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

princesskitty29

I’m glad I’m not the only one who has last minute stuff to do! I’ve wrapped most of the presents now, just a few odd and ends to do. I made the mistake of popping upstairs to finish wrapping the boys presents on my own, they were the ones in very large boxes (more box than present) and I was getting into a mess with wrapping paper everywhere and sellotape sticking to everything! I really should have waited for DH!

 

I’ve tested negative for the seven day duration I’m meant to test daily, I think I’ll do another couple more over the next two days and hopefully I’ll be able to pop out and deliver some of my friends presents to them. My in laws have decided not to come here on Christmas day even though DH and DS1 will be out of their isolation period as they’re worried just in case anyone is still contagious and we understand, we don’t want them to get it either! It’s just a shame we won’t see them.

 

I received the Father Christmas video for the boys and I’m really pleased with it, that’s all ready to show them on Christmas Eve. I also ordered them letters from Father Christmas from the same place and the boys loved them, the personalisation was great and to my relief they weren’t identical letters, they both read differently.

 

I popped our Heroes and Roses out on the sideboard today, I have such fond memories of my mum putting little bowls of food out around Christmas, tomorrow I’ll get out the Pringles and nuts too. The boys and I made gingerbread biscuits this morning, they took their time decorating them as they want to leave some out for Father Christmas, they’re so cute!  There’s a charity Father Christmas that get’s pulled around our town on a sleigh attached to a trailer and fingers crossed it is coming down our road tonight, another festivity whilst we’re in isolation!

 

How’s everyone else getting on with their preparations?

 

Spendless I hope you’ve found the moonshine, I have so many boxes everywhere I’m worried I’m going to miss giving someone something!

 

mandco oh no poor DGD2, it’s unbelievable we’re back in the same position again this year isn’t it? I remember thinking last year how amazing it would be this year but we seem to be in the same place again! Could they maybe just postpone it until later in the spring? Not the same I know but I’m sure she’d love it all the same. A birthday tea buffet on Christmas Eve sounds lovely and I’m sure she’ll appreciate it. I know what you mean about feeling sad, I have moments like that, I think it’s because the build up and anticipation are so exciting and gives us a good feeling, but we know it will be over soon! Plus like you say who knows what restrictions will come in after Christmas, I’m fully expecting the boys not to be going back to school straight away. We’ll see!

princesskitty29

I've managed to make a few sets of bunting and I have another one i'm halfway through, but i've had to concede that I haven't got the time to make it for everyone that I wanted to this year so i'll roll them over to next year. Luckily I already have enough presents for those people and my family won't get their presents for a good few weeks at least after Christmas so I might as well wait for next year to give them theirs. I'm going to carry on making them after Christmas so at least they'll be ready in very good time for next Christmas unlike this one!

kerri_gt

@princesskitty29 that bunting looks lovely

Sorry to hear folks who are unable to meet up with others as planned. It's so annoying (I also suspect there will be a number of +ve results just in time for Xmas by folks as a 'get out of the obligations' card - I don't mean on here, but just in general).

Delivered another batch of presents yesterday and some this morning so mostly done on the ones that need going somewhere. I do have DA / DU to wrap still although I have no idea when they will get theirs - it's largely rolled over from last year as DM usually passes them on at a sibling get together and they didn't do one this year.

Largely looking forward to getting all the wrapping paraphernalia away now - xmas done and a chance to tidy the house ready for 2022. I don't care much for NY although we do have plans. 

Not sure if I will go out in the sales or not - some of the kids are now getting older so it's hard to know what to get in advance and this year I saw some things later on and wished I'd waited a little to shop. That said, at least if it's purchased it's done and dusted. We'll see. Looks like two cards not handed out this year - will put those away for next year too I guess (stopped writing years on them for that reason)

Spendless

I found the moonshine! You'll never believe where. I put all the extended family gifts in bags in the conservatory but also put DH's there too due to needing space for  DS and gf and DD's split day presents and that's where I found it, in his bag of gifts, in other words put away exactly where it should have been - d'oh!!

All presents through the post have turned up including FIL's. 

I finished for Xmas yesterday, met my workmates for a drink this lunchtime taking DD with me as I was shopping nearby. Have dropped off some presents for my parents and grandparents and have got more (from DD) to drop off tomorrow. I have a handful of family cards to write out and other than that don't think I'll bother sending this year. Most people have either dropped off or are understanding about not everyone able to this year - I will be more organised next year about cards I promise! 

No idea what we're doing re sales. Absolutely pointless buying anything for the 5 pensioners and my own kids tastes and requirements change so much over the coming year

kerri_gt

😂 glad you found the moonshine @Spendless

I think because last year I didn't get into the sales because of lockdown it's got me rethinking whether to bother this year...i mean as gifts....I'll certainly be going and making up for last year 😅 

Did some last min shopping with OH today, was really lovely going out with him as he's not a big shopper so it was really nice he wanted to come and have a look. 

Got one more present to drop off tomorrow,  a couple more to wrap and some bits to organise. Plus I am actually working tomorrow too. However if it's not done by xmas day, I'm sure no one will notice or care.

Spendless

Yes, I'm thinking use the sales to buy something for me rather than looking for bargainous gifts for others. I think that time of my life has now gone. It did last 25 years though. 

I got DD a little swarovski gift set as a little something instead of the Xmas Eve hamper, especially as she isn't doing anything tonight. In it are some pretty much identical ear-rings she bought yesterday - so have decided there's no point giving them and they can be moved to her stocking next year.

On our shopping trip yesterday, I saw the perfume shop advent calendar reduced to half price, so bought it, thinking me and DD copuld share. I seem to have ended up with the bits she didn't want though! 

DH still hasn't bought any prawns. If you remember I refused to have anything to do with the starters saying he could sort them out himself as I didn't want one as I felt, it was adding to the pressure. He has now doubled up on salad because he didn't check what was in, got 2 jars of cocktail sauce more than he needs and when I asked what the 2 veggies were being served, got told just the salad and sauce. This is what my late MIL once served for me the year I was pregnant with DD and advice had just changed that expectant Mums couldn't eat shellfish. I have to say a glass  containing lettuce, with a slice of cucumber and tomato covered in a marie rose sauce, was not my idea of having something nice to eat at the side of the others and I'd told DH not to do that weeks ago. In the fridge I've just seen he has some breaded garlic mushrooms, maybe they've been bought for the 28th, but I will be telling him serving up salad to our veggie guests, one of whom is our daughter  isn't thoughtful or inclusive of them  and he can have another think about it. 

princesskitty29

I feel the same about the sales now, I will probably have a little look but I always buy stuff but then as you say kerri see other stuff nearer to Christmas. I also got caught out this year, I bought a lovely watch for my best friend in the summer sales £15 reduced from £30, however I went to wrap it the other day and it’s stopped! So I now need to pay out to have the battery changed so not much of a bargain after all! Luckily I won’t be seeing her until after Christmas so no rush to get it done before.

 

I have one more present to wrap today then that is all done. I’m currently cooking the gammon joint I have then will cook the turkey this afternoon. When the boys are older I will probably cook the turkey on Christmas day but it’s so chaotic on Christmas day morning it’s one less thing to think about! I put the boys Christmas Eve hamper together yesterday, I now just need to iron the tablecloth and get bits ready for the table. I’m sure there’s lots of other things I need to do and they’ll come to me as the day goes on! Coping with two overexcited boys will be enough!

 

DH and DS1 tested negative yesterday, we’re all going to do tests again today and providing we’re all negative my in laws have decided to come and spend Christmas day with us! I’m happy for them as much as for us, this would have been the third year of spending Christmas on their own otherwise. Fingers crossed for negative results!

 

I hope everyone is well and preparations for the big day are going well!

 

Spendless glad you found the moonshine!

Clumsy42

Hi again everyone! I popped in once and then didn't get around to posting again. I'll try harder next year! 

Princesskitty that bunting is lovely!

Well, it's Christmas Eve and I'm feeling sorry for myself. Woke up ill yesterday. I've had worse and it's quite mild but being under the weather at Christmas is very annoying! Hopefully when I wake up tomorrow I'll feel better. (I have tested for you-know-what btw but it was negative)

Hope everyone has a happy Christmas! See you next year xxx

Spendless

Merry Christmas everyone

Yes, this is me up bright and early, even though I have no reason to be anymore.  Maybe I'll summon up energy shortly to start prepping veg. Yesterday was taken up with dropping off last minute cards and presents and walking to the pub with DD for a drink and light bite - I really enjoyed that and would be happy to make it a new tradition we did, workhours permitting.

Not having the Xmas Eve hamper meant I had to raid a Xmas present for DD as she mentioned having a lack of PJs (though that's partly due to what she packed to fetch home, - not enough clothes and for some bizarre reason a pair of sunglasses??? Anyway I ended up saying to her though I thought the hamper had been outgrown, I can see she still needs some items on Xmas Eve, such as a bath product, clean/new pyjamas and from next year I'll re-instate a mini one with items that she uses on Xmas Eve.

We are a guest short, one tested positive for covid, yesterday. The rest of us are going to take LFs this morning just in case. 
. This does reduce it down to a more manageable 6 that can all comfortably fit round our table without much improvisation. Bought DD some tomato soup for her starter as she wasn't overly impressed at her Dad's suggestion that she could just eat salad or there's some garlic mushrooms she could have that. Other veggie guest now not coming doesn't like mushrooms or tomato soup, which was complicating the issue. This is a frustration I've had with DH's inviting of family without asking me, it's not that I would have said no, it's just that he did it without asking me and then has gone ahead with a meal that he/they like and I don't. I think that's a bit much when the meal is at our house. 

Most excitement from yesterday has come from our 2yo dog who has a present obsession. He was physically shaking as he saw me wrap some up yesterday. As he isn't scared I can only put this down to excitement. When gifts including his went in the conservatory, he spent a large amount of time staring at the bag, sniffing the air and standing on his hand legs to see if he could get a better look. I said to DD I'm only glad he doesn't know how to track Santa. Currently nothing is under the tree because of the dog, instead it is all out of his reach in the conservatory and later I will put it out, when dog is occupied elsewhere.

mandco

Merry Christmas everyone 
Hope you have the best day you