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

Spendless

@kerri_gt - How old did you say the Nieces were?  

At the weekend DD bought herself this really nice boxed set that contained a satin pillowcase with a sleep mask and a scrunchie (do they have long hair?) in the same material. Satin pillowcases are becoming an 'in' thing amongst the younger ones, because the use of face coverings are making them more prone to spots and also it's supposed to help with hair not getting too frizzy. It cost £9.99 and it's a lovely gift set and there were a couple of different colours to choose from. It would be easy to build around this idea with additional items or nice enough on its own.  She got it in TK Maxx. I know their stock can be hit and miss from store to store. She only saw it in one of the Edinburgh ones and I haven't seen it at home at all, but I'm guessing similar  might be online.   This is what she bought.

https://www.tkmaxx.com/uk/en/women/beauty/wellness/pink+white-satin-sleep-set/p/16457508?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=OrganicShopping&utm_campaign=GoogleShopping&utm_term=1645750811111

Looks like someone bought the last online one!  This sort of idea. You might find them cheaper.  https://www.asos.com/smug/smug-satin-pillow-sleep-mask-and-scrunchie-set/prd/22891730

Hope the sting heals soon. DD rang NHS 111 a few days ago because she has a chest/throat infection and it was affecting her breathing. They paid for her to go to hospital and back by taxi  (She's in a different part of UK from us) 

Gettingtherequickly

kerri_gt said:

I attempted some xmas shopping yesterday in Primark for DN x 2 but tbh it was a bit of a disaster.

Kids section was pretty crap, wasn't sure about sizes for one,  didn't have what i wanted for the other, too hot,  couldn't think and to top it off with an enormous cherry, I got stung in the week. It's gradually got worse and several hrs walking about yesterday afternoon was, in hindsight not the best iidea. I actually ended up with a minor injuries appt this afternoon via NHS 111 (never used them before, after getting a call back from a gp...first person I spoke to just said 'take an antihistamine ' ...thanks...hadn't thought of that 🤦‍♀️). Turns out its quite badly infected and have antibiotics now so fingers crossed they do the trick. 
I also have a bag of Primark stuff to sort for returns from yesterday. 

Ooh, feel your pain on the sting, I was bitten a few weeks ago, ended up in A&E, very much against my beliefs but not having a choice as when I rang my GP, they told me I had been de-registered! Got to say that the staff there were fantastic, didn't have to ask where I had been bitten as my fingers were enormous, but the pills sorted me out very quickly, so hopefully you will bounce back just as quickly.

Started wrapping yesterday afternoon, had an hour to kill before leaving to see a film at the British Film Festival, lived in hope that the red carpet was for me, but no, apparently some guy called Rege-Jean Page was considered more important than me, how dare he, even if he is tipped to be next Bond?!!!!!!!!!!

kerri_gt

@Spendless they will be just turned 10 and 11 nearly 12 come Xmas. Thanks for the info about the sleep sets. We have big TKM near us so when I am back on my feet I might go have a look. 

Looks like DN (boy 6 1/2) will be getting glow in the dark pjs and socks as one item is up to it's return date today (I managed to actually return one pair that would've been too small in amongst everything yesterday). Unfortunately my leg is now too uncomfortable to be on it for any amount of time today and I am having to work from the sofa with my leg up so I can't / won't be rushing to take anything else back. 

@Gettingtherequickly hope your finger is ok now. There seem to be a lot of people being badly stung / bitten this year. 

mandco

Spendless said:

. I also have nonagrians in the family, two of them, as both my Grandmothers are still alive at 96 and 97. One lives independently, the other is in a care home with dementia. I agree they are difficult to buy for. 1 I have got the B & M afternoon tea hamper for plus some more mini bottles of whisky (she just pours them in her tea -lol), the one in a nursing home, I haven't a clue, I've done flowers for past couple of years. You can't get her anything 'new' eg clothes as she doesn't recognise it as hers. 

 

What about a memory box for the one with dementia? Might take a bit of work to find things that go back to when she was younger but I know many dementia suffers have far better recall of earlier life events and memories.

wishing those of you with bites & stings a speedy recovery 

Treasurequeen

Spendless said:

Sorry to hear about your  dog redredrobin and hugs to everyone having a bad time.

I've had PC problems which is why I've been missing. Last week we went away for a few days and DD came to join gus overnight as where we were staying was on the main train route from where she's at college and this weekend we went to visit her again and also called to see DS and gf on the way back, which has all ben lovely. HM2 had called to see them earlier. He has been released a chunk of his inheritance and has a further chunk coming his way over the next couple of weeks. 

I did some more Xmas shopping this week and now need to sort out who I have left to buy for. Some of DD's presents had been bought in anticipation of a holiday she was taking next year with her boyfriend. However, they've split up so now not happening. I am able to repurpose one of the gifts to my older Neice, which solves the dilemma of whether I stop buying for her now. I *think* I might also have enough for next year's present too, which will take me to DS being married and DD in her 20s and I feel more easily I can say stop without upsetting the family dynamics. I also have nonagrians in the family, two of them, as both my Grandmothers are still alive at 96 and 97. One lives independently, the other is in a care home with dementia. I agree they are difficult to buy for. 1 I have got the B & M afternoon tea hamper for plus some more mini bottles of whisky (she just pours them in her tea -lol), the one in a nursing home, I haven't a clue, I've done flowers for past couple of years. You can't get her anything 'new' eg clothes as she doesn't recognise it as hers. 

Once I have got extended family presents sorted I will turn my full attention to our household. Having told DD that last year's Xmas eve hamper was the last as this year she's 18 and can go to the pub if she's bored, I can see myself having to reinstate it if she's at a loose end! Also had the dilemma of the stocking as this is something she has always opened with her brother and this year he isn't with us. I remembered though that our dog has a present obsession and will happily unwrap and chew anything we leave out! I've suggested that DD has her stocking (I'd already bought several bits for it!) and I also make the dog one and whilst they open together, me and DH can put the main items under the tree. 

How about a twiddle muff for your grandma with dementia. I used to work in a care home and the muffs are really good for people with dementia. If your good at knitting you can make one and you can buy them online too. Here is a link https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/patient-guide/documents/twiddle-muffs.pdf 

StokieBecks

https://www.therange.co.uk/furniture/office-furniture/computer-chairs/computer-desk-office-chair-luxury-leather-gaming-swivel-chair/?utm_source=Instagram&utm_medium=Instashop&utm_name=Computer%20Desk%20Office%20Chair%20Luxury%20Leather%20Gaming%20Swivel%20Chair%20-%20Black%20and%20Blue#8833112

Can't remember who was after a gaming chair but this just popped up on my facebook feed.

I'm slowly getting on with Christmas.  Hubby's side are complete. Need a couple of bits for brother and his girlfriend and for my aunty then think I may well be done. No doubt wheb I come to wrap I will realise I am missing something 

mandco

I ordered my granddaughter's main presents yesterday and a xmas tshirt for taz so finally feel like I'm getting somewhere 
 
IWOOT have some offers on disney clothing  I ordered a Jack skellington Tee for ds1 down to £8.99 as he needs something halloweeny to wear but really isn't into the whole dressing up thing.

Popped into primark yesterday and they didn't really have anything I wanted its so hit & miss lately. I did find some minecraft slipper sock things so picked those up for Taz but that was it. They do have some xmas stock in but not much

Beshki

Well I’ve run out of money until I get paid but have a list of bits and bobs to order once I am :-) Trying to be really sensible, and I’m hoping being organised will help with that - if I’m done nice & early I won’t have any temptation to buy things just because the shops say I should lol! 

Struggling with ideas for a 25 y/old niece. No idea what she likes or what she does, so totally stuck there.

mandco

Beshki I know the feeling I've had a few unexpected expenses lately so a lot less available funds to spend than I'd expected and so I'm trying to stick to the essentials and not buy all the little extras I see

Its really hard buying for someone you don't really know When my nieces/nephews got older we used to give a small amount of cash and a token gift to open. I'm not a fan of giving cash and I feel like you spend more than you would if you brought something but its usually appreciated once as they can get something they really want. I also begrudge spending money on a gift that might get wasted.
I know dd and her friends are all quite girly so smellies, make up, hair stuff, jewellery or alcohol all usually go down well.  Lush and pandora usually feature on the present idea list. 

Forgot to say sainsburys have mint hot chocolate & orange hot chocolate tubs £2 each
I also picked up some decorate your own gingerbread stars 10pk from M&S £2 & some xmas percy pigs for ds stocking

Peppapig

Sorry I’ve been awol - thank you for missing me PRINCESSKITTY. Welcome to the newbies and welcome back CLUMSY.

Just popping on to say Primark are on extended returns now so you have until the end of January and M&S until 10th January so it’s finally safe to buy clothing gifts. Not sure about anyone else because I’ve only been to those two.

If anyone is thinking of doing pamper hampers this year, Primark are doing a good selection of face packs for between 80p and £1.50 with exfoliating gloves for £1.50 for two pairs, a good selection of fluffy socks at £2 for two pairs, a weird head massager for £1 and assorted other bits. I looked in Superdrug first but they didn’t really have any low priced bits and HB only tend to have limited choice although they’re really good for loofahs and the like.

The B&Ms near DD1 and DD2 have loads of lovely Christmas stuff although it did feel to me that they don’t have as much as they have in the past but that could be because I’ve set my expectations pretty high. I did buy a few bits though including Bourneville chocolate fingers and a Bourneville selection box for DH as he loves dark chocolate - plus, as I don’t like it, I won’t be tempted to help him eat them unless I’m really desperate. Unfortunately our B&M isn’t great, either stock or building wise, so I don’t go there very often.

I’ve ordered my Christmas food (veggie mains and sides from M&S and a topside beef joint from a local farm) and I’ve bought pigs in blankets with my regular shop and put them in the freezer. I’m going to buy cooking apples and cook and freeze them ahead of time ready for the apple crumble and I’ll just have the perishables, potatoes and any remaining veg to get close to the big day. I’m hosting all day this year so I still need to decide on buffet stuff for the evening. Once I know what Christmas delivery slot I’ve got for my weekly shopping I’ll plan out ordering things like mince pies etc., so I leave as little as possible for the last minute.

The Christmas films on tv are the same ones as in previous years and mainly romances dressed up as Christmas films. I’m sure they’ve changed the titles of a few of them too although they’re definitely the same films. They’re not great but I’m still having them on in the background to foster the Christmas mood.

I know most of the old crowd aren’t on here anymore but Hi 👋 to any of you who pop on occasionally to read. I miss the old thread days.

Happy Christmas prep to everyone.