Santa’s challenge 2020 ...

chanie

happy kitties my self isolation is up tonight.  At the same time, our kitten is allowed outside following his neutering.  I joke that me and the cat are going out at midnight (to buy wrapping paper).
we didn’t wrap the giant teddy, as we couldn’t be bothered, so we just presented it wrapped in bin liners and masking tape. 

Tomorrow we are going to take down the tree and decorations.  We still have lots of presents under the tree, that we haven’t been able to give out.  Hopefully will be able to do so over the next few weeks.  I also have to sort out the 2021 presents that I have already bought, as I didn’t write them down.  I will also wrap them!!!

Happy_Kitties

Chanie I hope u or the cat managed to get some wrapping paper!!

Forgot to say I managed to get a shoebox on Christmas Day pinched from my uncle.
Have picked up a few present things and items for the charity auction while grocery shopping.....including a few alcohol sets that were reduced that will come in very handy for birthday presents. I’m writing down as I’m storing as I’m making use of some extra space and will never find the things again as I will forget about them!

Plan tonight is to get some birthday presents wrapped that will go back with DD next week. Don’t feel I’ve had chance to breathe before the onslaught of birthdays has started, but at least the presents are all ready bought.

chanie

Me and the cat let loose at midnight and went out the front door, to celebrate our freedom.  We lasted all of 5 mins.  

I do manage to buy some wrapping paper from Tesco.  I wasn’t the bargain reduction im used to.  

Me and OH took down the tree and decorations yesterday.  We always get a huge tree, but they take up too much room, so it’s always a relief to get back to normal.

This year, I’ve decided to focus my attentions on Christmas toy appeals and foodbanks rather than the shoeboxes.   I have enjoyed doing the shoe boxes, but I think a change is in order.  I’m thinking of alternating every year, focussing on the toy appeal in 2021 and shoeboxes in 2022.  Happy kitties I’m pleased you got your first shoebox.  In some ways, I have found that to be the hardest part.

I_Love_comps

I have always lurked on this thread I am going to follow it more next year.   I have bought 2 rolls of Christmas wrapping at 50p each in the sale at Poundland

crazy-cat-lady_2

Hope you all had a good Christmas, despite any last minute changes (thanks Borris).  We were getting together with family Boxing Day, so that all went out of the window. Instead gifts were exchanged outside at a distance..very festive! Oh well. Better luck next year. 

On the up side I have done very well in the sales (online only. Not set foot in a shop). And got a few nice “general” presents, teachers end of year gifts are sorted, little one’s stocking and Christmas Eve box for next year done, got some small toys for donations and some nice glove and scarf sets that will go to homeless appeals next year, and a few small classmate presents. And I confess, a few treats for myself so, feeling quite happy in that sense. Best head start I’ve had in years. Only thing I need (drowning in cards and wrapping paper from previous years) are crackers. Can’t see any good reductions online. All seem to be in store. 

Anyone else been cheering themselves up in the sales?

same here Chanie, tree is down. I love it up early and I love it down early. Fresh start for new year. It doesn’t feel like Christmas past the 27th to me. 

crazy-cat-lady_2

Welcome I_love_comps! 

Ooh that reminds me. I had a few wins in the advent competitions that will cover a few presents next Christmas too!! Cheating a little, but saves me money. Happy dance. 

Happy_Kitties

welcome I_Love_Comps
CCL wow u have done well in the sales! I’ve done okay but u sound as if u are really going great guns. I’ve done a mix of both, online and while grocery shopping (more grocery than anything) and yes def cheering myself up with the sales. Well done with the wins in the advent comps aswell, u’ve got a great start for 2021
Chanie I so know what u mean. The one I really really found difficult were the ‘Bags of Education’. U got a postage label to return them filled but they had to be under a certain weight and I couldn’t get a box big enough for the 3 bags I did. I found them hard to do and in the end I don’t think they were able to get the bags sent out.
Ive got quite a few bits for elderly boxes so I will do those this year. Plus I have one left over from this year where I will need to replace the chocolate. 

I’m hoping that if things get back to semi normal and I’m back to the hospital for foot checks, I can get boxes from them which was the plan this year!
Quiet night planned tomorrow night. I could spend it with part of my support bubble but always like to spend New Year on my own tucked up in bed. Even when DD was home she used to disappear off to bed at 10pm so it’s always been a quiet one

chanie

I bought a few games from Sainsbury’s today, puzzles and family card games.  All reduced to £1-£1.50 from £4 plus.  

I did some hampers for family members this year, as additional presents which went down well, so for Xmas 2021, I thought I would include some of these games.  I think I may go back and get a few more games for the Christmas toy appeal.

Happy_Kitties

That’s a great haul  Chanie.
Sounds like the hampers were very popular and a great idea to add the card games.

I’ve managed to order a few things in the Arg@s clearance section. I’m waiting to do a pick up of them when I do my next Tesc@ click and collect.
I was going to get the tree down today but have run out of steam so will aim for tomorrow or Tuesday now. Going to keep some lights out. I love lighting but they will need to be moved for some dusting to happen

Anglea

Hi everyone, Happy New Year.

The Tier 4 restrictions caused quite a bit of problems for me over Christmas as my son/gf were due to come and rent a car. As son lives in London and had to cancel, my friend cooked the Christmas dinner at her house (as nearer to mum's) and we had to walk it round there as there are no taxis or public transport on that day here. Normally I have a big family Christmas at my house.  Son sent some gifts to mum and I but I haven't sent any of theirs because it would have been to arkward to do as breakable and all a last moment upheaval.

Other son's birthday this month and it now looks like l won't be able to see him, he's the one that lives in the group home that had been allowed to meet me in public places.

Hello to the new member I_love_comps