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

princesskitty29

The Panini football cards turned up but frustratingly I don’t think the box was handled very carefully in transit as it looked a bit crushed. When I opened it the booster box of cards was open and all of the packs fell out, luckily it wasn’t torn or crushed and I could simply put it back together. Unfortunately the box of 70 was torn in two places which is really disappointing as that is the present from Father Christmas. I’ll just have to say it might have got a bit squashed on Santa’s sleigh but it’s not ideal! The packs are fine it’s just the packaging. I did email them to give feedback about it but I don’t expect anything to come of it.

Mrs Ryan it’s a shame you had to cancel your trip to Ireland but you have to do what’s right for you and it wouldn’t be worth it if it is going to make you that anxious.

Peppa it’s nice to spoil your girls a bit if they have been working so hard, I’m sure they’ll appreciate it. I like browsing the Christmas decorations in shops but I rarely ever buy any as I have all of the ones I reuse every year!

Spendless oh I’m so sorry to hear about your parents dog, I bet they are in bits. They are such special pets with their own personalities and they really are one of the family.

Coxy11

Sorry to hear about your parents dog @Spendless - such a loss as they really are part of the family x

We went out for lunch on Sunday and that, coupled with the receipts from Saturday tipped me over to another £20 Amazon voucher from Shoppix, so I placed the order and have received most of it today. Just one bedding set to receive. All nieces and nephews now done, along with parents in law, BILs x 2 and SILs x 2. I need to get something else for Mum and also a big ticket item for DD but she's being a bit evasive with ideas which is unlike her. 

Shame you didn't get to Ireland @Mrs_Ryan but the right thing to do and seems like you've managed a plan B which is good.

That's really annoying about the football cards @princesskitty29 especially when you've spent that much of them for Santa's gift. Glad you could salvage them and I'm sure DS will love them.

Mrs_Ryan

I’m so sorry Spendless. May she run free at the bridge ❤️my sis’s dog is being PTS tomorrow and she’s heartbroken. But she’s a very elderly doggy (18) and has kidney failure. My sister is heartbroken so I can totally empathise ❤️

Thanks everyone. I definitely feel I did the right thing in cancelling my trip. My mum is struggling with Christmas as it was my dad’s favourite time and I’m feeling it too- I feel quite flat. I miss him terribly too at this time of year. 

I’m heading down to London tomorrow. I have arranged to meet my nephew which will be lovely- I haven’t seen him since he was young and he’s a grown adult now in his 20’s. I’ve also posted my friend in Scotland’s presents off to her as well, and I’ve got my nephew’s gifts.The box of Irish food turned up today so I made up the hamper for OH. I’m really proud of it and I know he’s going to love it. I’ve also made up an Irish tea, coffee and biscuit box for my Irish friend which is all wrapped. 

I’m done! All wrapped and all hampers made up. I still can’t get into my home office though 😂still working from the sofa! Once Christmas is over though I’ll be able to get in again. 

Spendless

Thanks for the kind words re parent's dog and sorry to hear about your sister's dog Mrs Ryan. I wish my parents had had more notice than having to make the decision in the middle of the night. Have a lovely time in London. Also jealous you've wrapped.

 I bought cellophane at The Range but remembered I have a love/hate relationship with hampers, adore doing them, they can work out such good value,  but then dislike you can see the present though the clear film and I bought  patterned thinking you wouldn't be able to - I was wrong!  Need to think through what to do, cellophane then wrap, cellophane and put  in a box? 

princesskitty - Polar Express sounds fab even if stressful re parking. I suspect it being BF w/end didn't help either. My kids were too old by the time I knew about this experience but I live in hope that it can one day still be done should a younger generation come along. 

coxy - Each year - my DD always made any xmas requests late usually after I'd spent a shedload on other stuff. If she's not forthcoming with ideas,  Would she like an experience, tickets to a concert, show, restaurant meal?   I have roughly followed  the senses idea for DD for presents large and small.
Hear - the keyboard
Touch - A new coat (her request and the 'big ticket' item - she said she didn't have a coat that went with everything) 
Smell - Box of Lush snow fairy products
Taste -  just a little gift this one A  Reeces pudding in a mug picked up in the States 
That lives me with  Sight - and  I'm unsure if I'm getting anything  or not. I need to show DH everything  I've got and see what his view is. I was tempted by some tickets to a musical for this one and wouldn't have counted the whole value as she takes me as her +1 but it takes place in the summer and she's making noises about travelling *if* she finds a job.

 

princesskitty29

I have done it again. Despite saying this will definitely be the year where I will start wrapping and writing cards early (aka from the beginning of November) I have got to December without having done it! I think I wrapped five presents and wrote four cards whilst it was still November last week. I know we still have a few weeks to go but it starts getting busy now so it would have been nice to have it all done. I really don’t know why I seem to be incapable of starting it early! I know I am the type of person who springs into action with a deadline but I’d really like to be the super organised person who is mostly done by December please.

We’re off to see Elf at the cinema this morning, Cineworld are showing loads of Christmas films so I’m excited to see it on the big screen! The boys love it too. Then I think we’re going to put our outside lights out this afternoon. I’m planning a North Pole breakfast tomorrow then we’ll spend the day putting the tree up and decorating.

Coxy Panini are sending me some more packs to apologise, which is great but I’m not sure we need any more packs on top of the 85 we’ve already got!

Mrs Ryan so sorry to hear about your sister dog, it really is heart breaking.

Spendless Yes I am sure you’ll get to do it one day. Although saying that the lady opposite us was there with her three older children, I don’t think you have to have young children to enjoy it.

Abbafan1972

hello all. 

I am still nowhere near done yet. 

@princesskitty29 what’s a North Pole breakfast? 

Can anyone help with what to get my parents for Christmas please? I asked my Mom a couple of nights ago and she shrugged and said “I don’t know”. Not really helpful Mother! They are both mid 70’s, don’t have hobbies or read books. Any electronic items just wouldn’t get used.  Just for context we don’t get a choice on what they buy us, it’s usually some money, chocs and a bottle of drink. 

Spendless

I've made a start wrapping and have done most shopping now except my parents main gift. I now have all the time in the world to finish off though as I lost my job yesterday (short story is the manager was a toxic nightmare and 3 long term staff in her department have left this year, plus the supervisor went off sick with her MH for 6 months). Can't say I'm thrilled at not having a wage coming in but am relieved my Christmas shopping is done throughout the year and I don't have that stress.

I went to a neighbouring town this morning with my Mum and went into some CS and pleased to say I finally got some good  bargains. A diamante set compact mirror for £1.50  which is Mum's xmas charity gift and a small lidded wicker basket for £2. Not entirely sure on it's destination yet bought those and then on my way out saw a Mia Tui bag for £5.50. I know this particular style  sells on the pre-loved site for £20+ so went back to the till and got it for myself. I am meeting a friend on Monday now I'm not working and want to explore a CS close to where she lives, I still have my Dad, DS and DiL if I am to keep to my promise of them each getting a CS gift 

Abbafan - I meant to say, I have 4  (was 5 until this year) close family who are  pensioners I buy for. Shopping with my Mum this morning she treated herself to some new bag straps to give the bag she had a different 'look' - after I explained what they were. She also admired some garden  plant holders in the shape of animals and some Candles - I pointed out she disliked them, she said she didn't just she wouldn't light it (she's convinced they'll cause a house-fire - I'm not buying candles for them to be an ornament).
I have bought her and my Dad packing cubes for holidays to make things easier for them to organise as they will go on hol till they are unable to. I have previously bought a booklet that had money off vouchers for all local restaurants/cafes. Dad likes aftershave,  Mum likes make-up, skincare, jewellery and bags. My Nan has a hamper of mini whiskys, tea, biscuits and xmas cake, last year my other Nan was bought a pictureframe and it had photos in it of the children and herself when younger and then the kids now older - DS at his graduation, DD at a pageant. She had dementia and lived in a nursing home, but totally understood the message.  As you've previously talked about your parents finances (when you didn't wish your Mum to pay for xmas dinner eating out), I would look at what you could get that  would help with the bills, eg air fryer and cookbook has been mentioned on here, warm fluffy nightwear/cosy blankets etc. Look around their house see what they could do with eg the garden path lights I'm getting my parents after a suggestion on here as my Dad is cooking chips in his garage and then walking down the dark garden path with them  despite having cataracts!  Does your Dad drive and have a ca? For some reason my Dad would be fine with a new set of car mats whereas my Mum wouldn't - despite them both driving and having a car. Would they go out for a meal or afternoon tea or to a day at the races? Anything like that you could get them tickets for?   

Mrs_Ryan

Hi all
Thanks for all your kind words about sister’s dog. Means a lot ❤️

I came back from London yesterday (Saturday, I’m posting this early hours of Sunday morning… insomnia is such fun…) while I was there I vowed not to do any Xmas shopping and just chill. But I ended up buying two thermal vests for OH (he likes the long sleeve ones and they’re so hard to get! I ended up getting him one from M&S because it was stupidly expensive, and one from Primark. I also got him a pack of socks from TK Maxx. He’s incredibly fussy about his socks and will only wear black or grey Pringle sports socks, and they only had white so I got him some JCB work socks which he has had before and likes, so that was good. When I was resting on the bed at the hotel I was browsing Vinted and spotted a gorgeous Cath Kidston purse with teddy bears on it which I’ve bought for mum. I want to get mum a mug as well which I’m going to do next week. But that’s definitely 100% it. No more! 

I exchanged gifts with my nephew- I got him a Lacoste scarf in the Black Friday deal on Amazon, and he gave me a gift bag with a lovely Nivea set, a candle and a bag of Cadbury’s Heroes. It was a lovely surprise as I wasn’t expecting anything- he isn’t able to work due to disability and he doesn’t have a lot of money, but it was a lovely thoughtful gift and they are all things I will 100% use. I have put them away for Christmas though. 

Oxford Street was insane. I really regretted it. Once upon a time I loved it but the sensory overload is too much for me now, plus the cold doesn’t help my sore back. My nephew had to help me up and down the stairs in the train station- my mobility is not getting any better. Still, I shouldn’t complain. Theres others worse off than me, I’m sure.

Hope all is well with you all and you’re all keeping warm x

Coxy11

Hi everyone,

So sorry to hear about your DSis's dog @Mrs_Ryan - it's some comfort that the ending was peaceful. That's the single most caring thing we can do for our fur babies xx

I too think I'd struggle with Oxford Street now. Just can't bear crowds - so oppressive. Nice of your nephew to gift you some nice things

I haven't written a single card or wrapped anything yet either @princesskitty29 - need to send DDad's and Stepmums tomorrow as they are abroad and I'm going to the Post Office anyway to post some Bay of E charity fundraising sales. Have had a couple of small wins there recently with a Starbucks grande mug - bought for £1.49 and sold for £11 plus postage, and a Nomination bracelet plus 24ct gold mermaid charm - bought for £1.99 sold for £15 plus postage. Small bits and bobs seem to be shifting more quickly now - probably stocking fillers.

Our local Odeon is showing Christmas films too and I have plans to see Home Alone and Elf if I can! We have Limitless membership so pay £14.99/month to go however many times we want. Great that Panini are sending more cards too! I am also reading Christmas at the Island Hotel by Jenny Colgan and have another 2 Christmas reads on my bookshelf. The one I'm reading is part of a series (haven't read any before) and is okay....a bit hard to follow all the characters but nearly finished it now. I don't read en route to work anymore as I have a short bus ride instead of the train so reading is limited to before bed.

Good luck with your CS hunt for little bits for the family @Spendless - lots of nice pre-loved goodies out there x

We are trimming up today. DD feeling low (TOTM) so we have a day of fun planned. May pop to local garden centre which has a mahoosive Christmas section, just to get the feels and also a cake/hot choc fix. Will also look for something for Mum then she's done.

Spendless

I went through the present cupboard last night. I was thinking DD didn't have much to unwrap this year as I'd barely bought this time but she still  has several bits as well as her 2 main items of coat and keyboard, both came in large boxes so will remind me of the big childhood presents we once bought.

I know TK Maxx can be a bit hit and miss in terms of what treasures are on offer at any given time   but going through the cupboard  last night and several stocking filler/smaller gifts are from these so glad I signed up as I have eyebrow set (brushes/tweezers) for DD as well as a meal planner that will go in her stocking , plus a toiletry bag for DiL.  I have filled this with various items she'll use that I've either bought this year or I had left over from previous gift-sets that I split down. I like to start the NY with the present cupboard empty or as close as I can manage to it.

Still to buy is parents patio lights and a blender for DS & Dil. DiL also messaged me a couple of weeks ago to say she had some ideas for DS for Christmas starting with he needs underwear inc socks as he's nicking hers. She doesn't know me well enough yet to know requests are better off being made in September - early Oct -lol. As these will only be Primark/Asda type items can be easily added. . 

Yesterday we realised that the hotel loyalty points DH receives (as he works away a lot) can also be converted into gift vouchers for certain shops. We had done this once a year ago when we bought our Christmas food shop this way but yesterday we actually read through the retailers involved and decided that next year that is the way we will try to do a lot of our shopping. Not giving the recipient the gift card but us getting it and then buying a gift from that particular shop. We will check out before ordering the gift card that the store/s involved have something we wish to buy from there. This will further reduce our using actual money  and also continue to use  any loyalty points for Christmas shopping. I still have some Boots points having forgotten to use them when I made a purchase recently, but thinking about it they will stretch further if I pick stuff up when it goes to 50% (the days of me waiting for the 70% off are gone!). This year I was able to buy  some items for Nan, DS and DiL with an  .M & S giftcard DH had received from work. Who knows might even collect enough for a Dyson air wrap -hahahahahaha.