* Step into Christmas * & 2020 - It's the 2020 Christmas Chatter Thread

squishylove1989

@Peppapig totally get what you're saying about being a couch potato at the moment. Starting the exercise regime on Monday but am trying to get out each day. I'm trying to go shopping as little as possible as it totally stresses me out. We're trying to make do as much as possible with what we already have in the house. 

With all that's going on though, I do find myself thinking about when all this is over and my mind keeps drifting to Christmas 2020. I'd love some ideas for Christmas stockings for adults, as I'm doing one for friends and family this year. I've already got some cute keyrings in mind, mini bottles of booze and scratch cards. How far can I buy this kind of thing in advance? I'm hoping to make some bits as well this year (I mostly crochet and cross stitch, but can sew as a beginner) Pinterest is giving me a few ideas but would love to hear what gifts you have made. I feel that with everything that's going on, this is a prime time to get started to take my mind off things, as well as get ahead of the Christmas game! 

princesskitty29

Well it looks set to be a beautiful, warm day today which should hopefully lift our spirits. We’re going to get the table and chairs out of the garage and hopefully have tea outside. I hope everyone is doing ok in this surreal time. I’m planning to make some hot cross buns today (with the little bread flour I’ve managed to get hold of!) I don’t like raisins/sultanas so I make some of those for DH and use chocolate chips for mine. I’m going to have an Easter themed week with the boys, getting them to make decorations and Easter shaped gingerbread biscuits to decorate. I’m glad we’ve got Easter to look forward to as it gives the boys something to get excited about. I was reading that Tesco were doing lots of deals on their Easter eggs as they bought all of the stock before all of this stuff with the coronavirus started and obviously people aren’t buying them for each other now. I actually bought a few for other people before all of this too so I think DH and I are just going to have to eat them – what a hardship!  Anyway I hope you are all well and keeping safe.

 

Peppa oh it’s so hard isn’t it, we just want to stay in our little bubble and stay safe but we have to eat! At least all of the supermarkets have sensible plans in place now to keep shoppers apart as much as possible, the Tesco near me is definitely limiting numbers inside, I’ve heard there’s been big queues in the car park. I’m so glad you got a Tesco slot, I was going to say you should contact them otherwise with DH’S condition. Hopefully all the vulnerable people would have been given slots already, my parents are emailed directly from the supermarket giving them a slot each week, then perhaps the slots released at midnight are for all and sundry. We’ve had our shopping delivered for the last seven years, perhaps I could try for a midnight slot. Still feel a bit guilty though! But then I remember DH’s chest and get scared to death about the virus as it attacks the lungs. Can’t win! As for crafts, I think in situations like this you either get really into them or just can’t be bothered. I’ve definitely found my mojo again now, but have had bouts of not being bothered – evidenced by several unfinished projects! Have you heard much about how your mum is doing? I know it’s not much comfort as you usually go and see her every day but she is being looked after and is in familiar surroundings. Good for you with the exercise! We’ve been doing PE with Joe Wicks every morning with the children, it’s brilliant as I really don’t do enough exercise.

 

vulpix thank you for your kind words they really mean a lot, especially at the moment. Yes DH has been taking his inhalers daily for a couple of months now, the cough just wasn’t shifting but actually in the last week it has just started to improve. I still worry about going out but needs must. It sounds like you’re keeping busy over there, I’d love to do something in the garden but we need soil and plants for that! I did get an email from a local garden centre yesterday though saying they can deliver garden supplies so I might have a think about that.

 

squishy I am cross stitching tree decorations and bookmarks as gifts this year.

Peppapig

PRINCESSKITTY that’s really helpful to know about the supermarket contacting customers who are extremely vulnerable although if I didn’t know about it I bet there are a lot of other people who don’t too. Hopefully GPs and carers are aware and getting them registered. DH has heart failure and Parkinson’s but not one of the specified conditions so we don’t qualify but fortunately my sister would shop for us if we get really stuck.  I think your plans for today sound lovely and your boys will have a great day. I’m loving the sound of your chocolate chip hot cross buns as I’m not really supposed to have dried fruit. Mum is ok thankfully. We’re able to FaceTime her a couple of times a week and she seems to have settled into the new routine which is a weight off my mind. The good thing is that although she knows she hasn’t seen us today, she doesn’t know that she hasn’t seen us for weeks now.  Enjoy your day.

Redredrobin

Has anyone tried/managed to have a food delivery to another address? I have tried to get a food delivery to my parents but keeps getting declined because the delivery address is different to my card address!  They aren’t starving but I would feel a lot better if I could bulk up their cupboards.

I have an orange flavoured traybake cake cooling going to put icing and sprinkles on it it’s a practice for Dds birthday cake in a few weeks , never done a traybake cake before with gluten free flour but I have to say it looks ok .

I am getting a few items for Christmas Dd sends me links of things she likes and occasionally I buy them straight away but that’s the extent of my Christmas prep.

Peppapig

No Christmas prep but the solar village is out and charging. Only a few were still working last year so hoping some of them will have hung on this year. Apologies for the huge picture, I’ll have to learn how to resize. Hope everyone is managing to enjoy the good weather in whatever way you can. 

Treasurequeen

Hugs to you all that need them. 
I came across some  needle minders on Etsy for stocking fillers, a gift idea for anyone that likes to cross stitch or sew. Priced around £4.00 each different designs available. 

princesskitty29

Gosh what beautiful weather, it certainly makes a difference at the moment! We got a little garden supply delivery and have done a bit of planting. We’ve planted magnolia, dahlia’s, shallots and two plants that I can’t remember the name of! I am such a novice gardener, I don’t know the name of many plants or how to grow them, I’m trying to learn but there’s definitely an element of ‘plant them and see what happens’ to my gardening! DH is not keen on having any borders at the moment as he just feels the boys will destroy them, and he’s probably right, so it’s all in pots for now.

 

Peppa I’m not sure that everyone who is vulnerable and needs the slots are being contacted or know about it unfortunately, it might be worth you having a chat about it. DH and I are trying to work out meal plans that mean we only go to the shop every two weeks instead of every week, luckily DH’s parents get a priority slot so hopefully we’ll be able to get some fresh stuff from them in-between. We shall see. I’m so glad that you’re able to FaceTime your mum that must make you feel so much better. I was thinking about you the other day as I needed a perk-up so I put the 2008 Gavin & Stacey Christmas special on – it never fails to cheer me up! I love your little houses, are they Christmas ones?

 

Redrobin I haven’t tried to have food delivered to another address recently but we’ve never had any problems doing it when we’ve gone on holiday in the past so not sure why it’s not working for you. We use Tesco, not sure who you’re with and if it makes a difference? I hope your traybake turned out well, it sounds yum!

 

vulpix I meant to say to you before I hope your chest and cough is doing much better now?

chanie

squishylove1989 said:

With all that's going on though, I do find myself thinking about when all this is over and my mind keeps drifting to Christmas 2020. I'd love some ideas for Christmas stockings for adults, as I'm doing one for friends and family this year. 

I do adult stocking, here’s a few ideas:

Christmas socks 
chocolate Santa (fills up a stocking nicely)
handcream
drinking glass
fold up bag
glasses case
wallet ninja

Treasurequeen

Happy Easter everyone, I hope your all ok. Xxx 

princesskitty29

Happy Easter all! I hope you’re managing to have a nice weekend despite it all. I miss the Easter emojis! We had a nice day yesterday, full on though – we did an egg hunt in the garden, a treasure hunt inside, had breakfast, did another egg hunt in the garden that Wiggle set up, played Easter shops, peeled potatoes and made Yorkshire puddings – all before 9am! We had a lovely roast beef dinner though, I really enjoyed it. It’s been really nice for the boys to play out in the garden and we’ve had the paddling pool out. I felt for my cousin though, she was due to get married on Saturday, the weather is hit and miss in April but it was a beautiful day. Fingers crossed for the same next year.

 

Anyway thinking of you all and hope you’re all doing well. xx