Santa’s challenge 2020 ...

Happy_Kitties

I am so behind this year! I have yet to deliver my link to hope boxes and actually finish the last one, I’m late with yet another birthday present. The only thing I have been doing okay with is Christmas presents where two thirds are wrapped.
Real life has taken over where I just haven’t had chance to do things except constantly visit the vets with the cats and paperwork. I have been looking at items in H.Barg@ins when I’ve gone in for cat food but have not really been in the mood.
I have had the Halloween decs out for a few weeks now, not as much as I wanted (don’t have masses) but at least I did get some out and treats are all ready for tonight.
Hoping this next week to get back on track and the late birthday present in the post tomorrow.

Katiehound-you don’t tend to have much luck with car journeys!

Chanie- i don’t think you are the only one for sure. I think it’s just general this year of not being bothered. I’ve not felt bothered or motivated as evidenced by my shocking record of how bad I’ve been with birthday presents! Even when I saw the Christmas decs out recently in our local garden centre which is always great, I got excited for 5 minutes and that was it. The only positive was the friend I was with did give me some present ideas of things she liked for next year!

chanie

I bought another couple of presents today, one of which is for DD.  I didn’t want her to see, so I  was stalking the Amazon delivery driver online and when I saw they were coming I waited outside, so I could put the parcel in the boot of my car.  I’ll bring it in when DD is asleep.  

Happy_Kitties

chanie said:

I bought another couple of presents today, one of which is for DD.  I didn’t want her to see, so I  was stalking the Amazon delivery driver online and when I saw they were coming I waited outside, so I could put the parcel in the boot of my car.  I’ll bring it in when DD is asleep.  

Chanie I admire ur cunningness with the present!

When DD was younger we hid her presents at her dads one year and he brought them over at midnight.

When I finally woke her up on Christmas Day and she started to open her presents the first thing she said was, ‘these smell of daddy’s house ’. We never did that again.

chanie

happy kitties your story about your DD made me laugh.   She sounds exactly like my DD -  nothing gets past them.  DS on that other hand....  pretty laid back about stuff like that.  

I did manage to sneak the presents in when DD went to sleep and put the cardboard packaging in the recycling, so DD is none the wiser. 

Happy_Kitties

chanie good tactics of getting the presents in without DD seeing
I also had one year from DD, Father Christmas uses the same wrapping paper like we do. Never did that again either. I then aimed for a themed paper specially for her each year kept very hidden.
Hoping to do some more wrapping tonight….well that’s the plan!

Happy_Kitties

Funny old day today. Last Link to Hope box sealed up last night. Messaged the person who was my drop off point last year only to find they have moved to another part of the country, they’ve not updated the drop off details. I’ve just got one other drop off point the other direction about 40 minutes away. Gave them a rang and it’s a school. The contact is really enthusiastic and has also been out to help deliver the boxes. I really liked the sound of this contact so have arranged to drop them off at the school on Monday. Will be nice to take a drive out and give the car a run aswell. 

I nearly forgot about them as I still cannot believe it’s November. Hoping to get a couple more presents wrapped tonight……well that’s the plan and I have my eye on something that I think will be great for bestie next year.

chanie

Happy kitties such a good idea to wrap as you go along.  I’m going to have a sort though and wrap tomorrow.  

I went to IKEA today and bought some photoframes for some personalised prints, so I will start with those.  I also bought some J2O drinks that were on offer, which I have put away for Xmas Day.  I’ve noticed that many shops still have lots of gaps on shelves.

Happy_Kitties

Chanie was it busy in IKEA? I’ve not been to one for ages.

I’m away at the end of the month for the weekend so have presents planned and wrapped that will need to posted when back with just a quick letter adding……well that’s the plan. Can’t get to a couple of presents but as things leave the house I hopefully will find them.
Also trying to prepare for DD to take some with her so that I’m not having to load the car full of presents on the day.

Picked up a couple of Black Friday deals for birthday presents (I’ve been so rubbish this year!) next year and some for the charity auction. Did some price comparisons and def not working out cheaper on Amaz@n for me but B@@ts have some good deals and discount codes. I only ordered a few bits by chance as the toothbrush heads that DD is after that I was planning to get her for Christmas (she has some very practical presents this year but it’s stuff she uses) we’re on a B@@ts Tues deal.

In the next two weeks I’m  going to try and pick up a couple of food items to stash away…..and try not to eat them!

chanie

happy kitties IKEA was relatively quiet.   I have a store not too far away, so I go little and often. I know the layout well, so can be in and out quickly.  I did notice that there were stock shortages.  It wouldn’t be obvious to the untrained eye, but I could tell that they didn’t have as much stuff as they normally do.  I managed to get what I needed.

I put my Xmas food somewhere out of sight and that helps me to ‘forget’ that I have it until Xmas.  

Happy_Kitties

Chanie I don’t have an IKEA nearby at all, so it is a real treat if I’m away somewhere, find one and have time to go in but it is a very rare occasion. Interesting what u said about the stock shortages

Forgot to say in previous post that in the weekend away at the end of the month, I’m hoping to give out my happy last year Christmas presents for one family, the only presents that never went. I do need to replace a chocolate reindeer but will be nice to finally give them out.
Ive bought a couple of food things for Duncle including an advent calendar that DD will also take back. Fortunately I don’t like the items so they are safe. I’ve bought one food item so far for me which I’ve just popped in the cupboard. It’s a gingerbread and butterscotch bombe. I won’t touch that bec I know it’s something I would only eat at Christmas, but biscuits especially and chocolate, I’m a nightmare with so haven’t bought anything that I will beaver thru now!

Have popped a couple of boxes away ready for sending presents out and wrote a few Christmas cards tonight. Don’t do many these days but they are to go in the parcels that will be sent out. I will be prepared!!!!!