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

Spendless

princesskitty - That's a thought. I do remember someone querying before if Boots still did a catalogue because they hadn't seen them but I had got one, however I don't remember if this was last year's thread or an earlier one. It's exactly the defaulting back on the website  to start again if you view something that I dislike.

I'd not heard of the recycling scheme. Only thing is I'm sure I got rid of a load of empty containers recently as we prepared for DD returning to Uni. I will look into it though. 

Re DS   - I can't say too much because I have reason to believe I am being watched on here  by someone who has worked out who I am. I do refuse to be silenced on what I think of what DIL has done, and can say that both me and DH are shocked, hurt and angry by her actions and very much feel she pretended to be something she wasn't.  

As DH has worked away abroad all week and I've barely seen him last night we  went to Nandos for our tea. Nearby was both a B&M and The Range. In the first I bought a seagrass basket (it's described as a tray but it's a basket!) https://www.bmstores.co.uk/products/seagrass-tray-white-411158. In ours they  was reduced from £4 to £2. I picked one up and this is what I will use to put toiletries for DS in, I think it will fit 3 months worth in nicely. Worth checking out if anyone is making hampers, even at full price they're quite a good buy.I also picked up 3 lots of forget-me-not seeds for Dad's planter. Was going to buy 2 but they were on 3for2 and couldn't think of anything else someone might like. It does mean Dad's present is bought and so is Mum's.  Whilst DH was queueing at the till, I nipped to The Range and bought coloured cellophane for my Nan's birthday present next weekend. Once that is out of the way I will switch the focus to buying the remaining Xmas presents as there is only mine and DH's birthdays left for this year and I am away for mine, as it coincides with a worktrip DH is going on that I can accompany him on. I've only been going for the past few years since the kids have been adults as was too difficult to go before and the few I have managed to go on have been the most amazing experience, so I'm really excited with the birthday clash.  

mandco

Spendless you’re totally entitled to express your feelings on what happened no one has the right to tell you you can’t. if people close to her don’t  like it that’s their problem she did what she did and people not being happy about it is part of the consequences.

those baskets are ideal I’ll have to see if I can find any in my local store.
The trips you’ve mentioned with do for work so far have sounded great so definitely exciting to have one tie in with your birthday.

After an initial issue with getting the app to load on my phone after scanning the qr code instore ( I think it’s my phone as download the app on ds phone and it worked straight away) it’s was really simple. Log in - select items you want to drop ( I dropped 6 - min is 5 leaving others in my account for another trip)- confirm items - voucher received immediately. Once I was ready pay activated the reward ( you get 30 mins to redeem once active) scanned as coupon points added.  

Not all stores do it though most of the ones near me do - there a store finder on the website. Not sure if there are any restrictions other than the 1reward per day regardless of how many items you drop but definitely worth doing if you shop in boots anyway. There are some items they don’t accept like aerosols but 

I like the fact the take items not generally accepted in your recycling bin like face mask packets, wet wipes packets, bottles with pump tops (my council wont the pump) https://boots.scan2recycle.com/recyclable-types

Used my Asda rewards points towards a lynx set - they had the box of 5 shower gel/spray sets for £15 - I know I could buy them separately at around the same cost - maybe a little cheaper but it was technically free so happy enough and that’s my bil sorted 

mandco

Had a lovely few days away - took some if my boots recyclables with us as there’s a boots we walk past everyday when we’re there & did 2 more drop offs so that’s £15 in bonus added to my boots points so far   picked up an electric beard trimmer reduced to £8 from £30 in the clearance section which will go to ds for Xmas.

no sign of the baskets in b&m but loads of Xmas stock & home bargains had 2 aisles of Xmas decs/clothing  & a small selection of gift sets so have a few ideas on bits to look for when I pop to my local branches. 

Found a independent shop that does lots of unusual/handmade type gifts so will check that out properly when we’re back there in October 

Peppa537

A few of the Christmas magazines are starting to appear in the shops now. 

Treasurequeen

Simply Christmas is out in shops now £6.99 
good housekeeping collection Christmas is also out in shops now £7.50 
the Christmas magazine is out in shops £5.99 

Treasurequeen

For any bookworms to buy for…. 

There is an independent bookshop called Tea Leaves & Reads that do signed books in boxes that come with some nice items/treats. I bought a Christmas Eve themed one last year and it was brilliant. And am planning on getting a few book boxes to give as gifts this year. I’ve bought some bookmarks for tree presents from them too, and I see they now sell candles and other bookish treats. They do blind date with a book option and a monthly book club. https://www.tealeavesandreads.co.uk/

The Calender club are selling jigsaw puzzles buy one get one half price, or 10% off if spend £15 and free delivery. They also sell the jigsaw puzzles that are book themed. Pride and prejudice, the jungle book, Alice in wonderland etc that are on the deal https://www.calendarclub.co.uk/pride-and-prejudice-jigsaw-267635/

mandco

Sains have the Cadbury’s chocolate bags twirl bites, Oreo bites, bitsa wispa, all different flavours of choc buttons ect 1/2 price at 82p this week which is a decent deal as they rarely go below about 1.25 on offer so picked up a few different ones for stocking fillers & Xmas baking/hot chocolate
The cadburys curly Wirley wiggles look like worms so they’ll be great for Halloween baking too.


100 days til Xmas  

Coxy11

Hi all,
We are back from Crete. It wasn't the 5* experience we hoped (or paid) for so a bit disappointed but will send feedback to the agent. Back at work today - met a full on barrage of moaning when I got it. Felt like putting my coat on and going back home!

No shopping opportunities in Crete apart from the Duty Free as we were in the middle of nowhere (one of our moans). Got DD a bottle of Au blue raspberry vodka for part of her birthday gift. She also has the balloon dog ornament from TKMaxx - eclectic! Still planning to get her tickets to the crime exhibition and possibly something else - have asked for ideas.

DIL is the same day as DD and I've already got her the Jimmy Choo EdP she loves. Will ask DS1 for some other ideas.

Thanks for the heads up on the Cadbury bags @mandco I've just been to the one near work and bought 3 bags - not necessarily for stockings!!! Might keep them in my desk to snack on/keep me sane.

That bookshop is fab @Treasurequeen, thanks for posting the link.

We had the survey on the new house back whilst in Crete. Nothing major. Our house was surveyed this morning so we wait with baited breath to see if the FTB freaks out that it's 80 years old and a bit creaky!

Would love to get to a Home Bargains soon to check out some early Christmas bits but I've a busy weekend coming up including haircut, gait analysis and taking Mum and DSis to Call the Midwife tour and cream tea. Need to go part-time!!!

princesskitty29

I’ve been slowly building up momentum with my Christmas shopping, I got some Christmas cider for my auntie from M&S and two foot warmer hot water bottles from B&M for two friends that work from home and say their feet always get really cold under their desk in winter. I’m looking to get some thermal socks to go with them. I managed to get a few food bits with this week’s shop; chocolate coins for stockings, salted peanuts on offer and a box of mini Coke’s that are also currently on offer. They’re all now stashed away for Christmas.

mandco I hope you had a great time at Butlins, we’re not ging this year and I’m going to miss it!

Peppa and Treasurequeen thanks for the heads up re the Christmas magazines, I bought the Good Food one recently and enjoyed that.

Treasurequeen that bookshop is lovely. It’s interesting you posted that as I have recently begun buying bits to set up my own small book hamper business. I’m taking my time over it though and I think it’s because I’m nervous about it and wondering if there is any point as I know a lot of people do it. I just love books and putting little gift packs together and as I’m only looking to make a bit of pocket money out of it I thought I’d give it a try. I was wondering whether to start it nearer Christmas and make Christmas themed ones for people to give as gifts. We shall see.

Coxy sorry to hear your holiday didn’t live up to expectations, that’s so disappointing for you. Fingers crossed everything is ok with the house survey!

Coxy11

Hi all,

Ooh some good finds there @princesskitty29! I'm not sure I will be able to stash any ambient food items as just means more to pack when we (hopefully) move!

I was in Sainsbobs again today and saw a Habitat bamboo tray - oblong, perfect for doing a hamper of say mugs, teabags, biccies. It was half price at £4.99 but can't find it online. Seems the new season clearout is happening as lots of scented candles and diffusers also on sale. I do like useful gifts or ones that are edible so may have a think about who could be a recipient for that.

I asked DS1 about birthday gift ideas for DIL and he said she would like to replace the chest of drawers in the bedroom so could we gift some cash. That's fine by me (again....useful gifting!) so will keep the EdP for part of her Christmas gift.

Another nephew is 17 tomorrow so will be transferring some cash over in the morning. 

No news on the survey yet. Complaint has been lodged with travel agent! It's all go.