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

Spendless

I had a couple of years where the day itself was a let down, this was mostly to do with setting too complicated expectations of food combined with meeting different dietery requirements and at least one year combining that with DH poor gift buying skills when at that time he only bought for me. 

This year I think we got it right but thats because we 'downscaled' in terms of what we did. I did speak to Mr S about it (the culprit behind the 'taking too much on') and he seemed surprised and shocked esp when he learnt that an invite to Xmas dinner  had been turned down once due to how overboard he went. However he listened and there was 1 choice of starter, not 3 diff ones being prepared, only 3 diff veg and he offerred to reduce/forfeit these too if it made life easier. We rearranged when we saw people, so not to put a big burden on the day itself and saw my parents on Xmas Eve with a take away. I asked DD to oversee what her  Dad intended getting me. 

@Abbafan1972 - This isnt the first time your Mum has fetched up eating out on Christmas day. Has she ever done it? Is it on her wishlist and the recent ill health made her think about it more. Theres likely to be a reason why she mentioned it once your Dad wasnt in the room. Do you know why?
Christmas dinner out is always going to be expensive as they pay the staff more for working that day. Thats understandable when their employees have given up their own Christmas day to cater to peoples wants rather than needs. Ive never had to work Christmas day, but I have the other bank hols, such as boxing day and New Years day, its not fun being at work when your family is at home and those days arent always paid at a higher rate (Ive worked them.at NMW before) or even given a lieu day for it, which is why the price of meals comes down on the other days cos they dont have the higher wage cost.
If its a desire of your Mums to go out and you arent interested is there an alternative like your parents going just them two or them going with other relatives or friends instead? 

In shopping news, I picked up a few more Xmas baking items in B&M, cupcake boxes and some iced toppers bbd was mid 2026 so will be fine. I also decided to get the fluffy socks pack as the stock had reduced since I saw them a few days previously. Theres 4 to a pack, though theres a few diff designs these ones had the softest feel to them. I will put them in the present cupboard and decide next winter how Im going to divide them up. 

Abbafan1972

@Spendless yes my Mom & Dad have been out for Xmas dinner before without us, as I don’t agree with it, as I don’t think it’s fair that the staff have to work. I know about the increased wages factored into the cost of the meal and I really think that £60 odd each is excessive. We have been out for Boxing Day as an alternative on a couple of occasions, as it was less than half the price. 

My Mom does mention a lot of things when my Dad leaves the room, especially when it involves spending money lol. 

Treasurequeen

Home bargains have got ladies velvet slipper socks in for £1.50 for one pair. And packs of two pairs of fluffy socks for £2. They are both soft and warm. 

My parents have asked for a hamper this year and I’m thinking of doing it themed. 

Is there going to be a 2025 Christmas thread? 

mandco

Treasurequeen said:

Home bargains have got ladies velvet slipper socks in for £1.50 for one pair. And packs of two pairs of fluffy socks for £2. They are both soft and warm. 

My parents have asked for a hamper this year and I’m thinking of doing it themed. 

Is there going to be a 2025 Christmas thread? 

Princesskitty has been amazing and maintaining the thread each year but she hasn’t posted since they left for their Xmas break so I have been wondering if everything is ok? I hope so and it’s just a case of life’s busy 

January Isn’t a great month for me so been Mia but life’s been crazy busy too just had a short break away as we have several big birthday this month so a group of us went away for a few days great fun but cost a small fortune with the grandkids in tow. The cat has a possible kidney infection so we were at the vets shortly before we left which has cost £250 already and she may still need an ultrasound if the meds don’t work. Just got back a little while ago and need to get ready as we’re off for a meal out & bowling with an overnight stay tonight for another birthday so it’s all go at the mo - its definitely helping take my mind off other things though.

I will try and read back properly in the next few days hope everyone’s doing ok especially with the awful weather we’re having this month it was absolutely horrendous wind & rain when we left to drive home.

pixtotts

@mandco I hope you had a lovely time away, and that your kitty is ok! 


We lost a telegraph pole to the storm on Friday but thankfully they've been out today and replaced it, so we're back online. Funny how much you go to google something when you can't isn't it >.< 

In Christmas news, I've decided to host wreath making with my friends this year. We've done a couple of group sessions with florists in the past, but it's so hard for me in Christmas market season to find a date we can all do and my florist friend is running workshops on so I've decided to go for it! I've made my own on my own the last two years anyway... surely it can't be that hard to direct a few friends.... surely? haha. 

So while there was a little Christmas stock still in the shops I grabed up some wide ribbons for wreath bows in preparation I think it's mostly all gone from the stores now though sadly. 

I also grabbed a couple of Christmas colouing books from hobbycraft £3 each (rrp 5.99) ready for mine and my sisters advent calendars. The goal is to have the advent calendar gifts sorted before December this year... hopefully... x

Spendless

70% off sale now in Boots. No idea when it started, it doesn't get as much 'fanfare' as it used to. In mine it is mostly Disney or Harry Potter items left and some from a former love islander (Ella Thomas??). Nothing there for my gift list. On my way out I picked up an FCUK set that has a beanie in it. DH despite his predominantly bald head manages to forget to pack a hat every trip we go on and we invariably end up buying another, so this should come in handy and for £5.40 it's cheaper than any replacement we've prev had to get! Can't see him being interested in the body spray that comes with it and since I *think* it's a unisex fragrance, I'll allocate it nearer the time.  

mandco

We had a fantastic week away though spent more than planned on the grandkids -  will admit I was getting a little bit fed up of the oh go and ask grandad to get it for you / give you some money by the end of the week.
the cat is doing much better thanks and thankfully she hasn’t needed any further tests - I’d forgotten how expensive vets bills & meds can be 

saw the 70%off in boots but my store only had a handful of items left and nothing worth by buying even at that price, don’t think it’s been on long as it was still 50% off at the weekend and the stock left was about the same. Did manage to pick up a rabanne million one gift set 1/2 price in boots which will do oh for fathers day - the spray alone is around £76 so absolute bargain. None of the gift sets instore were marked up as discounted but I’d seen it online oos so asked and the cashier price checked it for me and they were on offer so might be worth an ask if your store has any as they had a few different brands.

set up another Asda Xmas savings card- I really like the fact you can pay weekly/monthly by direct debit so no trying to remember to top it up . I did £2 a week last year so saved around £100 by Xmas and didnt miss it. Added a 2nd card rather than doubling the amount so the savings are separate and I can always gift it to someone else if needed. Going to try harder to do monthly tops up on savings cards for other supermarkets too this year i always plan to but I’m terrible at remembering to actually do it.

Can’t really complain as it’s a freebie but got an m&s birthday offer - a small punnet of blueberries - I’ve never brought blueberries from there could have at least made it a fruit I actually buy though I’d have preferred usual bar of chocolate or Percy pig's that I’ve had previously. Anyone remember when they actually gave you a box of chocolates for your birthday? Oh how times have changed and not for the better.

Treasurequeen

mandco said:

Can’t really complain as it’s a freebie but got an m&s birthday offer - a small punnet of blueberries - I’ve never brought blueberries from there could have at least made it a fruit I actually buy though I’d have preferred usual bar of chocolate or Percy pig's that I’ve had previously. Anyone remember when they actually gave you a box of chocolates for your birthday? Oh how times have changed and not for the better.

Mandco for my birthday I had the options on my sparks account to choose fruit (raspberries or grapes ) or a pack of cookies. Much prefer chocolate though. 

mandco

Treasurequeen said:

mandco said:

Can’t really complain as it’s a freebie but got an m&s birthday offer - a small punnet of blueberries - I’ve never brought blueberries from there could have at least made it a fruit I actually buy though I’d have preferred usual bar of chocolate or Percy pig's that I’ve had previously. Anyone remember when they actually gave you a box of chocolates for your birthday? Oh how times have changed and not for the better.

Mandco for my birthday I had the options on my sparks account to choose fruit (raspberries or grapes ) or a pack of cookies. Much prefer chocolate though. 

Raspberries are grapes would have been great as I buy them regularly- never mind  it’s a freebie anyway 


boots sale is now 90% off which happened way quicker than usual as only went to 70%off last week - that said the only thing left in my local was Harley Quinn body spray which the had absolutely loads of.

Coxy11

Hi all,

Don’t think I’ve ever had an M&S freebie for my birthday. Will need to keep an eye out in September!!

Well the ‘let’s not buy for adults unless a special birthday’ has failed spectacularly already. SIL had a small orchid and nice pot (£24) at the end of Jan because DH didn’t have ‘the talk’ so we’ve adjusted our expenditure forecast to include everyone for the year.

It’s a bit lumpy this year as BIL is 50 in Sept and we have 2 x 18ths and 1 x 21st amongst the 10 nieces and nephews. I will definitely cut down on the adults. Usually spend £40 and will cap at £25 this year. Token gifts definitely the way forward including for Christmas. 

Nothing left in my (small) Boots and I also avoided the 49p Christmas gift wrap in WHS as quite frankly I couldn’t be bothered to carry it around the town with me! 

Should we start a 2025 thread?