* Driving Home for Christmas * - It's the 2021 Christmas Chatter Thread!

nic2075

Ouch, that looks sore Redrobin!

The first week of HelloFresh has been a success. So far the kids have loved everything. Not always things they looked forward to, but they tried it and ate it all. I’ve still got koftas to try and have a new box coming next week.  After that they are full price so I won’t get more. But now I have a few nice recipes to try again. 

Has anyone tried Lino cutting? I signed up to a craft subscription box a few weeks back. My first box was Lino cutting. My first one didn’t turn out well, but I enjoyed it. I bought more Lino and better ink. After a few try’s I’ve finally got the inking process right.  It’s been nice trying something I wouldn’t have thought to try. Hoping the next box they send is as good. 

C_J

Don’t forget that all the Hello Fresh recipes are available on their website.

Spendless

Hope you feel better soon Redredrobin.
I made a start on the 18 M gifts today. A couple of sweet related items then whilst in a queue for the till I spotted a Mason jar that had gin mini in it. DD prefers vodka, so I might swap it over for that. Was only £2.99 though, couldn't leave it for that.  Ahhh scrub that, it's got a gin related logo on it, so will have to remain. 

kerri_gt

Spendless said:

Hope you feel better soon Redredrobin.
I made a start on the 18 M gifts today. A couple of sweet related items then whilst in a queue for the till I spotted a Mason jar that had gin mini in it. DD prefers vodka, so I might swap it over for that. Was only £2.99 though, couldn't leave it for that.  Ahhh scrub that, it's got a gin related logo on it, so will have to remain. 

I think DD would be quite happy if you swapped the gin to vodka because that's what she prefers, it shows you really put thought into it to make it more personal to her. Just a thought. 

Redredrobin

Other than initially being furloughed I have worked most of the last year however today I have received a letter telling me to shield until at least March 31st ! Anyone else had the same ? 

princesskitty29

Hi all, I hope you’re all doing ok? It’s been a bit of a calmer week here without having schoolwork battles every day. Wiggle’s condition (toileting issues) has been worse than ever in this lockdown which has been very stressful, we were talking with a psychologist but after her plan didn’t work she thought it probably is a physical issue, so we went back to a consultant paediatrician on Monday. It wasn’t hugely successful in that Wiggle point blank refused to be examined, but due to his behaviour and history the doctor seemed quite confident that it was in fact a psychological issue. We were pretty despondent after that meeting as we felt that after everything we’ve tried over the years we were back at square one but after having a frank discussion with Wiggle following that appointment it has improved in the last five days. We don’t want to get our hopes up as we’ve had periods where it has been better then it goes back to normal again, but I am hoping with age and him being more aware things will improve further. DH actually emailed the school after the appointment to find out if there were any places, as Wiggle’s issues barely surface when he’s at school and they’ve been so bad at home that it’s been really disruptive to any schoolwork and we feel like the benefit to him would outweigh the risk. We’ll see what they say. Hopefully it won’t be too much longer before children can go back to school even if there are no places.

 

Sorry I’ve been banging on again! I’m actually happier and a bit more relaxed this week although I’ve been finding myself slipping back into my happy place of Christmas, watching a Christmas film and generally thinking about Christmas related things! Oh I do love it. I am starting to prepare for Easter though and have bought a few things for the boys Easter baskets.

 

kerri oh I remember always having Schloer when we went to my Grandma’s for Sunday lunch!

 

Spendless Yes I don’t have a starter with Christmas dinner because we never had one when I was growing up. It’s tough all of the holidays people are losing. We have 10 days booked on the farm near my parents as Easter, we booked it when things were a bit calmer. I’m desperate for it as I really want to go home and see my parents, plus we never stay for 10 days so it would be wonderful to spend that much time back home, but I’m seriously doubting whether that will go ahead. We also have a holiday to Jersey booked in May which was rescheduled from last year for DH’s 40th, but we’re also sceptical about that one. Even if we’re allowed to go there may still be quarantine procedures in place.

 

mandco oh no it sounds like you’ve been having a nightmare! How stressful for you, I hope everything is sorted now though? I’m glad your family are ok.

 

nic sorry to hear it’s been tough for you too, I think it has for most parents trying to homeschool! Fingers crossed we get some positive news soon. I’m the same with eating, normally I cook quite healthy meals but I’ve been slipping into a bit of comfort eating!

 

Redrobin ouch your leg looks sore! I hope it’s improved now? My thigh had a very similar scratch and bruising but that was due to me walking into the corner of our unit in our bedroom in the dark when I got up to use the loo in the night!

rachsecret

Been a few weeks since I posted on here as been super busy at work and at home. Got the call from my GP last week to say it is my turn for the vaccine so will be off to get that on Friday and am delighted! 
It looks like it has been really busy on here for you guys too. 
@Redredrobin I can't believe the photo of your leg; looks like it must really hurt. Hopefully it is on the mend now. 
@princesskitty29 The school has strict criteria for places but can make their own definitions and I know that in my schools, given your circumstances, we would definitely give you a place so fingers crossed. Toileting issues are common in children in schools and often they grow out of them so hopefully it will be the same for wiggle too.

I was also supposed to be going on holidays this Spring; both of them were re-scheduled. One was for a couple nights away in a really lovely MIchellin Starred guesthouse in the Lakes and they have been brilliant about re-booking or offering us a refund. We chose to move the date for a third time as they have been so good and it is somewhere we really want to go. 
The other place is a self catering property in Scotland which was cancelled last April and they offered us to re-book so we booked for this April (3rd). I really can't see it going ahead as it is for 11 people.  Also, the company have a terrible reputation for not re-funding and they don't have any more dates left that fall in school holiday periods for this year so I'm going to have to fight for a refund. We had paid in full and it was an expensive one, but I am not hopeful after reading reviews from other people.

Regarding Christmas stuff, I have started making my own cracker hats for next year as I am determined to spend less and be more environmental in approach. I bought some cheap felt from e-bay and some bright buttons and am in the middle of making them. They wouldn't win any prizes for neatness but they do the job and will last a few years!

I have been scouring the online sales during the last couple of months but bought next to nothing. I can't remember there being such rubbish sales ever! If anyone spots any nice bargains for gifts/Christmas in general do shout out. 

kerri_gt

Rachsecret can you claim back on your credit / debit card for the place with the bad rep?
I think part of the success with sales is seeing something in person and picking it up there and then on impulse,  obviously there's been little of that this year. First time in years I didn't even bother with the B00ts sale.

mandco

Redrobin  that looked really painful I hope your on the mend and not suffering too much.  They recently changed the critera for what classes as vunerable which meant nearly 2 million people have been added to the list for priority vaccination and many will receive shielding letters. There is a lot of confusion over it some are health concerns like being overweight or having had gestational diabetes in the past but as it can even base it on the area in which you live regardless of health. I get why they have bumped people up the list for vaccination purposes but seems a bit ott to make people shield at this point.

Nic glad the hello fresh boxes were a success I might give it a go - I saw a offer for 50% off the first 5 boxes -might be worth checking the t&c's to see if you can sign up someone else in the household if you'd like to try a few more? 
I did lino cutting at school and really enjoyed it can be tricky to start but fun once you get the hang of it - what subscription did you use?

Princesskitty it was a manic weekend but things have settled down touch wood - I think being 1/2 term last week helped everyone's more relaxed and less stressed out. Todays been a bit of challenge trying to get the boys back into homeschooling
Sorry things are not going well with wiggle -it can be tough journey and it doesn't help if your health care providers can't agree. I understand why they are assuming its psychological as its common for children to develop issues around toileting as a way of asserting some control when they have little over what if happening elsewhere in their lives but I would consider asking for another opinion as they can not have ruled out a physical cause if they haven't examined him. Even if it is psychological it can still create physical problems which creates a vicious circle and visa versa. It can't hurt to ask the school if he can go back a bit sooner esp if it will benefit his health.

Rachsecret - Hopefully once they make the official announcement today we'll know for sure what's happening about holidays if they are still banned which is looking likely you'll have the right to a refund and hopefully it will be easier to sort out. I'm guessing ours is going to be cancelled again (we've rescheduled twice already)but at least they have been really good with options for  refunding/rescheduling so I don't have that worry just hoping I can find another date  that's not too much more expensive as there seems to be very little choice for the summer unless your prepared to pay silly money.
The sales if you can call them that have been rubbish this year - I'm got fed up of looking at things only to find out they are oos 
I not a massive shopper but I really miss browsing in physical stores and that is where the real deals are usually to be found - having to clear stock to make way for the next season ect and so online had price match or beat to compete and they don't have to do that at the moment so prices are staying higher.
I'm going to try to keep supporting smaller businesses this year and buy more eco friendly products where possible so will def be keeping an eye open for any offers.

nic2075

Mandco, I got the Craftboxuk one. There was a £5 off the first box. Still quite pricey at £17, 
but I wanted to try something new. 

I’ll have a look and see if there’s a way to sign up with another account, but ive a feeling it goes on your address. It’s gave me some ideas and seen the kids trying new things at least.