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

kerri_gt

Beshki said:

Spendless said:

Gosh I'm useless at giving enough detail. The B & M  afternoon tea set is only a fiver.

I'm guessing the M & S one is this one that looks really lovely.
https://www.marksandspencer.com/coffee-morning-box/p/hpp60206064?extid=ps_ps-bpla_ggl_hampers_food__-_UK_-_-_&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7MGJBhD-ARIsAMZ0eevqo0j6lWm-V_rk1Zypb_XeB0Bk7M8iNFaOPpaOO3Ab6iTwmBZXFxIaAlnGEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

So I've now got a dilemma as I have already got a mini whisky wasting set for Nan and intended to put the (B&M) afternoon tea set with it. She only drinks whisky in tea, which considering there's a couple of malts in the set is sacrilege (not that I'm a whisky drinker) but since she's nearly 96 when else are you going to do this. .Having now seen the M&S one what I might do instead is give the whisky set for her birthday this month and buy the more expensive set for Xmas. This would remove me having to buy a present this month whilst we still shell out for DS and DD moves to Uni/drama school.   

Me and DD went to Scotland yesterday as she had an interview for a p-time job (unfortunately doesn't think it went well). However went into TK maxx and bought DIL2b a bag from there which is being put away for Xmas. 

I still measure how ready I am for Xmas gift wise by asking myself 'If the Government announced it was Christmas day tomorrow, do I have enough in to give everyone a present?' I give myself the following rules. I am 'allowed' to leave till later on easily available supermarket stock eg bottles of alcohol, boxes of chocolates, things that you have to buy last minute eg flowers, anything where you just print the info out and don't have/need to have a physical gift eg theatre tickets/holidays. Any money gifts and anything exchanged between myself and DH as we can have the discussion about what we'll do later. Last year I was so glad I had this plan in place when we went into lockdown 2 as it meant my main present buying had been completed by the end of October and I could avoid the hoards shopping in December when the stores re-opened. What I need to do now though is check my present cupboard and see where I'm at. 

Having read the reviews on the M&S I’m now not sure! Apparently it comes just packed in a cardboard box (ie as though you’ve just ordered the stuff, not a hamper) & the dates can be only 3 days in date. Think I may need to rethink!? 

Have you tried pricing up the contents separately? Maybe you could use that as a list,  buy your own and put in a basket / hamper? Lots of places now do hamper kits, or you could wrap a box in paper or even decopage a box? 

Beshki

kerri_gt said:

Beshki said:

Spendless said:

Gosh I'm useless at giving enough detail. The B & M  afternoon tea set is only a fiver.

I'm guessing the M & S one is this one that looks really lovely.
https://www.marksandspencer.com/coffee-morning-box/p/hpp60206064?extid=ps_ps-bpla_ggl_hampers_food__-_UK_-_-_&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7MGJBhD-ARIsAMZ0eevqo0j6lWm-V_rk1Zypb_XeB0Bk7M8iNFaOPpaOO3Ab6iTwmBZXFxIaAlnGEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

So I've now got a dilemma as I have already got a mini whisky wasting set for Nan and intended to put the (B&M) afternoon tea set with it. She only drinks whisky in tea, which considering there's a couple of malts in the set is sacrilege (not that I'm a whisky drinker) but since she's nearly 96 when else are you going to do this. .Having now seen the M&S one what I might do instead is give the whisky set for her birthday this month and buy the more expensive set for Xmas. This would remove me having to buy a present this month whilst we still shell out for DS and DD moves to Uni/drama school.   

Me and DD went to Scotland yesterday as she had an interview for a p-time job (unfortunately doesn't think it went well). However went into TK maxx and bought DIL2b a bag from there which is being put away for Xmas. 

I still measure how ready I am for Xmas gift wise by asking myself 'If the Government announced it was Christmas day tomorrow, do I have enough in to give everyone a present?' I give myself the following rules. I am 'allowed' to leave till later on easily available supermarket stock eg bottles of alcohol, boxes of chocolates, things that you have to buy last minute eg flowers, anything where you just print the info out and don't have/need to have a physical gift eg theatre tickets/holidays. Any money gifts and anything exchanged between myself and DH as we can have the discussion about what we'll do later. Last year I was so glad I had this plan in place when we went into lockdown 2 as it meant my main present buying had been completed by the end of October and I could avoid the hoards shopping in December when the stores re-opened. What I need to do now though is check my present cupboard and see where I'm at. 

Having read the reviews on the M&S I’m now not sure! Apparently it comes just packed in a cardboard box (ie as though you’ve just ordered the stuff, not a hamper) & the dates can be only 3 days in date. Think I may need to rethink!? 

Have you tried pricing up the contents separately? Maybe you could use that as a list,  buy your own and put in a basket / hamper? Lots of places now do hamper kits, or you could wrap a box in paper or even decopage a box? 

Thanks. Yes, to be honest that’s what I usually do. I was just hoping for less hassle this year Looks like I’m out of luck lol!

StokieBecks

The B&M I nipped into this weekend hadn't got the food gifts out yet so I will have another try in a few weeks 

Haven't really done much else for Christmas this weekend but I have ordered the calendars I usually make for my Dad so it's another job ticked off

Spendless

Beshki said:

Spendless said:

Gosh I'm useless at giving enough detail. The B & M  afternoon tea set is only a fiver.

I'm guessing the M & S one is this one that looks really lovely.
https://www.marksandspencer.com/coffee-morning-box/p/hpp60206064?extid=ps_ps-bpla_ggl_hampers_food__-_UK_-_-_&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7MGJBhD-ARIsAMZ0eevqo0j6lWm-V_rk1Zypb_XeB0Bk7M8iNFaOPpaOO3Ab6iTwmBZXFxIaAlnGEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

So I've now got a dilemma as I have already got a mini whisky wasting set for Nan and intended to put the (B&M) afternoon tea set with it. She only drinks whisky in tea, which considering there's a couple of malts in the set is sacrilege (not that I'm a whisky drinker) but since she's nearly 96 when else are you going to do this. .Having now seen the M&S one what I might do instead is give the whisky set for her birthday this month and buy the more expensive set for Xmas. This would remove me having to buy a present this month whilst we still shell out for DS and DD moves to Uni/drama school.   

Me and DD went to Scotland yesterday as she had an interview for a p-time job (unfortunately doesn't think it went well). However went into TK maxx and bought DIL2b a bag from there which is being put away for Xmas. 

I still measure how ready I am for Xmas gift wise by asking myself 'If the Government announced it was Christmas day tomorrow, do I have enough in to give everyone a present?' I give myself the following rules. I am 'allowed' to leave till later on easily available supermarket stock eg bottles of alcohol, boxes of chocolates, things that you have to buy last minute eg flowers, anything where you just print the info out and don't have/need to have a physical gift eg theatre tickets/holidays. Any money gifts and anything exchanged between myself and DH as we can have the discussion about what we'll do later. Last year I was so glad I had this plan in place when we went into lockdown 2 as it meant my main present buying had been completed by the end of October and I could avoid the hoards shopping in December when the stores re-opened. What I need to do now though is check my present cupboard and see where I'm at. 

Having read the reviews on the M&S I’m now not sure! Apparently it comes just packed in a cardboard box (ie as though you’ve just ordered the stuff, not a hamper) & the dates can be only 3 days in date. Think I may need to rethink!? 

Beshki said:

Spendless said:

Gosh I'm useless at giving enough detail. The B & M  afternoon tea set is only a fiver.

I'm guessing the M & S one is this one that looks really lovely.
https://www.marksandspencer.com/coffee-morning-box/p/hpp60206064?extid=ps_ps-bpla_ggl_hampers_food__-_UK_-_-_&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7MGJBhD-ARIsAMZ0eevqo0j6lWm-V_rk1Zypb_XeB0Bk7M8iNFaOPpaOO3Ab6iTwmBZXFxIaAlnGEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

So I've now got a dilemma as I have already got a mini whisky wasting set for Nan and intended to put the (B&M) afternoon tea set with it. She only drinks whisky in tea, which considering there's a couple of malts in the set is sacrilege (not that I'm a whisky drinker) but since she's nearly 96 when else are you going to do this. .Having now seen the M&S one what I might do instead is give the whisky set for her birthday this month and buy the more expensive set for Xmas. This would remove me having to buy a present this month whilst we still shell out for DS and DD moves to Uni/drama school.   

Me and DD went to Scotland yesterday as she had an interview for a p-time job (unfortunately doesn't think it went well). However went into TK maxx and bought DIL2b a bag from there which is being put away for Xmas. 

I still measure how ready I am for Xmas gift wise by asking myself 'If the Government announced it was Christmas day tomorrow, do I have enough in to give everyone a present?' I give myself the following rules. I am 'allowed' to leave till later on easily available supermarket stock eg bottles of alcohol, boxes of chocolates, things that you have to buy last minute eg flowers, anything where you just print the info out and don't have/need to have a physical gift eg theatre tickets/holidays. Any money gifts and anything exchanged between myself and DH as we can have the discussion about what we'll do later. Last year I was so glad I had this plan in place when we went into lockdown 2 as it meant my main present buying had been completed by the end of October and I could avoid the hoards shopping in December when the stores re-opened. What I need to do now though is check my present cupboard and see where I'm at. 

Having read the reviews on the M&S I’m now not sure! Apparently it comes just packed in a cardboard box (ie as though you’ve just ordered the stuff, not a hamper) & the dates can be only 3 days in date. Think I may need to rethink!? 

Beshki said:

Spendless said:

Gosh I'm useless at giving enough detail. The B & M  afternoon tea set is only a fiver.

I'm guessing the M & S one is this one that looks really lovely.
https://www.marksandspencer.com/coffee-morning-box/p/hpp60206064?extid=ps_ps-bpla_ggl_hampers_food__-_UK_-_-_&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7MGJBhD-ARIsAMZ0eevqo0j6lWm-V_rk1Zypb_XeB0Bk7M8iNFaOPpaOO3Ab6iTwmBZXFxIaAlnGEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

So I've now got a dilemma as I have already got a mini whisky wasting set for Nan and intended to put the (B&M) afternoon tea set with it. She only drinks whisky in tea, which considering there's a couple of malts in the set is sacrilege (not that I'm a whisky drinker) but since she's nearly 96 when else are you going to do this. .Having now seen the M&S one what I might do instead is give the whisky set for her birthday this month and buy the more expensive set for Xmas. This would remove me having to buy a present this month whilst we still shell out for DS and DD moves to Uni/drama school.   

Me and DD went to Scotland yesterday as she had an interview for a p-time job (unfortunately doesn't think it went well). However went into TK maxx and bought DIL2b a bag from there which is being put away for Xmas. 

I still measure how ready I am for Xmas gift wise by asking myself 'If the Government announced it was Christmas day tomorrow, do I have enough in to give everyone a present?' I give myself the following rules. I am 'allowed' to leave till later on easily available supermarket stock eg bottles of alcohol, boxes of chocolates, things that you have to buy last minute eg flowers, anything where you just print the info out and don't have/need to have a physical gift eg theatre tickets/holidays. Any money gifts and anything exchanged between myself and DH as we can have the discussion about what we'll do later. Last year I was so glad I had this plan in place when we went into lockdown 2 as it meant my main present buying had been completed by the end of October and I could avoid the hoards shopping in December when the stores re-opened. What I need to do now though is check my present cupboard and see where I'm at. 

Having read the reviews on the M&S I’m now not sure! Apparently it comes just packed in a cardboard box (ie as though you’ve just ordered the stuff, not a hamper) & the dates can be only 3 days in date. Think I may need to rethink!? 

When I first googled to find the M&S one some sort of pop up came up that talked about buying items for the charity coffee morning that is in September. It's always around my birthday (late September) and part of me did wonder if it was aimed at that and wouldn't be something that was available later on, but then on the M & S link I didn't notice any such blurb. I've since relooked and there is something on there that shows a MacMillan charity logo. 

I'm going to have a rethink re Nan's birthday. 

Clumsy42

Hello everyone! Remember me?

I think I last posted on the 2019 thread. But then last year everything went to pot and I couldn't find the inclination to post.

My ME/CFS has gotten worse in the last year or so. I think the lack of getting out and doing things has reduced my stamina (what little I had!) somewhat. But I'm trying to keep positive.

So far this year I've started my Mum's advent calendar and have bought one present for my youngest niece. But the girls are always the easiest to buy for!

Hope everyone is well. I haven't been able to read back the 2020 thread or this one so I'm sorry to have missed all your news. xx

Treasurequeen

Welcome back clumsy it’s so good to hear from you. 

Home bargains have a new jar candle out - mulled wine and it smells so lovely. The apple one was missing but they had the votives in it. Bought some chocolate coins for my advent calendar, wishing I bought more now to put in parents stockings. Bought a 50 piece bow selection box for only £1.99 which will save me some money as I usually buy them from supermarket 3 for 2 and supermarket ones don’t usually have traditional colours. They also had the Christmas gingerbread men in for 69p so I picked a few up for the hot chocolate station, had really long dates on it all. I won a packet of ginger creams in a competition so they are safely away. Tubs of chocolates are down in Tesco to £3.50 bought the last two heroes and they are now safely stored away. 

Some shops are bringing out Christmas cards but they have gone up a lot in price. I have a few left from last year so am hoping I have enough to last me until I can buy some in sales. Just need to get special cards but they too have gone up in price. I’ve started buying a few things here and there food wise that have long dates. But most of the shelves are empty and I’m struggling to get most things, like chutneys and custard etc. Oh well will just keep looking and buy when I see things. 

I hope everyone is ok. 

Clumsy42

Don't know if anyone has already mentioned it but the Boots website has a Christmas section now.

I'm having a good look

Treasurequeen

Marks and Spencer’s has a Christmas section on their website too. Am off to browse boots now, thanks clumsy. 

princesskitty29

Hi all, gosh I had a busy end to the summer holidays with a week away in Haven then straight down to London for a friend’s wedding. I had a good time at both! My eldest is back at school in Y3 and I have one more week of my youngest being at home with me before he starts school – I won’t pretend my heart isn’t breaking a little bit, how does everyone cope with this transition and emotion?

 

I’m really eager to get on with Christmas planning and shopping now so thanks for the heads up on the Christmas stuff online, I’ll take a look. When I was doing my online food shop I noticed they had a toy Tesco delivery van reduced so I got one for DS2 as that’s just the sort of thing he’d love! I also got DS1 a lockable cash box, I remember having one when I was little and I know he’ll love having a lockable box! I picked up a nice jumper for my dad in Tesco, hopefully it will fit ok. I missed out on the £3.50 chocolate tubs, I saw them when I was doing my online shop but didn’t get one, then they were back to £4 when I went instore. I know it’s only 50p but it’s annoying to miss out! When both boys are at school I’m definitely going to head out to Home Bargains etc and try and really get on with my shopping.

 

DH and I always have an advent calendar too, my DH wouldn’t bother usually but I always buy us one.

 

Clumsy good to see you! I’m sure you popped on last year to say hello didn’t you? I’m sorry to hear you’ve not been feeling too well, I do hope things improve for you.

princesskitty29

I don't know why my emoji's always go on a separate line? When I preview my message they're always at the end of the sentences where I put them. I miss the old MSE emoji's!