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

princesskitty29

Hi all, I hope you’re all well. I’m writing this from the farm we stay on when visiting my family and it’s so lovely to be back. We were meant to come here for 10 days at Easter but as holidays were banned we had to move it to now. We’ve spent the last week celebrating DS1’s 7th birthday, he had a bouncy castle party with some friends, then the big treat he wanted was to travel across the country to Nana and Grampy’s on the trains – he was in his element going on about 5 trains with daddy whilst I drove over with DS2. They didn’t have to go on that many, but DS1 is obsessed with trains so wanted to go on certain ones, luckily daddy likes trains too!

 

Now his birthday is over I feel like I can concentrate on Christmas a bit more now, although I’ve still got MIL’s, dad’s and brothers birthdays before Christmas.

 

GTQ I’m glad to hear your brother was ok after his heart attack, what a shock for you and certainly an event to put everything into perspective.

 

mandco I definitely haven’t got as much as usual at this point but I do have a pretty comprehensive list going so I’m hoping I’ll be ok!

 

Spendless I love that story about HM2 taking your DS and girlfriend out for tea, I love that he’s still grounded!

mandco

Spendless good result from the solicitor for hm2 hopefully he won't have too much longer till they finalise things but they do like to drag it out sometimes. lovely of him to treat them all to a meal out. I get why he's looking at different housing options for next year sounds like they are close but last year it must have been tough feeling like a 3rd wheel esp with all the restrictions that were in place. 
Congrats to dd sounds like an amazing offer and her excitement over it means its probably a great fit for her but as a parent I get your initial reaction. 

CJ bargain on the velvet fabric I've been looking for some fabric for a project I want to do and what I've found so far is so expensive around £7 for a fat quarter 

Princesskitty hope you're having a lovely break even if the weather isn't great. Sounds like ds had a great time on the trains its something so simple yet a huge deal after the last year 

I think the lack of physical gifts is partly why I feel so behind this year by now I'd usually have a box full of sale items but really struggling to find much this year. I have been putting the money I'd have spent aside in my xmas fund but it just doesn't feel the same.

Spent the morning prepping party food for dgd birthday party today. dd was hoping to be able to have them outside as they're hired a bouncy castle but its been raining all morning and no sign of letting up anytime soon so have has to set up inside luckily the hall they've hired is pretty big.

Picked up ds main birthday present this week as ds1 had a staff discount bonus event on- saving me nearly £40.I have spent more than normal on his this year but he's turning 16 so its a big birthday and he's not having a party or anything.
He gets his exam results next week    I think he's getting nervous now. he's had a really tough year so all I'm hoping is for is he gets the grades he needs anything more is a bonus
DD finally manage to find a driving instructor with availability this year she's been looking since they restarted lessons- her 1st lesson is next month so I said I'd pay for lessons as her birthday present. 

I got taz a couple of branded tracksuits reduced to £15 each so put those away for his birthday. He's growing like a weed this year so its a 2 in 1 gift. (something he likes but that is practical/needed anyway)

StokieBecks

Hello all

Seems a very long time since I popped in and haven't read back so hope everyone is doing ok.

I have done small bits for Christmas but nothing overly exciting and not enough to have made a big dent.

Have lots of birthdays still before Christmas and although I say it every year I really do need to stick to the budget this year so finding it tough to think of ideas.

Not feeling very inspired yet this year. Sure it will pick up eventually 

Treasurequeen

Hello everyone, I hope everyone is doing ok or their best? 

In local CS this week I picked up brand new character socks for my dads stocking for £1.50. Also picked up some magnetic tools he wanted in Aldi which will go in his stocking too. I’m trying to get some men’s cotton pyjamas that are a bit longer for tall person but can’t find any anywhere. Also got some battery lights with a thin box that will look nice weaved into a wreath and weaved onto my Christmas bunting. 3 sets for £2 in CS but they are warm white and look lovely.

 I’ve started to plan my Christmas crafts First one: fabric cinnamon Christmas tree decorations. I’ve already sourced the cinnamon sticks in a sale, already own teddy stuffing. Just need to buy some fabric, I’m going to make some for presents if they come out alright. 

I’m going to make own pot pourri this year for the hallway just need to find a recipe online. 

StokieBecks

Treasurequeen

Boohooman have a tall section

As do M&S and Next. You have probably already tried but things like that I think are more online than in store

mandco

Treasurequeen I find for taller men's clothes online is usually the way to go as there is often very little instore unfortunately

Theworks have quite a bit of xmas crafting supplies in already. I got some heart shaped frames 10 for £1 took a chance as there were no details but they are actually pretty good quality for the price and measure approx 9cm across the widest part. I'm going to get Taz to make some double side photo tree decs with them.
https://www.theworks.co.uk/p/craft-hobbies/heart-photo-frames-gold---10-pack/5052089309128.html

Ds did great in his exams and got better than predicted grades in everything apart from english which he's going to have to redo at college. 

princesskitty29

Hi all, I hope you’re well? We had a lovely time away visiting my family, including the first ever night in 7 years since having children that DH and I have had to ourselves, the boys stayed at Nana and Grampy’s! Then my friend who lives in Barcelona has been to stay for a few days which was lovely too. I’m trying to get my head into gear this morning as I’m going on a hen do in London today where we all have to dress 80’s – we’re meeting for lunch initially so I have to go all dressed in 80’s gear on the journey in by myself! It’s funny how nights out used to be run of the mill but now it feels like a massive deal. I know I’ll enjoy it and have fun but I’m already looking forward to being back home and in my pyjamas tomorrow!

 

I’m definitely not wishing summer to be over but I am starting to get a little bit excited about the new season coming, I always get like this towards the end of August. I think it’s also because Christmas bits and bobs slowly start appearing in the shops. It’s exciting coming on here and seeing who has seen what in the shops or online, I do hope we still do it this year!

 

Mandco I’m really pleased to hear your DS did so well, well done him! Thanks for the heads up about the Works, the decs sound great.

 

StokieBecks good to see you! Hopefully when all of the Christmassy bits start appearing it will help us to feel more festive.

 

Treasurequeen you’re so good at finding gifts in charity shops! Your homemade Christmas gifts sound lovely.

WinterWarrior

Just jumping in to say I saw The Works lovely craft kits on line from an email shot. I particularly like the stone art kits, but I wonder how heavy they would be to post? The scratch kits are fun too. 

I love this time of year too and get quite excited when I see the odd confused leaf thinks it’s autumn 😬

chanie

WinterWarrior said:

 I particularly like the stone art kits, but I wonder how heavy they would be to post? 

Most of the stone art kits I’ve seen don’t come with the stones, so I think they would be quite light.  

WinterWarrior

chanie said:

WinterWarrior said:

 I particularly like the stone art kits, but I wonder how heavy they would be to post? 

Most of the stone art kits I’ve seen don’t come with the stones, so I think they would be quite light.  

I think the works do…only because some of the reviews were complaining the stones were smaller than expected or ridged 😂