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

princesskitty29

I managed to pick up a copy of Simply Christmas at a local newsagent, although it was only when I got home and flicked through that I realised it was the one I’m not so keen on, I totally forgot. Still, it’s always nice to look at something Christmassy. I love the Good Food Christmas collection so I ordered it online as I got a 30% discount as I am a Good Food subscriber already, it’s only 30p off when you factor in P&P but every little helps as they say! I like it when the Christmas editions of Good Housekeeping etc come out, they’re my favourite.

I picked up a bag of turkey and stuffing flavoured treats for our dog Poppy for Christmas. It makes me smile how we buy her gifts as she has no idea what’s going on but I can’t help it! To be fair it’s just a chance to stock up on some treats and replace some sorry looking toys.

We’re off to the circus today, this is the third year we’ve gone, it’s becoming a bit of a tradition. I like it because it’s some good old fashioned family entertainment!

Coxy sorry I meant to say Happy Belated Birthday in my last message, I hope you had a lovely day!

mandco I think we tend to go to Butlins at a similar time of year, we’ve got it booked for half term next month. We do love our little trips to Butlins, my husband and I are trying to soak them up whilst our boys are young and still want to go. It sounds like you had a lovely time and you managed to get some good food bits, it’s always interesting to see what there is in other areas.

Spendless it’s always a shame when these things come along when the children are too old for it. Although I have to admit I’m really excited about it and I’m an adult!   

Spendless

We also used to go to Butlins when kids were younger. It was a hol we did with my Nan (the one that died earlier this year). Fond memories, I suppose we may be back as and when the next generation come along. 


@Mrs_Ryan - A carvery is what we are looking at for similar reasons. DD is vegetarian (she is also faddy!). It's highly likely she won't like whatever the veggie option is (unless for some strange reason it's a cheese and tomato pizza!) and will instead need to stack her plate with a Yorkshire pudding and veggies. If it's a chain you're going to would you mind sharing which one?

@princesskitty29 - Dog presents make it fun. Our dog can sniff out which is his and open it himself but  prefers receiving toys to treats  A couple of years ago he got into my parents spare bedroom, jumped onto the bed where she had all wrapped up presents laid out, worked out which one was for him and was caught unwrapping it in another room -lol! 

mandco

Boots was putting out the xmas gift sets yesterday - no signage up or mention of 3 for 2 - not even any of the usual present stickers on eligable items 
They have the star gifts back online - though can't say the current offers seem particularly good- they also have 1/2 price on selected xmas gifts  - currently Fcuk and a little something branded sets

princesskitty29

I did really well with my Tesco shop this week, I managed to get DH and a friend the Cadbury Snowballs bar on offer, a bag of Cadbury Snowballs on offer for DH’s stocking, shower gel for DS1, bubble bath for DS2, Coco Pops on offer for DS2 and some crazy bath foam on offer for the Christmas eve hamper. I bought the Cussons To The Moon and Back hand wash for the boys a little while ago and they both love the smell of it so I thought I’d get them the same shower gel and bubble bath as little things to open. I always get them a box of treat cereal to open too and I’d ordered the smaller box of Coco Pops as it was on offer, but they substituted it for the bigger box for the same price which was good. I like getting bits and bobs like this as they’re useful and it gives them a few more things to open. I did order two nets of chocolate coins but they sent white chocolate ones so I returned those and will order again next week. I remember when you used to be able get chocolate coins for 50p, they seem to be £1 or more everywhere now, even B&M. They’re only 69p at Tesco. I know i'm only talking pennies but they all add up after a while!

My copy of the Good Food Homemade Christmas magazine came yesterday and it's been lovely looking through that, really Christmassy.

Spendless your dog is very clever sniffing out his own presents! I remember you saying that before, it made me laugh. Poppy wasn’t at all bothered about the presents under the tree last year, but we found out afterwards that she wasn’t well at the time so we’ll see what happens this year! She is the opposite to yours, she will be way more interested in the treats than the toys!   

mandco

Princesskitty sounds like you did well with the tesco shop this week though shame about the choc coins being the wrong ones- home delivery is always so hit & miss here I usually ended up with a lot of missing items so don't bother that often that said having the same issue instore lately with so many items being oos. Prices are still quite a bit higher than previous year and it really does add up so definately pays to shop around when possible.
My boy can smell out treats at 500 paces so have to hide them really well - the other day he got into dd's room and was sitting in front of the wardrobe whining couldn't figure out why till I looked and found a treat she'd hidden in there and forgotten about 
We enjoy butlin's -I'm able to booked the cheaper dates so its a budget break but its great to have a few days away. even though taz is getting to that age where he's less keen to go away he still has a great time once we're there so I'm making the most of it while I can.

Choc oranges are currently £1.50 not sure if I should just get them now or wait to see if they go a bit cheaper but that runs the risk of the price going up again - I'm on the look out for the new choc mint one too but not seen it anywhere yet

Picked up an encanto themed book & fleece for dgd 1 so need to find something else for dgd2 - still need to find them an outfit each but might leave that till we go away. 
 

Treasurequeen

M&S have the light up town house Christmas candles back in at £10.00 they have other designs too. I’ve bought a few to give as gifts. The light up houses are also trickling onto store shelves, filled with tea, hot chocolate or shortbread. And there is a new edition this year of a tin car filled with chocolate. 

• Shortbread tin is £6
• Tea tin  is £5
• Hot chocolate tin is £4
• Gingerbread musical tin is £5
• Chocolate car tin is £5

This week I have bought two tubs of chocolates and they are now stored away. 

@mandco thanks for the heads up over chocolate orange, I’m not sure that they will go down. I’ve seen the mint one in Iceland. 
I was thinking the same over the tubs of chocolate waiting to see if Tesco do the 2 for £7. But when I went into my local store they only had a few tubs of quality street left at £4. When I asked a store staff member she told me they are on order but will be another 3-4 weeks to come in then they will be back to full price. I ended up buying them as I wasn’t taking a risk. 

princesskitty29

I picked up a Christmas scratchcard in my local Tesco the other day to go in DH’s stocking, I’m thinking I might also get a few £1 ones as I have make-your-own crackers this year and I only need four for the adults.

mandco It’s amazing how they can sniff these treats out isn’t it! The mint chocolate oranges came up on my Tesco shop search when I was looking for the normal chocolate oranges, but I don’t recall having seen them in the store. I also remember when they used to go on offer for £1. I feel like I’m definitely getting older now as I keep saying ‘I remember when…..!’ 

Treasurequeen I was hesitant to get the chocolate tubs for £4 as well in case the 2 for £7 offer ever came back, I missed the one in Morrisons. I don’t know if Tesco did it last year? I keep thinking I should just get them now.

Peppa537

I have an online grocery shop delivered from Tesco each week. They've got 25% off wine when buying 6 bottles so I've added 6 to my delivery, the 3 bottles of red can be for my FiL and the 3 white for my Mum. They both have birthdays around Christmas as well. I've also added some food that is on a clubcard deal, the box of black magic will be for my Mil and some white chocolate covered oreos for my youngest daughters boyfriend.
Thanks @princesskitty29 the Christmas scratchcards are a good idea to go in stockings etc. I'll get some for my family. 

Peppa537

@Treasurequeen I'm waiting for the 2 for £7 chocolate tub Tesco offer before buying them. They did have that offer last year but if they don't they will have the £4 each again at a later date. 

Spendless

I popped to M&S food hall last night there's near us, gorgeous stuff in. My £20 freebie card won't stretch far! Can't remember the price but they do a small cardboard box of chocolate vegetables - sorely tempted to buy them for DD who doesn't seem to understand what the veg bit in vegetarian means    with a suitably worded message about it! 

I will buy the tin of tea-bags from the Xmas range for Nan, that will go with the mini whiskies I already have, add biscuits and then she'll be done. Aim to get that one achieved before the end of the month.