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

Spendless

Present cupboard gone through. Am more prepared than I thought I was.

FIL - has T-shirt. DH has found a book he'll like to order and we have a Cadbury's shop not too far away so will also add chocolate.

DH - Has more travel/toiletry items than I'd thought, so will stick along this theme plus add some clothing (shop is in same retail place as where I'll get FIL's choc - just needs a visit once we're back from America)

Nan - Is done with her whisky, tea and biscuits - just need to find a way to present it.

DS & DiL - Both are having their phone contracts pay for. I got a toiletry bag recently courtesy of TK Maxx treasures. I wasn't sure what I was doing with it. As I've got everything out I've found bits of pieces of toiletries that have been split from previous sets, or picked up earlier this year, so have put all these extra items in the bag for DiL. That then 'matches' any bodyspray or similar set I get DS. I need to order a blender so they have both that plus the brownie maker. I'm then going to make them a cholate hamper each.

My parents - I'd forgotten about the Radley pen I had, needs a re-fill in it. There's also a bag and sunglasses. DD had a bad experience working for this company back in the summer. Long story but she raised an official complaint and they've admitted to learning lessons.  Once these items are gone, I don't intend buying that brand ever again. I will give this to Mum as intended. Dad I have packing cubes plus a nicely decorative travel  pill organiser. I've decided to give these because I now they will eventually go away. I showed these items to DH and he was of the same opinion as me, it needs something adding. We will look whilst we're away.

DD- I've gone through her presents. She will have a Lush snow fairy hamper from items I bought last year. That turned out to be a good bargain. The rest of the stuff bought in the BD sale hasn't turned out to be as it's just been used  up here and there. I won't make that mistake again!  Her stocking is courtesy of several of the TK Maxx treasures. She has some Guess ear-rings and tonight has at long last sent me a link to the coat she'd like (far more reasonable than the AirWrap!).  I need to wrap some of her smaller items because currently I'm unsure what is going into her stocking or not and need to visualise what it all looks like. 

Coxy11

I received another email from RLD on Saturday with 20% off so have ordered a Hidden London walking tour for Mum and the Vineyard tour and afternoon tea for ILs. Decided against the cocktail class and pizza for DS1 and DIL2B as think they'd have to add service to it. Managed to get both the above for £63. I will accompany Mum on the tour sometime in the Spring. Will also get her a few bits to open on Christmas day.

Looking at my list it's mainly my own 3 children to buy for now plus 2 nephews - 24 and 15. Will ask DSis for some ideas for them. All other recipients have things on order (mainly oodies!) and I'll top up with some chocs. Still waiting to build another £20 Amazon voucher on Shoppix before I can place the order sat in my basket. I'm 1525 points off. Could order £15 worth now but will wait a bit longer.

storytime

Coxy11 said:

Found a £5 M&S e-gift voucher in my personal inbox yesterday. Came whilst I was walking in August courtesy of the Postcode Lottery. That will be used for Christmas.

Does anyone else do the PCL? I've done it for 7 years and have won 3 x £10 plus this £5 voucher. Daren't cancel it as you can bet Jason Donovan would suddenly appear and dance down the road with my neighbours!

I’ve won 3x £10 and a £5 M&S voucher in 8 years. I would like to cancel as I do far better with my premium bonds but there is that little niggle at the back of my mind that  I will miss out on a big win!

Coxy11

Glad it's not just me @storytime!

The lookilikey oodies have arrived - still in a box as I have been in the London office these past two days. I also received the RLD gift vouchers. 

Am going to get the Hotel Choc velvitiser for DIL2B - there's an offer if you sign up to their VIP scheme. I also get discounts off future purchases. May still wait until black Friday just in case. Have also seen some nice PJs on M&S but would like to see them in person before I decide. Have asked for ideas from DS1 and DD. DS2 is back from uni tonight for a few days so will ask him, but airpods were on my list along with a bass amp.

Still 1,275 points short of another £20 Amazon voucher on Shoppix. I have been doing extra surveys as well as snapping receipts. As it stands I have enough for £15 of vouchers, so may leave it until end of November to see what's what. I've already earned £20 of vouchers which I've added to my account. I have two books and two bedding sets in my basket (total £48) so would like those to be as close to spend neutral as possible. 

I have £14.98 of B00ts points now, so that will go on nephews' toiletries set, then he's done. I'm also waiting for Ts vouchers to come through as my latest receipt had less than 50 CC points on it, so they are definitely on their way. 

Current list:
Mum - need to check with DSis but have RLD voucher already, so small things to add.
ILs - just need to get a book for FIL, then done (Amazon)
BILs x 2 - book and beers to buy x2 - 1 book in Amazon basket, the other to source
SILs x 2 - done
Nephew (23) - just need to get toiletries, then done (Boots points)
Niece (19) - done
Nephew (16) - done
Nephew (7) - bedding set to purchase, then done (Amazon)
Nephew (4) - bedding set to purchase, then done (Amazon)
Nephew (24) - ??
Niece (33) - ??
Nephew (15) - ??
RoI Nieces (15 and 16) - done
DIL2B - velvitiser and sachets, PJs, then done (£5 M&S voucher to use)
DS1 - ??
DD - ??
DS2 - Airpods, bass amp, ??
Friends' DD in US - buy $

Still a way off, but getting there! 

DigSunPap

Have now bought the majority of my Christmas gifts now. Saving my more expensive purchases for the black Friday deals. Feeling organised!

SkyeD

It's great to feel organised, isn't it?  I had a couple of deliveries today of books and boots (the wearing type - for my husband).  I think I only need to get some bits of electrical things and soft furnishings from Dune1m and that should be it :-)  My "secret stash" cupboard is pretty full :-)

Beshki

Haven’t made much of a start on buying but have most of my ideas sorted now & some money (not enough but will make it up on payday) put aside ready to buy 🙂 Feeling better just for knowing what I need to look out for. Keeping things very minimal as I always try to do, but still thoughtful. We’re heading to a nice town near where we’re visiting family tomorrow & will try to pick up some last bits to finish stockings. Have socks, hot choc stirrer, bath salts & a few other bits so far - just need a couple of other things, and a bar of chocolate. 

Coxy11

I watched a YT video yesterday - 'gifts for men under £35' - which gave me some great ideas. Off the back of that I ordered a watch for nephew (15) which was reduced to £11 in Argo$. Will get some other bits to go with it. Other nephew and DS1 (both 24) are getting a skincare set from The Ordinary. They were £12.50 each. 

Emailed DSis last night to ask about other ideas plus what she's getting Mum. Also asked about seeing them over Christmas. We normally get together here on Christmas Eve but it will cost them the ULEZ charge now, so have offered to go to them. Will see what she says.

DigSunPap

SkyeD said:

It's great to feel organised, isn't it?  I had a couple of deliveries today of books and boots (the wearing type - for my husband).  I think I only need to get some bits of electrical things and soft furnishings from Dune1m and that should be it :-)  My "secret stash" cupboard is pretty full :-)

Definitley better than being stressed and rushing last minute to get gifts! Glad I have been prepared this year unlike previous years.

Mrs_Ryan

I’m about 85% of the way there. 

I’ve just got the food run to do- that’s for OH’s hamper, FIL’s hamper, and a mini hamper for my friend. Plus OH’s Ireland Rugby polo top. 

I’m making a treats hamper for my mum- she’s got a Rituals hamper from us already, but there’s a treats hamper too. I’ve picked up some good stuff- I got her two tins of her favourite cappuccino from Costco (it’s on offer at the moment, no VAT so that’s a really good deal) some CoffeeMate, two packets of M&S double chocolate cookies (from the Company Shop, they were something like 80p each and the dates are April next year so an absolute bargain!) a tin of the light up shortbread from M&S, two packs of cashew nuts, a bumper pack of Kinder Buenos from Costco, plus I’m going to get her some Ringtons tea and some honey from Fortnum’s. I’ve just ordered a pack of two extra large hamper kits from EBay- I was really pleased as they were £13.99 for two, whereas I was looking elsewhere and they were £15 each! 

I need to order two more of those for OH’s Irish food hamper and FIL’s hamper but I’ll do that after I get back from Dublin and I’m ready to start assembling. I’ve got a week off work as I was supposed to be going to Glasgow to see my friend, but she’s unfortunately been in hospital for the last month. But good news she’s being discharged in a couple of weeks so I’m heading up to see her early December. I’ve got her some trainers for Christmas and she’s also asked me to bring her back a bottle of duty free vodka when I go to Dublin. She offered me the money but I wouldn’t hear of it. It’s only £14 so that will go as an extra with her trainers. 

So instead of flying up to Glasgow I’m going to make a start on my wrapping. I need to do something as I keep my presents in my home office… and I literally can’t access it at the moment 😂Me and OH are having to draw up rotas as to who gets the front room first in the morning 😂😂