Santa’s challenge 2020 ...

Happy_Kitties

Blooming heck Chanie now that is a big bear, I’m sure ur DD will love it as it’s one of those bears that u can sit in to read or cuddle or snuggle into. U didn’t carry the bear across London did u?

No suggestions on where u would hide it, I would find that bit impossible, back in the day I would of prob used DMs house but I think DD would still have found it.
Will u wrap it?

chanie

happy kitties luckily, I had the car!!! Me and OH wrapped up the bear in bin liners and stuck it in the shed.  It looks like a body.......  
Good question about wrapping it.  Haven’t thought that far ahead yet.  My initial thought was just to surprise her with it on Xmas Day,  but we can’t wrap her main present either (a dressing table). So I guess we’d better wrap the bear.

I’ve just ordered a Christmas wreath ring online as I fancy having a go at making one, as a little lockdown challenge.   We have a small wooded area a short walk away where I can get some greenery. 

Happy_Kitties

Chanie I had visions of u and the bear sitting on the tube cutting across London!!
I’m glad u managed to hide it.....a novel hiding place!

The Christmas wreath sounds good
Not much happening with me. I’m just continuing to wrap and I’ve had an email to say my M+S hampers are being delivered tomorrow. I’m hoping it will be a double bubble that not only do I get the gifts to wrap but they come in a box I can reuse again. Beginning to think of boxes to send presents out at the end of the month. Bec of not seeing friends like I usually would, two extra lots of presents to send.
I’m hoping it will be a box big enough to fit a rather large last birthday present of the year and 5 Christmas presents in. 

Never thought I would be wishing and would be so grateful for boxes.
I will hopefully be spending Christmas with DD and Duncle this year. I’ve had more Tesco vouchers than expecting so I’ve said if there is anything they want me to bring to let me know.
Mind u with the ever changing situation at the minute If I can’t spend it with them then it will be with my bestie and I will ask the same, what can I bring

chanie

I have crossed one more present off my list!!!
I have been racking my brain trying to think of a gift to get a relative and their partner of a year.    Today in Lidl, I found some cookie/brownie baking mix in kilner jars for £3.99.  They are both shielding, so it will be a nice treat at home.  I may top it up by adding some nice drinks - they don't drink, so I need to find something non-alcoholic.

Happy_Kitties

Hampers are wrapped but had to stay in their boxes as they are so heavy and bigger than expected. Noticed Tesco had boxes the other day but no spare space to get one and forgot to check today.
The cookie/brownie mix is something I would buy, I’ve done presents with the bake a cake/pudding in a mug before now for Dcousin’s kids which went down well, and for friends. It’s a present u can’t go wrong with.
I've seen a nice tin of biscuits so will get a tin with my club card vouchers next time I’m in
I’ve also picked up a couple of present bits for next Christmas which have been stashed away.
Ive also lost a couple of bits aswell, only small bits (flannels with an animal border on for specific animal, animal mad friends)but it’s just typical as one was for the late birthday present I’ve just given out. No doubt I will find them in the new year!!

sashybo

Chanie, de-lurking to suggest non-alcoholic mulled wine as a drink to go with the cookie/brownie mixes.

I'm sure Aldi do some non-alcoholic mulled wine for around £3ish and Ikea have a lovely one for a similar price. They both taste more like a sort of spiced fruit punch rather than wine as obviously there's no alcohol, you just heat them like you would a normal mulled wine.

We also bought ginger thin biscuits from Ikea for £2 or £3 in a lovely festive tin and they are very nice with the non alcoholic mulled wine drink.

chanie

sashy thanks for the tip.  I’m not too far from IKEA, so I may pop in when they re open.  

Happy kitties I’ve also bought a few gifts for Xmas 2021.   Only small bits and pieces, but I think it’s worth grabbing them when I see them.

Happy_Kitties

Chanie I would have been lost without things stashed early, I would have really struggled. I’ve got most of DDs birthday presents for Feb aswell, just the main item to buy......and I haven’t misplaced any of those .....yet!

What bits of packaging I’ve had stashed, I used to package up two lots of presents last night.
Found more of DMs presents that I hadn’t wrapped so those are all done and DD can take them with her when the ease of restrictions allow.

Katiehound

Happy_Kitties, did you manage to send / deliver the shoeboxes?  I see from their website that they have had to suspend operations so presumably the area collectors are still collecting as the pick up won't happen yet. Just a thought.
All their charity shops have closed (of course)
It's all a sad situation since the places they go are so impoverished anyway.

I am crocheting white stars and angels to give instead of cards. The angels are easy enough until it comes to the metallic yarn which 'jumps' all over the place!!

crazy-cat-lady_2

Hi everyone.  Feels like i haven't been on here forever.  Mix of laziness, half dead laptop and forgetting my password for ages and the reset not working.
Hope everyone is ok and coping during lockdown2.0.   
I had the house to myself today and got all the wrapping done.  Great to feel organized for once, even if it is only on a tiny thing.  Still 3 things to buy though.  Mostly done   Same as you Chanie, i by early and stash things.  I managed to almost keep track of everything this year, and i now finally have my wardrobe back! Bonus.
Our estate have all done a joint collection for shoeboxes this year.  We are all on a big whatsapp group.  Someone put a list up of what was wanted for the shoeboxes, everyone posted what they had and someone went and collected everything from doorsteps.  I guess it's a new way of doing things.  We've got quite a few done between us all for the local foodbank and homeless charities.  I also tried to donate a load of toys to a local collection for children who are in tough situations this Christmas and won't be getting much, but have to try again as the people running it were out delivering meals at the time.