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

mandco

The Queens passing came as a huge shock to many considering she was working right up until the end but she had a long life and incredibly remarkable reign that will likely never be repeated. Definately sounds strange hearing the King.
You do have to feel for her family as while I understand there is a huge amount of official business to sort they have had no time to grieve in private.

princesskitty Thanks for the birthday wishes    breaks away are def needed occasionally even just a few days makes such a difference 

popped to home bargains today and they had a xmas section out -I was very restrained and only picked up some mickey baubles as they only had 2 boxes left. They had the xmas candles in gingerbread, apple & cinnamon or mulled wine. 

Quick update as my pc battery died mid post yesterday
I also picked up a pack of festive oreos - 3 packs each with a festive red, green or white vanilla filling - oreo's are dairy free meaningTaz can have them so thought it being a different to usual it would be a nice treat for him as he misses out a lot on xmas treats

got an email from argos they are offering a christmas boost of 3000 bonus nectar points for shopping with them - earn 1000 points per month now - oct 9th/ oct 9th - oct 31st & nov 1st - nov 14th 
points to be added by nov 21st. You just need to swipe your card before each purchase i assume if you shop online you just need to have linked to your nectar account.
it does say email recipents only but would have thought its being offered to most people as dd got the same email  

going to make a start on my xmas crafts list this week as I every year I never seem to end up having time to fit everything in. 

C_J

@sammy_kaye18 How’s your cross stitch coming along? I’m in the midst of cross stitching gift tags for people, a task which is enjoyable as they are simple and easy to do - just the name, and a tiny holly sprig on each one so I can churn them out quickly!

@mandco How was Taz’s birthday?

@ForTheLoveOfChristmas1982 I think you’re brave to consider a car boot sale - I tried that a few years back and was shocked at how gangs of people swarmed all over me as soon as I arrived, before I could even start unpacking and setting up. It was terrifying!

I’ve had a quick look at the Boots Christmas section on their website, but am not all that excited by it. I remember how brilliant the Christmas shopping evenings used to be, how I used to go armed with a spreadsheet so I knew how to get the best combinations of gifts to get bonus points and third-ones-free etc ….. but now it just seems to be all Disney or Baylis and Harding (and who wants that?!).  I did manage to order the Viktor & Rolf perfume which my daughter would like, as there was discount on all perfumes. I loaded an offer for “700 points when you spend £70” but they have not shown up on my online account, and I think it probably not an additional offer but just the points you would have got for spending that much anyway! Boots can be annoying like that these days.

My younger daughter’s MIL has announced that she will only be buying for the grandchildren this Christmas, and I’m relieved in a way that she’s had the courage to stand up and say it - it takes a lot of the pressure off, though it’s probably not easy to be the first to say out loud what many others are already thinking!

Spendless

Today I continued tidying DD's bedroom that she started yesterday whilst she was at work. I moved several empty boxes into my room for potential 'packaging' at a later date. Then nipping out I remembered that I didn't have anything for my Nan's 97th birthday. I headed to M & S food, picked up a half bottle of their own brand whisky (mindful that my Mum tells me she only pours it in tea anyway, so don't bother buying her malt!)   then looked for biscuits for her. Was tempted by a nice tin but also know she never throws stuff out and she would  hoard yet another empty tin so settled on a cardboard one instead, then had a further thought and picked up some M & S t-Bags. The whisky was on offer at £4.50 (even the cashier commented on the price!), biscuits £4, and t-bags £1.20. I then came home, fished out a suitable cardboard box from earlier, laid the 3 items in it, with tissue paper around also removed from DD's empty boxes earlier today and then wrapped the whole item up. One birthday present for £9.70. I reckon M & S would have charged me around double that for doing the same thing.

DD's room was a lot easier to sort since she embarked on her de-clutter. @C_J - I've had the same thing happen to me. It's a lot easier if someone goes with you and another tip is to put your table etc so you access it from the car door and then put it in front of the boot so it acts as a barrier. I also bought some lidded boxes to put the items in (from Poundstretcher) so no one can delve in until I open it, which isn't until the clothes rail and  garden table are up. Both times we've gone another stall holder  has wanted to buy my rail & lidded boxes - lol, so think they've noticed my system works.

Tomorrow is future DIL's birthday. They are going on hol next month. I have a Michael Kors belt  with attached  bag for her. Thought it would be good for her hol to hold items. I bought it in TK Maxx some time back, today I came across an old MK shoebox, so thinking of utilising that to wrap the belt. I will explain to her it's not original packaging, I don't think she'll mind.  

After the birthdays this week, it is mine at the end of the month followed by DH a week later and then that is it till Christmas. After DD's contract ends for her job, me and her are going to Italy for 4 nights.  I'm both excited and nervous, having only ever do one girly trip with mates a long time ago. When we come back DD will be leaving for drama school not long after.

Beshki

I saw it advertised that Morrisons are doing four boxes of the Christmas chocs (heros etc) for £5 which I thought a good deal as we would generally only get one or two of those for us, rather than a tub & the others would do for presents. However it isn’t showing on the site.

princesskitty29

I popped to my local retail park this morning and managed to pick up some bits that will be useful. TK Maxx, Poundland and Home Bargains all had Christmas sections, Wilko were just starting to put theirs out and I noticed Matalan had a whole section clear which I assume will be for Christmas stuff. Customer and staff alike in Wilko were moaning about the Christmas stuff coming out already, I couldn’t help but smile. They always forget about the people like us that love Christmas and like to get ahead! I got some large bags of sweets for Halloween from Poundland and Home Bargains at a reasonable price, I live on a big estate and it’s very busy on Halloween – we always run out of sweets! I also got the boys a Halloween activity book each and bags of Halloween themed coins. I always get DH some Cadburys Snowballs for his stocking so I picked some of those up along with a new Cadburys Snowball bar. I spotted a Milky Bar Universe space themed selection box which is perfect for DS2 so I grabbed those and some snowman marshmallows to go with DS1’s hot chocolate. Lastly I picked up a lovely musical gingerbread men biscuit tin from M&S for my auntie, I always get her some nice biscuits or chocolates to go in her bag.

I ordered two of my friends a lovely Hallmark ‘Friends’ coffee cup tree decoration each and they arrived today, I’m really pleased with them. We all loved Friends so I think they’ll like them. I’m going to have to sort out the boxes full of gifts in my spare room soon, I always note them on my spreadsheet but I keep stuffing things in and I’m forgetting where it all is now!

mandco thank you for the heads up on the offers out there, it’s always good to hear about these things and what’s out there.

CJ I get a bit fed up of Boots, especially online as they insist on showing all products even when they’re not available which I find really frustrating. I gave up looking halfway through because I kept seeing things but then noticing they weren’t available.

Spendless wow what a bargain hamper! You are so good with these things. Also the trip to Italy sounds wonderful, it can be nerve wracking travelling somewhere new but I am sure you will have an amazing time and there will be plenty of lovely food to enjoy!

Beshki that is a good price as those boxes aren't cheap these days.

Coxy11

Hi all,

Nothing of note for Christmas being bought here as I'm still trying to kit DS2 out with uni stuff - he leaves on Sunday!! Some things will be shopped from home as we have spares, but still need to purchase crockery - thinking 2 each of dinner plates, cereal bowls and pasta bowls. Can't seem to find anything except white or cream which I'm sure all other residents of his halls will have. 

DD will get the keys for her new uni house share on Saturday but think she's leaving the following weekend as likes her home comforts too much, obviously!

You and DD are brave doing car boot fairs @Spendless. I hate the mad rush when you arrive and get a bit anxious. They are few and far between round here now the weather is changing. Great present for your nan and hope you enjoy your Italy trip!

That Friends ornament is so cute @princesskitty29!

I need to get on with stitching a couple of cross stitch cards for my buddies on here, but we've been decorating the lounge, hall and landing. Finished the wallpapering last night, so hoping to get on with some craft now I have my evenings back!

Coxy

Spendless

@Coxy11 - Have u tried B&M, Asda, Dunelm? Totally understand the issue, I've (slightly) splashed out on rose gold pans for DD, because there were so many arguments about whose black pan someone was using in her last halls.  

Coxy11

@Spendless - no Dunelm or Asda close by but will check again in B&M on Saturday, thank you. DS2 will take our black kitchen aid saucepans that are quite well used. At least he will know which ones are his! We will revert to using the Judge ones we received for our wedding 25 years ago. They are amazing and still going strong. 

Planning to queue for the lying in state tomorrow afternoon with BFF. All depends whether I can finish work early (at 3pm) as I don't fancy queuing through the night!

Coxy11

Oh and forgot to say that DS1 and his GF, who are currently in the US on holiday, got engaged yesterday. We knew it was on the cards but didn't know when. We can compare hat shopping @Spendless !!

And boss has told me to leave at lunchtime tomorrow, so will be on a train to London at 1pm!

Spendless

Congratulations to DS1. and gf
  
I'd not even thought of a hat. Bu ***er. I have a large crown so don't wear them, they usually don't fit! 

You could also try Lidl. They are selling some crockery in packs of 2. DD got 2 smaller size plates today in there (ideal for cake she said!!!) can't remember the price as bought some other items. Hers had lemons on and was the last one in that design in there but they did other crockery items too in plainer colours. Worth having a look if you have one not too far away