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

C_J

I’m so sorry to hear about your Mum @princesskitty29, but it is very much easier to treat if they catch it early so it’s really good that it has been found and they can get on with making her better. A cancer diagnosis is devastating, and it shocks the whole family - we went through Christmas three years ago with Mister CJ in the middle of a gruelling course of chemo - but try and take it all one day at a time and be as upbeat and positive for your Mum as you can be. The NHS are fantastic, and she’ll be in good hands.

kerri_gt

So sorry to hear about your mum @princesskitty29. The most you can do for xmas is have some loose plans depending on how she is feeling and what she's up to doing. Thankfully from what I recall radiotherapy is the lesser of the two evils compared to chemo but still lot to deal with. It sounds positive they have caught things early x

C_J

Thank you again @kerri_gt for the heads up about the Serrano ham boxes - I went to Lidl as soon as they opened this morning and got the last of the large ones. I had resigned myself to the fact I had missed out this year and was prepared to do without, so it’s a lovely surprise to have found them. You’ve made my Christmas! 😀😀

kerri_gt

So glad I could help out @C_J Well done on getting the last one, it was clearly meant to be   

Beshki

Thanks for the ideas Re OH. Decided to do away with wracking my brains trying to think of something to buy that he could possibly need & booked a night away instead  

Spendless

Sorry to hear about your Mum princesskitty. Treatment can be easier (not easy!) if discovered early on. Mr S is a Cancer survivor from 2008 (mouth/oral Cancer - and not in an at risk group at all). The kids were young (8 and 5) and I was devastated, but he had treatment (so early found his was able to be cut away due to location on his tongue). The next 5 years till discharge I always found 'hold your breath' time around check ups but is doing fine now. Wishing your Mum a similar positive outcome.

As I've detailed elsewhere on the site, DD asked for a matching perfume, bodyspray and bodywash set. Very difficult to find! In the end I've gone with some Ted Baker floral ranges. Though I could buy a xmas aimed set for the rollerball scents and bodysprays wasn't possible for the bodywashes and at £8+ each wasn't spending a fortune on them. Yesterday I spotted that Boots had 3 for 2 on their TB indulgent bathcare so was able to buy all 3. Still quite a dear overall spend though, even with offers and gift sets. Am back to realising it was easier to spread the cost in the days I bought for more females and could split packs down. I suppose more self awareness of my changing gift recipients will help going forward! I did think though that once DD outgrew asking for a pet unicorn or a real fairy that lived in the garden, her requests would be easier to accomplish!

Decision made about the day DS and gf come back, we will have a buffet, give them their gifts and DD has requested a mix of hers held back too. I've invited my parents. My Mum was a bit concerned about the extra work if they also attended, but I said I'd keep the food simple and prep most the day before and have a lot of open and salerve items. NYE got mentioned by DH when our friends were round, because some of his family have often also been with us on that night, but I have said I am not prepared to host both Christmas Day and NYE. I don't care what happens NYE, just it's not taking place at my house as that wasn't fair to expect me to do all the work of both occasions. Fully intend digging my heels in on this one! 

DH's cousin has messaged DD with what she's done so far for DH's present. It looks amazing already! So excited for him to have this and will be even more special cos it's been done by a family member.  

mandco

Princesskitty Sorry to hear about your mum its always a shock to have it confirmed even if you expect it. Like Kerri said all you can really do is have some loose plans and see how she is feeling on the day. Take care of yourself too 

Ds gaming chair came I was a little disappointed as I was expecting it to come in an actual box but when I opened the brown box it came it all the parts are just loose inside? so I need to check everything is there when he's no around. thinking now I might just put it together xmas eve and pop a bow on it rather than wrap it.
Got the boys playstation plus subscriptions as they are 30% off also ordered a Ps5 game Taz asked for at 1/2 price   
ordered a few more small bits for dd 
popped to aldi yesterday they didn't have most of the things I was looking for (typical for my local store) but they did have the pre assembled ginger bread house kit so picked that up to do with Taz bargain for £4.99, candy came path lights Taz's choice and a new xmas jumper for the dog.
just need to find a small gift for the youngest so that have the same amount to open & pick up some pj's (sdd's request)then grandkids are finished. Its coming together 

ordered a xmas jumper from TU which was meant to come today but got a text saying they cancelled it yesterday so need to find an alternative

going to decorate the tree this week as we are meant to be away next week and I'd like it done before we go so its up when we get home. Realised we are away on the 1st so need to figure out what to do about the dec 1st box/elves arriving?

covid cases are on the increase locally - 8 of sdd's side of the family have now tested positive  so hoping none of us got if from them 
take care everyone

kerri_gt

Just popped onto Amaz0n to order some ink and saw this if anyone missed out so far on deals

chanie

mandco thanks for the reminder about the PlayStation plus subscriptions. Both OH and DS have subscriptions than expire in December and we forgot to buy them whilst they were on offer last year.  

federickjohn

He is so excited to go home. Christmas is extremely special to all of us and during this time meeting our relatives and family is the best which you can give.