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

Spendless

Me too sammy-kaye - but I want to go hunting with coxy for the best buys  hahaha.

I've also been thinking about how to make sure we have Christmas covered. DH has got another £20 M&S card from work, I gave the last one to DD for food shopping as she was moving away but I'm keeping this one. I have around £13ish on my Boots loyalty card, was around £15 until recently when DD needed something and I didn't wish to use hard cash as I was saving for her student rent. We have recently acquired a cashback CC and we *might* use the cashback money towards xmas and I'm also sending for the TK Maxx treasures as I become eligible. I need to look into what other loyalty schemes we are already signed up to. I know we have Tesco and DH told me recently he has Sainsbury's.  The xmas present list is now as follows

My elderly Nan - will be 98 at Christmas - a bottle of alcohol, biscuits, tea bags are the usual things bought and can possibly be covered by the M&S voucher certainly in full could be covered by a combination of Marks and Tesco.

FIL - I have to hand this one over to DH. It's too hard, he's an invalid, mostly housebound and last year this was further complicated by the request not to buy him food, drink or clothing! l do the rest of the household anyway, other than asking DH to step in if DS needs something too technical for me to get my head round.

Dil2b - who will be DIL by Xmas - I suspect this might be easy. Last year she changed phone contracts on a 2 year deal. I can't remember why now but it ended up going through us and she offered to pay us each month but we said if she would like to make it her xmas present instead that would be ok, she agreed. We will make the same offer again this year.

DS - Will need to see nearer the time. He is usually struggling for something we can get him

My parents - .I am grouping them together for a reason, not only is my Dad difficult to buy for anyway, Mum struggling with grief after my (other) Nan died, went shopping for a wedding outfit for DS wedding. The accessories (shoes, handbag, fascinator) were all reasonably priced and price tagged. The dress wasn't. Mum didn't think to ask, Dad with not great eyesight didn't look properly at the figure in the cash machine and the dress cost hundreds (I suspect it may have cost more than the bridal gown). Mum was upset when she realised on the way home but too late, the shop would only offer credit notes anyway. So I have told DH that for the next couple of years we need to buy them events to wear Mum's dress to. So far we've only come up with a day at the races though, so any ideas gratefully received.


DD - I am going to at least try a different strategy for this Christmas. Each year I pick items up early on for DD only for her to produce a Xmas list around November/December. This year I am thinking to ask her for her list before Black Friday for anything main and purely buy items for her stocking that I see in advance, so the stocking will be down to me, the main items things she requests. Can't remember if I said but last year I bought her a new Xmas Eve box, a lot smaller wooden light up one from HB. So much more suitable than the childhood one she had. For all the fuss she made about me stopping it the year before, last Christmas I reinstated it and she didn't use the stuff, she said that was because DS and Dil2b came round instead. Anyway though I'm continuing it's a condensed version hence the smaller box. I already have new PJs for her, I bought  them in America in Jan because they have a soft feel to them, something DD loves in clothes. I will add one of the Lush Xmas bath bombs I already have, plus a face mask and something edible. DD loves Laudree macaroons but they're expensive, she said m& s came close though. If I feel at the time it needs padding out slightly more I'll add a candle (already have one) and long matches.

DH - I have a MT holdall bough preloved BNWOT. I think the best thing for DH is to buy him is travel related items, he's away with work every week in the UK and abroad a handful of times per year. I wasn't too sure about whether this should be a Xmas or birthday present but I've decided that since the bulk of gift buying expenses come at Christmas that it makes more sense to save things till then, other occasions can come out of wages. This means for the rest of the year we have

2 x anniversarys (ours and my parents) 
2 x Fathers day
3 x Birthdays - mine, DH and Nan
Everything else is card only nowadays

The downside is they aren't spaced out, one lot come in June, the rest over 3 weeks in Sept/Oct, which is why being able to take Christmas  expenses out of the equation will be helpful. It would be nice to think I have Christmas sorted without having to spend much 'real' cash. I'm still wanting to do a CS find to everyone though, so probably need to crack on with that.  

Coxy11

Ooh yes, let's have a CS meet up and see what we can find collectively lol!

I'm also saving points from Boots, Sainsburys and Tesco's for use later in the year. Also have the Shoppix app which converts points to Amazon vouchers or Love2Shop, and BP loyalty points which are Amazon or M&S I think? In previous years I've just used them as and when needed so will be good to see how the totals are at the end of the year.

I'm in the same frame of mind about not buying too early this year. I've a few little bits I've managed to pick up but nothing substantial yet. DD will be returning home from uni at the end of August (finishes end of May but paying rent until August and has a job in Brighton, so better off staying put). We had thought she might be on her way to moving out to rent with BF but they have split (thank the lord) so now need to think about just her needs. Have no clue what to buy DS1 or DS2! 

The second hand books have arrived. I can tell they are not 'new' but they have only been read once so no dog-earred pages or yellowing of paper which is good. Save the planet and all that!

I need to withdraw cash for DNephew's birthday and get the shower gels wrapped up as we are seeing him on Sunday.

Spendless

I'd forgotten about Dil2bs birthday - oops!  She's also mingled into the Sept/Oct ones though, I think her and DS will be on honeymoon then. They're delaying going for a few weeks so it's cheaper, so I think euros in a card will probably be appreciated.

Today in Aldi I saw a 3 way electric mini snacks gadget for waffles, doughnuts and brownies. I think it  was £15.Think I'll go back next week and pick one up for DS.  .   

princesskitty29

Hi all, gosh time flies, I haven’t managed to get on here in ages! I’ve had a busy few weeks with my birthday, the coronation and DS1’s football tournament. We have a quiet day at home today and I’m really looking forward to it after a busy few weekends. It’s supposed to be nice weather for a good chunk of the day so we’re planning to get the BBQ out as a treat for the boys. Although they said it was supposed to be 20 degrees here yesterday and instead I got absolutely frozen stood at DS1’s football tournament for 5 hours! We then had friends over to watch the Luton match as they are in the play-offs to try and get a place at Wembley to get into the premier league, they lost last night and only have one more chance on Tuesday – if they lose that I will have a very unhappy husband on my hands!

I haven’t done anything for Christmas lately what with everything going on, I’m disappointed that I haven’t managed to stick to doing some Christmas prep on the 25th of each month, I will try and pull it back this month as I still have bunting gifts to get on with. It’s DH’s birthday next week then I’ve got DS2’s to organise the month after that.

DH and I have been re-watching some Gavin & Stacey lately, I really enjoyed watching the Christmas episodes! Christmas is definitely my happy place.

Spendless

Yesterday I went back and bought the mini snack maker at Aldi. They only had 2 left. I'd dithered because in the meantime DS had bought himself a waffle maker, but on checking it wasn't the same one as this that can also do doughnuts and brownies.

I bought this yesterday too - I got mine in Sainsbury's. The Famous Grouse The Flying Scotch Dram 4x - ASDA Groceries
This is for my Nan for Christmas, then I will add any of the following tea-bags/chocolates/tin of biscuits.  I will keep a look out for anything on offer that is also long dated.

I also bought a pouch  with  skincare items in, facial roller ball and gua sha. I had recently seen it reduced to £6 in TK Maxx on return it had been further reduced to £4. As it's quite a bulky pouch I think that will fill out her stocking  quite helpfully. 

DH gave me the £20 M&S voucher which I've put away in the present cupboard too till the end of the year. 

Last year my parents were on hol for their wedding anniversary, we meant to take them for a meal but they both got covid on their return, one after the other then Mum was suffering with her hip and went on to have a hip replacement and then was recovering so we never got on with it. I've also been looking for events for Mum to wear her dress to and have come up with her going to a race event but that also does live music afterwards. (Mum having told me recently she's not really into gambling - she was taking about casinos but I'm guessing the same principal applies so I need something which has a little more to it than a day at the races) This particular event takes place after DS wedding so Mum can wear her whole outfit again.

As prices are more than what we'd usually pay I'm thinking we say it's  this years and last year's anniversary presents plus father's day (which is near their anniversary) all rolled into one. We have done that before with their birthdays and/or Xmas when it's been a purchase outside of our usual budget and they've been ok with that. 

For our own anniversary, we spent 2 years in lockdowns unable to go anywhere. I think for 1 we bought fish and chips, take-aways having recently been allowed to open and sat and ate them in the car in the park. Last year we just took DS and Dil2b for some drinks and nibbles in our city centre so we have treated ourselves to this. 
Red Rose Diner - The East Lancashire Railway (eastlancsrailway.org.uk)

Means an overnight stay which we've been able to pay with with DH hotel loyalty points, will just need taxis to and from and decided nearer the time whether to just order drinks or pay a corkage fee - DH doesn't drink any type of wine, so have to decide whether it's worth it just for me. 

mandco

Spendless wow you sound very organised this year. 
I've found quite a few places have started not pricing items making it really easy to get caught out so they really should make it clear before you pay i cant remember the last time a cashier actually told me the amount if I was paying by card. I'm sure your mum & dad hot quite a shock when they realised exactly how much it cost.
The red rose diner looks amazing 

Princesskitty life gets in the way all to quickly and some months it seems like we're rushing from one thing to the next . Your been realy busy lately so don't feel bad that your xmas prep has taken a bit of a back seat.

I'm saving points for various shops though not sure yet if they'll go towards xmas or stuff for our holiday though spent most of my nectar points a while ago. I have 2 asda xmas savings cards on the go - its so easy as its set up by dd meaning I don't don't have to remember to top up I wish more places offered it. 1 will be towards the xmas shop the other so I can do a big shop for ds before we go away as he decided he didn't want to come with us  totally freaking out about leaving him home as he's never been alone that long before or while we've been abroad.
Not a huge fan of the asda rewards scheme as I rarely end up earning anything on my basic shopping I don't seem to buy things that qualify so only really get the total spend and odd mission bonus but its better than nothing as I'm shopping there anyway.

our break away ended up being a disaster - started off well the weather was lovely when we arrived so took a wonder along the beach and picked up some fish and chips - a couple of hours later I started feeling ill spent the rest of the evening & most of saturday in the bathroom or asleep    Not sure if it was the food or just a coincidence and I'd picked up some norovirius bug from somewhere but ended up coming home sunday morning as I wasn't well enough to do anything and Taz was incredibly bored stuck in the caravan with nothing to to. Caravan was lovely though 

princesskitty29

Hi all, I started off well by going to the gym this morning but my motivation is waning and I’m in danger of having one of those days where I don’t get anything useful done! I’m definitely procrastinating on here but I’ll just finish my coffee and then go and make myself get on with some jobs that really need doing.

mandco oh no you poor thing! It’s bad enough being ill like that at the best of times let alone when you are away from home. I’m sorry you didn’t get to enjoy your break. Gosh I can’t imagine what it’s like when one of your children wants to stay at home and not go on holiday, it must be scary. I know we’ll have to face it one day! I’m sure with some ground rules he will be ok, it’s learning to let go isn’t it.

Spendless you are always so good with spotting things when you’re out and about! It can’t have been very nice for your parents realising how much they had spent, made even more difficult by the fact the shop doesn’t give refunds. You’re doing the right thing finding events she can wear the dress again at, it definitely softens the blow.

Coxy11

Hi all,

Some great ideas and purchases there @Spendless. DS1 and DIL2B have a link to add funds for their honeymoon, which will be going out with the invites. I love the sound of the gadget maker too. That Red Rose Diner looks amazing!

Sorry to hear you were unwell on your break @mandco - such rotten luck x

It was Dnephew's birthday on Tuesday. We saw him on Sunday - he is Groot! Honestly think he's been so over-indulged and spoilt (mainly due to being the youngest plus the loss of his brother). He was upstairs with his GF and only came down for a roast that his Dad had cooked, then DSis had to take all tech off him to force him downstairs. He'd had an escape room experience plus dinner out for him and 5 mates the day before plus gifts! The joys of teens! 

I seriously need to get my thinking cap on for DSis birthday and DMum birthday which are both early June. I found a CK travel wallet (barely used) and a F&M musical biscuit tin at the car boot on Sunday but both will be Bay of E'd for my charity fundraising. I did get a Christmas gift for DS1 on Monday as I went to the Tottenham stadium and got him a pint glass Beavertown x THFC which I'll put away. Even better it cost me zero as DDad paid along with some merch for him!!

Spendless

princesskitty - i've had times like that when I've gone AWOL on here for ages either cos I've had no money to buy anything or I've constantly been at work.

mandco - That happened to DH years ago, we'd gone to CP, he had one full day then fell ill and never went out of the lodge again. To make it up we then re-booked for later in the year, that time on the first full day he took a phone call from his sister to say their Dad was in hospital after having a stroke. Couldn't be helped but not really what you're thinking of when you're anticipating a hol. Hope you're feeling better now. 

I was quite happy to celebrate the end of my kids teenage years earlier this year coxy -lol

I've been and bought my missing accessories for DS wedding. I went to a neighbouring town and really wish I'd tried there first they had so much especially fascinators at a really reasonable price. Anyway I got a handbag and jewellery, so all I need now is a bra as my current ones style don't suit the dress and as my necklace came in a set with matching ear-rings but I let my piercings close up many years ago when I had DS I am tempted to buy an adjuster I've seen on-line that would turn them into clip-ons. Anyone ever given this a go?

The back exfoliator from the TK maxx treasures turned up. I briefly showed it DH who hankered after it himself, which is what I thought might happen so I told him to wait and see. He will now receive it on  father's day on behalf of DD with some more of the lynx soap. I've hit the next lot of claiming rewards but dithered between choosing a luggage label or a weekly meal planner with shopping list (we have luggage labels and the planner would be fab for DD but only if she's living away this Autumn which we don't currently know) checked back this morning and both have gone and instead it's either lip balm or hair bobbles, neither of which I want. As I don't fancy using it up on a free entry into a comp either, I'll need to keep checking back what's on offer. Next time I won't dither! 

mandco

spendless sounds like your outfit is all coming together for the wedding nicely which is often not an easy task 
shame you missed out on this round of rewards hopefully they'll have something you want soon- really must sign up for the tkmaxx rewards myself 

Princesskitty its def an adjustment as they get older they grow up way to quick. I'm very lucky that ds is a real homebody so no worries about parties ect while were away its more making sure he gets up and goes to college plus eats properly and doesn't burn the house down coz he's engrossed in the computer and forgotten the ovens on    I'm sure he'll be fine and he has to learnt to fend for himself eventually but doesn't stop me worrying. 

finally got around to listing some stuff on vinted -had approx £50 in sales so far and selling far more items than I ever do on ebay. xmas funds boosted and extra space in the wardrobe win win