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

Spendless

Beshki - Thanks for idea. I will look in M & S and see what they have. Is it just me or do M&S seem really reasonably priced nowadays now the other supermarkets are more expensive.  I'll also have a think for your family gift. A few years ago you'd be describing our household, when DS was 17 DD would be 14. He spent much of his time playing computer games alone. I'm trying to think what would have suited us then. Have you considered a game, board or card to bond them all together? Which one depends on the family. I'm happy to pay cards of humanity with my kids, DH not so keen. 

Coxy - The expression is mardy, or if calling it about a person mardy bum. Boyf after asking if she was meaning moody, thought it hilarious. 
Arctic Monkeys immortalised it in a song

https://www.google.com/search?q=mardy+bum+lyrics&rlz=1C1GCEA_enGB933GB933&oq=mrdy+bum+&aqs=chrome.2.69i57j0i10i433i512l2j0i10i512l3j46i10i512j0i10i512l3.6857j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

I'd try and describe it as a hybrid between grumpy and moody.  Can be used more lightweight than moody but can also be used as criticism of how someone is being.

Helping her find something local, that's as far as my involvement with boyf goes. We've not met him. She says she hasn't met his family and they live 40 mins away from where she's living  and he has a car, so I'm not putting in a one sided effort again. When she came back last weekend, DH suggested to me that we could invite him too and he had enough loyalty points with a hotel chain to put him up for the night, I vetoed the idea, saying I wasn't prepared to encourage another after last time.

Mrs Ryan - I see your point but also your Mums. I'm Mum to daughter in a similar situation, albeit she's still a teenager  and a student. It's hard to see the generation below struggling with bills and living costs and then them also understandably wanting to buy gifts but you're worried about them doing that. As you say your OH's items will be used during the year and the dressing gown sounds cosy. I've requested one too. Mine is years old had a ripped pocket which could have been dealt with but earlier this year and I don't know how got splodges of blue ink all over it, so looks really scruffy. I've never had cashmere socks they sound nice. I WFH twice a week from our summerhouse and though there's heating my feet never warm up in there the only thing that keeps them warm is some thermal socks that I got from a previous job. 

Had another 2 prices for same thing last night. Dil2b texted me to ask if we had any silver tinsel she could have for her tree. DH was watching football so couldn't look up the attic so I popped to HB, and picked her up the thinner one cos didn't know what suited. 2 identical tinsels one marked 79p, the other £1.29. Clearly the cheaper is last year's stock, unfortunately they only had 1 left and I needed 2. Again it shows the jump in price. 

After saying I'd help DD, I asked what her friend drank to go with the glass I have. Orange gin is the reply. Hmmmm I was more thinking of the couple of pounds mini bottles of plonk in HB. Considered pointing out it's a wine  glass not a gin one then thought that pov would be totally lost on her. Later DD sends me a pic of 3 mini orange gins in a set in  Lidl. I ask her if she bought them and how much since there was no price. Fiver she replies and No cos she had no ID on her at the time(Yes, I was initially daft enough to believe that one). So, I look in ours and they only have the pink gin set however it's £7.99!!. I tell DD that they haven't got it in stock and besides the price is out of budget, so she can either buy it herself where she is or leave me to continue to look. She chose the latter and in Morrisons I found this.

 https://groceries.morrisons.com/products/edinburgh-gin-orange-blossom-mandarin-gin-liqueur-cracker-568944011

So friend's is completed for just under £5.

SisIL had called whilst I was out. When I got back DH asked me if I'd got his Dad something, said No, I'm leaving that to you and he said his sister had said their Dad didn't want any alcohol, food or chocolates. He's almost 80, housebound, not sure he's been out all year  and lives with DH sister and husband in a 'granny flat'. Excluding those items doesn't really give much scope, but it's not my problem, other than my own it's the only present SH has to think of, so I just said to him 'Good luck with that one'

I wrapped up another load of presents yesterday. The dog wanted to help! I have got DS and Dil2b hot water bottles but they're the cuddly toy type. Dog with his spaniel nose and obsession with presents  is  convinced a gift that smells of both cuddly toy and rubber/plastic must obviously be for him, located them wrapped up and tried his best to get them out of the bag I'd put them in!
Wrapping up I realised we had more for both girls than DS. We've decided to get him some fishing stuff. He had a set when younger but after going to Uni never used it, it became tangled up and we got rid of it when we had a clearout during lockdown1. Now DS lives opposite a canal so will get some use - must make sure he has a fishing licence too  though. DH has another set of Amazon vouchers come through, some money in Paypal that we're hoping to use to buy my Dad's gift and has changed some hotel loyalty points into Asda vouchers which will paying for the Xmas Grocery shopping, this will be handy as DH doesn't get an early Xmas paypacket he next gets paid NYE, which is always fab for Jan but not so good for the last 10 days of December when last minute things come up. I do feel we're ahead of where we've been in previous years.  There's not much room now in the present cupboard with the stuff wrapped. There usually is so I don't know if it's because we also have Dil2b's stuff or it's the MK items of DD's taking up room. I'm going to go for the 'hidden in plain sight' strategy and move them to my conservatory in the Tesco Xmas bags with the exception of the MK stuff as it's too distinctive and the furry hot water bottles due to the dog thinking they're his! 

Peppa537

I still have a few things to buy but one is a gift certificate for my Mum for her local cinema she goes to (and they email this so will sort nearer the time in case she wants something else as well). A colleague of my husband has decided to buy us something, but she’s told us she has and how much she spent so now my husband has said we need to get her something for the same value, it’s only £10 but we’re supposed to be cutting back on what we buy, we have relatives we’re not getting presents for, and they’re not buying for us. If it was up to me we wouldn’t get her anything (which makes me sound tight and miserable, which I’m not).  Part of me thinks she’s told us, and how much it cost so she gets something in return but as her and her OH are struggling financially because of a huge mortgage I’d rather she hadn’t, even though it’s kind of her to think of us.

Spendless

@Bakey72 - That's so annoying. I don't understand why people start this. It sets a precedent for it happening every year and now she's done it the only way you'll dodge out of it in the future is to either tell them you won't be doing it - which can be socially awkward thing to say or if and when one of them stops working there!  Can you shed any light on why she's bought this year. I understand that some people might go through a time with colleagues where they are especially grateful to them for something and get them something as a Thank you at Christmas-time but surely you keep that quiet and give them last minute so they don't feel obligated to return the gift  Not tell them in advance you've done it and how much - I find that bizarre! 

Do you have anything in you can give that won't cost you anything eg an unopened bottle of wine/fizz in your cupboards you can spare?    

What would happen if you left your DH to sort it and stayed out of it? Is he likely to forget or buy a last minute present and go over the amount? 

DH pointed out to me we only have next weekend to sort out the house. This weekend is taken up by going to look for accommodation for DS tomorrow and friends over for football Sunday and the weekend after next the one of Xmas parties and potentially fetching DD home. I'd not thought of it that way. Having sorted DD's friend out with a Xmas gift, next on my adjenda is how to make the sprouting pencil for DS look 'something' (not that he'll care but DD will)  

Peppa537

Thanks @Spendless - if I leave it to my DH he'll end up spending more, I have a bottle of wine I can give her. She's probably done it as they both started in their jobs within a few months of each other. Thing is now what about others in the department? Will he be expected to buy for them as well now? The fact she mentioned it to him, and told him the price, makes me think she's expecting a present back. Its just that if I did this I wouldn't tell them in advance (and haven't done in the past) as it's a thank you and I'm not doing it to get anything back. 

Coxy11

@Bakey72 I agree it's really annoying when someone random starts to buy. Good idea to gift the wine. 

Good luck with the sprouting pencil @Spendless !! and have heard of 'mardy' courtesy of Artic Monkeys!!!

I have a Sparks card and they are doing an advent countdown thing on the app. You open a door each day and have various offers. Yesterday I won a plus Percy Pig tree decoration (need to claim in store by 12 December) and today's is 15% off their Baileys lookilikey range.

DH and I are off work on Monday. Need to visit DNephew's grave to lay flowers (1 hr away) and then plan to head for big shopping mall. Will pick up my free Percy then! Getting anxious about using the day wisely and getting the most out of the hours available. Might also pop over to Essex for Costco, depending what time we have. I'm in London tomorrow for a friend's 60th lunch in St James. Will get an earlier train and visit Fortnum and Mason. Love that shop and used to mooch around it in my lunch break back in the day before having the children. The food hall is amazing but ££££££ !!!

Spendless

Bakey72 said:

Thanks @Spendless - if I leave it to my DH he'll end up spending more, I have a bottle of wine I can give her. She's probably done it as they both started in their jobs within a few months of each other. Thing is now what about others in the department? Will he be expected to buy for them as well now? The fact she mentioned it to him, and told him the price, makes me think she's expecting a present back. Its just that if I did this I wouldn't tell them in advance (and haven't done in the past) as it's a thank you and I'm not doing it to get anything back. 

Is your DH her boss? If he is I also would be wary of setting a precedent for the others or them wondering why she's been singled out for a gift! What an awkward position. Maybe very tactuflly point this out? Is it this year they both started there, otherwise why start it now?

Peppa537

Spendless said:

Bakey72 said:

Thanks @Spendless - if I leave it to my DH he'll end up spending more, I have a bottle of wine I can give her. She's probably done it as they both started in their jobs within a few months of each other. Thing is now what about others in the department? Will he be expected to buy for them as well now? The fact she mentioned it to him, and told him the price, makes me think she's expecting a present back. Its just that if I did this I wouldn't tell them in advance (and haven't done in the past) as it's a thank you and I'm not doing it to get anything back. 

Is your DH her boss? If he is I also would be wary of setting a precedent for the others or them wondering why she's been singled out for a gift! What an awkward position. Maybe very tactuflly point this out? Is it this year they both started there, otherwise why start it now?

Yes they both started earlier this year but he isn't her boss so at least if doesn't buy for others it won't look bad. It's only a small department anyway, apart from their manager they're the only 2 full time staff in it, then there's a few who work part time. I'll give her some wine and then perhaps mention later next year not to worry about buying for us again, if she's planning to, as we're cutting back on what we buy. 

princesskitty29

Hi all, I’ve had a busy day so far wrapping the boys presents from Father Christmas and their stocking gifts whilst they’re out at school. This is all in preparation to take to my parents on Sunday. It’s good that this has forced me to wrap so many presents, as I was in danger of doing what I do every year and leaving it last minute! I still haven’t achieved having it all done by December, I think it’s because at the start of November I always think I’ve got time but then the weeks fly by! This week has been a busy one, we were out all day at Addenbrookes with my eldest on Tuesday, we had workmen in putting in a new fireplace and painting our living room on Wednesday and I was at school all day yesterday doing PTA stuff. Our dining room is full of the stuff we moved out of the living room! We’re putting the tree and decorations up tomorrow, I've got to make my dad a birthday cake and I’m going out for a festive dinner in the evening, then we’re going to my parents on Sunday so that’s another two days gone! One day I’ll learn.

I’ve still got some gifts to buy but nothing to worry about really, I’m hoping to go to the local retail park next week to pick up the bits I need. I’m very excited to finally have a mantlepiece to decorate at Christmas! I’ll be on the look out for a nice garland.

Beshki I can’t think of anything off the top of my head and I don’t have much time but will definitely think about it and let you know if I come up with anything.

Bakey gosh that’s frustrating, a surprise present to have to return buy for! It certainly is strange that she would let your DH know and how much she spent.

Peppa537

@Coxy11 I have an M&S Sparks card as well. Yesterday's was a free box of mini shortbread (tree shaped) and today's 15% off some of their crisps, these offers are also until 12th December. Handily there's an M&S food hall near the office so I'll go in next week to redeem some of the offers on my lunch break. 

Mrs_Ryan

I found the best bargain in Costco today. They had heated throws! Mum has a big furry throw that she uses when she’s sat watching TV in the evening but I thought a heated one would help keep her legs and feet warm as she complains she can’t seem to get them warm. 

£32! They seem to be about 60-70 on Amazon so I’m pretty pleased with that. Tesco have got some brilliant deals on their Clubcard offers- I bought my friend a Nivea set, some hand wash and hand cream for step MIL, and some tea for OH. I saved 14 quid with Clubcard and points as well! I also bought OH a travel mug as he has been using my Costa one which doesn’t have a lid 🙈I nearly ended up covered in coffee when he was taking me to the dentist this morning. 

Bad news at the dentist though- my painful tooth is a gum infection! I’ve got anti-b’s though. Hopefully that will fix it.