Santa’s challenge 2020 ...

chanie

That’s lovely news to see the trucks arriving and the boxes ready to give out. 

Anglea

Hi everyone, sorry I've been awol a lot this year but I'm busy with mum and trying to fit in my own commitments and it's rare I ever get any free time. I started doing some Christmas shopping for gifts but I have no idea what is happening with actual Christmas Day. I know DS2 isn't allowed into my house still from his group home, last visit was at a pub outside and it was cold even with an outdoor heater.  I hope to see him next week and also will ask to see him on the Christmas week if there are enough drivers, there's been a real problem with that this year. I haven't asked the other son yet but so far he's always been home for Christmas.

What could be a big problem is that for about  7 years my friend has stayed with me between the 24th and New Years Day and keeps the food in her freezer in advance as I don't have enough room in mine. But this year it's possible she will be away. We haven't seen that much of each other this year as she's often having to go away for weeks at a time to help her daughter, the grandchild is seriously ill.

I bought her a birthday gift a while back (for 21st Dec) but now I'm having second thoughts about it. Always the way isn't it?

Apart from the usual people that I buy for I've now  got to think about a new male friend that has been really helpful to me the past 14 months, giving me lifts and helping with mum. I also want to give him a really nice special card. I'm not in the right frame of mind to make anything even if I had any ideas..

Katiehound, it was interesting to read about your radio mentions.

I enjoy reading about the shoeboxes. I used to support a variety of charities with gifts for Christmas many years ago, some were shoeboxes, some hand made so I like to follow everyone's progress on here.

Happy_Kitties

Anglea it’s great to hear from u and great to hear that u r okay even though u don’t have much time to post. Life sounds very busy for u, I hope u manage to get some time for urself each day. It’s nice that u have support from ur male friend and I’m sure he would appreciate any card that u gave him. I’ve noticed that card giving, we do it far less these days, so just the thought in itself I think would be appreciated

Fingers crossed that u will be able to get to see DS2, I appreciate the difficulties encountered. 

Regarding ur friend does she live nearby? I was just thinking if she did would u still be able to store items in her freezer and u have a key to get ur frozens and it would be a way of keeping an eye on the house for her? I know what u mean about when buy a gift and then start doubting it.

Really pleased about the shoeboxes and managed to pick up some M+S hand creams for my boxes next year from a CS. They had been given a glut of them and other items but had vastly overpriced them so they were not selling. Now they have gone the other way so grabbed a few this morning aswell as children’s gloves reduced to 49p.

Took some extra items to the toy appeal, have been continuing with my animal food donations and have a few items for the foodbank.

As for other preparations dare I say they seem to be going a little too smoothly? Get the chance to hand out more presents next week, have two afternoon teas to go to, one of which includes a friends birthday and the following week a Christmas meal with the bestie. Food wise, if I was snowed in tomorrow it wouldn’t be a massive issue. 

Still one letter and present to do and that’s all my posting done……just dodging the letter writing!

chanie

Seeing the Link Boxes being distributed has given me the motivation to complete my boxes for next year.  I found some small games the children had been given, so I nabbed them for my boxes.  I think I’m going to try and get my boxes sorted by the school summer holidays, so that it feels like less of a last minute rush.  I’ve written a list of items to get on my phone, so that I don’t forget what I need when I’m out and about.

I still need to finish my shopping, but I don’t have much left to do.  Definitely not going overboard this year, though.

Katiehound

My hot water bottles arrived on Saturday! I'll never get this house even vaguely sorted... however, can't throw away the chance of covered bottles for £1.99 each. I already had a large shopping bag full of things put away.

I think I got all mine packed for late August- the main problem is the sweets. I really like to put peppermints in- but their date is never far enough ahead, unlike chocolate (for some reason!) so they get chocolate.....

Found some squeezy torches but haven't ordered yet.

Think I already have enough hats & scarves. Bought some bits when I was in Norfolk, one of the charity shops has little toy items @10pence...... perfect.

Remember Tesco had things like 2 x playing cards for £1 and I think they had the cheapest toothbrushes. A friend gave me 4 mugs & some dominoes last week

chanie

@Katiehound you inspired me to get started on my 2022 boxes, so I bought these items today.  


You can see my Christmas tablecloth in the background, which I bought last Xmas.  I forgot I had it, so I was pleasantly surprised when I found it with the Christmas decorations. 

Katiehound

Congratulations @Chanie!

Where did you get those tools? If it's the same place as the gloves no need to answer as I can see the trade mark! My nearest branch is 15 miles away & I'm disinclined to go there on the bus with this new nasty bug around.
I ought to start knitting the mittens- still have loads of black yarn from Aldi!

Plan to pack away the hotties tomorrow- thinking I might leave them in their box but it might be a tad too big for the allotted space......

chanie

@Katiehound yes, it was the same place.  

Happy_Kitties

I was just going to ask the same about the tools! They are brilliant!

I need to keep a look out for hats and gloves, def short on those. Have one bag of items left but some of those bits are for the bags of education that I never got chance to do this year but might just keep focusing on the boxes for now and collecting things.

Final letter and parcel sent. I’m amazed how smoothly things are going. Also picked up a balloon to go on friends birthday present for her afternoon tea tomorrow. Just need to wrap her present tonight and will give her, her Christmas presents aswell tomorrow.

Popped out to get a few bits last night and got some of the cheap veg on the special Christmas prices. I’ve only got a Tesc@ nearby, not as cheap as some other stores, but still very happy with the prices.
Must remember to get Duncle mince pies to take with me. Boy can he go thru them!

Katiehound

Just opened the bag a friend gave me- only 8 mugs in it! I have 4 already so no more needed for 2 years!
Also 4 boxes of dominoes, slightly grubby, that need a clean

No cheapie veg round here- yet. Hoping that Aldi & Lidl will have a price war over the basics and then other supermarkets will price match (join in!!)