Jingle All The Way - It's the 2023 Christmas Chatter Thread!

princesskitty29 · 8 January 2023 at 8:50AM

Hello and welcome to the 2023 Christmas chatter thread! I'm a little late in setting it up this year but it's here and and ready to talk all things Christmas and not Christmas! If you're new to the thread please pop in for a natter, we all love Christmas but are also here to chat about anything else going on in our lives and offering each other support along the way. Everyone is welcome, we'd love to hear from you but you are also welcome to just read along and hopefully enjoy the thread!

I have two little boys aged 8 and 5 so Christmas is still a little frantic, but I am treasuring it as I know it will not last forever. But I also know Christmas will be lovely with them whatever age they are.

I can't quite believe Christmas 2022 has been and gone but let's now look ahead to the new year, with all of it's ups and downs and sides and middles and hopefully a bit of Christmas 2023 prep in between! It's always good to hear how everyone else is getting on and great to have some help when we get stuck. I have included all of the links from past threads to help with ideas or just to give a little bit of Christmas inspiration.

Thanks to everyone who continues to contribute to this thread, long may it continue! I really do enjoy having a space to chat about Christmas whenever i'd like to (we all know lots of people don't like to talk about Christmas outside of December

) and to also know I can chat about anything else going on in life at the time and there's always an ear to listen.

So here's to the new year ahead and Christmas planning 2023, I look forward to sharing it with you all again!

princesskitty29 · 8 January 2023 at 8:51AM

Elves

100 Elf ideas
http://www.designdazzle.com/?s=100+elf+ideas&submit=

Elf colouring pages (& much more)
http://www.hellokids.com/c_23563/col...-coloring-page

Elf Magic
http://www.elf-magic.com/

Free Printables

The Polar Express Party Pack
http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/...arpartykit.pdf

Polar Express Tickets
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kedward...n/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kedward...n/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kedward...n/photostream/

135 sheets of labels, tags and games
http://burdart.blogspot.co.uk/2009/1...gift-tags.html

Animal Sewing Cards
http://justsomethingimade.com/2010/1...olor-giveaway/

Hampers and Baskets

MSE Hamper Sticky
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/...d.php?t=414524

2013 Hamper Thread
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/....php?t=4750954

Knitting and Crochet

Directory of free patterns (all year)
http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com/directory.php

Free pattern of the day (all year)
http://www.dailyknitter.com/day.php

Crochet Pattern Central
http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/

Cut Out and Keep
http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/crafts/knitting
http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/crafts/crochet
also check out the book page, as some have free patterns available.

Handmade Gifts

Skip to my Lou
http://www.skiptomylou.org/handmade-gift-ideas/

101 Handmade Tutorials
http://www.everythingetsy.com/2013/0...ift-tutorials/

101 Handmade Christmas Ornaments
http://www.everythingetsy.com/2011/0...ent-tutorials/

101 Simple Handmade Gifts
http://www.everythingetsy.com/2011/0...ift-tutorials/

101 Green Handmade Gifts
http://www.everythingetsy.com/2011/1...ift-tutorials/

101 Handmade Gifts for Females
http://www.everythingetsy.com/2012/1...s-for-her-diy/

101 Handmade Gifts for Kids
http://www.everythingetsy.com/2012/0...ifts-for-kids/

101 Homemade Holiday Ideas
http://www.everythingetsy.com/2011/1...day-tutorials/

Cut Out and Keep
http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/

Art supplies
http://www.craftycrocodiles.co.uk/

princesskitty29 · 8 January 2023 at 8:53AM

Food and Drink

Christmas Recipes (lovely site) (includes some printables)
http://www.razzledazzlerecipes.com/christmas/index.htm

BBC Recipes by the Month
http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/seasons

Nigella Lawson- Chilli Jam & more
http://www.nigella.com/recipes/view/chilli-jam-2692

Flavoured Sugars & more
http://www.food.com/recipe/exotic-fl...and-tea-309969

Chilli Oil
http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/ho...illi_oil_54985

BBC Good Food Christmas
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/content/seasonal/christmas

Cut Out and Keep
http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/crafts/cooking

For the Kids (Big & Small)

Activity Village Christmas & more
http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/printables

Elf Colouring Page (also on Elf post)
http://www.hellokids.com/c_23563/col...-coloring-page

Christmas Countdown
http://www.xmasclock.com/

Animal Sewing Cards
http://justsomethingimade.com/2010/1...olor-giveaway/

Northpole.com
http://www.northpole.com/

Primary Games
http://www.primarygames.com/holidays.../christmas.php

Let’s Get Organized

Get Organized
http://christmas.organizedhome.com

Better Homes (has everything - could be in all lists)
http://www.bhg.com/christmas/

Let’s Go Shopping

camelcamelcamel (Amazon price tracker)
http://www.camelcamelcamel.com/

MSE Grabbit Board
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/...aysprune=&f=36

MSE Freebie (no spend required) Board
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/...aysprune=&f=37

Find DVD compare prices site
http://www.find-dvd.co.uk/

CeX(UK) Buy and Sell
http://uk.webuy.com/

I Want One Of Those
http://www.iwantoneofthose.com/

Rex London

https://www.rexlondon.com/

Menkind (Mens Gadgets)
http://www.menkind.co.uk/

Campus Gifts
http://www.campusgifts.co.uk/gifts-by-department.html

Everything £5
http://www.everything5pounds.com/

Home Bargains
http://www.homebargains.co.uk/

Not On The High Street
http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/

B&M
http://www.bmstores.co.uk/

Music Magpie

Books

Christmas Book Lists
http://www.goodreads.com/list/tag/christmas

WHSmith
https://www.whsmith.co.uk/

Bangzo Deal of the Day
http://www.bangzo.com/dailydeal.html

Waterstones
https://www.waterstones.com/

Wordery
https://wordery.com/

Candles

The Official Yankee Candle
http://www.yankeecandle.co.uk/?pressID=163

princesskitty29 · 8 January 2023 at 9:02AM

Our Pinterest

http://pinterest.com/fleecefun/christmas-ideas/
http://pinterest.com/freespirit39/pins/
http://www.pinterest.com/chibichidesigns/boards/
http://pinterest.com/leannej86/christmas/
http://pinterest.com/princesskitty29/christmas/
https://pinterest.com/littlesparrow1/christmas/
http://www.pinterest.com/boulton1586/
http://www.pinterest.com/eljaycock/
http://www.pinterest.com/athomeatherapy/boards/
http://www.pinterest.com/madvixen83/christmas/
http://www.pinterest.com/madvixen83/leftover-recipes/
https://www.pinterest.com/grosvenorraine/

Our Instagram

Princesskitty29 - @rebekahlovesteaandcake
MoneyMission2015 / LMG1305 - @lmg1305
Newthrift - @tiffanylouise01
GinaYD - @grosvenor_raine
Treasurequeen - @queenoftreasures13
murie - @mpb192

General Ideas And Information

Jar of Nothing
http://www.craftbits.com/project/a-jar-of-nothing-gift

Candy Cane Sleighs
http://ellynsplace.blogspot.co.uk/se...istmas+sleighs

Removing Smells from Bottles and Jars
http://www.getsmellout.com/how-to-ge...s-and-bottles/

Festive Studio
https://festivestudio.co.uk/

Post Pals (put a smile on a childs face)
http://www.postpals.co.uk/

Royal Mail Posting Dates
http://www.royalmail.com/greetings

Track Santa
http://www.noradsanta.org/en/
http://www.google.co.uk/santatracker/#/tracker/world

Amy Powers - let's get inspired
http://issuu.com/inspired-ideas/docs/christmas

Christmas Nail Art
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DLv7zxea1lI

Christmas TV

Radio Times
https://www.radiotimes.com/

princesskitty29 · 8 January 2023 at 9:03AM

Food List (Originally Posted by Quidsy)

Meat
Turkey
Beef Joint
Pork Joint
Ham Joint
Sausage meat (to make stuffing)
Sausages wrapped in bacon (or cocktail sausages & bacon)

Fish
Salmon side
Prawns (for prawn salad starter)

Vegetables
Brussel Sprouts
Cabbage
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Peas
Carrots
Potatoes (for mash & roast)
Mushrooms
Parsnips
Lettuce for salad starter

Fruit & Nuts
Satsumas or tangerines (for stockings)
Chestnuts, Nuts in shells and shelled nuts
Cranberries for sauce
Lemon to garnish drinks

Condiments
Piccalilli
Branston Pickle
Red Onion Chutney
Cranberry jelly
Bread sauce

Breads & cakes
Bread, loaf, rolls
Mince Pies
Christmas Pudding
Christmas Cake

Ingredients & dry goods
Stuffing mix
Crackers for Cheese
Turkey Gravy granules or ready made
Beef Gravy granules or ready made
Mincemeat (to make mince pies)
Puff or filo pastry (for pies tarts etc)
Goose fat
Cooking oil
Bread making ingredients
Glace or maraschino cherries to garnish drinks
icing sugar (to dust mince pies)
marzipan for Christmas Cake
icing for Christmas Cake
Ready made yorkshire puddings

Dairy
Cheese selection board
Custard
Single cream
Double cream
Butter
Fresh Milk
UHT long life milk

Confectionary & snacks
Chocolates
Pringles
Shortbread/other biscuits
Chocolate orange
Twiglets

Soft Drinks
Pop: Juice/Squash
Cranberry Juice
Orange Juice
Tonic
Soda
Shloer (or other grown up non alcoholic drink for any drivers)

Alcoholic drinks
Wine: Red & White
Vodka
Whiskey
Gin
Brandy for setting fire to the pudding
sherry (for santa)

Medicine cabinet
headache tablets
calpol (if you have littlies)
antiacid tablets
spare toilet roll
Kitchen roll
Cling film
Foil

princesskitty29 · 8 January 2023 at 9:04AM

For Old Times Sake

A Jolly Holly Christmas - 2022

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

Driving Home For Christmas - 2021

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6322972/a-jolly-holly-christmas-its-the-2022-christmas-chatter-thread/p1?new=1

Step Into Christmas - 2020

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6086406/step-into-christmas-2020-its-the-2020-christmas-chatter-thread/p1

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - 2019

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5942037/have-yourself-a-merry-little-christmas-its-the-2019-christmas-chatter-thread

Rocking around the Christmas Tree - 2018

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5763929/rocking-around-the-christmas-tree-its-the-2018-christmas-chatter-thread

I wish it could be Christmas every day - 2017

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5577055the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - 2016

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/69782434#Comment_69782434"nofollow" href="https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5140845">https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5140845The Cavalry - 2014
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4853442Holly and the Ivy - 2013
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/....php?t=4357703

Let It Snow - 2012

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=3935899&highlight=let+it+snow

princesskitty29 · 8 January 2023 at 9:05AM

Our Birthdays

JANUARY
Newthrift 18th
Clumsy42 28th

FEBRUARY
murie 24th
junior_j 25th

MARCH
vulpix 12th

APRIL
quidsy 23rd
princesskitty29 29th

MAY
pixtotts 4th
Opee92 13th
Girl in a Yellow Dress 21st

JUNE
Nic2075 1st
04624181 13th
dropsofjupiter 22nd
msgigglewick 23rd

JULY
sammy_kaye18 17th
mrs-moneypenny 17th
Hanley25 19th

AUGUST
Treasurequeen 12th
patentgirl 30th

SEPTEMBER
Spendless 28th
whitesatin 28th

OCTOBER
freespirit66 1st

NOVEMBER
Peppapig 1st
mrsinvisable 7th
pinknfluffy28 28th

DECEMBER
FeistyFidget 14th
3forholidays 15th
CHRISSYG 25th

princesskitty29 · 8 January 2023 at 9:16AM

Hi all, sorry for my absence this week after saying I’d set up a new thread – it would appear that 2023 was going to be the year I didn’t sleep! On the night of the 1st January our dog started whining in the night out of the blue, she hasn’t done it for the whole year we’ve had her. We took her to the vets but there was no obvious physical problem. Our youngest son also has a cough that was much worse at night so between them we didn’t get much sleep for about a week! Our dog hasn’t whined the last two nights and DS’s cough is getting better so fingers crossed we’re all in for some better sleep now!

So I’ve picked up a couple of bits in the sales – I got DS1 a little keyring game of Snakes, I know this will be fine by next Christmas as it’s a timeless thing that everyone likes to play. I also got myself, my auntie and a friend a penguin toilet roll cover – we all love silly novelty things like this! I remembered to look in the WHSmith sale this year and again picked up a couple of items that will be good presents when my sons have birthday parties to go to.

My 2023 Christmas spreadsheet is up and running and already has some ideas on it! I will just update this throughout the year as and when.

Yet again I didn’t get around to finishing all of the bunting gifts I wanted to make last year, so I’m thinking of potentially treating the 25th of each month (or the closest date) as a ‘Christmassy day’ and to prep anything I need to for Christmas. I’m hoping this might mean I actually get the bunting gifts finished this year!

Anyway I hope you are all well and the new year is being good to you so far, I’m looking forward to chatting with you all throughout 2023!

mandco Sorry to hear you've been so poorly, I really do hope you're feeling better now? Not a great start to the year for you!

C_J · 8 January 2023 at 9:35AM

Thank you @princesskitty29 for starting us off with the new thread, and I hope @mandco and anyone else who has been poorly is feeling better now!

I have had a few good post-Christmas sales bargains - I make “It’s Nearly Christmas” boxes for my grandchildren, which they get in mid-December so they have time to do any of the craft activities before the big day. I had a massive haul of very reduced items in The Works, The Range and £Land so the boxes are almost complete. Things like paint your own mug/plate/baubles, flashing Santa wristbands, colouring books, Christmas tree light necklaces, festive card and bingo games. The Works also had some brilliant Christmas paper cutting dies reduced to 50p each so I treated myself to a few of those.

I also got a few very sturdy Christmas gift boxes, slightly larger than shoebox size. Last year there was a local appeal to fill Christmas gift boxes with treats to be sent out to southern Ukraine (we were sent video clips by the organisers afterwards, showing the recipients opening their parcels at a little party and it was very emotional. I even saw one of the boxes I had sent being handed over to an elderly lady, and she started to cry when she looked at the contents). I am fairly sure (sadly) there will be a need for 2023 Ukraine gift boxes so I’d like to start early on these and fill a few gradually over the year so I can take advantage of any offers as they arise.

I always completely forget about the WHSmith sale, so thanks for the reminder! I will go and take a look now, but I expect most of the bargains will have gone by now.

Coxy11 · 8 January 2023 at 10:25AM

Morning!

Thanks for setting up the new thread @princesskitty29 - very much appreciated. I am going to look at the homemade gift ideas shortly as might be able to utilise some of those. I too have got my spreadsheet for 2023 up and running.

I've tallied up spends for 2022 and I spent slightly more that usual. DS1 and DIL2B got a few things to open plus we are paying for their stair carpet (if they ever get around to getting a quote!). It's all budgeted for though and we save throughout the year.

Only sale purchases for me are 2 boxes of 9 Wax Lyrical tealights - different fragrances - to put away for next year at £2.49 each. Might possibly gift them in a hamper to ILs again. This was from a garden centre with an enormous gift section. I stepped away from the L'occitane mini gift sets (3 items for £7) and Cath Kidston Christmas gifts as they didn't seem good enough value. Thanks for the WHSmith reminder - I too will take a look.

I got a couple of birthday gifts in CS's this week. A BNIB Paperchase initial mug for SIL's birthday at the end of the month for £3.99 and an unused Fox & Ivy large pale blue scandi-print initial mug for MIL for either Mother's day or part of her birthday gift in September - £1.99. Also got SIL a lovely pashmina in the garden centre yesterday - not on sale - for £23, so she is now done.

Have a good day all
Coxy

Treasurequeen · 8 January 2023 at 12:15PM

Thank you @princesskitty29 For the new thread. I do so enjoy chatting to you all on here throughout the year. My Christmas spreadsheet for this year is up and running. Last year I went slightly over budget but the money was saved. It’s getting harder to buy items within budgets due to poor sales and prices rising, so I might have to alter my budgets this year. I can’t decide whether to get my brother and sister in law a joint gift or separate gifts. What does other people on here do?

I’m still getting over covid so haven’t been able to look at the sales in shops, the online sales don’t appear to be very good this year. I’m hoping to make a few presents this year and am going to start crafting now and throughout the year instead of leaving it too late.

Coxy and C_J, Some great buys there, I keep forgetting about the works. Charity shops have some great treasures that you can gift to others.

Get well wishes to those that are Ill.

Jingle All The Way - It's the 2023 Christmas Chatter Thread!

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