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

Coxy11

Update: got the free Sparks room/linen spray last night from M&S Marble Arch. If I hadn't been going into London I would have missed out. RRP £8. Pleased with that little freebie!

Spendless

I need to get a Sparks card for next year. In fact that's a goal for 2024 to ensure I have all the loyalty cards going as I wish to spend as little real money on gifts as possible.. Also need to find  find out why Boots no longer send me offers despite having and using their advantage card for decades!  Speaking of which just had a nosey at TK Maxx treasures, pure curiosity on my part as I don't have enough keys for anything and there's a duffle bag. Worth grabbing if anyone has enough keys and is perhaps struggling for a male member present assuming it comes in time of course.

I got into the mood to wrap more stuff after DH asked me to wrap his Secret Santa present, and wrapped DiL's toiletry bag (TK Maxx treasure)that I've filled with various bits and also finally fathomed out how to do the hampers with cellophane. Instead of twisting them in the usual way I've just 'parcel wrapped' them in it - followed by wrapping with Christmas paper which means cellophane holds in place and the gift wrap means you can't see the contents. I then thought I'd do Nan's hamper, remembered I'd decided to get her Xmas cake slice being sold by the bakers near where I was working until recently (I'd intended picking up one lunchtime) so set off at the worst possible time as it was school run (I live near a school) and bin lorries combined. Got to the bakers only to discover they closed before I even set off! Waste of time and petrol that journey! 

DD's Godmother messaged me to say she's treated herself to some perfume and a toiletry/make up bag was included in the set and would DD like the bag she didn't want it. Said yes and it's beautiful. As it's not actually a Christmas present, but I think DD would still appreciate it on Christmas day I picked up a gift bag to pop it into along with a card from Godmother and will explain. It's this one  https://www.thefragrancecounter.co.uk/versace-yellow-diamond-edt-90ml-gift-set.html Probably smaller than the pic indicates but think it's possible DD may use as a handbag.

When my Nan died earlier this year I inherited a little bit of money and allocated from it £400 each to DS and DD. DS has recently spent £260 of it on a new washing machine as theirs broke. Would have been more but DH bought on his CC and there was an offer doing it this way. DD had £300  of hers towards last months trip to Dublin. I am now going to put the remaining £140 in the G-Grandson card for DS and for DD who has £100  left divide it into foreign currency for the trip she's taking for New Year  plus money to go in her account - once she's got there and can't spend it in advance! Both will receive a message from me on behalf of my Nan in their cards.

Dad despite having a cataract op at the beg of the week and eye still being blurry was last night still walking down the dark garden path with his chips! I went for tea and cos I was talking to Mum hadn't realised Dad had disappeared. It was only when I queried what we were eating and got the answer chicken and chips that I thought at long last cooking chips in the house but nope! Garden path lights haven't been ordered yet, something I am speaking to DH about tonight , along with a blender that is a request from DS and Dil and ordering the other half of  FiL's present that DH has left till the last minute!  DH buys for 2 people me and FIL and only the last one because I refuse to do it as it's so difficult - not helped by last year Sis-IL (who FIL lives with) saying no food, drink or clothing! FiL is a stroke patient invalid, housebound and uses a wheelchair. Not like there's a great deal of other items to get him! When I lost my job, considering there's still DD's rent (£4k!)  to pay next month I did say I didn't feel comfortable with DH spending money on my Christmas present now we were a wage down. DH wasn't happy with that as he said it was the horrible account manager still affecting our lives - which I do get. I have asked going forward if he can not leave his shopping in future till December because it just throws a curveball if a blip occurs in this month. If that doesn't work then maybe I give him a taste of his own medicine and not let on that I've bought the family presents throughout the year and just after the shops close on the 23rd announce I still need to get everyones present and let him panic! Hahahaha.

Spendless

Dad gave my 2 Christmas cards from my elderly Nan/ One was addressed to DS & DiL the other to me and DH. My Dad said all  the cards had money inside them and DD's card had been put inside ours - which I thought a bit strange, but Nan is 98.

A few years back I asked Mum to stop putting money inside Christmas cards for the kids this way mostly because DD is a spend/shop-aholic and gave her the card to open then the money would be gone well in advance of Christmas day or I had to wait till the shops closed on Christmas Eve to give the cards. Mum understood and puts any money in separate money wallets now.  Back home I opened our card, just to me and DH no money (which I was ok with) but no card or money for DD. I ended up opening DS card to work it out, card and money for DS & DiL. I ended up ringing my Dad about it and said I was fine if Nan wished to stop giving to me and DH but currently there was the situation where DS had a card and money, I had a card and DD had neither. He rang Nan who was very apologetic and is sorting it - just confusion cos she's elderly. 

Yesterday I bought a small but chunky slice of Christmas cake to add to Nan's hamper so I can wrap that now. I need some more paper for DD's main presents as nothing I have is big enough to cover. I also forgot about going and buying Christmas cards until it was evening and I just couldn't be bothered to go back out. This is the chore I leave every year and each time I vow to do better and never manage it. I now need to buy them today. Going to go early as possible because am sure it will be horrendous later with crowds. 

princesskitty29

Well it was a busy week last week prepping and running the school Christmas discos and shop. The shop took a lot longer than anticipated this time so we were at the school from 9am-3pm doing it! You are right Spendless I do need to properly step back, I will send another message over the holidays. Now that’s the school stuff finished with I really need to get on with my own. I haven’t started wrapping the boys presents yet as just before I do I like to get it all out to see what it looks like. I have it all on a spreadsheet but I like to see it all out. I’ll do that tomorrow when they’re at school then start with the wrapping. I’m hoping I’ve got enough for the stockings. DS2’s dinosaur dig kit from TKMaxx treasures hasn’t arrived yet, it doesn’t matter too much if it doesn’t but it would be nice to add to it.

I had a lovely day yesterday meeting with friends in London for a festive lunch. We went to a redeveloped area of Kings Cross and nowhere near the madness of Oxford Street!

theoldmansmrs I hope the North Pole breakfast works/worked! Children can be tricky when it comes to food.

Spendless yes I seemed to get a lot more bits and bobs than my brother when we were growing up. When I’ve done hampers in the past I’ve lined the basket with tissue paper so that when you pull the cellophane up the tissue paper comes up and hides the contents. Although I suppose this depends on what size your hamper is!

Peppa I got a free bag of Percy Pig festive helpers through the Sparks app, thankfully I was going near M&S that day so I grabbed a bag and they are perfect for a little treat box I’m putting together for DS1. I must admit I quite often forget to check on the app, I must get better at doing it!

Coxy I too used to use ribbons and bows to make my presents look pretty but that has fallen by the wayside! I think this is why I’d like to start earlier every year so I can take better care. But I totally understand your circumstances, events like Christmas must be very difficult after something like that happens and I’m sure you all do your best.

Skye I bought those Odd Socks for my SiL as she always wears mis-matched socks so I thought it would be a good gift!

Spendless

I did try that with tissue paper princesskitty but didn't think my attempt looked particularly good. Unfortunately I am not in the slightest bit artistic or crafty, hence currently the tree is up as DH put it up last night before going to work away but is undecorated. I am leaving that to DD and if she wants/needs help rope DIL in. 

I popped into B&M at the w/end. In the dinks aisle a boxed bottle of beer caught my attention. It is Islay whisky cask beer. This one that was selling at Waitrose/Sainsburys for £5.  https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/innis-gunn-whisky-cask-laphroaig/565694-806581-806582 I paid £2.50 in B&M. It's a lovely looking item and unusual. That will be added to DH's presents. The path lights for parents and a blender for DS was ordered last night. FiL's NAAFI tea arrived over the weekend.

I always judge whether I am done for Christmas by asking myself 'If Dec 25th was brought forward to tomorrow would you have got everything'. The answer to that is present wise yes though there's still a few bits to wrap and my usual nemesis of the cards not being done!    

kdalwayskint

Hi

I've popped over from Saving for Christmas - £1 a day thread. I'd like to join when you set up new for next year.

I've struggled more than usual this year and that makes me feel a bit sad. DH really does not like Christmas, he says he has bad memories from Christmases long ago with arguments and his mum in tears every year. We have been together for 15 Christmases and we have not once had an argument or had any tears. But he struggles every year and I can usually just get on with it from the middle of November, but I have really struggled this year and am only just getting into it now.

I wish I had found your thread earlier, I might be feeling a bit better before now.

One thing that has helped me is saying to family that we are only buying for the little ones this year, and being strict with myself and sticking to it. So presents have been purchased for 3 grandchildren and 1 great nephew.

Oh and not going shopping, I'm not keen on doing it all online, but for my own sanity have done most of it online this year. I am now waiting on a few bits to be delivered and I will be collecting an order on Wednesday and that will be it done.

I am making mum some cushion covers, fabric I purchased a few weeks ago and need to buy some cushions. Jobs for tomorrow.

Anyway, I'll look out for your new thread, and catch you soon. 

Spendless

Welcome kdalwayskint - always nice to see someone new post. I've bought throughout the year for Christmas since 1997. That's because that year I was on my own with a mortgage and was told in Jan that there was a likelihood that there'd be large redundancies at the end of that year in Dec. I wanted my redundancy pay-out  which is why I didn't job hunt sooner but I also knew it would be tough finding something at that time of year plus how was I going to afford Christmas presents on top. So, I planned all year round, saved points, bought in sales etc and when the inevitable came I was prepared. Then I didn't want to go back to paying full price for gifts if I didn't need to so continued with the buy throughout the year and there's been a lot of times this has proved to be a good strategy, including this year when I lost my job at the beginning of the month but  the huge majority of items were  bought and  I could have easily have stopped there and not bought anything else. Had to adjust things over the years as my present list altered and tastes could vary within 12 months but always something I could buy  in advance to lighten the load. The family we buy for is all adults, currently no children in it age range from eldest at 98 (Nan) down to 20 (daughter). I'm sure you will continue creating positive Christmas memories for your DH.

My DD is home from drama school and there's already been a couple of fall outs, 1 caused by her ordering food when I was asleep. What I didn't know was DH had told her she could (he was working away) but didn't think to message me about it - even knowing that I query transactions like this. It didn't help that there were 3 ubereats transactions all together, a 2nd is down to DH and is actually a work expense (that again he hadn't told me about!) and the 3rd is something DD did without asking but says the transaction is showing up late. I'm tempted to believe because even now the other 2 are showing as having been paid, the 3rd is still pending though all 3 were in the same status yesterday morning so something amiss. The other is not helping out with household chores/cleaning/tidying.  I am fingers crossed starting today afresh and going to give her tasks that will motivate her or that we can do together. I am aware she can struggle at home because issues when she was younger means she has barely anyone back  here to pal up with. Her best friend who a few years back lived within walking distance of our house has recently moved for the 2nd time with her family even further away. 

Something we did do that made all of us laugh was to watch the 2011 Good Luck Charlie Christmas film (known as Good Luck Charlie: The Road trip movie in UK, and Good Luck Charlie, it's Christmas in US). This was a program that I only dipped in and out of as kids grew but this time watching the interaction between the eldest daughter and Mum was both relatable and hilarious. If any of you have older girls - mid teens to young adults, offhand I can think of myself, coxy, abbafan and maybe mandco this applies to, then I recommend. Unsure if you can only watch via a disney subscription but if obtainable try it, it's a more truthful (if exaggerated as the best comedies are) version of families at Christmas.

Yesterday I picked up a photo/picture frame for my parents with the shapes cut out where you put pics in the shape of a dogs paw. It was only £5  from one of those pop up stands in the shopping centre. This is for my parents but from DD. In B&M I picked up a 2 pack of cosy fluffy socks for DiL. 1 pair has her inital on. I've bought these as they are  one size and seem stretchy to ask her if they fit or not. I realised recently that due to her height (over 6ft) and shoe size (10/11) she has to default to wearing mens items in things I just take for granted I can have in a 'girly colour' if I wish. For Christmas 24 I'd really like to change that for her and seek out ladies items for taller/larger shoe size women even if it takes me all year to source it. 

Coxy11

Hi everyone,

Hope you’re all doing okay? Welcome @kdalwayskint, good to have a new face here. I hope that you can make lovely new memories with your DH and nice that you are organised with who you buy for – I wish I was that disciplined……!

Glad the PTA Christmas events are now done and dusted @princesskitty29 have you officially stepped down now? 

I have received the last two gifts via post – one of which is a print for DS2 so I need to pop into Poundland on Saturday and grab a frame for it. I will be visiting the photo machine at Tesco this evening after work as DIL2B has a cute mini silver frame to hang on the tree, so I’ll print a photo of fur baby to go in there. I’ve never used the photo machine before so might ask DD to come with me!

I still need to wrap DS1, DD, DS2 and DIL2Bs gifts. Bit difficult as DD and DS2 are living with us so I need to choose my moment! Need to do this soon though in case I don’t have enough gift wrap.

Thanks for the film recommendation @Spendless – I will look for that one on Disney+ sounds like we’d enjoy it.

My new job is fairly slow-going (hence the mid-afternoon email) but I work with some lovely colleagues. We had pizza and nibbles put on at lunchtime and I received a secret santa gift of monogrammed make up bag from M&S and a scented candle (despite joining late and after the deadline so I didn’t buy for anyone) plus 2 bottles of booze from the managers. Will see how much the work ramps up in the new year. I should get paid tomorrow (slightly earlier as usually 24th) and I’m off in between Christmas and New Year which is nice.

DH is off on Friday and will shop for some fresh bits including the turkey crown and smoked salmon/prawn starter. It’s just us and our 3 adult children for Christmas lunch so very low key – very much looking forward to not having to wait on anybody else!

princesskitty29

I have been feeling quite dreadful the last couple of days so I did a covid test and it was positive. I think I may have caught it at DS2’s school as I spent a lot of time there last week doing PTA stuff. The good thing is I should be better for Christmas but sadly if I’m still positive or anyone else is (which is extremely likely) then we won’t be able to see any family, my in laws were coming over Christmas day then we were going to theirs on Boxing Day along with my BiL and his wife.

I was going to get some last minute cards out this week but that’s gone to the wayside – another reason to do it early! Honestly, if I don’t start early next year like I say I’m going to every year then feel free to disown me! I was also going to pop to the shops one last time to get a few little bits and bobs but I won’t be doing that anymore, I’ve managed to get a few bits online. The boys are off school for Christmas now so I will do my best to make it nice, I’m hoping I’ll feel a lot better in a couple of days. I was feeling quite poorly yesterday but I somehow managed to get most of the boys presents wrapped, I just need to wrap the stocking fillers and presents from Father Christmas. DS1 needs something else for his stocking, DH is popping to Tesco to get a few bits later so he’ll have to pick something up – who knows what he’ll get! I have a few other bits and bobs to wrap as well as DH’s stuff but I’m slowly getting there.

Spendless that beer sounds great and right up my FiL’s street, I won’t be able to get it now for Christmas but I’ll keep an eye out for it as it’s his birthday in January.

Hello and welcome kdalwayskint, it’s good to have you here! We’d love you to join us, hopefully it will help next year. It must be hard with DH not liking Christmas, it really is a shame the Christmases you have spent together haven’t changed that. Sometimes things are just too deep rooted. I hope it all comes together for you this year and you manage to have a lovely time.

Coxy I have a PTA resignation text planned out to send just after Christmas!

Spendless

Hope you're feeling better soon princesskitty, rubbish if it means you've got to cancel your plans.  

DD messaged me to say she didn't know what to do, she is seeing her friend tomorrow and friend has told her that she has DD's present. Meanwhile DD hasn't got her anything and thought it wouldn't matter because she didn't think she'd see her until  well into the new year. DD is skint (as usual) and needs every penny she does have plus money she receives for Christmas for a trip she's taking over New Year, so she was sorry to land it on me but could I help. This time of year though my present cupboard is pretty much accounted for. I went through it anyway and came up with a boxed corkscrew and bottle opener set (clearly bought in Boots sale) thought I could put it with a couple of related bottles. Told DD who pulled a face and said friend wouldn't understand what the items are (knowing friend I think this is probably accurate!) and said friend didn't drink wine, had questioned who did during a recent trip to DD's student digs and the bottle of plonk I said we'd pay for when DD did a grocery shop became a bottle of raspberry vodka instead (which at £16, I thought was a pee take at the time and told DD so - at least I do now understand the circs in which it happened). So since I did say I'd see what I could do to help DD out, I've gone back to the cupboard and  found a spare mini candle, some nice handcream  (have about 3 diff ones to choose from). Tomorrow I'll hit B&M/Home Bargains with DD, I've suggested the same fluffy initial socks I've got DiL, some choc, a face pack (might just have enough Boots points to get this for free) and put it all together in a sort of pamper pack. Got to keep it as cheap as possible as not working and have been unsuccessful at a job interview today.

I have only written out a few family cards, no others and think I'm just going to skip sending them this year. 

The only person not bought for is the dog. Something that we will remedy on Friday when DH is off.