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

princesskitty29

Hi all, I hope you’re all ok? We’ve been busy here decorating Wiggle’s room and I’m getting ready for DH’s birthday this week. I’ve got to get myself into gear with going to my parents at the end of the month, I remembered the other day that there are a couple of Christmas presents I didn’t get around to wrapping when I realised we wouldn’t be seeing them so I must get that done and round up all of the presents I’ve got stashed. I literally can’t wait!

 

What has happened to the weather recently? Where is spring?? It feels a bit like an eternal winter. The sun is shining here at the moment though, I think we’ll try and get out and do something in between the showers!

 

mandco glad you got the Butlins break sorted. Gosh I can’t believe they wanted your DD to wait with an infection! I hope she’s ok now.

 

Treasurequeen I think it’s even harder in charity shops not to touch things, for starters you have to rifle through clothes just to see what there is! Then you really want to check the quality of things. I’m the same, I like to read what a book is about (I’m sure most people do) and if you can’t see the price on something how do you check it? Those tins look lovely and thanks for the tip on the Christmas books!

 

Spendless great news for your DD!

 

kerri I was thinking the same, the last time I was in Debenhams I didn’t know it was the last time! It’s such a shame it’s gone. I wonder what the high street is going to be like for those of us who are not that keen about shopping online?

princesskitty29

Hi all, I hope you’re all ok? Nothing much going on here apart from the little one getting yet another cold and passing it on to the rest of us! We’ve also not been able to do much because of the weather, not sure what is going on at the moment! I’m sure we’re all really looking forward to a bit of sunshine.

 

I’ve been sorting stuff out to go to my parents next week for our second ‘Christmas’ when I remembered that I was going to get my auntie another present before Christmas but lost the urgency when we found out we couldn’t see them, so just to really make it feel like Christmas I’ve got to do a bit of last minute shopping next week! That made me smile.

 

The boys had some pocket money so we took them to Smyths yesterday, it’s something we never do so the look of awe on their faces was lovely! It reminded me of how good it was to see things in real life rather than on a computer screen.

mandco

Princesskitty  I remember the days of taking the kids to a large toys store (toys r us) and the look on their faces is priceless  -its a memory you don't get with online shopping.   The last minute xmas shopping made me smile too its nice to finally have some normality creeping back in to daily life. Hopefully the weather will improve for your visit to your parents but if not at least at least it will add to the wintery/xmas feeling.

I saw Aldi are meant to be doing a xmas in june food range bit late really as it starts the 25th but might have to pop in and see if I can get a few bits though my local is usually rubbish when it come to special offer stock.

The weather has been so weird here one minute its sunny the next its torrential rain and gale force winds the garden has taken a real battering and last night ds basketball hoop pole snapped and the whole thing ended up travelling the length of the garden and ended up wedged against the back door.    I'm taking Taz to butlins for a few days mid June so hopefully the sunny the weather they keep predicting will actually happen.  

ds finishes school this week I knew it was coming but its really hit home the last few days -he's 16 in the summer where does the time go? totally cliche but they grow ups so fast 

 

rachsecret

Funnily enough I did a 'Christmas in May' day for my parents and our household on the last weekend in May. Was so lovely, but the weather had started to warm up and a full on roast in 20 degree heat wasn't exactly the 'effect' I was going for.

I had leftover crackers, made little favours with Ferrero Rocher inside. Decorated a small tree, and had pine cones on the table.

Could't get a turkey for love nor money so settled for a large chicken with all the usual bits. Bought a couple of puddings in Dec 2019 for next to nothing in the sales which was now out of date but tasted fab and was probably even better for extra maturing time. Made HM rum sauce to go with it. 

Can't believe Aldi are doing a xmas in June range...may have to do it all over again just for the hell of it! 

kerri_gt

@rachsecret doing xmas dinner once a year is more than enough stress for me, deff won't be repeating it in June 🙈 

mandco

Hope everyone's doing ok 

Pretty quiet here just been making the most of the sunshine and chilling with the kids 
Taking Taz to butlins next week so need to get things sorted for that - hoping the weather is going to last though at the moment its looks like there may be some rain - I'm sure we'll have a great time regardless and I'm really looking forward to a few days away 

princesskitty29

Hi all, I haven’t been on for a few weeks as I’ve felt really busy, but now I’m not sure with what! General life I suppose. We had a great time going to my parents for ‘Christmas’, it was just like Christmas with the presents, music, roast dinner, crackers etc but just really hot! After all of the miserable weather when we finally did do our second Christmas it was more like an Australian one! Instead of board games we were out in the garden playing in the afternoon. It was just nice to see my family though after not seeing them for eight months.

 

I’m now prepping for DS2’s birthday next weekend, I can’t believe he’s going to be four! I’ve been feeling very emotional lately and I think it’s because we’re transitioning out of the baby/toddler phase, for the last seven years we’ve either had a baby or a toddler and now we’re leaving that phase behind. Don’t get me wrong, I know we still have very young children but it’s been emotional getting rid of the cot, highchair etc and we’re now preparing for our youngest to start school in September. It’s going to be so strange not having a little sidekick at home with me!

 

mandco how funny Aldi are doing Christmas in June! Oh my goodness I can only imagine how you feel about your son finishing school, I’m an emotional wreck now and mine are still young! I hope you have a wonderful break at Butlins, we love it there.

 

rachsecret It sounds like we’ve had similar second Christmases! I know what you mean about the weather, my friend and I were going to wear our Christmas jumpers but it was way too hot!

Treasurequeen

Hi everyone, I hope everyone is doing ok? 

On Christmas front In local charity shop they were doing New toys for under £1.00 in a toy chest I got a duck toy that was pet friendly for my nans dog for Christmas. I usually spend around £4.00 on the dog. So will get her some chews nearer Christmas. But should come under budget. 

My cat will be getting a tin of tuna and salmon from local independent pet shop. And in a sale I got her a few kong toys to go in her stocking. 

I got my Nan a personalised Christmas ornament on Etsy. The seller does personalisation on most Of her decorations and they are reasonably priced too, they are quirky and fun. Here’s the link to her shop. 

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/KathJamiesonCeramics 

Does anyone have any ideas what to put in reusable advent calendar? The pockets are about 6cmx6cm. 

Peppapig

Thanks for the link TREASUREQUEEN, her stuff is really cute. I might order eight of the reindeer over the next few months and have them personalised Dasher, Dancer, etc. They can be heirloom tree ornaments.

PRINCESSKITTY glad you got to have your family Christmas even if you couldn’t wear the jumpers.

The weather yesterday was so wet and dreary it made me feel all festive so I watched a Christmas film (Christmas in Evergreen) and made four Christmas cards - looks like the countdown has started for me.

Redredrobin

I haven’t been away that long and the site has changed again ! Took me ages to get used to the last change , 

Enjoying ready everyone’s Christmas prep , I’m having a day off work tomorrow and will be on my own so going to find all the bits I’ve got stashed everywhere and list and wrap them .