Not dropping Santa down the chimney!: 2025 Santa, Shoebox & Life Chit,Chat,Chunter! ALL welcome....

Anglea

hi everyone.

I've been in hospital for 5 days as I had very bad side effects/allergic reaction. And I still have problems since I have been home. I've been referred back to hospital to see the dermatologist for two of the issues and I've been to the gp twice just in the past week including today. The hospital wanted to keep me longer but I said it was really difficult because of my mother and I just couldn't stay there indifinitely without any idea of a timeline plus I was getting really anxious they wouldn't let me home at all, a really bad paranoia started as I kept remembering my MIL with dementia keep asking if she was allowed home even when she was at home and getting really agitated. Eventually I was allowed to go but told to return if I get any worse.

I went in without any clothes, charger etc because I was given the impression I would be home within a few hours, I had gone as an emergency case but given a room to go that bypassed the usual A&E.

I've seen the pirates grave and been inside the church and it wasn't until I got home I discovered it was supposed to be one of the most haunted locations in England. Good thing I didn't know at the time as it was really dark inside, we were the only people there and the door was on a timer and I kept thinking we would get locked inside.  The grave was the only headstone with writing facing towards the path, all the others were facing the other way. There was no name only a verse and a different kind of skull and crossbones carved on the top than you sometimes get in old graveyards.

Last Friday we went to The Hatchet, a pirate pub associated with Blackbeard and has a door allegedly made from convict skin. It's been the first time I've been there since the lockdown and had a nice lunch although the music even at that time of day was 'the screaming down the microphone' heavy metal so I could have done with earplugs lol.

We didn't do anything for Imbolc because of my hospital stay.

Happy Kitties, I hope you are better now.

Katiehound, opening tins especially those fish ones are a nightmare. Not long ago I had a fiasco too and got oil all over the place as I couldn't open the tin.

Happy_Kitties

Anglea sorry to hear you have been in hospital. Hoping things are much better for you now and that you didn’t have to go back in.
Really interested to hear about the pirate grave and the way it was facing and other features. I love things like that.

Chanie I hope all is well. Seems like ages since you posted.

Katiehound I’ve been making use of the items you sent me!

First shoebox finished and I have very nearly finished the second shoebox with the help of some of Katiehound’s items that  she sent me. A bag and nail brush has gone into this box.

I’m just doing another parcel of charity items. The bargains I have been picking up has been ridiculous. I went shopping this morning and I had seen some nice smellie sets on a shelf in Tesco’s previously with no price tag. Saw them today still with no price tag. The area where they are is for getting rid of last bits and bobs, some are much reduced, others not so much. I took a set to the till for a price check and they were down from £8 to £2. Went back to get two more packs to send for the charity auctions. After having lunch I went upstairs to try and find a box to package up more items to send, which I did manage to find. Also tried to have a sort out of items. Still looks messy, I’m definitely going to have to buy some storage boxes.

im not a big one for shopping. I will basically go to the next town, get what I want and get out. I’m not one for mooching around so I’m surprised I have managed to pick up the items I have this year. Not much else going on except for paperwork

Happy_Kitties

I had to pick up a few bits on the way to visit Duncle today. Picked up ties and hats cheap in Matal@n for £1 and a nice Minnie Mouse set of hat and gloves down from £12.50 to £3.00. I’ve put that away for a present but just to let you know places are beginning to reduce gloves, hats etc

Anglea

hi everyone. Happy Kitties you are making so much progress with your bargains and boxes.

I've still got various symptoms since my allergic reaction and have seen the gp twice and been referred back to hospital and have to see the gp in 3 months after I try some changes at home.

I'm going to think of what to put on my March bucket list, I think we're going to try another graveyard hunt and friend wants to visit a few unusual cafes we haven't done so far but it's possible they aren't open at this time of the year yet.

We had fish and chips recently at a vintage train cafe that is actually in a garden centre.

sammy_kaye18

Hello all
How are you all? 
I have seen this thread a few times but have always been a bit nervous about jumping in to make shoeboxes because I was unsure what to put in them, who to make for etc but I really would like to take part this year so Im going to have a look at the Link To Hope page and see if I have some things to get started with - handy too that son works in a sports shop and I have access to lots of shoeboxes. 

Happy_Kitties

Welcome sammy-kaye18!
U’ve got the hardest part over and done with….getting the shoeboxes! 

That is the one thing I really used to struggle with.

With the Link to Hope you can do a family box or an elderly box.
I’m lucky as I don’t live too far from a regional shoebox hub that I’m hoping to volunteer at nearer a Christmas when it opens. They were saying that they always need more elderly shoeboxes. A lot of elderly are on their own, their families have to work away or they have lost what little family they have.

I think it is too soon yet but u register with Link to Hope how many boxes u want to do and u get a leaflet with a list of items that u tick off for each box. There are the core items for example- toothpaste/flannels, playing cards/ dominoes, basically a small game, tealights with a holder (a certain pudding that comes in like a glass ramekin, the ramekins are ideal and u can pack the tea lights in them. 

Apart from the core items, they list other items to pop in the box but u don’t have to stick religiously to the list. I try to do more elderly shoeboxes, I struggle to get some items and I like to put a bag in. Katiehound from the thread very kindly had her sewing machine going and made me some really tough bags. She also sent me items like nail clippers and nail brushes as Katiehound could get them far cheaper than I could. 

They used to say shower gel but now say soap as it has a number of uses besides washing, it packs easy and u can pick up individual bars of soap very cheaply in Tesc@ for 25p if you are near a Tesco. 

Now is an ideal time to start looking out for reductions in hats and gloves. Katiehound always gets knitting and makes her own gloves and additional items. You could also make up little sewing kits or a sensory item like a lavender bag if u are crafty and like making things. I make up little bags with hair grips in that i buy cheap from  B&M for my elderly boxes and for a scarf if I am doing a family box, I buy from a local charity shop that always have a lovely selection for £1.50. 
A shoebox doesn’t have to be expensive at all. At the regional hub they are always comparing the cost of things. I picked up some ties for a £1 in Mata@n recently as I found out from the regional hub organiser that the elderly like a tie. It’s not on the list but they love a tie in a box. If hubby has some ties that he doesn’t want, I would swipe them!

We are a small friendly bunch and would be more than happy to help when u r doing ur shoeboxes.
I blame Katiehound…..she got me and Chanie into making the shoeboxes but honestly the satisfaction of dropping them off near Christmas, knowing that a simple box of items make someone’s Christmas and gives so much pleasure. For me it has become a real part of Christmas and a little bit of giving back to those less fortunate. 

I hope this has been of help and given u abit more information. I will try and take a photo of the list and box I am working on a the minute for u

Anglea

Hi everyone.

Sammy Kaye I hope you enjoy making the boxes and discussing them with the group. I don't make them myself although I did many years ago.

I've got Autumn Equinox coming up and been trying to decide what to do quite likely the standing stone. Because of the bad weather this month we haven't done anything much, one really interesting bit of news is that in the same geographical area as the pirate grave there are a couple of tunnels but on the few occasions we've been there haven't been able to find them. One begins on private grounds but friend drove into the driveway to my horror when I realised where he had turned into but luckily we managed to get out without being spotted.

I had been convinced Mother's Day was in April so very surprised it was this weekend.

Happy_Kitties

I hope everyone is keeping okay and doing well
Anglea how are u now doing after ur allergic reaction? I know u were still struggling with symptoms. Did u do anything for the Equinox?

Finished my second shoebox and all wrapped last night. Started to pack the third. I need to get a few bits for it, like toothbrushes but it is half full already.
As usual I was late sending two birthday presents at the beginning of the month……no change there!!

Generally presents have slowed down, I have a birthday present to send next month but that was bought just after Christmas. Picked up a few things for the shoebox hub and the charity auctions in the B@@ts 90% sale. It was sheer chance I decided to pop in for a nosy the day after and they still had some items I was after, so I nabbed them. DDs bedroom is coming in very handy for storage.
im liking the lighter mornings and evenings. I love Autumn and Winter but there comes a point when I am ready for spring🙂

Katiehound

Been away for 4 weeks and still feeling a tad tired after the 39 hour 'day' Tues/Weds!!

Hi Sammy Kaye, hope you will make a box or two.
My first thought is to check if there is an area collector near you. I see there are only 2 in S.Wales: Barry & Cardiff. If neither of these is a possibility it would be worth contacting Lisa at HQ to ask her advice.
last year (or was the one before??) someone decided to try to do a shoebox challenge  for £10- the details are on the blog link. You can make quite a few items such as shopping bag, hat, mittens, scrunchie which brings down the costs.

Sorry my brain has seized up but I will be back over the weekend!

Happy_Kitties

Katiehound I hope it was one of ur better journeys and not one of ur breakdown ones.

Currently working on my third shoebox, haven’t really had chance to give them much attention.
Thought i would post that registration is now open for the Link to Hope shoeboxes. With having a good start I’m hoping to do 10 this year, will see how I get on but that’s one of my aims for this year