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

princesskitty29

I must have been typing my post as you did yours Spendless! It's so cute your dog searches for his presents, we are planning to get a dog in the new year (we'll be first time owners) so I have a lot to learn about the do's and don'ts!

kerri_gt

I popped into the sales yesterday. Lush had a stock issue so barely anything at all, quite literally,  in their store. 
I ended up buying quite a lot in Zara but only because their changing rooms were closed. Kind of makes going to the actual store pointless if you can't try it on as now I'll need to return most / all of it to store when i find it doesn't fit. Talk about being your own advert for online shopping.

Prob also going to return something i bought from TKM before xmas too at some stage.

Despite reports footfall was down, the shopping centre I went to was busy. Think folks just wanted to be out and about. We'd already been out on boxing day for the football too so a couple of chilled days now before new year celebrations

@Spendless your OH sounds like he was a bit of a thoughtless tool on xmas day. Hope today makes up for it.
Have you thought about enrolling your hound in a special skills job, he sounds adorable!

3forholidays

@princesskitty29 - Happy for you to set up the new thread for next year. Thank you so much!

I’m currently using my iPad a lot as due to working from home I’ve had to find room for an additional computer monitor and works laptop in my bedroom. My computer desk isn’t large enough so I’ve had to dissemble my personal laptop and use my laptop table to hold the computer monitor. I’ll need to look at reconfiguring things as the home office is going to be required permanently as we aren’t going to be in the office full time any more (it could be as little as once a week).

Spendless

@kerri_gt - I completely agree. Thankfully he has listened to what I've had to say. Wanted to ask you how the pillowcases went down? Told DD I was disappointed to not receive my own. Said I thought I'd dropped enough hints about how nice I thought they were after sleeping on hers. She said, sorry she hadn't picked up on it, just thought I was raving about what a good teenage present they were! 

Yesterday was a lot better with DS and gf home, though having not done it for years I hadn't realised how time consuming a buffet could be to prepare. Really glad my Mum helped. Last year DH had ordered some swarvoski crackers that came too late for Christmas Day, so I saved for this year when DS was home, plus had to add another couple on so there was enough. Contents were beautiful though ours were repetitive. We got 3 x cross necklaces, 1 reindeer brooch, 1 wine stopper and 3 cufflinks (so each male got a set which was handy) this was across buying a set of 6 (but was last year's stock) plus 1 male/female set ordered this year. I would recommend them if your family party is old enough to appreciate the contents and you are prepared to pay a little bit more for something more unusual and longer lasting. I don't think I paid quite these prices because we used discount codes that came up (plus the box of 6 was purchased last year) . https://www.clearcrystal.com/featured/six-luxury-christmas-crackers-created-with-swarovski-crystals-copy/


Then we moved onto present opening and DH had redeemed himself by buying me a watch and a necklace as additional presents. Him and DD had gone shopping together the previous day, so I guess DD selected items instead for me. The dog dealy wanted to sniff out his presents as before but with 7 of us in the living room instead of 3 like on Xmas day, that proved a little difficult, so he got sent into the adjoining room with one of his presents and then whined about it till we eventually let him back in when we'd finished.

DH tactfully dealt with the additional present of the phone to Gf, making it clear it was a 'one off'. She was so grateful of everything she received. Gift giving within her own family is very different and I believe she'd received a lot of joint and practical items, whereas I tend to buy 'on the nice side of practical' for her.  

3forholidays

@Spendless - Glad that the day went well and DH redeemed himself with his gifts (even if DD had to assist him!). Hopefully he will learn from this for next year!

kerri_gt

@Spendless haven't heard about the pillowcases, guess I will in due course, maybe? With three kids and a busy house I'm not surprised i haven't heard anything. Sorry you didn't get yours, maybe hot foot it to TKM in the sales?
Other kids loved their Slushie maker, DB also loves the idea of using it for adult cocktails which hadn't occured to him.

Glad DH redeemed himself on xmas mark II and that DSGF was really pleased with her gifts. Sounds like a lovely day all round.

Spendless

DD finally moved all her presents to her bedroom last night. She said now she's older that what she found was she still needed items on Xmas Eve  (eg new PJs, a bath product etc). whereas I'd taken the xmas eve hamper away but kept the stocking which wasn't really needed anymore because it was for her and her brother to open up whilst me and DH 'came round'. Nowadays she doesn't wake that early anyway and DS has a different set of circs now anyway, so wasn't here for Xmas day, and only has 1 christmas left before he's a married man. Her suggestion is I put xmas eve hamper items into her stocking and give her that to open Dec 24th evening. Feeling a bit sad about it tbh, but can see the sense in what she's saying. 

Beshki

I had the present disappointment from OH too, HA HA! Although partially my fault as we’ve never done presents before so I guess he had no idea on what he was going to receive. Tbh it was a faff and so have decided we will set a £20 limit next year just doing stockings Started today with a pair of FF socks reduced from £7 to £3. Going to try and normalise reduced/cheaper gifting next year Also bought the books I usually gift to both older aunts in the works sale, £1 each. Will be a nice treat next year to open my Xmas box and have less to buy !

princesskitty29

Hi all, I’ve set up the thread for next year! The link is here:

 

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6322972/a-jolly-holly-christmas-its-the-2022-christmas-chatter-thread/p1?new=1

 

I know we normally consult on the name of the thread but I had some time to set it up this morning so thought I would seize my chance, so didn’t have time to discuss a name. I hope you think it’s ok though and I look forward to chatting with you all in 2022!

 

Spendless I’m glad to hear you managed to have a nice day with DS at home and that DH redeemed himself! Hopefully things will be a little different next year.

 

3forholidays I hope you manage to get your home office sorted out and it’s always nice to hear from you, I hope to hear from you on this year’s thread.

princesskitty29

3forholidays I just added the birthday list to the new thread and realised we missed yours on the 15th - I hope you had a lovely day!