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

princesskitty29

**LAST CALL FOR THE CHRISTMAS CARD EXCHANGE**
I know I said I was going to draw names today, but I wanted to send out a final call in case anyone had missed it. I was going to do it yesterday but couldn't get on so i'm doing it today and will draw names tomorrow. I have a list already but if anyone else would like to join in please let me know. I will draw names tomorrow and send you a private message to let you know the person you are exchanging with.

kerri_gt

Princesskitty i know what you mean about the delivery drivers, most of ours are pretty smiley - I think they like our house because I'm generally in to take parcels for our neighbours which means they don't need to do a redelivery which apparently they don't get paid for. One Hermes driver did used to reverse up the drive at speed, wind down his window and throw parcels out over the fence which annoyed me, he doesn't seem to be about any more though. 
That's a lovely gesture to get your driver some biscuits. I'd have to get some for the postman, DPD,  Hermes, UPS, and DHL with all the deliveries thay come to my door 🤣

mkgirl1981

StokieBecks said:

kerri_gt said:

StokieBecks Hotel chocolat were running free delivery over £35/£40 (seemed to depend on what device you were on) and are also running discounts on certain spend amounts until tomorrow which may at least offset the delivery cost? I ordered some bits from there and tbh even factory in delivery,  it was prob at least on par with what I'd have to pay for parking to get to store anyway.  

Thank you hadn't seen that 🙂 

Right back to have another look  

I got some to go in the velvetiser, normally I just use normal hot chocolate powder but I thought it would be nice Tom have the proper chocolate as a treat for Xmas 

kerri_gt

'Popped' into B&M today (I say popped, i had to abort inital mission as couldn't even initially get into the car park - its on a narrow semi residential road and not a very big car park so snarled up). I needed some Vamoosh as used the last of what we had in the week and a few other bits 
Whilst in there i picked up a couple of bits for DB and DSIL to finish off their gifts (i think), was going to get them something I'd seen in TKMaxx before lockdown but decided I'd rather have their gifts sorted vs waiting for stores to reopen.
Also got some wrapping paper for kids presents. We (I) have about 10 to buy for so got some paper that would be suitable for them all and some sticky labels vs tie tags. I did nearly buy a £5 pack of some other paper i really liked but decided not to buy it after a lot of deliberation...i have about 6yrs worth still in the loft 🙈 They seem to have restocked quite a lot of xmas decs but the gifts were much reduced from what i saw in there previously. 

dropsofjupiter

Spendless said:

I spoke briefly on-line to DS. He said him and housemates are finding they're bored. I would like to get them a game for Christmas so they've got something to occupy them. They've got the usual card games, including cards against humanity. Any suggestions. They are 3 of them, 2 boys, 1 girl all early 20s. 

Exploding kittens! [back to lurking]

Spendless

Thanks for the heads up re how busy B & M are. I'd already decided to stay away this weekend and pop in this morning for something I'd thought of for DH. The untidy shelves down the Christmas gifts told me it had been busy this weeekend. The cashier confirmed this and said it had been too busy in her opinion. 

DD's MH not being very good last week has had a blessing. As I was also struggling because of it, DH came home from working away early, cancelled a meeting and worked alone well into the evening to finish off some reports before travelling home. Over the weekend a significant number of his department have reported feeling unwell, some have had positive covid tests back already, others are waiting results. DH is ok because he didn't have contact with them when he was there, but would have done if he'd stayed an additional day as originally intended. He is now back to working from home and has spoken to the H & S manager about the cleaning team going in to give a deep cleanse to the offices concerned. 

I keep planning this and it not happening but tomorrow I am really hoping to start on the wrapping. I had a plan to have pretty much everything bought by the end of October which I acheived. It wrapped and ready to go for end of November is my next goal. 

kerri_gt

Spendless said:

Thanks for the heads up re how busy B & M are. I'd already decided to stay away this weekend and pop in this morning for something I'd thought of for DH. The untidy shelves down the Christmas gifts told me it had been busy this weeekend. The cashier confirmed this and said it had been too busy in her opinion. 

DD's MH not being very good last week has had a blessing. As I was also struggling because of it, DH came home from working away early, cancelled a meeting and worked alone well into the evening to finish off some reports before travelling home. Over the weekend a significant number of his department have reported feeling unwell, some have had positive covid tests back already, others are waiting results. DH is ok because he didn't have contact with them when he was there, but would have done if he'd stayed an additional day as originally intended. He is now back to working from home and has spoken to the H & S manager about the cleaning team going in to give a deep cleanse to the offices concerned. 

I keep planning this and it not happening but tomorrow I am really hoping to start on the wrapping. I had a plan to have pretty much everything bought by the end of October which I acheived. It wrapped and ready to go for end of November is my next goal. 

I feel bad for all the retailers missing out on trade in November. I was just reading online about card shops saying it is unfair Supermarkets and Garden Centres can still sell cards which I totally understand. I needed to pick up a new baby card at the weekend and had to get one from somewhere I wouldn't normally - but on the other hand I can't exactly delay it until Dec when the shops may / may not open, it gets past the point of being sensible to send. I guess some may argue a 'new baby' card is non-essential but with all the other restrictions, I'm not likely to see new baby anytime soon so for me, it was necessary (I was in store anyway for food)
I think people are also getting things while they can in case a) we are grounded for longer by BJ  b) to try and have it done before everywhere does reopen and it gets super busy. 
I just popped into town to get a few bits - so depressing with most of the shops being closed. They have the Xmas decs up in town and I did just think 'what is the point, no one is even here to enjoy them'

Gettingtherequickly

StokieBecks said:

The ad that got me though was a company called Supervalu in Ireland... I cried! I am a big softie. Not a company I'd ever heard off just saw the ad on twitter.



Hope everyone is doing the best that they can right now

Ahh, Stokie, not sure if I can watch it. I'm not going home for Christmas because of the uncertainty, and as Supervalu is our local supermarket, it will make me homesick 

Gettingtherequickly

I have starting wrapping, although not many to buy for this year as I won't be home.  Currently in the processing of trying to buy 2 lots of Advent calendar gifts, need to be small enough to go in the post! Going to post 1 each to my mum & aunt to arrive every day, know I am going to be very reliant on the post being regular, but as it has been such a horrible year, thought it might bring a bit of excitement. Not going to say anything, they will recognise my writing, and as they will be going in metallic green padded envelopes, hopefully seeing one arrive in the post every day will give them a laugh. So far, they have crystal nail file, manicure set, a packet of sanitiser wipes, some small chocolates, sudoku book, hand cream and some other bits which I can't remember! All inexpensive, think some things, eg books are going to be duplicated or triplicated, but that won't be an issue as they both read a lot and hopefully they both won't get the same thing on the same day. I know it will be a case of one phoning the other to ask what she got that day! It will probably cost a fortune, but as I have saved on fuel & ferry cost, I can't complain

Need work out what to do with all of my Christmas cakes if we continue to have restrictions, I will post some of them home, but I could be ahead of the game for next year!

vulpix

GTQ,watch the add,it is heartwarming.x