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

SavvySparky579

For anyone looking for some cute Christmas decs, this site does some adorable personalised decorations and gifts. They're not the cheapest, but I have a few bits and are very good quality (their Santa Letters made my kids Christmas last year). They're currently running up to 50% off in Black Friday - Black Friday Sale - The Handmade Christmas Co.

Dizzycap

Spendless said:

Glad you're on the mend princesskitty.

The beauty advent calendar that I bought as a surprise for the office I work in, divides perfectly amongst the 6 females that work in it, but we also  have 1 male who works in a diff role but works from our office ad-hoc as his role demands. I felt mean leaving him out but was left with a dilemma cos the only unisex calendar I've seen is gruum which was well out of price range. I came with with the plan to do the male's  4 gifts separately. 1st  I looked amongst the clearance in my Tesco and got a  branded men's travel size  moisturiser for just £1.11 . I've also seen a car freshener that's 75p  with clubcard. I have some mini packs on haribos left from Halloween - wasn't needed due to Mr S trip to the sweet factory shop. He's veggie so I'll pull those ones out and bundle together. I was stuck what to do for the 4th item  but at the w/end I pulled out an old fragrance advent calendar me and daughter shared a few years ago to re-use the packaging. One of the small boxes felt heavy, I opened it and to my surprise there was a mini aftershave in it, never opened, never used, so I have my 4th gift.

mandco - even if I see an offer from an ad on my phone, I don't follow the link to buy, I go search for it on the company's website, that way I know any offers are genuine because as you say they aren't always.  

I have got another £5 voucher from another beauty company to use, but postage is £4 and due to recent spending, I don't need any more products . I think I've found something that will go in daughter's stocking though. It'll still mean that I've paid £1 less then I would in the shops plus haven't had any travel or parking costs.

Yesterday my office decided to do secret santa. I have drawn the manager and I'm after some ideas, as I don't know her that well, she's early 50s, married, 2 teenage kids who are in school exam years, 2 dogs. She goes to the gym and runs. Budget is £10.

I'm also after a Christmas jumper but I don't want it too tacky/blingy. We are resurrected a trip to Belgium we used to do  with friends at the end of the month to see a Christmas fair etc. As it's been such a long time since we last went, we've decided new jumpers all round are in order - I just don't know where the best place would be to look - budget upto £30. 

Manager Secret Santa - I'd find out what breed of dogs they have and then buy them a scarf with that breed on or something you know they will use Have a good look on VINTED 

I love personal things like that xx

New Chritmas Jumpers - VINTED There's some great New Christmas Jumpers for sale at low prices and you're helping to rehome unwanted items along with reducing landfill at the same time xxxx

My personal Christmas Challenge this year is a FREE Christmas. So far it's cost me absolutely nothing with gift swaps, free wrapping paper, cards & cellotape, Lidl FREE item vouchers & saved up Nectar points through the year which has purchased 3 joints of FREE meat that are tucked nicely in the freezer I have left over Christmas Crackers & Napkins from last year that are all safely waiting to be used.

My friend makes me a homemade Christmas Cake & a dozen Mince Pies as my Christmas gift , so that's that sorted.

Just got to do the major early morning 10p Veggies run on the Christmas Week using the rest of my Nectar points and I'll be set for Christmas and 6 months after

Now That's What I Call A Great Christmas!

Spendless

Wow Mrs Ryan that is some commute you are doing. I think from.prev posts Ive read that your 'love language' is gift buying. I get it, I love it myself but please be kind on yourself especially if this is a temp job. You have bought some lovely and thoughtful gifts. Does this mean we get some insider knowledge on offers and reductions from the footwear named chemist- lol.
We are back from our weekend in Belgium. Very glad i booked today off work, driving too and from the ferry port was long. Going down more so because just like when we went in the summer, we got 'thrown' off the motorway in favour of a different route, but narrow winding lanes in the dark isnt my idea of fun. Back in August we arrived at the UK hotel a minute after midnight due to this, this weekend we were earlier but only because we'd all finished work by afternoon. The Xmas  market though that isnt why we go was a lot smaller and less variety than pre pandemic times when we last visited. 
We did pop in an inside one that had just set up the day of our arrival and tbh that was probably the best cos it had more craft stalls. On our retirn yesterday we also found another before managing to get on an earlier ferry. We booked the premium lounge onboard both ways and was glad we did. Shopping  wise didnt pick up much, bought a deal in a chocolate shop and will divide the items up between my workmates and Nan, bought some alcohol for son. Treated myself yo a new Estee Lauder daywear tinted moisturiser as mine has almost ran out and Mr S bought himself 2 flavoured rums, which was nice but I know he has a 3rd heading his way which leaves me a bit stuck on what to get him. Im going to have to ask him for ideas.
Re Secret Santa at work, as it comes through via a website theres the option to put ideas youd like which my recipient has, none of them.things I was considering getting for her, so will need to work round this. 

Spendless

Used my day off from work to go to a neighbouring town which has an Edinburgh Wollen Mills and got Nan a jumper. Thanks for that suggestion @Coxy11. I will also give her the small box of Belgian chocs I got on behalf of the kids.
Also picked up some cufflinks for DH. Im really struggling for him this year and have 'given away' most of my ideas for him to others (aka my parents). I asked him for ideas, he sent me just 1 link for a pint glass with an emblem on, thats £6.50, I said I was asking for an idea more than a 'pocket money' amount. 
Finally thought of a good present for eldest that will benefit his house. Parents are done and so is daughter mostly but she will always provide a list. I sent her a make up advent so messaged to see what was in her first doors, to find shed done a sneek preview online and already opened the ones that had mascara and tweezers in cos she needed them - lol. 

PennysIntoPounds

Those sound like lovely gifts @Spendless
Could DH's pint glass be a centrepiece for a mse hamper, with beers and snacks?

princesskitty29

I’ve managed to get quite a few more things off my list recently and I’m not far off being done. For DS1 I have got Match Attax cards, Luton Town calendar and a Lego cup, for DS2 a Lego Hulk figure, a Trackmaster Henry toy, a Lego cup, Moo Moo Achoo game and the Hungry Hippos game, a 2025 diary for DH that I get him every year, a handbag and British Problems desk calendar for my mum, some game flavoured crisps for my DB and a Pride and Prejudice puzzle for my SiL.

They boys are almost finished which is always a relief. I just need to finish my BiL and SiL and DH’s auntie and uncle who always give us a hamper and homemade gifts every year. I wrapped a load of presents and took them with us when we went to visit my family last weekend as we are spending Christmas there this year and there is no way we could get all of that as well as everything else we would have to take up there at Christmas in the car.

Unfortunately I’ve had a bit of a low mood the last couple of days, I don’t get like this often and certainly not at this time of year with all of the Christmas excitement but it crept up on me this week. I am still feeling the Christmas spirit I’m just not quite firing on all cylinders. Still, it won’t last I know so I’m just riding it out. I wonder if it may be the dull weather, I don’t usually get affected but I keep dreaming of sunshine! I just need a brilliantly sunny but frosty day and a mug of steaming hot chocolate to see me through!

mandco  I hope you’re feeling ok after your fall? Did you get your ASDA refund back? It’s so frustrating when you keep having to take precious time out of your day to try and get it sorted and they don’t do what they say they are going to do.

Mrs Ryan I’m sorry to hear you’ve had such a challenging year, it’s good that you are aware of when you’re struggling with shopping etc and are finding ways to work around it, you have to be kind to yourself sometimes.

Coxy glad to hear you moved house successfully, I hope you’re settling in well? It sounds like an interesting Pinterest board from your DD! Makes for some interesting shopping.

Hello and welcome PenniesintoPounds, good to have you here! I am the same every year, I start with gusto then get complacent and think I’ve done more than I have! I hope you’ve managed to research some ideas for Mr PIP.

SavvySparky thanks for the link to that website, it’s lovely.

Dizzycap wow I’m really impressed that you haven’t spent anything on Christmas so far, that’s fab! I’ve got the odd freebie and saved £150 from selling the odd item and doing the odd survey but still had to buy lots of things. I need to try harder next year!

PennysIntoPounds

Thanks for the welcome @princesskitty29, sorry you're feeling a bit low. I know what you mean about lack of sunshine, have the mug of hot chocolate anyway though! I've cracked open the seasonal baileys and don't regret it one bit 😁
I am actually finished with all my shopping and the deliveries have arrived, so today I sat down while Mr PIP was out and cracked on with a bit of wrapping. I have hopes of finishing it tomorrow but also have an engineer here for the gas and electric meters all afternoon so might have to wait, but ample time as long as it is actually getting done.
Made use of the Christmas savings pot today and got a chocolate panettone in Aldi as that and the classic version are rated best bargain buys by Good Housekeeping this year, and got some Aldi mince pies as their Specially Selected All Butter mince pies were rated best of all the mince pies- I do love it when the most mse version is also the most domestic goddess version! 

mandco

MrsRyan wow you’ve had a lot going on this year. I know you love giving and often worry you haven’t gut enough but Your gift list is very impressive and I’m sure your friend and family understand things have been harder this year.

spendless glad you had a lovely trip though the journey home sounded awful. Lol at dd opening her calendar out of order to utilise the bits she needed very mse 

Princesskitty I’m ok thanks though did have a couple of pretty impressive bruises it definitely made me realise how easy it for older people to suffer serious injuries with slips & falls.  Still waiting on my Asda refund despite 6 calls and multiple reassurances it’s being sorted which is beyond a joke at this point today they said give it another 7-10 days as it’s still not been cancelled their end - I’ll be lucky if I get it before Xmas at this rate.
sounds like you ticked a fair few bits off and the Xmas shopping is coming together nicely.
sorry to hear your feeling a bit low it often hits when we least expect it and I think at this time of year it’s a bit harder to deal with as you feel like you should be all happy & excited for the holidays. Could very well be the awful weather combined with the fact your still recovering from surgery which can take more if a toll than we expected. Try and take a bit of me time - easier said than done I know especially at this time of year when there’s 1001 things to get organised.

To add to my online shopping drama I ordered some stuff from homebargains that they didn’t have in store took nearly 2 weeks to arrive as they didnt ship for ages only to find they sent me someone’s else’s order - then I find out they don’t actually have a customer support line just a form you fill in and wait to someone to get back to you - took 5 days from them to reply and they want me to return the wrong items my expense so they can refund me - never again 

Dds oodie onesie arrived & gamer supps are ordered - managed to get a free shipping code saving over £50 so very happy with that just hoping they arrive in time.  I still need a couple of small padding present bits for him as I try to have a similar amount of gifts each but otherwise the kids are pretty much finished. May still need a couple of stocking fillers need to do a proper inventory when I get a spare 10 mins 

picked up a couple of cooked ham joints for our buffets from Costco as they are good till jan so that’s another thing ticked off the list 

15p veg apparently starts from the 18th/19th depending on store I think sains & Aldi's have confirmed so far 

Spendless

Good job I read back through the posts. Id totally forgotten Id bought DH cufflinks and I only got them on Monday! Now to work.out where Ive put them. Head is like a seive! Work.has been very busy as they were short staffed whilst I was off as someone else was ill. I ended up getting a shirty phone call from someone wanting to know why their invoices hadnt been done. It was on my to do list and I explained the situation, printed off the paperwork as Mrs Stroppy was on the phone and did them but you know when someone has an attitude by their tone - thats what they were like. Later they sent me over another to process and copied in everyone except our MD I think, however theyd not attached a vital piece of paperwork that I am not allowed to process without, so guess what -  I answered saying just that by pressing reply to all.  I also sent in 5 mins before I went home and when they reply they will find my out of office on cos Im not in again till Tuesday. 

I at long last got an idea for Mr S. I read about this. https://infinitypillow.co/?srsltid=AfmBOoovXBI3zv1IHRLtOrOJswWjNOV8QX2OKcMWu2DeXF8pG4-g9IyX

He travels quite a bit and has mentioned one. Initially it was £8 delivery and I couldn't find a discount code to work. Then I realised that he could probably do with a bag to put it in and added that too and then delivery was free. 

Currently he is at 2 work Xmas parties because both his old department and his new one are having their 'dos' on the same night. Wasnt intentional, due to availability but it meant he had to choose between the department he worked in for years or his new team or attend both which is what hes done. I said to him.itll be like the episode of the Vicar of Dibley where Geraldine has several Xmas dinners as she doesn't want to upset anyone by refusing their invite.

Anyway with him safely out of the way till tomorrow afternoon, I intend going and looking for some thin long sleeved tops for him. He moans hes cold whilst sat in a short sleeved polo shirt! I point this out and he tells me 'he wants to be comfy' which I think is a ridiculous argument for not wearing something longer sleeved. I know I get cold quicker if my arms arent covered. 

Then Sunday we are away again this time to a UK xmas market. We only got asked if we wsnted to go recently and I had to swap an AL day round to go, so hoping I like it. 
 

Mrs_Ryan

Thanks for your kind words everyone. 

I’m still off sick- this flare is awful. Looks like I won’t be returning to my job as it was just temporary and due to end before Christmas. 

I’m done now- I bought a few more bits, a jumper and dressing gown for mum (Bon Marche and Bravissimo BF sales respectively) 
The Temu bits for my best friend weren’t anything like what they looked like online (grrr) so I replaced them with some bits off Amazon. I also got her a mug she wanted and I got the voucher for her mum. 

OH’s best mate turned up on Sunday morning so I got a bottle of Cava for him and his wife. It was a Tesco cheapy which he was appreciative of. 

I’ve just got my own present left to buy now (from OH) That looks like it will be yet another wedding ring as the cheapy silver one that I bought myself because the other one was too big has given me the most horrendous contact dermatitis so I guess I’ll be going back to gold. 

I’ve rejoined the gym and I’m so sore- had my second PT session today and it was hard work! Best crack on with the wrapping though. 

Merry Christmas everyone xx