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

Richard1212

Happy Xmas to all -----just like certain other boards, it is noticeable how few 24/7 forumites pop on here to wish a merry xmas to anyone at all.

I'd have thought this thread would be packed but, alas, not very much at all. Thx to those who have sent xmas greetings and shown the fun and joy of Xmas. 

This year we are having goose for Xmas dinner----haven't had one for many years ( hope they still have 4 legs   with all the trimmings ( has anyone noticed how difficult it is to find really good old fashioned Brussel Sprouts these days--is Belgium in particular having a serious economic problem ? ). For New Year we are having a giant Turbot to share with our guests----the best fish in the world IMHO; we can only get it fresh when we're abroad , especially in the Greek Islands, so it's taking up most of the freezer at present. 

My wife and I wish one and all the jolliest and happiest of Xmases and a very healthy and happy New Year. 

And we cannot help but think of those who are desperately suffering , in the Ukraine, in Somalia, and so many other places at home and abroad. God bless them all........

Spendless

Merry Christmas Richard and to everyone else on here who lurks or posts. Tbh I think the board gets overlooked. In years gone by it used to seasonally change it's name to 'The Christmas board and other celebrations' only changing back in the New Year, now it keeps its 'Special occasions' title all year round and newbies perhaps don't notice it and know there's a few all year round Christmas threads that run

I wrapped DD's stocking presents last night. She had got a bit melancholy yesterday with the realisation that the days of her and her brother lying on one of their beds to open stockings had now gone. Pointed out to her that hadn't happened for a few years now due to DS being away or fetching Uni friends back so all opened together downstairs but she said in her head that was only a temporary thing and the traditional way would return, it was only yesterday it struck her he now lives in his own place and by next year will be married. I think that made it all the more significant to me that later today I will hand him over his stocking for the last time for him to open at his place and doing that returns his childhood stocking to where he now lives. 

I had a vague memory that our dog that tries it's absolute best to be human gets as giddy as a toddler around now. DD said it rang a bell with her too but as he let me wrap most of DD's stocking present ups without issue, thought I'd either imagined it or the dog had become more sensible (he's nearly 4). Then DD returned from the pub early, her stocking presents were still out though mostly wrapped and the dog decided to sniff through them all, trying to work out which were his. He then stuck his nose in 2 boxes when I opened the lids to look through the stocking presents for DS and Dil2b, when I realised I'd left an item out of the picnic hamper I'd already wrapped and needed to unwrap to add it, wanted to join in,   then followed that up by running upstairs and barking whilst staring somewhere, this turned out to be he wanted a soft toy Olaf (which is DDs) that was on a shelf in a wardrobe - must be sorting out his own present since  he couldn't find one. He should have searched closer his are in a bag on the dining table. I did tell you the 'hidden in plain sight' strategy works, no one has found their presents despite them being under their nose and this includes the dog!  At one point I just wrapped some dog treats in a scrap of paper just to satisfy his desire to open something. Then the others went to bed and I let the dog out and he came in racing round the living room and chasing his tail for a good 5 minutes. See how well he behaves today - lol.

DH did the photos for my Nan. Initially he had bother with the ink cartridge and I worried we'd have a problem but it got sorted. Maybe not all the best quality but for my Nan it's more about the recognition she has of family members in a frame. My parents loved it,. Dad said he's like one himself. At long last he's suggested something I can get him -lol. Said we'd sort out better quality pics for them in the new year.  

Struggled with how to wrap together the sprouting pencil and the boot plant pot, Mum came up with just the simple idea of a gift bag. We had to juggle gift bags round from people who'd given for me and her, as neither had a spare one, but that is fine and I have to say now looks a nice gift. 

DH got our turkey crown yesterday along with finding digestive biscuits and cheese crackers. I also borrowed from Mum a rectangle wicker  basket that I'll put the cheese, butter and biscuits for them in and returns the basket to her. Just waiting for some fridge space - and we own  2 fridges and 2 beer coolers! till I assemble it all together. 

Abbafan1972

just stopped by to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas before midnight. 

Have a lovely day tomorrow. xx

princesskitty29

Merry Christmas everyone! I had hoped to pop on a bit earlier but didn't manage it. We've had a nice Christmas, chaos at times but nice. I haven't felt that well though for some reason, feeling quite sick at times. I don't know if I've over eaten the bad stuff or had a little bug.

We went out for a lovely lunch on Christmas eve for my brothers birthday, then I had to get a few supplies from the supermarket which I was dreading but it was lovely and quiet.

The boys have had a lovely time, obviously very excited about it all! My charity shop bargains went down well, the £5 table football game has been played with loads and my youngest carries his dog teddy around with him everywhere! 😆

I hope you've all had a lovely time with your families. We're in Gloucestershire visiting my family and it's been lovely to spend some quality time with them.

Spendless I see you've made some sock stockings now. We put the treats in first then popped the spare sock on top.

mandco sorry to hear about your tooth, I hope it's better now? You did well getting an appointment quickly!

Spendless

Merry Christmas. It's gone quiet on here - where are you all, drowning under a sea of gifts and turkey - lol?

Our day was very nice, just one blip which unfortunately again was DD's vegetarian main. Is DD faddy - yes, does DH not take as much care with something he isn't eating - also yes. DH cooks the meal, I do all the prepping, peel veg, assemble starters, make the stuffing up, lay the table, chill the wine, all of which would be left or I'd have to be constantly asking someone to do if the roles were reversed.  Everything was ok, till about an hour before when I'd got done everything I needed to, and said to DH I was going upstairs to change as for the first time in many years I'd bought myself a new dress to wear. I hadn't finished getting ready when I was being shouted to say starters could be served - followed shortly afterwards by he needed me downstairs. Not best pleased cos I had said what I intended doing.  I discovered the turkey - a larger crown than usual was still slightly pink in the middle despite juices running clear. He sliced and finished off in the pan with gravy . Why he had to interrupt me for permission on what he'd already got a solution for is beyond me. Then we sat down to eat and DD's fake gammon, she said wasn't cooked through and was still mushy. DH went on the defensive and then I saw her face when she bit into a veggie pig in blanket, thinking it was cold, I asked her quietly if it was ok. DH then told her to stop making a fuss and she blew up about it and stormed off. DH followed her to calm her and DS got on at me about how embarrassing this all was and blamed me. They did both return to the dinner table and we all ate, but this is now the 2nd year running with problems with DD's veggie main. She says next year she wants to cook her own, which won't be practical with all the other stuff that needs doing to have 2 people in the kitchen cooking.  I have already threatened to go out for the day to eat, which isn't ideal either due to paying a fortune for DD not to like the veggie main. I do see DD's point though, that DH when cooking doesn't take the same consideration with her food. Yesterday with DS and Dil2b here again, they'd had some problems with their house (TV and kitchen light stopped working as well as mould from a broken window which is being fixed next year) so stopped for tea, DH decided to do turkey curry. DD doesn't like curry so couldn't do her the (vegetarian)  same . You could tell DH was losing interest in what she would be eating, so I intervened by telling DH I would be eating the same veggie meal as DD. That did focus him more and we came up with veggie burger and chips. I had a small portion of the curry too and I know exactly what DD means because my curry was served first and it was lukewarm, when I pointed this out DH went on the defensive - in the same way he had with DD - saying it had all been cooked in the pan, rather than offering to resolve it. DS then went and stirred through the remaining curry so it was warm for the others prior to being dished up, but it still left me eating almost cold stuff, so I just microwaved it. DD being faddy also doesn't help, she complained about the brands bought of her veggie meat alternatives, but not everything is available in one shop and when she's not with us and she hasn't told us to get specific brands, then we are going to get stuck. I am going to have to take a multi pronged approach to resolve this.  I need a list from DD about exactly what she does and doesn't like. She is not to try something for the first time on Christmas day. Someone who is Vegan on another group has told me to to concoct a sauce she likes with olive oil and various seasonings as she struggled for years finding something she liked until she started doing this, and I need to speak to DH about how dismissive he is of something he isn't eating, unfortunately I think he will deny he does it.  But other than that it was a lovely day.

Everyone liked their gifts and I think because of DD's intervention I liked mine too - lol. My Mum who says she can never think of anything in the first place and always asks me for ideas, yet somehow seems to come up trumps with getting everyone a favourite item, managed again. DD's favourite gift was the Mark Hill wand and stylers, which of course she'd selected in the black Friday deal. The 2 comic books Mum had bought for Dil2b at my suggestion turned out by a fluke to be the exact one she'd longed for and a recent addition out (now we didn't know this, just went shopping at a couple of bookshops for them). My purse (a Radley) broke a few months ago, I dislike the style of it's replacement and I couldn't find another in the exact same design as before (I wanted one where you could open the card section separately to the coin section and was struggling to find). Mum bought me exactly what I was after and I hadn't shown her my old one.

Yesterday me and DD hit the shops on our traditional Boxing Day spree. I think I did go a bit too mad in Lush  with an almost £70 spend - gulp. A small part  of that (£5) was DD's items that she was  owing me the cash back having realised she'd not fetched in with her as we were parking in the city centre! I also did a deal with her over the snow fairy spray. She was in 2 minds as she has some left and it was taking a large chunk of her money but it was a good deal half price. I bought it for her and said at the point she runs out she then either buys from me or does without and receives it as a present later next year. She was happy with that compromise. As the shop was packed I put 3 gift boxes in my basket as we queued round the store not considering the total cost until it was added up at the till. This isn't things for me I was buying with Christmas money but items to come in as gifts over the year, as I intend breaking all the items down rather than give as full sets. I know Lush reckons that their  items 'expire' and I understand they can't legally sell them, but I know full well they keep, having bought items before.  Fortunately DD dashed off to the loo just as we got to the till so I was able to buy without her seeing. I now have a bundle of snow fairy for her as one of her gifts next year, which I will just put into a different container. And already one of the other sets has come in useful. DD hasn't seen her friend to give Christmas gifts to.  She is going to a sleepover today at their house and is taking the juicy couture bracelet kit over as an activity for them and friend's younger sister to do. She asked me about whether there was a spare bathbomb to give to younger sister, so we had a look through and not only found one for her but also a horse's face  shaped  one for her friend - the 2 sisters have 3 horses between them. Adding this to friend's present and moving a bracelet that DD thought friend wouldn't like but younger sister would means they both have really lovely looking gifts to receive. As we finished wrapping, DD said ...and this is why Mum you need  to keep your present cupboard'  me having told her the story of how I almost gave it up a year ago - lol

For myself I bought a necklace and a Sanctuary gift set, but I've saved the huge majority of my cash for when I want something.  I also bought to add to the gift cupboard a set of face packs. These had become incredibly expensive, but at half price nets it down to the price being paid earlier this year before the cost of living crisis struck. DD spent all of her Christmas money buying the bits she didn't get for Christmas (I'd looked but too expensive now half price it's reasonable) with some perfume and some clothing items from Skims (Kim Kardashian's brand) 

New Year's Eve - I do feel a bit sorry for DD with this. Last year I was encouraging her to return to Scotland as she had her digs in Edinburgh and never again would she get the chance of going without having to pay overnight costs. She decided not to when Nicola Sturgeon imposed last minute rules only to find her fellow college mates had got round it by taking a picnic and wine to one of the hills instead. So this year when her boyf suggested they went to London then returned to either her digs or his Mums, we had a look into train costs. They're not too bad, but from his neck of the woods, the trains aren't running into London, there's rail replacement buses with several changes and taking hours, so looks like it's out of the window again for her.    

Coxy11

Hi everyone,

Hope you all had a lovely Christmas. We had family round on Christmas Eve - good fun but quite raucous. DD didn't drink as had to drive BF home (despite previously saying he would have to get an Uber...). Christmas Day we had a nice breakfast then opened gifts. I was sorting the turkey/sides out during some of the present opening so missed some of it though! DS2 had to leave by 12.45pm to go for lunch at his GFs Aunts house, so only 5 of us around the table. We had a turkey crown and a leg of lamb. Loads leftover as you can imagine, so it's cold meats and pickles today, then turkey and ham pie tomorrow. I will freeze the lamb for another meal.

DD went to get BF at teatime on Christmas Day. They then proceeded to drink her raspberry vodka (a gift) and nearly finished the 1L bottle, talked all through the movie we were trying to watch and then went to bed and made a LOAD OF NOISE! I mean...book a room people. So fed up especially as my DMum was trying to sleep in the next room! I've had the conversation about respect and what is and isn't acceptable. For those of you with littlies - make the most of it as they soon grow up!

Boxing Day we were at the outlaws for a buffet and present swap. Would normally have had them Christmas Eve but we didn't invite them this year (for the first time in 20 years) as they pipped me off something rotten last year. 

Can sense the frustration about DD's meal @Spendless - good idea to have DD maybe choose what she's wanting to eat on the big day. Is there anyway to prepare something in advance and then just ping it if the oven/kitchen is being taken over by the meat options? I owe you a PM, sorry - was ill and in bed for two days last week which put me back for the Christmas build up!

We are going for a walk today as feel I need to walk off some of the stodge. No sale shopping for me yet, so might take a look online later. 

princesskitty29

Happy New Year all! We’re back home now and had another Christmassy day today with my in laws where we exchanged presents and had a gammon roast. We’re at the in laws tomorrow with DH’s brother and wife where we’ll do the last of the great Christmas gift exchange and a buffet. Then all Christmas celebrations will be done and it’ll be full steam ahead into 2023. Normally I’m ok about Christmas being over by now and I’m ready for the new year, but I feel a bit sad it’s all done. I’m sure I’ll be all right in a few days, I’ve just set up my 2023 spreadsheet so I’ll be able to fill that in as I go along! I haven’t been able to get to any shops for the sales, I’ve had a little look online but haven’t seen much and I don’t really enjoy shopping online these days. I need to take something back this week so maybe there’ll still be a few sale items around in the shops. Actually, I met with a friend last week in a garden centre, it has a Works and they had rolls of wrapping paper for 25p each so I snapped up 6 of those as I’d used all mine up this Christmas.

I’m happy to set up a new thread for 2023 if people still want it? I know this is a small thread these days but I do still enjoy coming on here for a little chat! I may not do it today though as I’m tired – for the first time in 10 years I stayed up until midnight last night – DH and I went wild and watched Emmerdale with a cup of tea. We had a few Emmerdale’s to catch up on which took us up to midnight. Then DS2 woke us up at 5:30am!

Anyway I’m wishing good health and much happiness to all of your families this year, I’m hoping for good things for you all!

Spendless I can understand your DD getting upset, everyone wants to enjoy their food at the end of the day. It may have been a shock at the till in Lush but it’s good getting it all discounted as it can be pricey!

Coxy oh my goodness your DD! It’s making me think of that scene in Gavin & Stacey at the breakfast table! Although not so amusing for you I’m sure. I’m definitely making the most of my boys being little as I’m sure we’ve got all of this coming!

Treasurequeen

Princesskitty a new thread would be lovely I love our little chats. Happy new year to you and to everyone on here. 

I caught covid and my Christmas was spent alone  in bed very unwell. I did manage to do a online order with smiths. Wrapping paper, crackers and cards bought all heavily reduced, it’s all stored away for next Christmas. 

Spendless

Happy New Year. everyone. Yes a new thread would be lovely princesskitty. I'd miss it if it wasn't here, even if it can be very quiet at times.

Sorry to hear you've been unwell Treasurequeen. My Neice had covid at Christmas for the 2nd year running. She drove to the other end of the country to see her terminally ill Grandad, felt unwell, took a test that was postive, was able to keep to one room overnight and drove back as soon as she felt able to the following day.  

I have to admit it was partly reading of Coxy's DD, that had us sorting out an alternative for DD on NYE. Her options had been to stay with us as we had friends round. We enjoyed it, she'd have been fed up. Or go for the 2nd year running to her friend's who lives in a village out in the sticks with one pub, most places refuse to deliver food  take-aways to due to it's rural location and friend ended up in bed asleep at 10.30 

Her new boyf finished work a few days early for New Year, and was making rumblings about wanting to see her, but we've not met him, me not at all. DH just to say Hi to, so not overly keen yet at having another hosueguest and DS and gf were already sleeping here. They considered going to London instead and sleeping at his then the trains from his end were all rail replacements, numerous changes  and hours to do what should take 50 mins disrupting any plans they were trying to make, so we stepped in. We found a hotel in a different area that he could drive to and then easily get a 30 min  train into London, paid for for the night with DH's loyalty points and  found a cheap fare for DD to London. It didn't completely work out for them, it was far too crowded for them to find anywhere to watch the fireworks, having not realised/bought any tickets in advance. So after eating out and looking, they decided to take the train back to where the hotel was and got on the wrong one! DD as she is fond of telling me has caught loads of trains, however she is not always paying attention. Boyf though hasn't used public transport as much till him and DD got together is familiar with his local  area names and where they are, whereas DD isn't not being from round there. They ended up getting off at the next stop, catching an Uber and watching local  fireworks from the cab as it turned midnight.  

There'd been a similar incidence recently when they didn't go to their planned Winter Wonderland despite me having warned them. So this time when I was made aware they'd need tickets after the hotel and train had been booked/paid for I decided to let them work it out for themselves. Anyway DD did say when relying the NYE story to me that 'they hadn't looked into it properly' so perhaps that's another life lesson learnt. 

mandco

A new thread would be lovely princesskitty  we do really appreciate you taking the time to set it up 

sorry I've not been on but my mild symptoms turned into full blown ones and I've pretty much been bedridden since the 27th having pushed through xmas day/boxing day - still feeling really rough so will catch up properly in a few days when I'm hopefully feeling a bit better