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

StokieBecks

We nipped to b&m last night as other half wanted to stock up on toiletries. I bought a couple of bits for the toiletry sets i do at Christmas and also some sweets and pringles towards a couple of film night in boxes I am doing this year as the dates were okay. Still need to keep  my eyes open for some better dated small bags of popcorn as they are all dec/jan dates that I have seen so far.

I really am lacking all motivation and inspiration this year for gift ideas. It will start to come to me I am sure over the next few weeks.

Nice to see some of the Christmas shops online starting to appear, even if things aren't in stock yet I will bookmark for ideas if something catches my eye (I always say I'll remember and then never do so am bookmarking everything this time    )

Gettingtherequickly

freespirit66 said:

Gettingtherequickly said:

freespirit66 said:

GTQ quick question you know you mentioned the Avon advent calendar, can you remember which one it was? I’ve caused a bit of a stir in the Avon reps FB group 🤪 because no one has seen it or heard about it! 

Have messaged her to find out as I have forgotten!

Thankyou x

Apparently they are ones she is making herself, so no wonder yours didn’t know about them. Sorry, but if you want one, I can get one for you and send on to you?

freespirit66

Evening everyone, 

NIC oh I would love that, to change LR for seasonal colours. Omg I looove Reece’s Pieces lucky kids! I wonder what it will be like this year, it’s all so upside down, I hope Christmas can be as normal as possible 

MANDCO that must have been hard isolating, at least it was for DD to have her surgery, hope it all went well. Oh no poor Taz, that must have been very hard for him, I’m glad he coped well. What a shame he can’t swim etc, it will be nice to just have a break from everything. My DD1 is on the waitlist too for the No7 advent, it’s so pretty. Thankyou for the heads up on the Ted Baker set, that will finish off DD2 Ted Baker hamper nicely. Yes it’s such a shame Christmas activities are all up in the air atm

STOKIEBECKS I have to screenshot everything as I can’t remember something 2 mins later! 

GTQ aah they did think that was the case, thankyou for the offer, but DD1 is a rep and is always giving me bits x

Treasurequeen

NIC last year I had the quorn beef joint that was really nice. But I miss turkey so got the quorn roast joint this year. Last year I cooked the joint then  the leftovers got frozen. I’m allergic to nuts so can’t have nut roasts. 

The bournemouth Christmas  tree lights in the gardens have been cancelled which is a shame as I still haven’t been as I was ill the last two years maybe they will be back next year. 

nic2075

Treasurequeen, the quorn roast is delish, had it a couple of times for a Sunday roast. I think it will be amazing with all the trimmings at Christmas. 

Freespirit, I managed to pick up a few orange coloured candles from Poundland and home bargains, a beautiful Indian dish from TK Maxx and my favourite was a wee black pumpkin candle dish from Next. A bit of a treat at £8, but it’s something I can sit out year after year. Not too Halloweeny, but nice for the season. I didn’t get any cushion covers. Hoping to get to Wilco at some point. I’m a bit disappointed with the selection in TK Maxx, they usually have loads of nice things. 

I did pick up a sloth mug from b&b with a bit for biscuits for my youngest dd and a faux rabbit fur rug for my eldest dd from home bargains, it’s lovely and soft for her newly decorated room. Put past for Xmas. 

princesskitty29

Hello, we’re back from our lovely holiday, thanks for your well wishes. We had a really lovely time, the caravan was amazing, we upgraded as the prices were fairly low - goodness knows what it would cost at peak time in a normal year! We were really impressed with Haven, there were noticeably less people, we were hardly ever around other people and they had lots of processes in place and hand gel everywhere. We were right by the beach and the boys loved it. I’ve now got to get everything ready for Wiggle going back to school tomorrow, I can’t believe he’s now in Y2! I’m also trying not to think about the fact that Squeak is starting pre-school this month, I can’t believe the time has come where I’ll be at home without a little person.

 

Now we’re back I’m turning my attention fully to Christmas, I’m absolutely loving it appearing in the shops now, very exciting! It’s my turn for a lie in this morning so I’m going to have a browse now and make a note of any ideas I have for people.

 

Peppa I’m the same as you with Christmas books, I’m always so disappointed when reading what I think is a Christmas book and then it barely mentions it. That’s why ‘With Love at Christmas’ by Carole Matthews is one of my favourites, it’s all about Christmas and including those less fortunate.

 

freespirit glad your DD is ok, I hope it’s worked! Well done on stepping inside a shop, you did well to do that and each little step will help in the long run.

 

vulpix It’s so awful when people just leave rubbish everywhere, I cannot imagine being of the mindset where I think it’s ok to do that. Keep working on DH, staying in a caravan might be a revelation for him!! I hope the first day back for your DS and GF went well.

 

Treasurequeen oooh slated caramel hot chocolate sounds delicious!

 

CJ the pamper hampers sound wonderful!

 

mandco oh no poor Taz I hope he is ok?? That’s so disappointing about the trip, hopefully just being away exploring and having a change of scene will be good for everyone. I hope your DD’s surgery goes well, gosh I bet you’re fed up of hospitals! I’m definitely planning a ‘Fairy Light Express’ this year, I’m going to put tinsel and fairy lights (below window level of course) in the car, let the boys get ready for bed then they’ll find a ticket and in exchange they’ll get hot chocolate while we drive around listening to Christmas music and looking at all of the pretty Christmas lights everywhere. It’s definitely not going to be as easy to do lots of trips out this year. I’m disappointed as I was hoping to do the Polar Express this year and my eldest is the perfect age for it but I think a lot of them are cancelled and it wouldn’t be the same without the full experience.

vulpix

Mandco,you have had your Florence Nightingale uniform on  recently.Hope the family are all on the mend now.x
Pk your holiday sounds lovely.I would love some children to go playing on the beach with.When my children were young we would go for a drive on Christmas eve to see all the Christmas trees,Me n Mr V still do it!
Picked up some Roses and Heros in Morrisons for Mum n MIL 2 for £7.
Went to B n M today.They were putting out Christmas stock. Got dd2 a pack of fancy hot chocolates and a dinky tin of celebrations to go towards her birthday.
Nic,TQ where do you get your quorn joint from? dd1 is now vegan.I was a veggie in the 70's and 80's and there was so little in the shops for non meat eaters then.I avoid supermarkets and usually send Mr V with a list.
Vx

Beshki

The neck hot water bottle came from Dunelm. I went with the teddy feel one as it’s for an elderly relative - and I’m very disappointed in the quality. Really wish I had paid the extra £1 or so and gone with the nicer one. The cost of sending it back and reordering/paying postage again makes it twice the price so I’m just going to keep the one I have. Shame though as it looks really naff in comparison to the photos on the site.

nic2075

Vulpix, I get it in Tesco. It’s about £3 but I’ve seen it dropped to £1.50 and I get a few. So nice for a Sunday roast. I love the variety you get now, so many good products. I love the plant chef stuff and wicked stuff from Tesco. I’m not really into fake meat stuff, but I do like the odd plant chef burger. I follow the Bosh guys in fb and you tube, I have several of their books. A lot of the recipes are a faff, but every one has been amazing. During lockdown I spent a lot of time cooking and getting the kids to try some vegan recipes that I usually don’t have time to make. 

vulpix

Thanks nic,I can't understand wanting something to look and taste like meat either.I used to make all my food back in the day because there was no such thing as ingredients listed on packaging or ready made veggie foodback then .Unfortunately I craved bacon when I was pregnant with my eldest.Funny thing now I hate anything piggy.I have made a note of your suggestions,Thanks.