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

Beshki

@Mrs Ryan, Wow - that was a stroke of luck! Sounds like you’re doing a great job.

Thanks to those who offered ideas for the family gift. I had a thought today Re this. There’s a local bakery that will make up bags/boxes of biscuits/brownies etc to whatever value you like and make them look nice. I may well just ask for a £20 box to be made up, and post them a week or two pre-Christmas (with instructions to get stuck in as soon as they arrive!) That way I am supporting a local independent, it’s hassle free for me & also I’m not buying anything that will be unlikely to be used/get wasted. Quite happy with this little idea! 

I’ve ordered some cosy lounge trousers, cosy snuggly socks, M&S apocothery hand wash and a lovely fancy soap from an independent co and will make a ‘snuggly cosy hamper’ up for my grandma, along with some maltesers or similar. 

Slippers ordered for my grandad, but need to get thinking on what else may be useful to him. He’s extremely fussy!

Mrs_Ryan

Hiya  

Beshki- those bakery boxes sound amazing! And such a good idea. 

I went over to Birmingham (yesterday now isn’t it?) as I could pay my money into my Metro account. 

Most of it went on gifts but I did treat myself to some pj’s in Victoria’s Secret sale. They’re my absolute favourite style and a gorgeous lilac colour. Reduced to £35 I was really happy at that. 

I went into Rituals as my best friend (I have two besties, to confuse matters) asked for some Rituals stuff. I bought my mum a gift set of hand wash and hand cream, and as I’m a member I got 20% off and a free travel sized fragrance, which will also go to mum. I got my best friend some gorgeous bubble bath and body wash, and it was all gift wrapped. As I was just starting my shopping, the lovely assistant offered to let me leave the bag and I could collect it on my way back. As I had to walk past the shop to get back to the train station I gratefully agreed- it was a big bag! 

Next stop was M&S where I bought a shirt for OH. He doesn’t have many smart shirts and thought he could definitely do with one. I also bought him a hat, gloves and a pair of Skechers from Sports Direct. (He’s not like me, he only has three pairs of shoes- one pair of trainers, one pair of smart leather dress shoes and his leather work boots. I just got him work boots a few months back and his dress shoes were bought for our wedding last year but the trainers needed replacing for sure!) I also managed to snap up two Jack Wills body spray sets- one for my friend (not the one I bought the Rituals for!) and the other for my niece from Boots. I got OH a pot of pork scratchings so I got the 3 for 2. Double points as well as it’s my birthday next Monday. 

I ordered some wrapping paper online- that stuff is a nightmare to carry so I would much rather it’s delivered While I was out 6 parcels turned up! OH said it was like being at work (he’s a postie but he works inside, sorting parcels) I just have some tea and coffee left to get when I’m in London next week and one more thing for OH and then I’m done. 

Redredrobin

I’ve missed so many posts so forgive if I’ve missed anything big , I will catch up (eventually)

Christmas wise - I’m pretty much done . Although I’m a massive Christmas obsessive I’m just not feeling it this year . 

I’m waiting for the dogs test results , he’s in so much pain but they are testing for thyroid issues , if this comes back ok then we have to make the heartbreaking decision to put him out of his pain . 

I’m waiting for an appointment at the hospital cardiology dept , I blacked out on the street falling face first , broken nose and multiple bruises. I didn’t know I was falling so didn’t put my hands out to break my fall . I’ve had 24 hour cardiac monitoring which has shown Arrythmia.

kerri_gt

@Redredrobin wow you are having a time of it, and on top of that you're done for Christmas more or less - wow!
So sorry to hear about the hound, fingers crossed it is something treatable but often the hardest and final thing we can do for pets is the kindest for them
(I sometimes think we're kinder as a society to our animals than people when you see some forced to have quantity of life over quality) 

Ouch! How is the nose? What's the long term treatment options for your heart or are they still to go through that with you fully? Were you with someone when you blacked out? It must have been super scary but at least you're more or less ok. It might actually have been more serious had you put your hands out as that's often how back arm breaks happen (not much consolation to your poor nose!) x

LMG1305

Hi all,

It's been such a long time since I was on the forums, I have missed so much!

I am so excited for Christmas this year (as I always am). I have started my Christmas shopping, but only small things so far when I have seen any good deals.

I have started getting some of the Christmas treats in though. I always get the tubs of chocolate when the supermarkets do the 2 for £7 deal, so I have one of each of the tubs now & also got some chocolate orange & matchmakers in. I'll get another pack of these though because they get eaten very quickly in my house once they have been opened!!

I can't wait to get my decorations up but for now I'll settle for some Halloween/Autumn decor

Madcatlady13

Hi I’ve being following this thread for several years, so decided it was time I got brave enough to post. My children are teenagers but it doesn’t stop me loving the magic of Christmas, I get more excited than they do lol. Christmas is my favourite time of the year, I love the lights, wrapping presents and watching Christmas films with a hot chocolate. I have nearly finished my shopping but like to leave it to nearer the time to wrap. X

Redredrobin

kerri_gt said:

Ouch! How is the nose? What's the long term treatment options for your heart or are they still to go through that with you fully? Were you with someone when you blacked out? It must have been super scary but at least you're more or less ok. It might actually have been more serious had you put your hands out as that's often how back arm breaks happen (not much consolation to your poor nose!) x

The bridge of my nose is still quite sore , I was alone when it happened but two ladies did come to help and stayed with me until my OH got there . They said I fell face first and didn’t move for a few seconds.
  I’m still waiting for the hospital appointment but my GP wants to see me Friday and thinks I should also have a chest X-ray done .

We are still waiting for the dogs results despite being told last week it would take 3 days at most .

kerri_gt

Redredrobin said:

kerri_gt said:

Ouch! How is the nose? What's the long term treatment options for your heart or are they still to go through that with you fully? Were you with someone when you blacked out? It must have been super scary but at least you're more or less ok. It might actually have been more serious had you put your hands out as that's often how back arm breaks happen (not much consolation to your poor nose!) x

The bridge of my nose is still quite sore , I was alone when it happened but two ladies did come to help and stayed with me until my OH got there . They said I fell face first and didn’t move for a few seconds.
  I’m still waiting for the hospital appointment but my GP wants to see me Friday and thinks I should also have a chest X-ray done .

We are still waiting for the dogs results despite being told last week it would take 3 days at most .

I guess going forward was potentially better than going backwards. At least people did come and help you and stay with you - honestly these days you just never know do you. Plus you read horrible things about people being lured into set ups which puts people off - though you'd have had spectacular RADA training (a la Del Boy) to pull that one off as a con from the sounds of it. 

Fingers crossed on the dogs results - everyone / everywhere is so over stretched atm that you can see how things fall down the cracks if you don't keep hounding (no pun intended!) places. 

Gettingtherequickly

I need to spend some time at the week end thinking about who I need to buy for, or more importantly, who has dropped off my old lists! Decided that nieces/nephews (they are actually my cousins kids, but we grew up together and view each other as sibling ) drop off the list after their 1st Christmas after their 21st, so one off   there! He had a graduation of sorts from uni in August, held on to the gown & mortar board a bit longer and had a family celebration in the garden, there are still restrictions in Ireland, so there was basically his family, grandparents & my mum, who didn't know anything about it, got a phone call that morning inviting her over and she turned up like a scruff, was mortified when everyone else was suited & booted! But she said the younger boys were waiters for the day and everything was so well carried out.

My next door neighbours have moved, so no longer longer need to buy for their little girls. Having made 100's of Christmas cakes over the years, I actually made one for myself for the first time ever a couple of weeks ago, was quite excited about it, but knowing me, it will still be there next Christmas:)

Have started to get more gifts, ordered personalised slate coaster for our QS at work, we wert talking about coasters a couple of months ago and he said he only likes natural material, which would probably be needed to cut, so hopefully this will work out for him.

Had set myself a task of spending 30mins every evening trying to sort out the spare room, thought if I do that, I will be focussed, so far this week, I had class on Monday, had to go to the cash & carry for work yesterday and this evening I have to go & have my eyes tested, so so far I am1 1/2 hrs behind this week! Not great start to my plan.

Got Avon catalogue from my friend, they have gingerbread shower gel & bits if anyone wants to get something like that for anyone, gonna cost me a fortune

kerri_gt

Lush already have their Christmas stuff online 

https://www.lush.com/uk/en/c/christmas-gifts

Gutted that they seemed to change the Snow Fairy ingredients a few years ago - now it makes me and OH (who secretly - or not so secretly when he stepped out the shower smelling like a sweet shop  ) itch 

I have gifts for a friends kids this year - think I explained before the 'girls' are a bit older than the boy, and one is nearly 18 but I started buying for the girls together so will do them until they're both 18 then it will be just the boy - or I may stop altogether. Anyway - have decided next year I'm just going to get them all something like a yard of jaffa cakes / or some sweets, which will hopefully make things a bit easier for me (or prob not!)