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

C_J

boazu, the projecting torches you have bought for your grandsons has given me a great idea. I've managed to find a constellation projector for my grandson (who will be almost four at Christmas) - we bought a telescope for his Dad for his birthday earlier this year and tiddler is fascinated by the stars now, so on nights when he can't join Daddy looking at the stars through the new telescope, he can put on a starry lightshow in his bedroom - thank you so much for the nudge of inspiration!

Another present bought this week for same grandson is a nature hunt/bug collector kit. It all packs into a rucksack, and has binoculars, a compass, a bug viewer, specimen jars etc. He'll love it, he's a very outdoorsy boy.

Peppapig

I’ve got one of those starry projector lights CJ, I liked our grandsons’ one so much I asked DH for one for Christmas last year🤣.

freespirit66

Evening, I have had Thumper here today, while DD2 studies, he’s going to sleepover then DD1,DD2 and I are going wedding dress shopping. I can’t wait to see how beautiful she will look. Ordered pjs for our Christmas Eve box yesterday, just need to find some for DS. 

TREASUREQUEEN how weird I thought you lived in Scotland?? The robin sounds lovely for your grandad. How about a YC votive for the crackers for the ladies?

BOAZU they sound like lovely presents for the GC

RACHSECRET I keep forgetting to get some blackberries 

STOKIEBECKS that’s a lovely gesture for the wildlife park donation

REDREDROBIN sorry to hear about your poorly pooch. I hope that bully gets what’s coming to him

BESHKI beware ordering from them, over lockdown and the summer, there are so many people complaining about orders going awry and customer service absolutely no help at all

GTQ bless your mum, it’s horrible being on your own and not knowing when they can see you. All this will we won’t we go into lockdown plays on your mind and no firm plans can be made

RAINBOW ooh I love Liz Earle

CJ glad your AliExpress order has gone smoothly. I couldn’t get on with the site lol

princesskitty29

Wow it sounds like lots of you are really getting on well with the present buying. I’ve bought a couple more, I bought my parents a puzzle map of old Gloucestershire (where I’m from) in the 1600’s as they love history and I bought my nephew a rolling boomerang kit thing he has to put together, it’s a bit of a science experiment so will be educational. They were from The Puzzle Company. I’m going to get the boys a couple of Lego blind bags to pop in their stockings too. Other than that I can’t do a lot because as ever a lot of things I can’t get until nearer the time in case they need to be returned/exchanged or don’t work! Although the shops usually start doing an extended returns policy in October so I’ll start then with some things.

 

I’m soooo glad the weather is cooler, it’s a lot more pleasant now. We need to go and do our annual blackberry picking soon and I can’t wait, I love having loads stuffed in the freezer for crumbles, cakes and cobblers etc.

 

Hi Sammy, you’ve been here before haven’t you or have I seen you on another thread? You’re always welcome to join the festivities!

 

Treasurequeen I love that the cat gets a special salmon fillet for breakfast on Christmas day! Argh what a pain with the hot water and heating, I hope they get it sorted properly this time as it’s the last thing you want heading into the cooler months. I live on a new build estate where two developers had half the land each, luckily there has been minimal problems with the developer we bought with but several houses with the other developer had lots of major issues which are still ongoing today I think.

 

freespirit your grandson’s photos on Instagram did make me laugh! I thought maybe you’d started doing some arty shots! I hope you’re doing much better now?

 

boazu it sounds like you’re really getting organised with your Christmas presents, well done.

 

rachsecret I have resorted to food hampers for men before when I’ve been stuck!

 

Redrobin good to hear from you, I wondered where you had been. It sounds like your dog is going through it, I hope he feels better soon. Oh that man at your work sounds awful, normally you wouldn’t want people to lose their job but it’s not fair on anyone else working there. There used to be a similar woman who I worked in an office with and that one person made such a terrible atmosphere in the place and affected everyone, it was awful.

 

GTQ I hope you can get some time off soon, it’s difficult going abroad at the moment as rules seem to be changing every day!

Treasurequeen

Bought Bulk tub of hot chocolate for Christmas which is now sitting in my Christmas cupboard. Went to Hobbycraft on Wednesday and they had loads of Christmas craft stuff packed in compostable packaging. they had some gorgeous washi tape in Christmas designs only £1.00 each. I got some milk bottle jars and I am going to make up some homemade bath salts which will be stored in the bottles. These will be for my mum and gran, i have my aromatherapy stuff i can use just need to get some more salts. 
I am sat watching movies24 christmas movie tonight as nothing on tv. 
Out of interest what are peoples top 5 christmas books?
Also does anyone know what Costa orange hot chocolate syrup was?  monin sell three different types. 

Hope everyone is ok? x 

C_J

I’ve just ordered another stocking filler for younger daughter - she’s a teacher, and staff members are always ‘borrowing’ each other’s pens and she ends up losing hers. There’s mention on the Grabbit board of Parker Jotta pens selling for £5 each in Poundland but when someone pointed out they were often on offer at that sort of price elsewhere, I did some internet trawling and ended up buying her a pack of five pink (her favourite colour) stainless steel retractable biros with black ink (she prefers it) from a place that also personalises them. They are not Parker but from the look of them and the reviews they are good quality pens, and five for £9.95 including personalisation and postage is okay I think.

[Deleted User]

I got wrapping paper and cards in the after Christmas sales last year so I'm covered for a few years to come (I got a bit carried away with big reductions!). Presents for the grandchildren are the priority as we normally give the adult children a joint present between them and their husbands which we get delivered or they go and choose and buy and we transfer funds, much better to give something useful that they want than take a guess and give something of no use.

What I've started thinking about now is the Christmas food, it will be an odd Christmas day with only the two of us, the first time in the 45 years we've been together that there will be no parents or children with us so I thought I'd make a plan for a nice day with nice foods that we like and start getting a thing here and a thing there now in the deliveries so I've got it all and the plan made by the end of the autumn.  I like a project and work in progress especially in these somewhat difficult times.

vulpix

Hi, John lewis have opened their online Christmas shop today.
Cj how much were the wooden musical boxes? I can only find some expensive ones on Ali express.
Any developments at work RR?
I have a few days off this week so can knock the house into shape after being at work and having house guests for 8 days.
Boazu,I have had Christmas wrapping paper in my wardrobe for about 5 years now! It was such a bargain.The thing is I seem to use a lot more gift bags these days.I do love wrapping though.It is Christmas to me when I start wrapping.
I wonder if Christmas markets will be on this year.I know ordinary markets are already on but the Christmas ones attract such crowds.
We do a Christmas brass band concert at work every weekend in December which is very popular. This year the numbers are halved to alow for social distancing.Apparently singing is ok now but it could all change.I have been involved with it for several years.It is very atmospheric as the cave is decorated with massive Christmas trees and lights.I am sure 300 people will still be enough .I am going to suggest to the boss that  we have a christmas chalet selling Christmas goodies like at the markets.Mind you the concert itself is more than enough work.
Perhaps something like a Christmas eve concert would be nice for you this Christmas Boazu.Come to us,we have people year after year from all over the country and beyond.Mulled wine,mince pie and singing with a brass band whats not to like.
Vx

Flowfy

Vulpix - do you play in the brass band - I play tenor horn . Thanks for the heads up on John Lewis x

Redredrobin

Well he has been suspended, such a different atmosphere almost party like ! Last Christmas he objected to the word Christmas on various posters as he is part of a religion that doesn’t celebrate Christmas! So the Christmas night out had to be changed to annual December night out ! 

We are braving ikea later I need two drawer units and think the £39 delivery charge is excessive, I did think about click and collect but they even charge for that £10. 

Going to have a browse later in the JL Christmas site . Have to go for blood tests in a bit .