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

Mrs_Ryan

Another day another bargain 🙈River Island have a lot of their loungewear reduced. I bought a long sleeved top and matching leggings, buttery soft, in a beautiful shade of teal for my sister. The top was £6 and the leggings £7. Leggings alone were originally £28! 

Matalan had 30% of all their nightwear and loungewear. I bought a gorgeous black velour loungewear set for my friend. It was incredibly difficult to find anything- she’s trans and prefers a full top, but the sets were either pjs (I know she prefers nighties but I didn’t want to spoil the surprise by asking her) or the loungewear sets had strappy tops. I took a bit of a chance on whether it will fit her (and I stupidly managed to throw the receipt away) but if it doesn’t fit her I’ll keep it for myself and ask her to choose something else when I see her this weekend. 

Mum’s mug turned up today as well so I wrapped it with the last of my wrapping paper. 

I really do need to stop buying presents 🙈

Spendless

Those clothes were a bargain Mrs Ryan - River Island especially can be really expensive. You've got some lovely things for people as gifts, I know you were worried but yes, think of your household now.

We still have odd bits to get all requiring DH's help, which is why it hasn't been done, yet! We have this weekend to sort out the house. I'm going to make a start today as the following one is taken up with work's parties and DD should be coming home. 

mandco

sounds like everyone's shopping is coming along

had a lovely few days away but feel like I'm very behind as its a week into december already and the xmas tree still isn't fully decorated despite it going up in November. 
Got a free xmas snow globe gin from the M&S advent offer I don't drink it so swapped it with dd for the pack of free percy pig sweets she got- I think she got the better deal there   
picked up a few bits I'd ordered to collect instore that should have arrived before we went away but didn't-anyone else finding things are taking forever to arrive even in store lately? 
still waiting on Taz's preorder its currently sat at customs/sorting centre its been there 10days already so hoping it will come soon or at least before xmas.
ds displate came damaged - guessing while in transit as its was bent - the company has been great about it and are sending a replacement free of charge but they do take a while as come from abroad so again hoping it arrives in time. 

Aldi have the pre made gingerbread houses in - bargain at £5 and so much easier than trying to build one if its mainly for decorating purposes. They also have frozen turkey breast joints based or stuffed & bacon wrapped) for £5.50 so picked up one of each as taz has decided he wants turkey this year. its an extra for us but If your a smaller family 2-4 people I think its a good option for a traditional xmas dinner on a tight budget.

Present wise I think I'm doing ok -still need a few more bits mostly for ds as he doesn't have much yet and trying hard to stick to my list of needed items/stay on budget and not to buy any extras but its hard as keep seeing thing I know people would love. 

still -4 this morning when dd & ds left for work/college    stay safe everyone

Gettingtherequickly

Coxy11 said:

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 ££££££ !!!

I was going to lunch in their restaurant on Jermyn St (it was a Christmas present), so we popped in there to have a look. My aunt was looking at the game pie, which had been reduced from £30 odd by 50%, as she was doing a "high tea" the next day.  There was a lovely customer at the counter who was singing its praises, "but, one must have it with champagne!" We decided to go and eat and go back afterwards, if it was there, fine, if not again fine.  Went back, reduced again, so she bought her bargain game pie, apparently it was awful, really dry!

Coxy11

Boo to dry game pie - even if it's a bargain! I bought two mini fruit cakes in tins which I've sent to friends on The Wirral. Also bought DS1 and DD some thermal work/boot socks in M&S in my lunchbreak on Wednesday. My 3 always get socks in their stockings although not sure DS1 is staying Christmas Eve as my DMum will be in the spare room!

Have ordered some boots for me for Christmas - DH has had a Superdry jumper and new dressing gown. I spotted a nice jumper in M&S but it's sold out everywhere. Also ordered some trainers for DD - boots and trainers from TKMaxx and I need to collect them next week.

I have a list of alcohol gifts to get, so might try for those this weekend. I have a haircut today and a waxing appointment then it's just the footie to watch. Out tomorrow on a 13km charity walk across the frosty Kent countryside! 

Great bargains in River Island @MrsRyan - must admit it's not a shop I ever look in - need to remedy that!
 

Peppa537

I’ve seen a few people online elsewhere say that the ChrIstmas TV guides aren’t in WH Smith’s or Tesco yet but I got one in M&S yesterday. Listings don’t start until 24th though so I’ll get another one that covers the week before, I only buy a TV guide at Christmas.

Spendless

Thanks Bakey - Was only thinking of a Christmas TV guide this morning.

 Took DS and dil2b to the big shopping mall on Fri evening. DS got gf some items. They're better off than last year when they decided not to buy each other anything but still not flush. I thought this really sweet though DS is making her a Xmas Eve hamper along the lines of what I used to do. Anyone who has read my posts about them on these threads over the years will know I initially didn't see the point of Xmas Eve hampers  then when I decided to do them DS outgrew having one after 2 years whereas DD never outgrew hers and when I stopped it last year cos at 18 she was an adult, she begged for it back and offered to forfeit her stocking instead and then both kids when I asked recently about Christmas memories of their childhood mentioned them.. I'm both surprised and touched he now wants to do the same. . 

Ordered Dad his present. We had some money sitting in PayPal that for some reason DH was struggling to take out, this has taken a chunk out of what was in there, but there's still a little left plus a little on the Amazon gift card. 

mandco

popped to costco yesterday picked up a beef joint and piece of gammon which are now in the freezer and a couple of the pre cooked ham joints dated till jan 23 so that's our xmas meat sorted 

spendless - hard as it is when the kids grow up and start moving on its a great feeling to know we gave them such good memories that they want to continue on the traditions we started when they were younger 

coxy - mine also get socks in their stockings - I have the boys but still need to get dd some I usually get her the fluffy ones from primark but they haven't had any in stock for ages. There seem to be a shortage in general here as I haven't been able to find any reasonably priced ones anywhere and I refuse to pay £8+ for 2 pairs 

Coxy11

Morning all,

I've finally started wrapping! Still have a fair bit to do, but getting there. Didn't get to Ts for the alcohol gifts this weekend as was busy Saturday getting haircut, eyebrows threaded and waxing (have to go back for that next week as too short lol). Yesterday we were on a charity walk, got home around 2.30pm and then it snowed all day! Hard frost this morning so I won't be going into the London office, will WFH instead. 

DD is now back from uni until mid-Jan so between us we will get the tree up tonight. DS2 came home for the weekend and attempted to get back to uni by train last night, but think DH had to go rescue him as his shoes are in the hallway this morning! 

I still don't have a turkey crown so need to remedy that this week. We have a big ham for Christmas Eve plus a leg of lamb for Christmas day, but usually do turkey and lamb. 

@mandco - yes agree about Primarni socks - they are always great value. Ts do nice ones as well but a little more expensive I think?

I too usually buy the Radio Times Christmas special - must look out for it.

Spendless

As per usual I have left Christmas cards till the last minute. I saw them 2 weeks ago on my week off and dismissed getting them as 'too early'. I've just watched on breakfast news that today is the last day for 2nd class posting - oops.

DD has had sensory issues with socks from being young, so most of the time goes without. Though Primark can be hit and miss with stock, they do do really soft black socks, that I get her.  I can even feel the difference, after they've been through the wash several times. . Forgotten exactly what the  packaging says but if you see them you'll know that's what I'm describing. Yes, boring plain black but if you're looking for Primark socks and can't find 'fluffy' ones these might be an alternative. 

DS fishing set tried to deliver yesterday. I was out grocery shopping. DH didn't hear anything other than the dog going mad barking - sigh! I'm working in the office more this week as I start to be trained on phone calls, so goodness knows when we'll get it! 

I have an Aldi top up groceries shop to do this week, preferably today. Need to stock the freezer up with DD's veggie items and then next week's Xmas shop will be with a £100 Asda gift card we have.