Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer - it's the 2024 Christmas chatter thread!

Siĺlyspender

Auti said:

I am so sorry and a virtual hug to you and yours I give to you.

On a totally different point - how do you do the third letter in your name - is it Dutch or German keyboard - I could not work out how to do it. Sorry if that seems an insensitive question it was not meant to be disrespectful

You are very welcome and I am pleased you posted again  

Take care and remember to look after yourself too xx

Haha I didn't even realise it was like that, must have hit caps lock on my keyboard I guess. But now I've no idea how to change it

And thank you for the well wishes everyone xx

princesskitty29

DS1 turned 10 this week so we had a week of celebrations including a Wembley stadium tour, a birthday tea at Nanny and Grandads and he had some friends over to play football and eat pizza! I feel a sense of relief now that the boys birthdays are done and they’ve enjoyed them, that’s ticked off the list for this year and I can now look ahead properly to Christmas! I still have my MiL, dads and brothers birthdays in November and December but I’ve got a few ideas for those.

I picked up some Crazy soap for the boys Christmas Eve hamper as it was a good price in Home Bargains and I have favourited some Christmas pyjamas on Vinted for them.

manco oh wow three birthdays in three weeks! That must be very full on for you.

Coxy my name is spelt Rebekah instead of Rebecca, I have family members who have known me my whole 42 years but still spell it wrong! Fingers crossed that all goes smoothly with the house sale/purchase and that you are all settled for Christmas.

Spendless it sounds like you got some great inspiration in Belgium! You seem to be doing really well with your presents. I hope your mums moles remain nothing to worry about, you’re right though it’s impossible for her to keep an eye on them! How is DS doing?

Sillyspender hello and welcome, do come and join us! I am so sorry to hear about your dad and FiL, it must be very difficult for you as a family and I can see why you’d like to have some nice things planned for Christmas. One idea I had was advent activities, so write 24 things down on bits of paper and do one each day from the 1st December. You could use a reuseable advent calendar or just put them in a jar and pick one out each day. This kind of thing can be adapted for young children and adults, this is what is on my list:

1.       Fairylight Express (put some Christmas songs on in the car and drive around looking at all of the Christmas lights, hot chocolate optional!)

2.       Ice skating

3.       Make a Christmas decoration

4.       Donate food to a food bank

5.       Decorate tree and house

6.       Have a festive Costa/Starbucks etc

7.       Put food out for wild birds (perhaps make a seed bomb)

8.       Visit garden centre to look at the display

9.       Sing Christmas carols

10.   Have a hot chocolate with all of the trimmings

11.   Watch a Christmas film with festive snacks

12.   Have a North Pole breakfast

13.   Light a Christmas candle and give thanks

14.   Make gingerbread men/do some festive baking

15.   Carry out a random act of kindness

16.   Donate money to charity

17.   Make cookies for Father Christmas

18.   Go to town’s switching on of lights

19.   Play a Christmas game

20.   Visit a Christmas market

21.   Make dried oranges to hang around the house

22.   Write a letter to Father Christmas

23.   Go for a festive walk

24.   Have a festive indoor picnic

This list is just to give you an idea, anything can be added and taken away and activities can be as big or as small as you want. Obviously some things on this list are for young children but I thought I’d leave them on here for anyone else who might be interested in it.

Opee92

Good morning everyone. Long time lurker (I used to be active on previous threads but lost my login details for the longest time so have just been reading along for the last few years). 

With 134 days to go I really need to up my Christmas game! I normally buy throughout the year too @Spendless but have opted not to this year. With 4 kids to buy for in our (3 bedroom) house we just don't have the storage space to hide gifts all year anymore so instead we've opted to Pay into "Park" this year alongside saving cash In a pot for the places that don't accept the Love2shop/Purple cards. Hoping to have that paid off next month so I'll be able to start shopping once they arrive! That being said, I have made a few small purchases in the Argos clearance sale this last few weeks. They're all currently hidden in the cupboard under the stairs so I need move them to my room when I have a rare child-free afternoon 😂

@"Siĺlyspender" I'm so sorry to hear about your FIL and your DDad. I'm sure with hints and tips from the lovely ladies on this thread you'll be able to create a magical Christmas for you and your family! An afternoon walk and Trivial Pursuit sounds like the perfect way to spend any Christmas Day!

Lovely to see so many familiar names on the thread still. Looking forward to catching up with you all! 

SkyeD

Hi all, hope everyone's Christmas prep is coming along nicely.
I went into B*M today - the Christmas aisles are stocked!  Toys, chocolates, gifts and so forth, complete with a Christmas frieze on the shelves... no trees or decorations yet (the un-crimbo part of me wants to say 'thank goodness because it's only August :-) )  I was a bit surprised because I didn't see any Halloween things.

mandco

Sillyspender welcome.   Sorry to hear about your dad & fil 

like princesskitty we try to do the Xmas advent of activities doesn’t have to be anything big or expensive just something that creates happy memories. One thing I did after I lost my dad was to buy a special Xmas tree ornament. it still chokes me up putting it on the tree but it’s really meaningful and makes me feel like he’s still a part of our Xmas even though he’s not here.

spendless sounds like you had a lovely trip to Belgium and picked up some great presents too your list is filling in nicely. The show sounds great hope you all enjoy it.  Sun cream is a good idea I’m sure your mum will appreciate the thought. My lot aren’t keen to lose the Xmas eve hamper either if anything I’ll be adding to it as dd’s bf family have never done Xmas eve hampers or Xmas stockings so might do them a joint one this year.
hope ds is doing ok 

princesskitty. sounds like you’ve had a really busy week hope ds had a great time - belated birthday wishes 
3 in 3 weeks is definitely hectic & expensive  We have a meal booked on Sunday for dds birthday and then she’s off to a bottomless brunch with friends - due to a bakery refurb I couldn’t t get her usual cake so she’s asked for Krispy Kreme donuts instead which I’m picking up tomorrow wow didn’t realise how expensive they are now 

Coxy fingers crossed your settled in time for xmas

SkyeD thanks for the b&m Xmas stock heads-up don’t get there often but definitely worth fitting in trip if it they have Xmas stock 

opee92 welcome
present buying is how works best for you -storage space for gifts when you’ve got 4 kids especially if they are younger where the gifts tend to be much bigger but much cheaper can be tough I used to hide things in locked suitcases under the beds. I do buy bits though out the year on offer but definitely find it harder now the kids are older to buy early so it’s mostly what I call padding  presents - stocking filler & smaller/practical things so they have gifts to open on the day without costing a fortune especially as my boys are gamers and at circa £70 for a game that’s digital so nothing to actually open the budget doesn’t go far. I pay into a Asda gift card by weekly direct debit which goes towards Xmas - I usually end up getting a few gifts and the rest goes towards the Xmas food shop and I’m saving my reward points nectar/tesco etc too it all helps.
i do donate to my local Xmas toy appeal so shop the sales throughout the year for bits for that- Argos clearance gets some great deals if your lucky enough to find anything in stock locally. 

Ds passed his college course - he had a really tough year with bullying and other issues which have really affected his MH  at one point wanted to leave not caring if he failed but he persevered so I’m really proud of him

don’t  know what’s going on with the weather this year but I’m sick of the rain - ended up ordered taz some new wellies today as he’s outgrown his old one and I’m fed up of trying to dry out his trainers between wears.

Spendless

Hi everyone - Currently buying all DD's back to Uni stuff so any present buying on hold. I did get a couple of things for myself yesterday and thought I'd share.

In Savers buying DD's toiletries I picked up a denture case. No one has dentures but I need something to store rubber bands in my drawer at work and this is ideal. It was £1.29. It was this one. https://wisdom-toothbrushes.com/products/denture-box/ They did a few diff colours, I bought pink. It has a hinged top and looks nothing like its for its intended purpose. That had me thinking there's probably been numerous times I've needed something to put a few bits in I've bought as gifts eg  charity shop finds of jewellery  and been searching for some sort  of container to display it in and this would have worked.

Yesterday we did a big paperwork de-clutter at home and it became aware I need a memory box for items which aren't essential but I wish to keep. These are from The Works. Initially I misunderstood the pricing and thought is was £7 if you wanted one suitcase, £12 to 2 and £15 for 3 suitcases. That's incorrect it is £7 for a set of 3 suit cases. They are all nestled inside each other, you get 1 large, 1 medium, 1 small. The large I am keeping for myself for my mementos. This is a job I intend doing once I'm back on  my own midweek and the darker nights start coming. Depending on best fit I am thinking of using one of the others to put Mum's theatre ticket and book into. I loved this book as a child and I always wondered what their attaché case was that they kept their dance shoes/kit in and wanted one -lol. This is that shape and when Mum asks me what one is as she invariably will -lol, I'll be able to explain same as the case I gave you - lol. These are what I bought https://www.theworks.co.uk/p/storage-boxes/grey-pink-floral-storage-suitcases-set-of-3/5052089258587.html

Today a trip to Ikea is on the cards. DD needs new crockery etc. I was once under the mistaken belief that you bought this sort of stuff ONCE and it lasted till they graduated!  I'd not accounted for it getting broken/chipped/lost/taken by someone else! DS needs a chest of drawers. He's been struggling with clothes storage since DIL literally took half the wardrobe during her house raid! Emotionally he's been a bit up and down. Both me and DH suspect we overheard her to the phone to DS  for several hours during the time we were away last week. It was their 1st anniversary recently and a memory popped up from their wedding day on my SisIL's SM as she was tagged in it as were several others  It was from DiL's Mum saying how wonderful it had been to watch their wedding etc.  SIL wrote underneath 'and yet less than a year later she took off with someone else' (the 'took off 'was a little ruder but swear filter - lol). That comment was taken down and not by SIL -lol. Hope plenty of others saw it because I have been reliably informed by many that DIL's Mum still has a pic of DIL in her wedding dress with her own family  on the morning of the wedding before arriving at Church as her background pic on her SM ??!!!  DIL's sister married earlier this year I'm sure she could find another pic! The mind boggles! I'm really pleased SIL said something and made them aware we know the real reason DIL left. Long term I know DS has dodged a bullet but it's just supporting him between now and when he realises this himself.  

mandco - Both of mine went through various times of wanting to drop out of studies. DD as recently as this year when her brother's marriage broke up and she just felt overwhelmed by everything. Education isn't forever. Well done on him for persevering and passing, what is his next step?

opee92 - I am very fortunate that in my bedroom I have the original cupboard that once housed the boiler etc before we had a combi. I put the presents in there and in the days when my kids were young and received larger presents fortunate enough that I had several relatives living close by who had spare rooms and garages and could store items for me. 

I've looked in 2 of the B&Ms so far and no Xmas stock yet - disappointing-lol

Can hear DH stirring so best get ready for our Ikea trip! 

theoldmansmrs

Spendless said:

I've looked in 2 of the B&Ms so far and no Xmas stock yet - disappointing-lol

Home bargains have started putting theirs out if you have one by you. I asked hubbie yesterday if he wanted a new christmas jumper, as these were out on display, the response was not something that would get past the swear filter on here

Spendless

I bought my Mum the suncare set today as Im.aware it stops being an offer soon. Useful skill being able to read offer dates on shelf edge labels lol. Thats Mums Christmas bought. I need to visit a garden centre to buy Dads forget me not seeds and then hes also done. 

Weve been invited to my Nans 99th birthday party. She rang me yesterday about it. Its a pub lunch in a few weeks time. Turns out my Dad has been asking her for weeks if she wants to do something, shes refused and reckoned 'she wouldnt still be here by then!. Then yesterday my Dad got a phone call from his cousin saying Nan was having a 'party' after all but hadnt thought to invite anyone other than said cousin - lol. Anyway theres now going to be upto 11 of us inc Nans only remaining sibling (from what was originally 11 surviving children) and spouse, and off of us, DD will attend depending on her timetable and train strikes! 

I recently got some coasters from TK maxx treasures, am thinking of putting them with a new cup and saucer plus t bags and a cake for Nan for Christmas. Then its similar to but not the same items as her birthday. I suspect ill be able to pay for a chunk of it with my £20 love to shop voucher. 

DH says hes thinking of changing the hotel he stays in when he works away in favour of another that has a gym. Im thinking of getting him.some gym items, holdall, clothes for his birthday early Oct. 

Still havent come across Christmas stock but have been concentrating on back to Uni stuff for DD. 

mandco

Spendless wow you’re doing great with your Xmas shopping this year. Bless you nan deciding to have a party but not inviting anyone I’m sure she’ll love having everyone together.

Gym stuff opens up a whole new line of gift ideas for dh - Tkmaxx sometimes have good deals on gym accessories.

Ds didn’t apply for uni this year as he was adamant he wouldn’t go so he’s taking a year out of education-I do think he needs it after the year he’s had so he’s currently debating work/travel options - I think he’ll end up going down the work route as his anxiety is still really bad I can’t see him travelling far alone though it would probably be good for him.

nipped into hb this weekend and they had started putting out the Xmas stock only a few bits but I’m sure there will be more soon.

Picked up a few little bits for dds stocking in tkmaxx clearance - make up sponges/hair claw clips also ordered her some slippers for her Xmas box £2 Asda sale
iceland had the tubes of Xmas sweets in £1/£1.50 I know they aren’t great value but they did have tubes of red & green smarties which are ideal for Xmas baking ect.  Lots of the Xmas themed sweets appearing in various shops now 

lazysheep

My OH nan also had a 99th birthday 'dress rehearsal' gathering (just in case she didn't make it to the next year). Was lovely to meet up with everyone we hadn't seen in aaages and then we went up again the following year (as she was still going!) and were booked into a hotel and grandkids flew in from the US etc.  She was hilarious and very forthright(!) asking why we didn't have kids (at that time) and I told her she needed to take it up with her grandson

Been getting stuff for the kids stockings and they're coming along well - individual playdoh tubs from smyths (cheapest I could find at 99p ea), 'nice' shampoo and shower gel, new toothbrush. Will add coins and kid-specific bits as they appear in the shops. Got my 3yo a jewellery box from Argos (https://www.argos.co.uk/product/4749044?clickSR=slp:term:jewellery box:13:403:1) which is a lovely small size for her and will add some bracelets and necklaces and that will be from the big man. Currently clueless for the 6yo though

Went to a local B&M last week and they had quite a few Christmas bits out already so will pop back there if I ever get a kid free hour..