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

princesskitty29

Hello all from a wet and windy corner of the country today! I had a lovely weekend away with two friends for my birthday, we stayed in a lovely lodge on a farm with a hot tub. It was bliss. I’ve only ever had one night at a time away from the boys and it dawned on me that Saturday was the first ever entire day to myself in almost 8 years as we were away for two nights. When I’ve been away before I’ve always had to travel home the next day so it was lovely waking up on Saturday morning knowing I didn’t have to be anywhere at a certain time and that I could do what I wanted when I wanted! I think I’ve come away with a taste for hot tubs now though. 

It's DS2’s birthday next month and he’s really into all things space at the moment, we popped to Worcester on the way home and I found a space themed sticker set in The Works reduced to £2 that would make a good present, when I got to the till I found I had £1.70 on my loyalty card so it only cost me 30p! I do love a good bargain.

No Christmas presents bought but I have added another idea to my spreadsheet.

Coxy oh wow what a great challenge to do! That’s something I’d also like to do one day. I guess the scenery won’t always be great but what a wonderful thing to be able to say you’ve done. I love the look of those Christmas cards you bought at the craft fayre.

Spendless wow I hope you had a great time in Miami! I love that you were still shopping for stocking fillers whilst over there, you have to get these things when you see them.

Beshki oh I’m sorry to hear that about the water feature, what a disappointment. The only positive is that it’s not something you purchased just before Christmas and had to return, there are bonuses to shopping early!

Coxy11

Sounds like a lovely treat @princesskitty29 and that was a complete bargain for your DS. 

I was in the London office on Tuesday and there's a HoF next door. It's a bit like the Marie Celeste but I always take a wander through to see if there's any bargains (you remember I bought those Yoda night lights for £7 now back up to £15?). Anyway this week I spotted 2 of these:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gisela-Graham-Silver-Christmas-Decoration/dp/B09N7Q7M32/ref=sr_1_55?crid=3QQVEQV3XEUGY&keywords=gisela+graham+star&qid=1652343729&sprefix=gisela+graham+star%2Caps%2C69&sr=8-55
Marked up at £7 but reduced to £1 each! Bit of a faff at the till as the assistant didn't have the authority to reduce the price but got there in the end. May keep for us or gift - not sure yet.

Coxy11

Hi everyone,

Back again with another bargain from HoF which is now closing down and has at least 20% off everything in store. If I was more confident about what type of designer handback DS1s GF might like, I'd splurge, but it's just too big a risk to take!

I went in during my lunch break yesterday and bought this for £3.20:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/125223250366?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=7101533165274578&mkcid=2&itemid=125223250366&targetid=4584826055637461&device=c&mktype=&googleloc=&poi=&campaignid=412354546&mkgroupid=1299623041023876&rlsatarget=pla-4584826055637461&abcId=9300541&merchantid=87779&msclkid=218e58f296c31d3181eb3a776b53b6f5
Will be a stocking filler for DD at Christmas:

Was a bit bonkers in there as people love a bargain. A few home gadgets - food processors, posh coffee pod machines and plenty of luggage to choose from. Will pop back again next week and see what I can snaffle!

Gettingtherequickly

Coxy11 said:

Sounds like a lovely treat @princesskitty29 and that was a complete bargain for your DS. 

I was in the London office on Tuesday and there's a HoF next door. It's a bit like the Marie Celeste but I always take a wander through to see if there's any bargains (you remember I bought those Yoda night lights for £7 now back up to £15?). Anyway this week I spotted 2 of these:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gisela-Graham-Silver-Christmas-Decoration/dp/B09N7Q7M32/ref=sr_1_55?crid=3QQVEQV3XEUGY&keywords=gisela+graham+star&qid=1652343729&sprefix=gisela+graham+star%2Caps%2C69&sr=8-55
Marked up at £7 but reduced to £1 each! Bit of a faff at the till as the assistant didn't have the authority to reduce the price but got there in the end. May keep for us or gift - not sure yet.

Coxy, I like Gisela Graham stuff, but find it difficult to buy any of her stuff, as she & her husband are actually clients of ours at work! I would feel like her paying me to buy her things!

Coxy11

Mates rates? @Gettingtherequickly

princesskitty29

Hi all, the sun is making an appearance here this morning which is lovely but it’s been so hard to know what to wear as it’s been hot/cold hot/cold hot/cold! We went for a walk in the hills yesterday morning and it was quite chilly then we went to a farmers show yesterday afternoon and it was baking. It was a great show though, my eldest is obsessed with tractors and my youngest loves any vehicle so they were in there element! I love shows like that and it had good old fashioned entertainment like tug of war and pram races. I’m going to look to see what other shows and fetes are going on and put them in my diary, I love them.

I’ve been watching some programmes I recorded before Christmas last year and it’s been strange but lovely seeing all the Christmas adverts again. I was in M&S the other day using the self service checkout and the man who worked there was singing a Christmas song, I smiled at him and he came over thinking I needed help but I said I was just smiling at him singing a Christmas tune! When I left he said “Merry Christmas!” Then as I left the shop there were some workmen fixing the door and one of them was singing “do you want to build a snowman?” I felt like I’d been teleported to December!

Coxy wow you’re getting some great bargains from HoF!  It’s all lovely and so satisfying when that happens. But sad another shop is closing, I don’t enjoy online shopping much anymore but soon there won’t be any shops to go in!

GTQ that’s a great client to have!

Spendless

I'm picking up clues to what my Mum could do with as Christmas presents from recent conversations with her. I've come up with some beauty products she could do with based on what she's been saying recently plus she's also started saying about the cost of items. My Dad's latest grumble was about the cost of tin foil! So, I questioned further what she used it for. Anyway my idea is to do her  2 themes of 'Her' and 'Home'.

Under 'Her' I have nail strengthener, body butter and sheet face packs. She's told me about her weak nails (60+ years of being a hairdresser!) and dry skin on face and body. She recently tried a sheet face pack I gave her for the very first time and loved it. She's started using some body lotion on her legs to moisutrise them, but I'm pretty sure has never tried body butter.  

For 'Home' I'm thinking of some silicone lids and a  fabric bread bag (she told me that she wraps food in the fridge and bread all in foil) 

Dad - is so difficult to buy for this will be left to last minute.

My 2 Grandmothers - all you can do with them as they're in their 90s is rinse and repeat, 1 food hamper type stuff, the other flowers/toiletries.

FIL - The only relatve on DH's side we still buy for - I will leve this one with hubby to sort.

That leaves what I call my own household inc future DIL

DH - Will think nearer time, but thinking travel/luggage related. He spends a fair bit of time away from home and travels abroad a few times too. I will be dropping into conversation what he thinks he needs.


DD - Gives me a list at the last minute and I've been caught out before so will not be buying anything major. I have some stocking filler items already for her. 
@Coxy11  - I really love that retractable charger you've linked to. DD is a nighmare with the rphone that's always 'on 3 per cent'. and taking a long cable out with her. I think something like that will be included in her presents this year! 

DS - I think I mentioned this a few pages back but  he could do with items where it will help him save money. I intend building him a hamper around him shaving and will include a razor sharpener, good razor and aftershave/toiletires that he can also use on his wedding day, which fetches me to

(future) DIL - I asked her a couple of months ago what her fav perfume was. She named one but said she'd never owned any purely smelled it in an airport shop. I had the perfume so gave her a squirt. Then we went to America and DD spotted a pack of 2 mini perfumes, one the forementioned the second, another from the same brand. I got her them as a thank you for looking after our dog and thinking I would buy her a gift set with the shower gel/body lotion for Xmas so she could wear it all on her wedding day (I did the same when I got married). However the gift sets containing the extras aren't usually available until Xmas stock comes out 

Writing down the above has helped because I can start getting some of these items now.

Mum -  is easy, she won't acquire any of these things before now and December, mostly because she doesn't know they exist!

DS - Can also be bought. He won't buy them himself as too skint.

(future) DIL - Can be bought but only as and when items appear in shops

DH - *Might* be able to be bought, depends what it is. The tricky thing here is if I lead a conversation round to what he lacks for travels, he may go off and buy it for himself especially as he has some foreign trips coming up in the Autumn. I'm possibly going to have to wait till they've passed.


DD/ Dad/GM x2)/FIL - All to be left till later.

That makes from 9 people bought for (the 10th is myself) I can start getting

2 lots now

2 lots - from early Autumn time

5 leave till nearer Xmas

I have a friend who always says it's not going and buying the present that's the difficult bit, it's knowing what to get them that;s hard. She usually tells me this after I've told her of a fruitless long shopping trip trying to find something that will inspire me.  

Gettingtherequickly

I am having a think about Christmas and what to get. Sadly, my mum died 10 days ago, so a whole new perspective on things. I always went home for Christmas, so that will not be happening this year as, although I could stay with other family, I think that after the last couple of years (including impact of Covid), I think I may take some selfish time and go to see family in Canada instead. It also means that buying for family will be different this year, although the numbers to buy for are reduced due to graduation & working, so no need to buy for them now! Anyway, going to take some time out and think about what to do. Have not made any Christmas cakes yet and they are usually done by now, so will probably start over bank holiday.

Coxy11

Coxy11 said:

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/Lightweight-Rechargeable-Motorcycle-Adjustable-Temperature/dp/B08MFDKHNX/ref=asc_df_B08MFDKHNX?tag=bingshoppinga-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80195739420370&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583795271107532&psc=1

Hi @Spendless not sure if you saw my earlier post above for your DDad? Also I'm in the London office tomorrow so happy to get another of those chargers and send on to you? They had loads last week but may have sold out. Let me know.

Sorry about your DMum @Gettingtherequickly - saw this on another thread we both post on xx

Coxy

Spendless

Coxy11 said:

Coxy11 said:

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/Lightweight-Rechargeable-Motorcycle-Adjustable-Temperature/dp/B08MFDKHNX/ref=asc_df_B08MFDKHNX?tag=bingshoppinga-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80195739420370&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583795271107532&psc=1

Hi @Spendless not sure if you saw my earlier post above for your DDad? Also I'm in the London office tomorrow so happy to get another of those chargers and send on to you? They had loads last week but may have sold out. Let me know.

Sorry about your DMum @Gettingtherequickly - saw this on another thread we both post on xx

Coxy

@Coxy11 - Hi, yes sorry I did see your post and forgot to acknowledge.. I did get him some thermal layers last year. I will ask my Mum nearer the time if he'd wear the gillette. Cheers for the tip. 

 I've had a further think since this morning too. and parents are currently trying to grow tomatoes, though they think they'll ripen when they're on hol, so I've been told to go round and pick them -lol. Anyway I thought I should go for Dad something along those lines. I've just seen on Amazon they do a starter kit of growing your own salad. That could be an idea too, so I can also do a 'Home' and 'Him' theme but the Him doesn't need to be of the toiletry kind in the way Mum's is, just something that's not 'for the house'

Thank you - I'd really appreciate it, if you were able to pick me up a charger. No worries if they've sold out though.

Also during my think, my Nan that lives at home. I do have a soft pink (her fav colour) blanket/throw in my present cupboard. I initially bought it for DD but she does already have one. So I think I'll re-purpose that to Nan and add in some biscuits etc nearer Xmas.

I'm really pleased that at this stage of the year I'm already able to sort (even if mostly in my head) gift ideas.