A Jolly Holly Christmas - It's the 2022 Christmas Chatter Thread!

Coxy11

Hi everyone,
I've been walking in the Highlands of Scotland for the past two weeks, so no present buying for me.
@Spendless how about a heated gilet for your Dad?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Electric-Lightweight-Washable-Settings-Motorcycle/dp/B09L545N2Y/ref=asc_df_B09L545N2Y?tag=bingshoppinga-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80127030413257&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583726556626977&th=1

Beshki

I’m a bit worried now as I ordered a solar water feature from Wowcher for a Christmas present for a grandparent, and now I’m thinking what if it doesn’t work when I gift it…should have thought this through a bit better.

C_J

@Beshki - could you unwrap it carefully, try it out, then dry and repackage it? I bought myself a mini solar fountain last year from Ali Express (it was only as couple of quid) which I’ve put in a half-barrel water feature, and it’s really good.

chanie

@Beshki I bought a cheapie solar water fountain and they do work, but you need a really sunny day for them to work properly. I’ve used mine a couple of times recently and it doesn’t always work consistently as the sun isn’t bright enough. I think mine will work nicely from late spring onwards.  I do need a deeper dish for mine, as the one I’m using is quite shallow.

Treasurequeen

I bought some men’s razor blades reduced this week to go in my dads stocking. I will keep an eye out for expensive  shaving gel reductions to go with it. My mum said to get them things they need/ use/ will save them money. So I’ve got a pretty good idea what I will put in my dads stocking: shower gel, shave gel, razor blades, foot spray, wine gums, galaxy bar, box of his earl grey tea and a tub of his favourite luxury coffee.

Ideas for gifts to help in these tough times: candles t lights or jar- the jar ones from home bargains are very good and nearer Christmas the scented ones for the season are very nice. Around £2.99 a jar,they burn for ages and are good in a power cut. In the same range they do t- lights, votives and pillar which are good stocking fillers. 

The range do a Pack of 20 Moonlit Cabin Tealights £2.79 these smell amazing! 

Smellies for each person- whether a beauty gift set or shower gels and sprays. I worked out the cost of item separately last year and most of the time are cheaper to get separate than the gift set and less packaging too. 

I’m thinking about getting Food shop gift cards for my brother and his wife and then each of them a toiletry gift set. I’m thinking of adding a food gift card into my parents hamper as well. I saw in my Aldi they do gift cards now to spend in there stores priced from £5.00 upwards. The other big supermarkets do the gift cards too. I used to get the dine in gift cards but lately the food on offer hasn’t been nice or the selection isn’t as good as it used to be. 

princesskitty29

Hi all, we’ve had issues with our laptop here so we’ve finally got a new one and I can get back on here again! I hope everyone is ok? I haven’t bought anything for Christmas lately but I have updated my spreadsheet with a few ideas.

I turned 40 on Friday and DH and I had a nice day in Cambridge, I’ve never been before so it was nice to go and have a wander around. We went to see my family on Saturday, we were meant to be staying until today but DS2 came out in a cold and was awake for hours and hours Saturday night with a temperature and cough so we thought it best to bring him home. We’re not having much luck with visiting my family at the moment! I’ve got a few other celebrations planned for my birthday, I’m going away with some friends this weekend coming, DH and I are having an overnight spa stay in June, I’m having a meal out with some other friends at the end of this month and my parents bought me an afternoon tea voucher for a local hotel so I will do that at some point. So lots going on! In an ideal world I would have just had one big party but as I’ve moved around a bit I’ve got friends and family all over the place so it wouldn’t have been so easy.

Spendless thanks for posting that sock stocking video, it’s good to see someone making it rather than just a photo. I think I’ll stick with my original idea of putting one sock inside the other as I want them to look like a little stuffed stocking. I’m looking forward to making these!

Treasurequeen I think food hampers are such good ideas, they’re so useful and we always really enjoy receiving food hampers. Those heart candles would make great table gifts and it’s always nice to know what you’re going to stuff a stocking with!

mandco it certainly is hard looking after children who are used to getting what they want! It always seems like the easy option to give children whatever they want at the time but that causes it’s own problems in the long run and results in the same amount of hassle as saying no at the time.

Coxy oh I’m so envious of you walking the Highlands of Scotland! Did you have an amazing time? I hope you did. DH and I adore Scotland, we even got engaged at the top of Ben Nevis! We haven’t actually been since having children, so 8 years. We will definitely take the children in the next couple of years I think now that they are easier.

Beshki as others have said could you unwrap it carefully and try it out? I’m sure your grandparent would understand if you explained to them that you wanted to check it, I’m sure they wouldn’t want you wasting your money either.

princesskitty29

Actually I say I haven't bought anything but when I was in Cambridge I popped into Paperchase and found a lovely boxed gardening set for my auntie, it has gardening gloves, scissors, a plant marker and a pretty floral plant pot inside it. It was £8.95 reduced from £16.99 so that's put away in the present box for Christmas now.

Coxy11

Hi everyone,

DH and I went to a craft fayre yesterday and I bought some eco friendly products to put away for DD and DNiece for Christmas:
https://www.boundlessinteriors.co.uk/product-page/pink-watercolour-bamboo-face-wipes

I also bought a set of two dishcloths to try out:
https://www.boundlessinteriors.co.uk/product-page/pastel-flowers-dish-scrub

Bought some cards too:
https://seaglassbyarchie.co.uk/shop/happy-christmas

DNephew is 14 in a couple of week's time and he would like cash as he's saving up for a phone. That's nice and easy, so just need to get a card.

We loved the Highlands of Scotland @princesskitty29 - it's part of our quest to walk JoGLE. Next stretch will be Milngavie to Carlisle following cycle routes which after the Great Glen Way and the West Highland Way won't be scenic at all!! How lovely to have all those different celebrations for your 40th - enjoy xx

Spendless

Back from a short trip to America (Miami). Me and DD accompanied DH on his work trip, then  daughter flew to LA to see a friend she was at drama school with. On my last full day , after DD had gone, I discovered a Walmat within walking distance. Gutted I didn't find it sooner! I did however manage to buy some bits for stocking fillers and the Xmas eve box which I think will be making a come back this year. DD said she's rather have the Xmas eve box than a stocking, as there were things she wanted to do Xmas eve such as have a nice bath, use a facepack, have a drink that had been provided in previous years last year in the hamper whereas she was having to use stuff she already had. Don't know I will be getting rid of the stocking though. Our dog has an obsession with presents and opens them! That means I can't put items out by the tree the night before in case he gets to them. Telling DD to open her stocking upstairs and keep the dog with her whilst she did gave me an opportunity to put the gifts out.

Anyway I was really happy with the items I got. A travel wallet for DS as it has a separate coin compartment. He refuses to part with the wallet I got him aged 11 for starting Secondary school because he loves the coin section of it so much!  A little pouch for ear pods for DD, useful for her to travel with, trainer wipes, false eyelashes that use magnetic liner, which DD has due to suffering from Blepharitis, the ones she buys here cost a fortune. These were store brand prices! 

Beshki

I needn’t have been concerned re the water feature, it turned up and I couldn’t have gifted it if I had wanted to - what an embarrassment! It was supposedly rrp £59.99 - it wasn’t worth £1! I have returned it and will likely lose money as already paid more in postage and return postage than the item but being as I didn’t have a single use for it (hideous and dolls house sized!) it is what it is. You live and learn!