Frosty the Snowman - it's the 2025 Christmas thread!

Spendless

Thank you all for your messages of condolences.

Yesterday we did  big 'everyday' grocery shop so that next time Christmas groceries can be concentrated on. Picked up bits like stuffing, prawn cocktail &  cranberry sauce. Bought family christmas cards and crackers. a tin of confectionary each for the kids to add to what they have under the tree .SisIL called with HM mince pies and a fabric pencil case/small bag she'd made for DD and myself and some small hand towels like my late MIL used to make us, but these are Christmas themed.. I'm going to use my case in my workbag for some bits. I was hoping some items I've bought  might fit into DDs  but they didn't so think I'll wrap and put in her stocking instead. I have one more item to add to the stocking which is a freebie  that my friend got with a Sephora purchase, expensive nonsense but something 'the kids' think cool. Any of your older girls still do the 'Instagram haul?'   

DH ordered his Dad some t-shirts which is very much a 'rinse and repeat' purchase but so little you can get him in his care home. He also has a mini Xmas cake and maybe will add some chocolate. 

Glad

Very sorry to hear about your Nan @Spendless

mandco

@Spendless. So sorry for your loss  .  It’s never easy but feels like it hits a bit harder this of year.

Coxy11

Was coming on here to report that I’ve finished buying bar a little something for nephew 17. He has an H&M gift card but I need something to go with it. Possibly chocolate or sweets. However when I came to wrap a pair of Vans for DS2 that arrived last week and I hadn’t opened, I realised they were a US10 not UK10. So have arranged a return and had to buy another pair for £70 (others were £46 in a BF deal). So annoying and really hoping they arrive in time. 

We visited Canterbury Christmas market yesterday and took the park n ride which is £4 for all day parking (bus free for up to 7 people per car). This is a bargain as 3 hours parking last week for the panto cost us £12.40. Got the last few gifts and some jeans for me, plus a couple of jumpers and a pair of sparkly earrings on sale. Earrings broke last night when I tried them on! They were £2 reduced from £10 in H&M so mustn’t complain. 

I have wrapped everything this afternoon including all the gifts for my 3 adult children and DIL. Started off with Mum’s gifts - she has a wheelie case which she can take to nieces at Christmas, so will need to open early. There’s also a book, jigsaw and mug inside to open on the day itself. Also needed to wrap youngest nephews gifts who will get theirs delivered by DH on Monday after work as we aren’t seeing them until 28 Dec. 

IL’s photo of DH and his two siblings (recreated from a photo from the 1980’s) was finally printed today at the fourth attempt. It was the only thing I’d asked DH to sort. First attempt yesterday he forgot the camera. Second attempt this morning our SD card is so ancient there wasn’t a corresponding slot  in the Boots machine. So DH emailed the photo to himself and went back to Boots only for it to be shut between 2pm and 3pm. Ended up at Snappy Snaps in another town. Still needs wrapping!

All the offspring’s gifts are now in a cupboard in our bedroom. Not now sure if DS1 and DIL will be coming over on CE  - he has taken a second job delivering pizza and is due to work that evening. In preparation I’d got them stocking gifts to open on Christmas morning - awaiting confirmation on Saturday when we are at the panto.  They are having Christmas dinner with DIL’s sister and BIL plus her Mum. 

We got some wine today in Sainsbury’s - buy 6 bottles get 25% off. Also spent £50 on cheese at the Christmas market - this after spending £40 a week ago somewhere else. Luckily we like cheese but crazy that we’ve spent more on cheese than the free range turkey…..