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

Spendless

Crazycatlady2 said:

I will read along for ideas but now our kids older and not so many relatives to buy for I don't start as early or plan as much 😀

I've got similar situation. My family are Nan 98 that you can get very little for. Invalid FiL and I make my DH buy his present as it's difficult, my pensioner parents that are better of receiving tickets to an event. The rest are my DH, 2 adult children and DiL. 

I've already  bought socks for DiL for Christmas but that's purely because she's a large foot size and by chance I saw just one  ladies 3 pack in that size so grabbed. A recent conversation with her and she already has some beloved and quite expensive slippers bought for her by her Aunt, so that's out. I'll have to wait till nearer the time to get PJs/Dressing gown.

Parents - will need to see what is tours/shows are announced for 2025 to give as a Xmas 24 gift.

Only person I can buy in advance for is DD's Xmas Eve Box & Stocking. Today I saw a mini wine and candle set in a local shop thought that might be an idea to go back for - only saw it when queueing for the till. Googled it and it's not quite the bargain price I believed it was! *IF* we go abroad this year especially to the States, I'll pick items up there.

pixtotts

Hello, & Happy New Year! 

I'm not sure what happened to 2023 I was quite shocked when I logged in and saw all my bookmarked threads were 2022!   

I don't have much to report Christmas wise but had a lovely one, and picked up some fabulously sequined trousers from M&S sale today for next Christmas! And did the cutting up of Christmas cards to make tags for next years pressies, anyone else still do that? 

I've been very dissappointed by the lack of Christas stuff hanging about in the shops this year, 27th Dec and no trace of Christmas left in my local S'burys unless you count the stuffing balls reduced to 75p which we did purchase for second Christmas day on the 28th haha. I was hoping for some cards to put up for next year, or a nice jumper, but not a trace! 

Hope everyone is well and had a lovely Christmas! 

DaffyDaisies

pixtotts said:

I've been very dissappointed by the lack of Christas stuff hanging about in the shops this year, 27th Dec and no trace of Christmas left in my local S'burys unless you count the stuffing balls reduced to 75p which we did purchase for second Christmas day on the 28th haha. I was hoping for some cards to put up for next year, or a nice jumper, but not a trace! 

Hope everyone is well and had a lovely Christmas! 

I thought the same @pixtotts! I had to pop into Moshishons (as we called it as kids!) on Boxing Day to get toilet roll (the one thing I didn't buy in advance ) and was astounded how little there was left, and APPALLED to see a whole Easter section already on display!

Spendless

I thought same re sales. I didn't have time on BD to go into my usual haunts browsing the stock due to shopping for DD's trip plus some shops were closed. On 27th DS and DiL came over to our house to exchange gifts and stay. DD set off later that day so I therefore thought I must have just missed everything.  I had noticed before Christmas a lack of stock on shelves, didn't affect me since I shop early but my parents had commented on it too cos I remember thinking so glad I'm not a Christmas Eve shopper - I'd struggle to find anything. Tbh I don't think stock levels have gone back to what they were pre-pandemic. I'm guessing the stores prefer it that way, they'd rather sell out full price early rather than half price items unsold stock. 

pixtotts

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one thinking it!  
You have a good point there @Spendless better business to sell out at full price. I remember pre pandemic s'burys used to do 2 rounds of decs, switching mid Nov ish for a new set of themes, seems to be just the one lot right the way through now. 

@DaffyDaisies it's madness seeing easter already isn't it! My sister bought some reduced hot cross buns yesterday! What happened to seasons?! I need a bit of down time before jumping into the next, I don't even like easter eggs  

Spendless

Yesterday I got tickets for my parents to go and watch Giovanni tour. It's Mum's bd next week but as tickets were over budget it's a joint bd present with my Dad as his is  next month. He is difficult to buy for anyway so in recent years I have started doing this. As even that makes it dearer than I'd normally pay I'm including that they're also from DS,DiL and DD (not that I'm asking them for any money towards it)  Parents recently looked into booking local tickets but all had sold out other than at the back, which they didn't want. We've been able to secure them seats in the stalls albeit at the side at a different venue which DH is happy to take them to. And the reason they started mentioning going  was because my Dad got into conversation with one of his cousins about it  whilst visiting my Nan. The reason why family were keeping a close eye on Nan is because since Christmas she'd been complaining of feeling dizzy and falling. Was thinking if it continued needed to call out Drs, when me and Mum suddenly had the same thought. Nan had received loads of bottles of whisky for Christmas from her numerous Nieces and Nephews and   I'd also  bought her some minis   and we think she's been pouring rather generous amounts in her tea and just eating the biscuits/cakes she's been given instead of a meal. Honestly - she's 98!  

Whilst I'd prefer that shops got rid of all unsold Christmas stock before putting Easter out - I remember the days when I could correctly predict the Boots 70% off sale - I do like the thinness of Easter egg chocolate. This year DD's 21st falls on Easter Sunday but she's determined to be in a different country on that day, so I expect paying for a trip will be our present to her. 

Coxy11

Hi all,

Decorations are still up at home but we will take them down tomorrow and do a thoroughly clean around. We are hosting MIL/FIL on Sunday for a roast – picked up a large pork joint in Sainsbobs a couple of weeks ago, so will do that with plenty of veg. Not sure on pudding yet. I will see my DSis and BIL plus Mum on Friday/Saturday next week. DH received a brewery tour and meal from DSis/BIL for his birthday last March and we have booked in for Friday. Will stay at DSis house and then go to lunch with Mum on the Saturday. Didn’t see anyone at Christmas due to my Covid.

I too was shocked at how little Christmas bits were in the sales. I got a mini shower gel bauble from Sainsbobs on Wednesday for £1.25. I’ve managed to get 3 x empty beauty advent boxes for free via Olio and FBMP which I’m going to fill and raffle off for my MH charity fundraising next November. Just need to find 75 minis to fill them with! I have a small stash of things already – some L’occitane, Molton Brown, Clarins items that came in sets which I won’t use. Thought it might be a giggle to include some gaviscon or paracetamol too! I have a White Company, a Space NK and an unbranded one – which is actually the nicest of the lot.

I cut up cards for tags @pixtotts so you are not alone!

Nice to have booked those tickets for your parents @Spendless – at least you know they will enjoy it if they tried to book it themselves. Will your mums wedding outfit get another outing?!

I too love the thinness/snap of Easter egg chocolate. I’m a cheap date though and a Cadbury egg will do me. Saw loads of Valentines bits in Sainsbobs but no Easter eggs just yet – won’t be long I reckon.

pixtotts

@Spendless Nan sounds just like a gentleman down the road from us, in his 90's proper country farmer type, he was sure he was on his way out last Christmas, told anyone and everyone that would listen. Took us best part of a week but we figured he probably had a hangover/ was drunk / a bit of both at different times of day! The weather had been cold so he'd been having a tot of whisky to warm himself, on top of his usual helping, and regular cheese sandwich dinners.
My sister works at the local shop and we figured out he'd had several bottles in just a few days, not including the ones he'd asked other people to get for him! >.< 


@Coxy11 raffling off the advent calendars is such a lovely idea! Good luck with finding the minitures!

Glad to hear I'm not the only one cutting up cards, we stopped for a few years and I'm not sure why as it makes so much sense, I quite enjoy cutting them up too!I have to say though some of S'burys cards are very frustrating this year saying "reuse, recycle" or something along those lines on the back, then they've gone and printed the inside of the card with patterns and bright colours so I can't actually reuse it! I've had 4 like it so far. 


It's decoration down day at my boyfriends this evening. He's actually already done the tree as he ordered himself a digital piano and had to make room, not sure whats going to happen next Christmas, but we'll figure something out. But I do believe he has left me the wonderful task of wrapping up all of the decorations off it as he "didn't know what to do with them". I can't say I'm totally surprised as before he met me his Christmas decs was a bowl of pinecones, but he has embraced it now buying wooden trees, and pretty candle things so we'll let him off! 

Have a lovely weekend all!

Peppa537

I've just taken down the tree, decorations and window lights this morning so having the usual 'my living room looks big' moment 😂
As others have mentioned reductions after Christmas were disappointing. In fact in Tesco they were still selling full price mince pies etc on 31st. My Mum managed to get some reduced food bargains in M&S on the 27th. I know B&M were having an up to 50% off decorations sale in the few weeks leading up to Christmas. Probably, like myself, people have cut back and are only buying what they need and shops haven't stocked as much this year.
My eldest is 21 next month so I've asked her what she'd like for her birthday, if jewelry there may be some offers around. I don't tend to buy presents for Christmas before September, I don't have too many to buy for and my daughters are usually clothes etc and their tastes may change. 
I'll probably still light some of my Christmas scented candles throughout January, the ones that are more of a winter scent rather than Christmas tree ones anyway. 

Peppa537

My local Tesco had rolls of Christmas wrapping paper reduced from £1.50 each (or 3 for £3 clubcard price) to £0.35p each so I got 3.