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

chanie

mandco I like doing stockings and I have a couple of bits already.  It’s difficult to know what to get them (10 and 8) and I think it’s a combination of age (too hold for toys but not old enough for expensive technology), lockdown (lack of opportunity to explore new interests) and the fact that they already have lots of stuff. 

mandco

Chanie Its not xmas without stockings and I love doing them but it does gets harder to find suitable/worthwhile fillers that don't cost a fortune the older the get especially if you have boys. Girls are often a little easier as they usually like smellies, jewellery, hair/beauty bits but tween/teen boys can be a nightmare.  

SDd hasn't done xmas eve boxes for the girls yet as she says they are too young - I usually do them a gift bag of bits for when we drop off their presents so thinking I might get them a personalised xmas eve box this year in the hope Sdd will then continue the tradition.

chanie

mandco I have a tween boy, who I’m struggling with ideas for!!!  I have done well in the past, but he has had pretty much everything, so I’m running out of ideas.

I also do Xmas eve hampers for my children.  I only buy new pjs, toothbrush and a bath bomb, the other items are a Santa key, plate and glass ( for Santa’s treats) which get used every year.

i also have started a little Boxing Day treat basket, which has a couple of small random bits like sweets and toys, but I’d like to put in the same type of items every year, so I need to rethink this.

nic2075

Hope everyone is well. 

I’ve been struggling to get on recently. I took a step back from Facebook. I had to unfollow, unfriend and block a lot of people and groups. I logged out of everything and couldn’t get back into the ones I wanted too. Doh. My mental health is in a better place. 

I have been getting organised for Christmas. Mainly putting money away ready. Usually I’m not financially able. But because I haven’t been travelling anywhere and my girls haven’t been at dance competitions, I have saved a fortune lol. I have put it all away for Xmas. I feel I can look forward to buying stuff. I’m grateful that I cam in the position to do that. I feel awful for those who lost their jobs or and self employed at this time. 

I have been enjoying the garden more than I have had time. It’s looking the best it every has. We have been growing veggies and fruit. Just enjoying the peace and stillness sitting out in it. So much less noise about. 

I’m going to go and have a read back. I’ve missed a few pages. 

nic2075

I got my Christmas subscription box the other day. It’s from Russell Ince’s Imaginarium. It’s a new tree decoration every month. They are traditional style decs. The first one I got was beautiful. But I will say including postage it’s pretty expensive, so I don’t think I’ll get another. I thought there would be more than one decoration each month. But others might love it. It was exciting to get a surprise Christmas decoration. 

vulpix

So nice to see plenty of posts.Nothing like a heatwave to make us think of Christmas.
Chanie I do hope you find something soon.
I know what you mean about stockings and the difficulty filling them with stuff that will be wanted. When my eldest daughter was 21 I thought I would get her 21 little gifts to open.I struggled after about 10 and the cost added up.Needles to say I did it for second DD when she was 18! Slightly fewer things to find and I started looking much earlier which helped.
Nic I had never heard of Russel Ince.Just spent ages on his fb page,Thank you.I have never been to The Isle of White,Just had a conversation with Mr V.It could possibly be a staycation destination for us later this year.
RR I don't know how you have all your Christmas ideas so well in advance.I was impressed with myself for thinking of 1 thing for Mr V this early.
My son has got engaged. I am having a bit of a garden party on the 4th July.Just with family.ie All children and my Mum.Nice to have a party to plan and to see everyone in the flesh.Any ideas for a little engagement gift? I have already given money towards a ring they are having made. They live together,both working and have a fully equiped flat.They have no garden so special rose is out.I am completely stumped.
Vx

chanie

Practical items make good stocking fillers - drinks bottles, travel mugs, hair accessories, toiletries, torches, hot water bottles.   My problem is that I’ve already bought all these types of items for my children over the years  .

vulprix congratulations on the family engagement.  I think ‘something to do’ vouchers would be a suitable gift eg restaurant/takeaway, cinema, afternoon tea. I know times are strange, but if they are living together, they probably have most of what they need anyway.  Enjoy the party

slm6002

We  always used to get some shower gel or bubble bath, toothbrush and toothpaste without fail.  I now add these to my childrens stockings.  
I think a voucher for something nice to do together would be a lovely treat for an engagement present

murie

Vulpix- a couples photo shoot to mark the event ?

princesskitty29

Oh I love doing stockings! Luckily my boys are young so it’s easy but I will also do them for other people whenever I get the chance! For example my best friend told me that she loves stockings but her mum stopped doing one for her when she left home and she misses them so I’m doing one for her this year. I do have boys though so I foresee the future getting more difficult! I really enjoy doing a Christmas Eve hamper too, although I know they are a contentious issue as some people think they’re pointless and others are outraged that you might buy presents and put them in a hamper the day before Christmas. In my opinion it’s totally up to you what you do and how you want to do Christmas traditions. Like you chanie I buy new PJ’s, slipper socks, bath stuff, usually a DVD to watch in the evening and some hot chocolate, then the rest is stuff that comes out every year – santa key, mince pie plate, blanket, Christmas mugs etc. I find it such a lovely thing to do after tea on Christmas Eve. Although we don’t do Elf on the Shelf so the hamper is just from Mummy and Daddy!

 

Redrobin it still astounds me how awful people are with social distancing and how many people really don’t care, I just hope we don’t have a big second wave like America!

 

mandco eeek you’ve reminded me I really need to get a face mask! I haven’t really been going anywhere so haven’t needed one but I really need to get one now things are changing.

 

chanie sorry to hear about your job, enjoy your time with the children and hopefully something will come up for you soon.

 

nic oh there is something lovely about being outside isn’t there? It is very calming.

 

vulpix congratulations on your son’s engagement! How exciting. I like murie’s idea of a photoshoot and that could be done socially distanced. When I got engaged I really wanted to do one and never got around to it which is a shame so I’m championing this idea.