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

mandco

Beshki great deal on the mugs 

Spendless  sounds like the italy trip was a bit of a mixed bag which is a shame when you were looking forward to it so much. hopefully the good parts made up for all the stressful bits. Good job you did see the doctor -its easy to assume what starts off as a minor thing is nothing to worry about.
I think it does get a little easier each time they go away but ultimately they're still your baby and its hard to let them go having distractions in place will no doubt help.

debenhams have a couple of stranger things hell fire tops slightly reduced at the moment - free delivery on orders today too 

calendar club are currently doing free delivery on all uk orders - ordered the may contain butts card game for taz as I know he'll find it funny

Spendless

@mandco - Yes that's what it was like. Our 1st mistake was we'd accidentally booked a hotel without a pool. We'd been focussed on knocking it down to the best days, flights and eating for DD (she's  both vegetarian and faddy!)  knocked it down to 2, dismissed 1 with a pool due to the meals and not realised the other didn't have one. The beach was deserted until our very last evening due to end of season and we have spent a fortune because I found a cash dispenser once - the day we went to the outlet. Without finding this we might not have been able to go on the gondala because don't know if they only take cash. Everything else I had to card so really easy to lose track of spending. Spain which had the better deals had to be ruled out because DD hasn't had and doesn't want the 3rd covid jab (she was ill for ages after the 2nd), so only way we could go was to take a test on the morning we flew, something I'm not a fan of just in case there's a last minute problem. 

We now have today and tomorrow to sort out DD's last-minute bits for moving away and her stuff towards the pageant. I'm glad I took the week off work! Unable to find a travel laundry bag I'd bought for DD going away (she struggled taking her stuff to the machines last year) I ended up going through my present cupboard. I seem to have quite a lot of stocking items for the 'household' family members, but this is going to be a task once DD goes to start working it all out 

Beshki

@Spendless a bit OT but I’ve had the covid test a few times before flying now and it really is a very well oiled machine. Not at all stressful if you book it in advance. Just something to bare in mind for next time perhaps  

Spendless

Beshki said:

@Spendless a bit OT but I’ve had the covid test a few times before flying now and it really is a very well oiled machine. Not at all stressful if you book it in advance. Just something to bare in mind for next time perhaps  

We did that when we flew to US in April but I didn't enjoy the time thinking we'd be turned away and not be going on hol and have to make our way home instead.   This was turn up at the airport with your passport the way it was pre pandemic

C_J

I’ve received a few more items which I had ordered from AliExpress - a little wooden apple-shaped threading toy for baby granddaughter’s stocking (smaller than I thought it would be, but on reflection probably a good size for her little hands) and a pair of silver-toned cufflinks in the shape of a protractor and set square for one son in law’s advent calendar (he’s an engineer). I was really pleased with the cufflinks, I thought they may be badly made with illegible numbers on them but no! They are absolutely fab and look super expensive despite them having cost all of £2.15 including postage.

I’ve ordered a few more items but this is about the cut off time to ensure receiving them in time for Christmas. All my last orders have been dispatched but are showing delivery dates of November so it all gets a bit nail biting 😂

princesskitty29

I picked up a few more bits on a recent trip to the shops; a Pringles cracker for DH, a blondie skillet for my godson and a couple of bits for Poppy our dog.

My dad was taken into hospital last weekend with what turned out to be a nasty chest infection, but whilst in there they discovered he had fractured his hip so he had half a hip replacement on Friday. I went over to visit and took most of the Christmas presents I have so far as we won’t get everything in the car come Christmas. So it’s been a busy week! I really need to get on with the Christmas bunting I want to give as presents and not leave it so I run out of time like last year.

Spendless It sounds like you had an interesting trip to Italy, I’m glad you had enjoyable bits that hopefully made up for the stressful parts. I hope you’re doing ok with your DD going off to drama school, I can only imagine how hard it is!

mandco

Princesskitty sorry to hear your dad ended up in hospital at least they discovered his hip fracture and did the replacement without making him wait. wishing him a speedy recovery

asda online have some hellfire xmas tees & jumpers - I ordered Taz some new xmas pj's as he's outgrown his current pair & I think he's going to need new xmas jumper too  - everyone else can make do with last years as they still fit

had the grandkids this weekend and they are really into stickers - worked through the ones I'd brought and asked for more so might do them a little sticker hamper or filled stocking? 

Coxy11

Hi everyone,

I'm back from an 8 day charity hike in Scotland. DSis and I walked from Milngavie (8 miles north of Glasgow) to Lockerbie with full kit including tent. We camped a couple of nights but due to the temperature we didn't get any sleep, so opted for bnbs for the remainder of the time. Got home Friday evening just in time for DDs 21st on Saturday. 

DD came home Saturday lunchtime and had a meal booked with her BF for that evening. He didn't buy her a gift?! and used vouchers he'd received for Christmas for the meal. They've been together 3 years so tbh I expected better. They are now 'on a break' instigated by her yesterday. She is not his priority - he wants different things, plus he gambles which is a red flag for me. I'm so sad for her and she's back in Brighton at uni so I'm giving support from afar. Just pants timing. Will be sending a box of goodies to her this week to cheer her up.

DSis and I spent some time in Lockerbie on Friday morning before coming home and I noticed some lovely items in a gift shop there. They have an online presence, so I will be looking that up later.

Glad you enjoyed your trip with DD @Spendless and hope she's settled at drama school? Remember I'm close by in case of emergencies x

Hope you DDad is on the mend @princesskitty29 x

My DS2 got a hellfire tshirt in Primarni - not sure who was talking about that? @mandco?

Have good days all,
Coxy 

Spendless

@Coxy11 - I am shocked. Your don't need that memory of a boyfriend on any birthday let alone a milestone one from a longterm partner! . You've read enough of my posts to know what I think about idiotic boyfriends! I don't blame her for going on a break from him. Sounds to me like he had no money - probably lost it gambling. In the long run she's better off without him from what you've said. It's so heartbreaking to watch though!

I've had DD on the phone, the plus side is her room she has organised better than I've seen her achieve in over a year! We'll overlook the rubbish that needs taking to the communal bin. However anxiety has kicked in, over being asked to join others on nights out. It's her freshers week.

DS has been offered a job in our area. Starts later this month. 

Coxy11

I know @Spendless, horrible isn't it? I've spoken to DD every day this week and she is pining for BF to get in touch with a huge gesture, but DH and I know he won't - probably sulking somewhere - idiot! Hope DD is settling well - can relate to the social anxiety! Great news about DS and his new job x

In present buying news, I have ordered a Kanken rucksack for DS2s GF who is 18 on Saturday. They've been together 6 months and are very happy, and very suited, even bought Promise rings now he's at uni (aaaahhhh). I found a re-Kanken (made using recycled materials) for £55 on-line. Should be delivered tomorrow. This is the last birthday of the year and I've underspent my projected budget by £108.94. Bear in mind that this year we've had DS2s 18th, Mum's 80th and DDs 21st, so the budget was large. The only niece I no longer buy for is DSis's DD who will be 32 in November (stopped at 30).

Onto Christmas - I was in a large B00ts at the weekend and had a quick look at their Christmas bits. Saw lots of things I would like for me!! I am planning to crochet a blanket for DS2's uni bed. Did the same for DD when she first went. DS2 will also have a panini press, so will look out for one of those.