocking the year before, beautiful big fairisle/Nordic style ones woth their initials. I actually waited and got them reduced to £3 the week before Christmas.

I was in a shopping mall last Saturday with my daughter. She went off to shop with her friend so I got 2 hours to do my own thing. It was bliss. I browsed Waterstones for almost an hour, then had a massive coffee in Tim Hortons and sat and read my book. But what I did was take a note book and wrote down all things I spotted that would make nice Xmas gifts. I'm hoping to go back soon and get them. Usually I see things then forget all about them. Hopefully I can go after my September pay day. But it has made me feel more organised.

I've also just gutted my house. Top to bottom. Took a ton of stuff to the dump and charity shops. The house feels so much lighter and nice to be in.
Would be nice if we could keep it this clean til Christmas so I have less to do in December.

kerri_gt

Nic2075 do we have Tim Hortons in the UK now? I've only ever seen them in Canada where it's an institution there (not quite sure why as I didn't think their coffee was amazing, but their doughnut balls are yummy)

StokieBecks

Three more gifts ordered last night so the list is getting crossed off nicely. Hopefully the bulk will be done and finished by end of October (except the gift cards I need)

Kind of hard to believe we are almost at the end of August already.

Hope everyone is well and has a good Monday!

Horwich_7

Hello ��
Can I join this thread? I have to be honest I struggle with Christmas but I enjoy seeing everyone else enjoying it.
I never know what to buy and always feel inadequate and at 50 years of age you would think I would be able to know what to do by now!
I have 3 daughters and 1 son 30, 28, 25, daughters 25 son
2 son in laws
1 granddaughter 3 months
1 husband !
And this year we are staying in my mil 7 bedroom house as she is going to Australia.
So it really will be a family Christmas and I want to make it nice.
But don’t know where to start!
My budget will be £300

StokieBecks

Hi Horwich sure everyone on here will chip on with ideas to help you out so please stick around.

Perhaps one idea if you are all celebrating together is to distribute parts of the dinner so for example someone different is responsible for providing each course to help split the costs a bit.

Your grandaughter will not remember her first christmas, avoid the temptation to spoil her with it being her first.

If you are going to be together quite a lot over the Christmas period think about things you can do to enjoy as a family - be that a film and hot chocolate for everyone on christmas eve or cheap little games you can play so everyone is involved.

kerri_gt

Welcome Horwich.

My best advise is not to get hung up on the perfect ideal of Christmas. All those Hollywood movies have a lot to answer for, just remember that those films were not filmed in one perfect take either.

No one will starve if the crisps don't get bought, just because it's Christmas doesn't mean everyone will magically get along all the time, and gifts aren't a measure of love or perfection. Get everyone to muck in and remember it's your day too.

Wow...and reading that I prob need to take a good look at my own advise too :eek::o

Horwich_7

Thanks!
My biggest problem is we have an adult with borderline personality disorder and my grandson has autism so we are always juggling meltdowns and this causes a massive stressful situation.
So no wonder I am always the nervous mum trying to cope with it all.
It’s soooooo stressful but I am trying to get ahead and prepare this year
I’ve just had an operation on my foot so have 8 weeks of bed rest which is why my mind turned to Christmas!

kerri_gt

I'm sure you know this but the festive season can be really tough on people with autism, not only do routines tend to get thrown out the window, everything that is stable / famialr gets changed such as Xmas decs going up, presents appearing from no where, children. (And adults) in general being hyped up and loud Christmas music and flashy lights can just top things off.

Perhaps if there is space at MIL the family could set up a quiet room that DGS has some input into how he wants it set up where he can go if / when things get too much?

Coxy11

Hi all,
Another Christmas present ticked off the list today. Youngest nephew (2) is getting the Happyland Bus from ELC. It's normally £25 but Boot$ has it for £22. I pick it up instore on Friday.
Doing a car boot sale in two weeks time. A lot of the Christmas decs are stored in 2 x plastic drawer units that the kids used to have in their rooms (but are now in the loft). I want to sell those plastic drawer units at the boot sale if I can, so have bought some really useful boxes to store the baubles etc. in. It will mean everything in one place (and give me a chance to sort through the decs too).That's the trouble with being out of work, can't stop spending flaming money!

nic - love the idea of writing things down when you see them. Need to remember to take notebook and pen out with me!!

Coxy