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

Beshki

C_J said:

Beshki - your cosy afternoon hamper sounds lovely but please don’t include a disposable barbecue. If these are used indoors they can cause carbon monoxide poisoning and can be fatal. 

Don’t worry it won’t be used indoors! 

Spendless

Love the cosy afternoon hamper. Guessing there are children in the family? When mine were young, especially DS he loved being outdoors in all temperatures (good for them too). There's outdoor games you can buy though I'm unsure if you can find them in stores this time of year, might need to be on-line. 

My DS who loves bonfires these were a regular item in his Christmas stocking, if you think they might light a fire to go with their BBQ (I know some areas don't allow household bonfires though).

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mystical-Fire-x-3-Sachets/dp/B003B8KFGM

Seeing some news items about some retailers are going to open 24 hours, whilst (yet) another SAGE advisor has said 'don't browse in shops for more than 15 minutes' I read this out to DH and he said 'does it also say, 'send your servant instead' hahahahah.

I do feel sorry for those now facing very unsocial hour working, especially if they have no transport to get them safely home after a shift and will have to fund taxis out of their wages.

I am soooo glad I had the foresight to see this coming even before 2nd lockdown. A trip round Meadowhall in the summer with you can't touch at all in this shop, queue this way in the next, nowhere near the shop,  guess how many are allowed at our till without any signs up telling you and getting barked at for not knowing rules you were meant to guess at all contributed to my decision. It also means some chains have lost my custom forever whilst some Independants have gained a new customer in me.
The few items I have left to get are either bought on-line or can easily be picked up in a supermarket with grocery items.
As DD has per usual ended up with too many stocking presents, I fetched out a large advent stocking I once bought and have never used. I then dug out 24 of the smaller gifts, mixed with confectionery and put one in each pocket. I've already shown it her and as she's impatient she wishes I hadn't as she wants to start opening already hahaha. 

StokieBecks

Hoping not too many people go off sick from work in December as my Christmas hours are currently looking very managable. Really hoping they stay the same so I can plan what needs doing when

Wonder if the supermarket will have any advent calendars today when I go. Grown up step son has decided he wants one last minute which means I will have to buy for his sister too if I can get

I have stocking fillers for other half to buy and order a book he has decided he would like but other than that I am pretty much done I think.  Very grateful I always get sorted early. It would really stress me out if I still had loads to do especially this year. Not sure yet what to do about food as not decided what we are doing.  Might buy a frozen turkey joint to keep in just in case we end up staying home for any reason.

Spendless

Well unless I do it in the next 75 minutes, (I'm not going to) I have failed on my mission to be all wrapped up by Dec 1st, hahah
I did wrap DD's stocking presents up though. Am actually finding I prefer it this way. Take 1 person/section at a time and wrap them. Makes it easier knowing when to stop too. 

StokieBecks

Spendless I wanted to be all done as well  - hindered by late deliveries and broken DVD cases that I have had to order replacements for.  Will wrap a few bits today as to be honest there isn't really too much left to do. Hopefully can get it done by the weekend ready for the tree to go up.

Other half did a birthday fundraiser for our local wildlife centre and raised £200 so we are thrilled to be able to gift them that.

Redredrobin

I have all the pressies bought but want to put music onto the iPod for hubby , he knows he’s getting it but needs to decide what he wants on it ! 

We are going to get some of the Christmas food today so that’s one more thing off the list and put the tree up . This is very late for me but not been in the mood . 

 Hopefully we will be in tier 2 Whitby’s are taking bookings from mid December so all being well we can book a table for Christmas Eve. 

For the first time ever hubby is working Christmas Day 2-30 - 9-30 not too bad at least we will have the morning together. 

 Planning to post all cards tomorrow if I remember! 

Spendless

Well I set myself a mini task today. Minimum wrap all the housemates presents up. Maximum also wrap DS' presents up.
I've acheived maximum whoohoo. Just need to clear it all up -gulp!
So that means apart from oddments still to pick up there's only DH's and DD's to do. Discovered I may have to juggle a couple of presents about due to stocking space and depending if/when we see someone.

Treasurequeen

My Christmas decorations are now up just got to put the window stickers up tomorrow. Over the moon that I will now be able to see my grandparents on Christmas Eve as they want us to be in their last bubble. So we are taking party food over in evening as we can’t seem them the other days. My brothers GF works in hospitality and is working right through to Christmas Eve, she’s coming Christmas Day. My grandparents are high risk so we said we would see them before we came into contact with brother GF. So need to buy the food now. All cards have been written. Going to start my wrapping tomorrow. 

Gettingtherequickly

Very quiet here at the moment, does this mean everyone is getting into the swing of things. I'm having a ball opening my Avon calendar, costing me a fortune to send silly things home to my mum & aunt, but hoping the post arriving will give them a laugh! 

Had some good news! We have a new bub in the family, a little (well not that little at 7lb 15oz!) girl, it is so good to have something nice happening after the carp year.

Treasurequeen

Gettingtherequickly - what great news! 

It is very quiet on here, I’m thinking about getting a reusable advent calendar next year that I fill myself. My advent calendar doesn’t taste as nice as it did last year and isn’t very festive in picture. I’m not sure whether To get a fabric one or a wooden one. I haven’t got much storage but I’m unsure. I’m hoping to get one in sales this year ready for next Christmas. Decisions, decisions. 

Went to some charity shops yesterday to have a Browse got a few things. Went Past supermarket and it was so busy. I’m hoping to go to Pet shop and homesense this afternoon but I’m not looking forward to going. Hair cut this afternoon too ready for Christmas so that’s another thing ticked off to do list.