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

Gettingtherequickly

Vulpix, as everyone else, not sure if or when you may see this. However, rest assured, you are in my thoughts, sending you hugs to get through whatever carp life has decided to throw at you.

alja

Another message of thoughts and love for Vulpix here. We're all here for you if you need us. So sorry to hear that something has happened.


I have bought a few more pressies. Some M+S beauty gifts for my parents and OH's mum. I also picked up some merry percymas sweets for my parents and OH's mum for a bit of fun.


I've got a lot of the "usual" things I buy each year for people, so it's time for me to start thinking outside the box as to what else I can get people that's a little bit different. Will have to get my thinking cap on!


I checked through my cards the other day and set aside which ones I want to give to my neighbours. I need to make a note to buy some paper and cards in the sales after Christmas. Where do you head to after Christmas for paper and cards? Is there anywhere anyone recommends in particular?

kerri_gt

alja wrote: »

I checked through my cards the other day and set aside which ones I want to give to my neighbours. I need to make a note to buy some paper and cards in the sales after Christmas. Where do you head to after Christmas for paper and cards? Is there anywhere anyone recommends in particular?

I often pick up my wrap RTC in Sainsbury's when it's down to about 50p a roll. Christmas cards I have picked up via the O2 app before Xmas for the past few years. And the odd pack 1/2 price in random places like Next or Paperchase after Xmas. There's always the B00ts sale worth checking out too.

Treasurequeen

Vulpix- I am so sorry to hear your going through a very rough time, you and your family are in my thoughts. like the others have said we are all here whenever you are ready to talk.

mandco

Vulpix I'm so sorry to hear you've had such awful news my thoughts are with you and your family at this difficult time. You will be missed

Nic what a week it it never rains but it pours springs to mind why does it always end up being expensive when things go wrong?? hope your feeling better

Storkie I'm glad to hear your parents are ok - you hear about road accidents everyday but knowing someone involved really brings it home

Freespirit- It does seem abit odd that the support group was only available while awaiting a formal diagnosis but it was great I learnt so much and have a far better understanding of his needs and why he does certain things. Hopefully I'll find a new group that suits
Doesn't seem possible thumper will be starting school it must be a hard choice for them but depending on his personal needs with the right support they can do amazing in mainstream schools so hopefully that will be a doable option if its the one they prefer.

nic2075

I messaged my sisters last night to tell them what a week I've had. We all agreed to either only buy for my dad and all he kids. Or to buy for dad, the kids and do one secret Santa for the adults, so we all get one gift to open. I think that will be nice, as long as we have a budget. It's a huge relief for me, and a feeling it's a relief for my younger sister. My sisters both buy the best gifts and are easy to buy for. But with them and th brother in laws, it is easily another £100. I've already bought for their kids, so it means I just need to buy for my dad, the secret Santa (which will include my brother in laws) and finish for the kids.
I did offer to go handmade, by my middle sister has zero baking or craft skills, so she wasn't happy lol.

Wrapping paper is still something I need to get. I got plenty of cards in the sales, but I didn't see any wrapping paper I liked. I usually buy from Wilko's. The always have cute designs for the kids and nice grown up ones too. I like the big 15m rolls on the 3 for 2.

kerri_gt

nic2075 wrote: »

Wrapping paper is still something I need to get. I got plenty of cards in the sales, but I didn't see any wrapping paper I liked. I usually buy from Wilko's. The always have cute designs for the kids and nice grown up ones too. I like the big 15m rolls on the 3 for 2.

That's something I don't really do is buy separate paper for the kids. I guess I could have done as I would have used it over the past couple of years (older kids got £ until they were 18, younger ones still get gifts atm) but I figured in the scheme of things, they prob don't actually care what paper I use in the melee that seems to be xmas these days (our family always handed out tree gifts one at a time for people to open so I can't bear this free for all that seems to go on - sorry, no offence anyone )

Thrice

nic2075, we as a family agreed the same a few years ago! I have 4 siblings, 4 in laws, parents plus 4 nieces/nephews on my side. DH's side I had another 16-ish. Plus 3 friends and their 7 kids (between the 3 friends)..... Even at £20 a head I was over £500 before I bought DH anything!

We now buy parents plus children under 18. And that's it! (I still buy DH's sister and her husband, but they are VERY generous with us all year round). This years budget is £10 per child and £20 per adult. And if I get bargains all the better!

I love that you have spoken to them, sometimes it just takes one person to say Hold on, is this really how stressed and skint I want to be? :money::money::money:

princesskitty29

Hello and welcome all newbies! Lovely to see you. :wave:

Thanks for all the links to the Christmas shops online.

freespirit I’m glad you had a lovely birthday. I’m also glad to hear you finally have a diagnosis for Thumper, hopefully that means life can be a bit easier with the right help and advice. Well done on almost being ready for Christmas! Good work.

I started catching up but I now realise I just don’t have the time to catch up at the moment when I get behind, so sorry if I missed anything! I’ve got a few more pressies off my list, some Christmassy Lush bath bombs for my SiL and friend and a few bits for Wiggle. I’m going to start wrapping presents soon, I remember staring to wrap in October last year and it didn’t feel right to start with as it wasn’t Christmassy, but I’ve learned the hard way that it’s not good to leave it when you have young children! I had a couple of years of manic wrapping to get it all ready in time, just because I wanted it to be nearer to Christmas! I’d rather take my time and enjoy it this year.

I bought a cross stitch magazine the other week and it had a chart in there that I know my auntie will love, so I’ve started stitching it for her. I keep trying to tell myself that if it’s not ready for this year then I can give it next year to try to take the pressure off, but deep down I really want to give it this year so I’m doing it every day whenever I can!

On that note, I’m off to do a bit now as Squeak is napping and my brother is coming to stay for a few days so might not be able to do as much as normal.

PinkUnicorn8

Describes, I do m&S turkey crown every year, trust me its brilliant!

Nic, Stokie and vulpix Im thinking of you and sending hugs, am so sorry you are having such a rotten time lovelies.

Nic, bloody bills! always at worst time. Our old but reliable boiler broke down last Christmas night! was in such a state as so much snow arriving, had to buy elec heaters on timers which gobble up electric, ended up fusing electrics due to overload, knew we wld need new boiler as was old and couldnt get parts, didnt manage to get new one fitted for fortnight, was a horrible Christmas after so much planning, so know how you feel when it all hits the fan! TV then broke Boxing Day and the snow arrived ... then we got letter saying we had to repay load of child benefit, had no idea some rule had changed! having to repay hmrc and boiler monthly, making things so tight xxxx