Santa’s challenge 2020 ...

Happy_Kitties

Even though I don’t like Christmas pudding or cake, I used to make a lot back in the day and really start to feel Christmassy when I read about people’s make and bakes. I used to do a lot of craft fairs back in the day aswell, the Christmas ones were always the best. 

Although B+M not close, I have a HB very close to me and it’s completely the opposite, it’s overstocked but very busy. Went in for cat food the other day, although car park looked empty the store was very busy with a lot of Christmas buying going in.
u made me smile Chanie when u said about ur DD hearing the rustling. I’m sure they have radar ears when it comes to presents.

I was at Morries yesterday and saw they had their Christmas toy collection trolley out. I could of taken the things I’ve got. Will keep in the car to drop them off when next in.
The hub I dropped my shoeboxes off to, with what they have collected and done themselves they are nearly at 1700. They box the completed shoeboxes into the bigger boxes ready for collection. It’s been amazing to track.

Currently getting some presents bagged up for DD to take back with her. Will save me doing a massive load up of the car on the day. Can’t find the special Christmas cards which I have bought and had started to write, so so frustrating. Don’t feel organised though, don’t know why as I think this is the most organised I’ve been. I think it’s bec everyone has gone early this year.

Happy_Kitties

Katiehound - just literally heard ur thank u on Paul OGrady!! 

As soon as I heard the name I knew it had to be u!

chanie

wow Katie you are our very own star!!

happykitties thanks for the tip about Morries, I found a couple of spare gifts that I’d like to donate.

I went to BIuewater shopping centre today to do more Christmas shopping.  Many shops have already started their Black Friday offers, so there was no need to wait until Friday.  I managed to get a few more gifts sorted.  I still have a couple more bits to get, but I’m getting there.  

I managed to get a few birthday gifts as well, as we have quite a few family birthdays in Jan-March.  I find it easier to sort out out gifts before Xmas, so I don’t have to worry about them in January.

Katiehound

Yes, I had just sat down in the kitchen and heard Paul  O'Grady say my name! (The radio is on in the background and up til then I hadn't been listening!) Hopefully someone involved in the breakdown will have heard it too.
Last month also got mentioned for a 'Sarah'- I can't remember who was standing in for her, but she gabbled! and didn't mention the garage clearly enough. Sarah Cox show at 5 pm

Three times on Radio 2 in one year: fame (or not!)

We were away for a week in Norfolk two weeks ago. Please note no call outs for the RAC! The dogs had a little holiday- allowed on the settee and Shyla managed the easy stairs.
 I had a mock Christmas with my friend- chicken,  crackers, pudding, cake & drinkies. I also found short-dated delicious Green & Black's choc assortment at a silly price in a local shop (here) which we munched. I saw online that the box was at least £11 not £2.99.

We had quite a few trawls thro charity shops & I came home with several bags of p/b books most of which cost 20 pence per book. At that price you can be quite rash!!
It was a very pleasant change of scene and we had lots of laughs playing games & being silly.

Now back home- not achieving too much! Sewing doggy duvets and weaving cotton dog bones (repurposed T-shirts)

I wish I was somewhere near a shoebox hub but I suppose that's the downside of living a bit off the beaten track out east!. I keep meaning to look online to see the progress of the boxes. I bought some hats for next year in Poundland (50 pence each) Must remember to buy the hot water bottles over winter as they go away for storage in March. I still have at least one big bag stashed away for next year!!

Last week I received a Christmas card posted locally! (mid Nov) and this week I saw someone carrying  a real tree home: it will be a skeleton by the big day! Bah humbug

Take care folks- especially with this wretched new variant

chanie

Katie I think many people are getting prepared for Xmas much earlier than they may previously have done (hence the early tree). We bought our tree, which is much earlier than we normally get it, but between potential supply chain issues and pandemic restrictions I thought we should get it while we can.  I’ve felt the shops are much busier than they have been, but that may just be my perception, given lockdowns and social distancing.

I feel like I’m getting my Xmas mojo back. My in laws told me what they wanted for  Xmas, so I’ve managed to sort a few of their gifts.  I also bought a few presents for Xmas 2022, as I found some good bargains.  

Happy_Kitties

I’ve noticed people getting into the Christmas spirit early and trees being bought and put up. DD and her boyfriend put mine up at the weekend. I was away but she left the boxes out for me to do the finishing touches as she knows I would fiddle with the tree anyway!! The cats only trashed the stand up decs around the tree last night….that is classed as a success!! 

It sounds like u had an amazing week away in Norfolk Katiehound. I always have radio 2 on but missed the Sara award. 

DD took a lot of presents back with her which will make life much easier for me on the day. First gift bag ready to go under the tree so finally feeling Christmassy. Still cannot find the special cards. I have spare cards so will use them and hopefully in the next 12 months the others will turn up!!

The shoebox hub ended up sending 1857 shoeboxes. The lorry was late by 3 hours to pick them all boxed up but the local community came out in force to help and I officially now know that my shoebox is well on its way. Makes it more personal. They had posted up about the hat offer in Poundl@nd. First shoebox acquired and tucked away safe.

Chanie ive also managed to tuck away a couple of birthday presents for early birthday presents, even if it’s just to improve on this years terrible performance of birthday present giving!! Also tucked away some items for the charity auction, I didn’t see many Black Friday deals, but B@@ts were great for a few things if u could get them.

Hoping to have a Christmas meal out next week with bestie. If we do I’m handing over her presents next week instead of the usual rush job on Christmas Eve where u can bet something always goes wrong and it ends up being chaos. That’s the plan! Just really want to enjoy this Christmas after last Christmas

Happy_Kitties

I’ve actually sent my first birthday present, the person’s birthday is New Years Day, so popped in and sent with the Christmas presents. I’m so impressed with myself although did forget to pop in a birthday card

Slowly putting presents into gift bags and bringing down. I’m shocked at how well it has all gone tbh, as I’ve been and felt disorganised all year, although still cannot find missing Christmas cards and one present.

Went to drop parcel off at Morries parcel hub last night and needed some milk. Took some items for the toy collection, shamefully only added two to the collection. Need to address this and have a look at what I have as I was certain I had more. 

Altogether coming together better than expected and I’m not spending out money in December by panic shopping, just buying items that I think will be brilliant for the charity auction next year or keeping an eye out for any birthdays. Have bought three Christmas presents for next year, now stored away safely

Katiehound

Did you see that the first lorry has arrived in Moldova?
also they used some of the 'spare' money from the delivery donation to buy some large stoves and wood supplies for one community- I'm guessing it's in Romania. There are some photos showing the stoves & families.

Today I finally remembered to get some small hot water bottlers for next year's boxes: none, only the full sized ones which would take up huge chunks of space. I've also used up my supply of wind-up torches. Any ideas of cheapie suppliers for either of these  Happy_Kitties ? (Of course they may yet get some small bottles- but they don't know.)

Happy_Kitties

Katiehound I didn’t know the first lorry had arrived,I must go and have a look.To me this is Christmas, helping those less fortunate. As for torches I was using the bay of e or amaz@n but I have noticed that prices have really gone up, esp with the torches. If I see any special deals I will keep u posted. I remember with the work gloves getting a deal on 20 pairs, but they only worked out 50p a pair. They have served me well so will keep an eye out. 

Next box of family presents being sent off tomorrow. I keep using the rule of thumb of if I was snowed in, would I be ready, could I manage, do I have everything in I need. It would be a yes except for cat litter!!!!

Have hunted out more items for the toy collection point which I will drop off tomorrow night. I knew I had more items, I just couldn’t find them!

One letter to write and they are all done, enjoying the run up more this year with all of the Christmas songs on the radio 

Katiehound

All the lorries have now left

Looked yesterday & they have the box total- under100 less than 25k. So that many folk will be receiving a box.
My thoughts too- people in far worse circumstances getting an amazing shoe box.