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

Spendless

Anyone else struggling with the board changes? Can't say I'm a huge fan.

I bought a hot dog toaster in the wonderland aisles of Aldi yesterday. Think I'll save it for DS. I only picked it up as it was the last one the shelf (Father's day geared presents I'm guessing). Then the reviews aren't great - hey ho, will still give anyway.

Other than that the only bits I've picked up are for DD. (yet again!). Wonder if I'll find her so easy to buy for when she lives away.

Yesterday was my wedding anniversary and the second year on the trot when it's rained most/all of the day. My parents anniversary is the day before and both years they've got a nice day. Though asked by hubby about going out for a meal,  I said I wasn't bothered about doing anything to celebrate as I just don't feel it's the same experience with restrictions still in place, so I let him watch the footie whilst I went to the theatre with DD. 

princesskitty29

Well I am just recovering from a weekend of 4th birthday celebrations for DS2! It was his birthday on Saturday and we went to Thomas Land, we always have a great day there and it never lets us down. Then we had some family over yesterday. He had a great weekend although he came down with yet another cold on his birthday, honestly if there’s a cold going he will catch it! My eldest rarely ever suffers with them.

 

I haven’t done anything Christmassy lately but I have been wanting to watch festive things. I do like warm sunny days so we’re able to go to places and be outside, but I always feel slightly unsettled in the summer. I can’t describe the feeling, although I surely can’t be the only one? Autumn is definitely the season for me but I do like to have a summer.

 

I’m not sure I’ll be doing anything for Christmas yet as it’s DS2’s birthday in 6 weeks so preparations will get underway for that!

 

Treasurequeen the items on the Etsy shop are lovely.

 

Peppa ha ha it sounds like you’re already in the swing of Christmas!

 

Spendless happy belated anniversary! It’s still hard to really get into the spirit of things with the restrictions still looming isn’t it?

kerri_gt

princesskitty29 said:

Well I am just recovering from a weekend of 4th birthday celebrations for DS2! It was his birthday on Saturday and we went to Thomas Land, we always have a great day there and it never lets us down. Then we had some family over yesterday. He had a great weekend although he came down with yet another cold on his birthday, honestly if there’s a cold going he will catch it! My eldest rarely ever suffers with them.

 

I haven’t done anything Christmassy lately but I have been wanting to watch festive things. I do like warm sunny days so we’re able to go to places and be outside, but I always feel slightly unsettled in the summer. I can’t describe the feeling, although I surely can’t be the only one? Autumn is definitely the season for me but I do like to have a summer.

 

I’m not sure I’ll be doing anything for Christmas yet as it’s DS2’s birthday in 6 weeks so preparations will get underway for that!

You're not alone. I enjoy the summer weather but I don't like the light evenings and mornings, really quite glad this is the longest day done. I am quite happy when it's sunset at 7pm and sunrise not before 7am. 

Spendless

I'm different because the unsettleness for me comes in Autumn.  Think I've been forever scared by the academic year which is more 'new' year to me than Jan is, plus with a September birthday, I become mindful that I'm becoming a year older and ahead of most of my school peers many of which I'm still in touch with and that the longer dark nights are approaching. I dislike winter except for Christmas. The original concept of having a celebration in the bleak mid-winter to give something to look forward to was made for people like me I'm sure. I'd rather darkness only started to fall at 7pm at the earliest throughout the year. 

Thanks for the anniversary wishes. I had my arm twisted by DD to go out for Father's Day. She booked it (we paid -lol) we went to a carvery. You go up when told to by waiting staff and the chef that usually just cuts the meat puts whatever potatoes and veg on your plate. Then comes the weird bit. You then aren't allowed to pick up said plate and carry it back but have to return to your table and wait for a member of staff to fetch it back. This meant DD was part way through hers before mine and DH plate were brought to us. I have no idea why, but I've noticed many places put their own 'layer' of covid rules in place . Interesting to see if they all go as and when freedom day eventually turns up!

Certainly if I had younger children I think I'd be more inclined to do things and adapt. For example I have no desire to book a holiday abroad or at home for this year or even next and I want to see what 2022 looks like before I'd consider booking for 2023. With younger children I'd be thinking so long as I can find somewhere with it's own pool, access to a beach and maybe a park I'm happy to go away.

   

kerri_gt

Spendless said:

I'm different because the unsettleness for me comes in Autumn.  Think I've been forever scared by the academic year which is more 'new' year to me than Jan is, plus with a September birthday, I become mindful that I'm becoming a year older and ahead of most of my school peers many of which I'm still in touch with and that the longer dark nights are approaching. I dislike winter except for Christmas. The original concept of having a celebration in the bleak mid-winter to give something to look forward to was made for people like me I'm sure. I'd rather darkness only started to fall at 7pm at the earliest throughout the year. 

Thanks for the anniversary wishes. I had my arm twisted by DD to go out for Father's Day. She booked it (we paid -lol) we went to a carvery. You go up when told to by waiting staff and the chef that usually just cuts the meat puts whatever potatoes and veg on your plate. Then comes the weird bit. You then aren't allowed to pick up said plate and carry it back but have to return to your table and wait for a member of staff to fetch it back. This meant DD was part way through hers before mine and DH plate were brought to us. I have no idea why, but I've noticed many places put their own 'layer' of covid rules in place . Interesting to see if they all go as and when freedom day eventually turns up!

Certainly if I had younger children I think I'd be more inclined to do things and adapt. For example I have no desire to book a holiday abroad or at home for this year or even next and I want to see what 2022 looks like before I'd consider booking for 2023. With younger children I'd be thinking so long as I can find somewhere with it's own pool, access to a beach and maybe a park I'm happy to go away.

   

How funny, I'm a Sept birthday too which is part of the reason I think I've always preferred the Autumn and darker nights. I also used to like the start of the academic year - new things ahead, new books, new projects etc. 

That's really odd about the carvery rules. Sounds like a halfway house between buffet and table service. Surely picking up your own plate is 'safer' given you're going to be touching it at the table anyway vs staff handling multiple plates and distributing them all round the restaurant. I suspect it's they have to do it so it counts as table service. Another example of these bonkers rules. 

Treasurequeen

A few toiletries for gifts have been bought whilst on offers which are now tucked away in Christmas box. I always like to buy the ladies in family a bar of french soap that lasts absolutely ages. And a bottle of shower stuff for them and the men. It came in handy last year as we were put  in lockdown and a few of them hadn’t bought spares of toiletries and had to shield again. 

In tkma*x they have beanies flavoured coffee jars for £1.99 and the selection boxes of all different ones for £1.99. Potential ideas for stocking fillers had very long date Of 2023 on them. 

[Deleted User]

I was thinking of Christmas yesterday and got out my Christmas cookery books and read through them, then I thought NO don't be daft woman it's only June...it appears I'm not alone and therefore not daft!  It isn't too early to start thinking of presents for the family and planning some of the food is it? even if it is nearly high summer.

Treasurequeen

Boazu It’s never too early, your definitely not alone or daft. Starting early I have noticed saves you money too especially if you get things in the sales throughout the year. 

CRISPIANNE3

The first time we had to endure the mother in law for Christmas 2020. Never, never again. So negative and never stopped moaning. Well this year I have said to my partner if she comes again I'm off.

mandco

Not a fan of the new changes took me a while to find the thread 

Princesskitty glad you had a great visit and managed to finally have your family xmas even if it was a little different 

Treasure queen those ornaments are lovely & I really love peppa's idea

We had a great break at butlins the weather was fantastic and it was lovely to have change of scenery and a few relaxing days away. It was manic busy though and I was really surprised at how many school aged kids were there.

Not much happening on the xmas front -there have been hardly any deals/offers on this year so far so none of the bargains I'd have normally stashed by now. Popped into Aldi at the weekend and they had sold out of all the junemas stuff though I wasn't holding my breath they'd have any as my local is rubbish for stock on offers.

I def wouldn't want to travel abroad anytime soon but we have a few more short uk breaks booked for this year. I do think having kids makes you more willing to go away at the moment as I feel like they have missed out on so much and are changing so fast you want to make memories while you can. We're going to a haven park in a couple of weeks though will mostly use the caravan as a base for days out rather than using the onsite facilities. 

ds welcome session at college has been cancelled due to an increase in cases locally so we have a zoom meeting tonight to discuss the current plans for September.