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

kerri_gt

Spendless i would say for the gym...no water bottles, anyone who goes to the gym will have bottles coming out of their ears.  How about some protein bars / snacks for post workout, maybe some shower gel (prob sounds boring but useful) and maybe a microfiber sweat towel?  Just a couple of ideas.

Mrs V - sorry to hear you and Mr V are having such an awful time of it. Virtual hugs xx

Redredrobin

Decided to put my big girl pants on and get my ears re pierced tomorrow { not a fan of any size needles} just hope I can’t see them , it’s almost 48 yrs since they were first done no idea why they are being so awkward now .
Dd and I were supposed to get our hair cut on the 11th but a very accommodating hairdresser is fitting us in on Tuesday thank god because Dd was threatening to chop here’s herself !!
    I have treat myself to a Yankee candle advent calendar, I normally don’t bother with myself but just ordered hubby the 2020 wera one so thought why not .

stay safe x

rachsecret

@vulpix really sorry to hear you and your DH are in the wars. Hope you both get well soon. Nothing worse than when both of you are ill and so neither can play nursemaid. 

Today I have also ordered an advent calendar/ Was waiting for the M&S one but they are not doing it this year (gutted!) and so just ordered a Cath Kidston one from Costco. Seeing as they are now out of business it will probably be the last year they do them.

I went away for a few days last week and fell coming down a steep/slippy cliff path and badly sprained my ankle. I can now hobble about but pretty much stuck in the house and so spent today making our Christmas events calendar to perk us all up and give us something to look forward to. Christmas is going to be different but I am determined to make it brilliant and am hopeful that I may well find that it is a better, more chilled kind of Christmas. 

skogar

Noodles - Although I was as avid reader when a teenager and read lots of different classic authors I could never really get into Dickens. I'm trying to think of what I would think of as Christmassy books. One classic one is Little Women where the girls have a Christmas under difficult circumstances, the only other one I can think of is the appearance of Father Christmas in the Lion the Witch and thee Wardrobe. I'm struggling to think of much else although I did find a link - no idea if anything there would be of use. https://www.booktrust.org.uk/booklists/t/teenage-christmas-books/

Spendless

I also found this. Some books suggested are more 'young' than others. https://www.oprahmag.com/entertainment/tv-movies/g28737773/best-christmas-books/ 

I've been going on about the lack of Christmas stock in shops. My sister works for a High street retailer and her husband for their warehouse division. They've shed some light on why. Back in March stores reduced their orders. They've also held more back for on-line sales than than in-store. There's currently a lack of drivers for deliveries. I understand this, I've worked in Transport for several years and it's an ageing profession. You can't attract many young ones to lorry driving, so the older ones are more likely to still be off due to health reasons. This is on top of items being delayed from abroad. Knowing this and also what's to now happen in the next few days I am soooooo glad I decided to shop even earlier than usual. This wasn't because I had any 'foresight' but purely because I'm sicking of trying to guess what rules any one particular shop has over whether you can try stuff on or touch anything,  what door you use to enter and leave, where you stand for the till, how many allowed at the till and so on. I thought this would get worse as we edged towards Christmas so decided I wasn't going to be part of it.

Today's task is to start and maybe even complete the stockings for DS and his friend and girfriend. Thanks for saying don't get a water bottle kerri-gt. DD had suggested I did. I was already reluctant because the budget for a 'stocking filler' one meant I wasn't sure it would be leakproof - DD has ruined enough books in her bag with bottles leaking for me to have this concern!  What I have seen though, in case this interests anyone, Tesco do a ice cube tray that is actually an ice stick one, meant so you can put ice in your water bottles. I spotted them yesterday. They are £3. I had thought of some sort of muscle soak for the friend. Though all 3 of them have en-suite in their accommodation, only the friend has a bath, with oerhead shower , which perhaps gives me a bit more scope to bulk out

DD and her boyfriend have booked a holiday abroad for next summer. Fingers crossed by then they can go! My mum has bought the boyfriend one of those novelty pegs that clips your towel to your sunbed. She had already asked me to think of something else to go with it  just a little something,  as she doesn't want him to feel embarrassed or obligated to give them something. We now don't know when we will see him again and if it will be close enough to Xmas to give any gift. So, my thought are if it is also a holiday related item, then she can give him (or even DD) the items as a 'I got you these for your hol' rather than as a xmas pressie. Any ideas for something along these lines, can be fun or novelty, budget £5-£10. 

vulpix

Thank you everyone for your kind words.Today I have turned a corner and feel quite a lot better. Mr V feels better but still in pain and hospital.It has been a lonely old time the last few days.Made better by reading all your posts.
Spendless all I can think or is one of those fake sun lotion bottles to store your phone,cash,keys etc whilst you are in the pool.
I have made some decissions about new BF gifts but also found out it is his birthday in November too! He likes guiness so birthday sorted and I thought some bamboo socks and possibly knit him a scarf I think he would appreciate it.Would knit socks if I could,that is a job for my Mum.He already has vegan Galaxy.I think that is enough for someone we have only met twice.I don't want to overwhelm the lad.
Mr V with his selfish week before Christmas birthday some aftershave,socks and a soap on a rope football ( one for new bf too) we were only talking about soap on a rope recently saying they are a thing of the past.I already have some stuff for him so he will be done.
That leaves DD1 I cannot believe i cannot think of what to get her.She has always been the easiest one for me to buy for.She is just so amazing and lovely to everybody(proud Mum moment,she has been nominated for an award by her boss for her work during the pandemic) I cannot believe i am stumped when I want to show her how much she is appreciated.She is quite alternative so gift sets and usual girly stuff if out. So far she has some earrings and some vegan wax melts.Oh and the vegan Galaxy! I am sure when /if I can get to a shop.inspiration will come.
The 86 year old Mothers need for nothing so will get them mince pies and stuff nearer the time.
Bring it on,I cannot wait and cannot wait for next and better year to come.
Vx

vulpix

PS rach,get rested so you are fighting fit for your Christmas activities.I would LOVE someone to organise me some Christmas activities.
Vx

C_J

She is quite alternative so gift sets and usual girly stuff is out.

How about a pamper basket of eco friendly things, such as reusable make up remover wipes, bamboo toothbrushes and cotton buds etc? Maybe team that with some vegan body lotion or make up etc?

My younger daughter is a bit quirky too, and I've bought her (amongst other things) a bottle of locally-made artisan gin, and as she loves maps I managed to source a copy of a 16th century map of our city which I've framed up for her - it's fascinating.

C_J

Rach, I hope your ankle is starting to feel better. I really love your events calendar, it’s fab!

skogar

Spendless - Many many thanks for the book link - there are aa couple of books I've spotted that look interesting.

Hello Vulpix - I'm sure you will think of something for your daughter - what sorts of things is she into?