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

mandco

Welcome Rachsecret  The hamper exchange sounds like a big success - we often do hampers but never thought about doing them that way. I'm thinking of making some wreaths this year maybe ribbon or rag style? I've seen a few ideas I quite like the look of on pintrest 

Ended up with an impromptu trip to town today and found a few toy bargains in boots also picked up some more bits from flying tiger - lots sold out since the other day but managed to get a few stocking fillers and some arts/crafts. Did get Taz a dinosaur anatomy set though might use that for home school.  I noticed more places are selling masks now they are making them mandatory but prices are creeping up on those available. I saw some last week for £2 the same ones in the same store are now £4. Ordered a few more bits from the argos toy clearance sale ( most things are oos now but random new items appear occasionally.) so have most of the grandkids presents sorted now its mainly their xmas boxes to do once the xmas stock comes out.

Started my xmas grocery shopping list and I think I might make a start on the non perishables/household items so I can shop around for the best prices rather than putting all the money on a savings card and be tied to specific stores as things are so unpredictable and they keep saying things might get worse again in the winter. 



 

Beshki

Good Morning, all. 

Thought it time to rejoin this thread, nice and early this year. After a year of uncertainty, I would like to be prepared. Not least because we are on a vastly reduced budget nowadays. Look forward to seeing your bargains & ideas as I do each year. X

murie

For those planning to make  wreaths, if you know anyone who has a grapevine in their garden then they make fantastic wreath bases. I do this every year when I cut ours back (every two or three weeks cus it grows so quickly) . I know its a long shot but if you do know anyone then it would save a fair bit of money. We have a girly wreath making evening each year, festive buffet and mulled wine etc, its good fun and they get to take something home to use as a decoration. Also the pound shop usually sell the strings of LED lights which we hot glue a set into each wreath, although I have spent a few pounds more and bought a set with a timer so I can put it on the front door and forget about it. (about £4 on amazon or ebay).

Mandco- I think its a good idea to save the cash rather than a card given the current situation. Im doing that too this year. 

Ive got the majority of my presents sorted and wrapped already, I'm  chuffed to bits about it. Ive been getting bits online during lockdown for our kids and their partners. Both kids made the decision to move in with their partners at the start of lockdown which  brought it all forward but it was bound to happen at some point in the not too distant future. Even our Casanova son has settled down, they've bought a cat together! We are beyond shocked as he has been a 'love em and leave em' type for the last 8 years.
Its been quite emotional as they both stayed at home for Uni, and although they were off here there and everywhere all the time we still got to see them at some point during the day albeit fleetingly. Now its just me and OH and I have to admit that empty nest syndrome hit me hard at the beginning, it was a double whammy as they both left at the same time. So I filled my mind with christmas gift planning and buying rather than concentrating on missing them.
DD and I have had two holidays cancelled so Ive used the money to buy something I have always dreamed of having  but couldn't justify the cost - a Balsam Hill Christmas tree. I cant wait to put it up at Christmas!! (They have a Christmas in July event on so got it at a reduced price.)
Its good to see the thread starting to move, its been stagnant for a long time. (I think this new format has something to do with it as a lot of the threads I follow on here don't seem to have had much movement either.)

Peppapig

Welcome RACHSECRET and anyone I’ve missed and welcome back BESHKI.
MURIE I think you’re right about the new format affecting posts. I read most days but because the site keeps ‘forgetting’ to keep me signed in and I can never remember my log in details, I don’t actually post very often. It’s definitely nice to see the thread moving again though and well done PRINCESSKITTY for keeping us going in the lull.
Nothing festive going on here yet - we’re still not visiting any shops as DH is vulnerable with his health problems. Good news though is that it looks like we’ll finally get our new kitchen in September - if I can stop stressing about the choices we’ve made lol, so I’ll have my kitchen for Christmas at least. I’m not sure what we’ll be doing for Christmas this year. Mum is in the nursing home (Alzheimer’s) and DD1 is now definitely separated from her husband and he’s taking the children to Qatar to visit family at Christmas so it’s not going to be quite the whole family affair it usually is. Last year we decided that we’ll all have brunch in our own places and then get together for pressies etc and have a buffet style meal instead of the full Christmas lunch so I think I’ll try that this year. None of us has a big house or kitchen so hopefully it’ll be a simpler way to do it.
I’m definitely having the big Christmas tree out this year, cats or not. They won’t really be kittens anymore this Christmas although I expect I’ll still spend a lot of time peeling them off the tree.
We’ll be having our annual family Christmas crafting day again this year, making Christmas wreaths on grapevine (well done MURIE) and possibly decorating baubles, second craft is still undecided. Last year we did pom pom wreaths which was great and the year before painted Christmas stones and decorated paper mache houses.
Hope everyone is ok and we’ll all be back to chatting away regularly now we’re nearer to Christmas than away from it. 

vulpix

Hi folks, welcome RACHSECRET.
Great to see the thread easing off the moorings again.
I like the idea of a Christmas craft night.I must put some effort into organising one.My brother chopped his ancient grape vine down recently and had a bonfire.Might go down the moss and greenery route.I have done wreaths before but not as a social with the ladies in the family.
Remember my scaredy cat aka Idris Elba? He had an epiphany and became an affection seeker virtually overnight.Currently headbutting my hand and purring in my face.
Well our family get together went well.Thank you all for your helpful suggestions for an engagement gift.They were undecided but now with the stamp duty holiday they are looking to buy a house.Another cash gift then.
As usual I have itchy feet,I am waiting for my joiner to come back from his holiday for him to fit a piece of worktop where I have changed the kitchen round and then we will get the house valued.
I  start working at a charity shop this Saturday.I need to get out the house and move about more and get some weight off.Especially if there is to be a wedding.
Murie you will get to like an empty nest,I love it hahaha.
Have you been able to see your Mum yet Peppa ? I know what you mean about expensive decisions,it plays on the mind,I am sure you will love your choices when it's in.I am with you on the no sit down Christmas dinner.DD1 is a Christmas fanatic and insists on her cooking it here.I could happily do what you will be doing.
Christmas wise I have picked a few bits up.No where near as organised as some of you.I just don't really have any ideas.I want to gift something they would love rather than a gift for gifts sake.I have not been to any shops other than Aldi since March,I am in no rush to go anywhere either.I am an online shopper now.
Take care all Vx

Treasurequeen

Welcome RACHSECRET and the other newbies. I keep getting signed out on here and it’s a trouble signing back in again. I think this year the majority of my presents will be bought online, I’ve found this lovely company that sells fudge. I’m trialling them for myself first and if they pass my test I will buy some for Christmas pressies nearer the time . My brother and his fiancé like fudge as does my grandparents. Trouble is there are so many flavours to choose from. (Lemon meringue, Irish cream, Christmas pudding, cappuccino to name a few) found her on Etsy rubysfudge. I think I could possibly be, becoming a Etsy addict. 

Hope everyone is ok? Xxx 

Treasurequeen

Hobbycraft Christmas card stuff is now live on their website. 

slm6002

I'm loving the idea of a girly christmas wreath afternoon. Having split from my OH this year i am looking for some new traditions to start.  When the children are off with their dad for the weekend i could get my friends round and we all enjoy a good go at crafting so this would be great with some christmas music and nibbles.

rachsecret

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome! 

@Treasurequeen I love Etsy and plan to get a lot of my gifts this Christmas form there as I usually like to go to craft fairs but am feeling decidedly uneasy about it this year.

@murie I do have a contact with a grapevine and so will definitely see if I can cadge a few lengths. Is there a certain time of year to cut it back? Lights are a fab idea too.

I'm trying to go plastic free for Christmas this year as much as possible and have just bought some brown parcel paper to wrap and even managed to get brown paper tape too. I need to think of some nice ways to liven the look up though now. I have bought some things last year in the sale but have found this year's sales to be thin pickings, even before covid-19 kicked in. 

amysb86

Hey 👋☺️ please could i join? I've lurked for years but fineally decided id like to join in, Ive been on furlough for 3 months or is it 4 now i really dont know.. And missing chatting to people. These last few days i have been watching Xmas films and making some gifts, so far iv made some floral framed prints using 50p frames and flowers from my garden and im also making sets of clay decorations 😊 if i can figure out how to do photos i will show you if anyone would like to see. 
I took inventory of my xmas stash the other day and had forgotten how much i got in the January sales so that was a nice surprises. I love the girly wreath making im determine to make my own wreath this year.. I have conifers and holly in my garden but no idea where to start 
🤔🤔
Oo If it helps anyone i brought all of my BIL's very nice scarves from debenhams for £7.50 down from £25-£28. I will be popping theses in a cardboard box lined with shredded paper along side fcuk spray also in sales and a bag of homemade short bead.. Hope to make it look nice and posh and only spend £10pp.

Hope everyone has had a lovely day xxx