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

C_J

“I doubt he will expect a gift but interact with this family and you have to love Christmas!” 

Ha ha Vulpix, I could have written those words!!

I hope you manage to get some sleep tonight, and feel better tomorrow. Take care of yourself!

Spendless

Vulpix - Oh no, I hope you are feeling more comfortable soon and I hope your DH is ok. I wouldn't worry about your DD travelling outside of Tier3, she's allowed to go and help someone vulnerable, which if you're still in physical pain and you've also got the emotional trauma of worrying about your DH then you qualify.

I thought it was just when they were teens or young adults that you wondered what to do re presents and a new girl/boyfriend. Clearly I'm being naive - lol. I have the same issue with both mine. DD's boyfriend lives in a  neighbouring town but has a Saturday job near us, so when he's able to see's DD outside his work hours. When/If he can recommence his job is currently unknown. Part of me thinks it'll be 2021 before they can meet again. I had already potentially got him something, but I can easily swap that to becoming one of DH's gifts if we don't see the boyfriend for months and it'd feel a bit 'strange' to hold on to it given this is a new-ish  teenage relationship. DS is 20 and his girlfriend is also his housemate, though they've only been together a few months. I couldn't leave her out but I think it's looking increasingly likely we won't be able to meet up.

Re- Vegan presents though. I know Boots have some items in their 3 for 2 present gift range in the food range. I am guessing that from Thursday that Boots will mark off their aisles apart from medicinal ones the way they did last time, so anyone who wants to get anything perhaps needs to go or order on-lone. 

I do wonder what is going to happen to shops in-store Christmas stock they are going to lose out on a months trading and be left having to shift things in the last few weeks. Independant traders are ging to be particularly hit. Maybe this has been the reason behind the lack of Xmas lines in the shops that I've been commenting on. No-one was prepared to stock too much in case of enforced closure. I've never finished my shopping so early before and I'm so relieved to have done so. I'm stil waiting for 2 deliveries to complete. I've spoken to DS and he'd like a computer game, that, some cash in his bank account and the couple of presents I've bought would suffice. Anything else we buy DD would be ordered on-line anyway and me and DH have already spoken about buying each other 'token items' and instead putting some money to a larger item for us sometime next year. We think at home garden entertainment is going to become a more popular thing, so are wondering about something along those lines. 

Beshki

C_J said:

Our family’s version of tree presents: I used to buy and wrap small gifts for each of my daughters when they were younger, and hang them on the tree. They were allowed to pick one a day in between Christmas and New Year, it kept the magic going for a few more days!

My dilemma this year is that daughter number two has a new(ish) but already quite serious boyfriend. They’ve been together since January but with the combination of Covid madness and the fact he lives about 50 miles away from us, we’ve only met him a handful of times. If restrictions allow, we may well invite them both to spend some time with us over Christmas so I am attempting to source things for a Christmas stocking for him.

Main present is sorted - I’ve bought him a book which I think he will like - but stocking fillers for a 31 year old guy I don't know too well are trickier. I was in Home Bargains last weekend and got a poker set, one of those metal puzzles, and a desk toy with magnetised metal bits you could rearrange to your heart’s content (he’s an engineer, thought he’d like that!), some mini bottles of chilli sauces and some mini bottles of flavoured salts (he’s a keen cook) so I have made quite a good start I think. I’ll definitely need a couple more bits though.

I think that sounds like a bumper-stocking! There are plenty of lovely gifts there, I would bulk out with chocolate if needs be but what you’ve bought sounds like more than enough

Beshki

C_J said:

Our family’s version of tree presents: I used to buy and wrap small gifts for each of my daughters when they were younger, and hang them on the tree. They were allowed to pick one a day in between Christmas and New Year, it kept the magic going for a few more days!

My dilemma this year is that daughter number two has a new(ish) but already quite serious boyfriend. They’ve been together since January but with the combination of Covid madness and the fact he lives about 50 miles away from us, we’ve only met him a handful of times. If restrictions allow, we may well invite them both to spend some time with us over Christmas so I am attempting to source things for a Christmas stocking for him.

Main present is sorted - I’ve bought him a book which I think he will like - but stocking fillers for a 31 year old guy I don't know too well are trickier. I was in Home Bargains last weekend and got a poker set, one of those metal puzzles, and a desk toy with magnetised metal bits you could rearrange to your heart’s content (he’s an engineer, thought he’d like that!), some mini bottles of chilli sauces and some mini bottles of flavoured salts (he’s a keen cook) so I have made quite a good start I think. I’ll definitely need a couple more bits though.

I think that sounds like a bumper-stocking! There are plenty of lovely gifts there, I would bulk out with chocolate if needs be but what you’ve bought sounds like more than enough

StokieBecks

Bit sad about the lockdown but  really not surprised at all. Glad my Christmas shopping is mostly done as work will carry on for me regardless. 

More sad for the local wildlife centre who after missing out on vital funds through the spring now have to close again without having built up much income from the few months they could open due to very restricted number.  I have made them 25 calendars to sell to earn a few pennies for funds - not much but hopefully all helps

Other half will now turn 50 during lockdown. We weren't planning a party or anything anyway but it would have been nice for him to be able to see family. I have been on the case to get some photos of all his family and friends with a birthday message to put into an album so will step that up this week

Peppapig

VULPIX you don’t do things by halves do you? Poor you and poor MrV.  You’re doing a really good job of keeping positive even though you’ve been dealt a double whammy and you’re right, when MrV comes home you can both spend lockdown getting your strength back. I agree with SPENDLESS, you’re absolutely a vulnerable person at the moment and you're right, having DD drop off supplies is absolutely no different to an online shop from the supermarket. Take care of yourself and if you get lonely come on here. Don’t forget that you can often feel quite low a few days after an op so if you find that happens just remember it’s natural, it happens to a lot of people and it passes quite quickly.

StokieBecks

Vulpix hope you and MrV are soon both feeling better. Take good care of yourself x

3forholidays

Vulpix - Sorry to read that you and Mr V are not keeping well at the moment. Best wishes for a speedy recovery to you both.

Treasurequeen

Vulpix sorry to hear you and mr V have been through the wars. Hope you both have a speedy recovery and take care Of yourselves. 

I picked up a gorgeous traditional Christmas  tea tray for my kitchen for £2.99 in tkmaxx which my hot chocolate station will sit on. Got some mini ginger bread men to go on the station too I might bring it out earlier this year. 

I am a a bit worried about my mental health with this lockdown but I’ve got loads of books and some Christmas crafts to do. 

Spendless

We went to Mr Ts around 10am to pick up the bits we couldn't get in yesterday's grocery shopping. Only bought a handful of items, but by the time we'd finished and decided to go to Wilkos for some lightbulbs, as we currently have 2 out, they were queueing outside the door so abondoned the trip. I will try again over the next few days.

Our current thoughts re DS, is to leave him at his student accommodation for Xmas and as and when we can take his presents to him. So, I'm thinking of taking a stocking each to all 3 of them. DD has nabbed that she will do the female stocking (DS's girlfriend) as she has ideas for it, leaving me to do DS's male friend. I know he likes going to the gym, so am after some stocking ideas based on this please, if anyone has any suggestions.