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

Spendless

IT'S  XMAS EVE 

Gosh Mrs Ryan - I'd definately have your love language' down as gifting. You buy the most lovely presents for your family and friends. I might pinch some of your ideas that you've got  your OH for my hard to buy for Dad next year, thermal vests would be a great idea for him. Glad you sorted the leaky radiator out.

  We had a household disaster of our own last night. The wooden bedframe for our bed collapsed. It's been a bit insecure since we put it back together after we redecorated our bedroom, but was hoping to put off till the New Year. It was gifted to us over 20 years ago by friendswho were emigrating so owes us nothing. It also no longer goes with our new colour scheme so happy to replace, just wasn't thinking just yet!  DH fixed it so we could go to sleep. Not long afterwards I heard our dog and it sounded like he had something he wasn't meant to. Eventually chased him our from underneath the bed and found he's unwrapped a Christmas present and had a ball in his mouth. Messaged DD to ask if she's given him a pressie early. She hadn't. She'd been wrapping presents in her bedroom and had gone downstairs for a glass of water and the dog had sneeked into her room and helped himself! 

Yesterday we went to our relative's house and gave a mini makeover to one of their rooms. Just a refresh of moving things around etc. We do have some gifts to give tomorrow that will compliment this but some soft furnishings we took measuremets for and they will probably be bought now after Christmas. 

DH is out on the first of his airport runs today. This is for a relative and we have relative's dog to stay over Christmas. Plans for today are tidy up ktchen shortly, look at the items that are left to wrap (only a few). Potentially later me and DD are going to do a Xmas statue trail followed by lunch out and then she is going to my Mums to make sausage rolls and I'm going to use the time to prepare veg for tomorrow.

DD fetched me back some tins that you put gift cards in, never seen them here only the cardboard type. I'm going to save them till next year as I've already bought gifts and didn't really go down the gift card route for anyone this Xmas though I considered it. Realised yesterday why we're feelng the pinch in DH's bank account this year as he doesn't get paid till NYE. I'd put it down to being out of work earlier this year so less surplus cash combined with DD studying abroad and associated costs, some expected and planned for, others not! Then we remembered that for the past couple of years we'd used some of DH's loyalty points on buying a gift card for a supermarket and that had either been a gift for someone or bought our Christmas groceries. This year we forgot, another sign that we haven't been able to think straight in the last couple of months.

I have written out exactly 1 Christmas card - to  my parents. I have a friend calling later to give me one, I need to find nnyself  one for give her. I think next year this has to be my concentration, it's not the shopping nowadays other than trying to think what to get the more difficult family members it's more the organisation of the wrapping of presents etc. Part of this has to be getting Mr S his own wrapping paper and items instead of him using what I have left, I was out looking for sellotape yesterday as he had used the  last of the roll!  I still do everyoen different wrapping papers and don't write labels on DHs, DS or DD. I have this year ran my wrapping paper down a lot and just bought a couple of rolls. Next year I'm going to buy more reusable fabric drawstring bags and use them. I'll still use paper for the gifts that are unwrapped outside of my house (our parents) so I retain them and do a mix of paper and cardboard boxes for everyone who unwraps here, just so I can judge my preference.

Not sure I'll get on here tomorrow, so if not everyone have a lovely Christmas.   

mandco

It’s a Xmas miracle I’ve actually finished the wrapping already ok it’s still Xmas eve but it’s only early and I did only pick up the last item this morning 

Braved sains this morning so I could pick up my Argos order as it was a present - absolutely fantastic shop was virtually empty straight on the till no wait it’s never that quiet . there were a few Xmas bits that people might have wanted mostly desserts oos but that had most things and loads of meat left 
Only really needed some salad stuff, fruit & bread but could have easily done the full Xmas shop if I hadn’t already.

@MrsRyan some great gifts your friends and family are very lucky 
a leaky radiator is not ideal this close the Xmas but at least it happened now and you got it sorted. A trip to Costco today rather you than me 

@Spendless sdd is married though she’d just as well be a single parent for all the help her oh is he’s about as useful as a chocolate fire guard as dad would have said. Tbh and I know it sounds a bit mean I don’t think either of them is particularly cut out for parenthood they have little interest in actually doing anything with them and the girls spend most of their time sat glued to iPads as it’s easy and doesn’t require much supervision or interaction on their behalf which is why they love coming here as we actually play with them. 

Were you in the bed when it collapsed? Lousy timing but at least it was salvageable for now and I guess if somethings gonna break before Xmas at least it’s something that you can live with and won’t really cause any major inconvenience. I’ve had the washing machine & cooker both pack up right before Xmas before - this year it was my American style fridge freezer a few weeks ago - I knew it was on its way out but had been hoping to make to next year nope - couldn’t get a replacement before Xmas so having to make do with my small under counter size overflow fridge & freezer which means a lot less space than usual.
What a sneaky pup - he obviously couldn’t wait till the big day 
i think most people assume they’re paid early at Xmas as a lot of companies do but while its a bit frustrating dh doesn’t get paid till nye at least you now know the budgets not quite as tight as you thought

I brought a brown paper wrap last year in the sale I love the design and it’s eco friendly but omg it’s the worst paper ever to wrap with - never again
i ran out of small gift bags this year - dd used some last year that didn’t get returned and I hadn’t replaced them so those will definitely be on my list for next year as they are so much easier especially for awkward shaped gifts and reusable if used at home though I do prefer a wrapped gift if possible.

manage to put them of coming till lunch time it’s only a couple of hours less but better than nothing so better go and get all the last bits & pieces sorted before they get here 

if I don’t get back on later 
MERRY CHRISTMAS 
hope the day goes well with lots of love laughter & memories made 

Coxy11

Happy Christmas Eve everyone!

Sorry to hear about the bed frame @Spendless - lucky your dog wasn’t under it at the time!

The Vans arrived yesterday and are perfect, so I wrapped those this morning. I’ve just sorted stocking gifts as have three red velour stockings which I’ve used for years but with the addition of DDIL I either need to replace or they share. This year they are sharing so I’ve labelled the gifts accordingly. 

We had ILs for late lunch of nigellas aromatic gammon, potato salad, coleslaw and salad followed by cheese and biscuits. Very nice and not feeling overly full. We had some terrible news yesterday - BIL has stage 4 lung cancer - multiple tumours in both lungs - and starts immunotherapy in two weeks. Just shocking and sobering. 

DS1 has just finished his pizza delivery shift and they are en route. DS2 was supposed to finish at 7 but has been asked to stay until 8:30. We will have party snacks this evening and DH has bought a karaoke machine which he is just setting up 😳

Have a lovely Christmas everyone
Coxy

PennysIntoPounds

Happy Christmas all, hope you all have a grand one 🥂 

fionaandphil

Happy Christmas all, hope you have a lovely day 

Spendless

MERRY XMAS EVERYONE

No reason for me to be up at this time. My kids are adults and turkey crown doesn't need putting in till much later, just naturally awake. I've just sneeked DD's stocking into her room and hung it up high on a hook on the back of the door. Needs to be kept out of the way as the present obsessed dog is in her room, though last night he had created a bed with blanket (that came from DD's xmas eve box) and a cushion for his head quite close to the chimney and fallen asleep, I swear this was not conincidental and he's just Xmas mad -lol.

DD didn't get up in time to do the statue trail but it's running until Jan so can do another date. Instead we went for lunch and then a tour round the shops she'd missed like Primark and Boots. I bought her some PJs as hadn't got her any for the Xmas eve box. Later when she opened it she said that she could tell she was older cos her Xmas eve hamper had now come full circle and the blanket, shortbread, chcololate  and hello kitty bubble bath she received, she'd have been just as excited to get them  when she was 7, the only thing changed was where it was once a hot chocolate it was now an energy drink -lol.

No we weren't in the bed when it collapsed. Funnily enough my friend asked same question but in a more risque way -lol, sorry to disapppoint. DD had just gone in there and put her laptop on the bed, when either it happened or she saw it had, I think her intention had been to do her Xmas wrapping in there and untidy our room - it didn't work out. We fixed it only for it to give way again yesterday morning. This time DH has given it a more solid fix, we will look in the sales to replace.

Yesterday afternoon after me and DD had been out she went to my parents to make sausage rolls with my Mum, Later I went to pick her up and took my parents Xmas presents with me. A few weeks ago when Nan was still in hospital and they were making frequent visits and didn't know what outcome there'd be, they 'cancelled Christmas' saying they ahd no time, so there's no tree or decs up but there is  quite a few cards. They expressed surprise at my gifts and I put them in their living room in the place where there'd go if the tree was up (DD then rearranged them and had them looking 100% better than I had! Puzzled at their reaction I asked if they had even bought each other a little  something to unwrap on Christmas morning. Dad told me no, they had gifted each other money. I'm a bit baffled how that works if they've had same amount cos they'll have cancelled each others out - but hey ho leave them to it. I'm glad I intervened and insisted they came here for Xmas dinner rather than let them run with their original idea of 'ordering a take away probably a Chinese' as to my knowledge none of them are open today. They'd have possibly managed to get an Indian takeout but they don't really understand the menu so wouldn't have a clue what they were ordering. The gifts I'd taken were the only ones they had. When my Nan was alive she would give them money but also want them to have  'something to unwrap' that someone somewhere would get on her behalf and give to her to wrap. Throughout the family it was usually toiletries frequently from M&S. Even DH has said to me in the last week, I'm no longer going to receive my toiletry top up with your Nan gone. I thought of her last night as I watched the Together at Christmas concert and how in the first couple of years of it being televised Nan told me about it one Christmas day when I'd not watched it and all about how 'Alfie Boe had sang Silent night as a duet with Prince William's wife' I thought this highy unusual for Royalty, playing piano or do a reading  - yes, singing  a duet/solo - no. Intrigued, I looked it up to find Nan had confused Catherine with Mel C (Sporty spice) - hahahahaha.  

Plans for today when family get up. DH is picking my parents up around 10.30 - 11 and also DS to come round here. DS presents are here from us. DD says she's letting present obsessed dog open his before family arrive cos he gets too giddy. A friend passed me on some nearly new toys from her dog  yesterday as hers is elderly and doesn't play with them. DD wrapped them all individually  for him cos the dog 'likes presents' . Parents have more gifts here from grandchildren. 1 DD was worried about cos my Dad is very difficult to buy for, and DS was similarly struggling, I saw a 'better than half price' holdall with champneys toiletries in for my Dad so picked up that for them and told them to do it as a joint present between them as it's out of both their price ranges otherwise. 

Have a lovely day everyone.

Mrs_Ryan

Merry Christmas everyone! 

I hope everyone had a lovely day. I’m desperately fighting sleep because I know if I go to bed now I’ll be wide awake in the early hours so I’m trying to stay up a little longer. 

Costco- oh dear. I went in for a tin of coffee for mum and ended up spending £99! However mum’s coffee was on offer so I got her two tins, and also a large tub of Lurpak which she loves but can never afford- but she paid me back for the coffee and butter so technically it was only £70 I spent. I also bought her the most gorgeous huge Christmas bouquet- they were reduced from £24 to £12. I got her a big jar of her favourite cashews and a big box of Lindt Lindors as well as extra gifts but I gave her the cashews when I arrived, simply because they were perched very precariously in a bag and remembering the year when OH managed to smash a jar of coffee taking it out of the car I figured it was safer to just hand them straight to her. I managed to get OH a case of TimTams as well- I think they were his favourite present to be honest! 

Presents went down really well. My mum’s favourites seemed to be the heated foot warmer, the warm M&S cardie and surprisingly the brooch I won for her which she couldn’t stop admiring. She put the cardie on tonight and she said it was perfect- a lovely fit and nice and warm, just what she needed. There was some drama when my brother’s GF bought her pyjamas that were 3 sizes too big- fortunately the ones I got her were the correct size. Mum bought me size 12-14 pjs which I thought would never fit as I usually tend to wear the 16-18 but I’ve got them on now and they’re a really nice fit! In fact they’re a better fit than my 16-18 ones which is insane. 

My nicest present was a gorgeous necklace from mum which was set with a diamond. She also bought me some gorgeous Tom Ford perfume and some very gratefully received makeup- I’ve been trying to eke out the last of a dried up bottle of foundation for about the last couple of months and it felt like bliss to be able to put it on easily. 

Mum bought OH a stupidly expensive Dyson car vac which he was over the moon with but aside from the TimTams the only thing I bought that he seemed interested in was the Leicester Tigers hoodie I got him. He didn’t seem overly impressed with any of the rest of it. Well- I did my best. 

So that’s it over for another year then. Thank heavens. This year has seemed very stressful. My rugby lads are playing today- gutted I can’t be at the game but going to watch it online. 

Night all and merry Christmas x

Coxy11

Hi all,

Hope everyone had a good day yesterday. We had DS1 and DDIL overnight, they stayed for breakfast, opened their presents and were on their way to DDIL's sisters by 12noon. We cooked the turkey and let it rest and popped to the local pub (3 minutes walk away) for an hour. We've lived here just over a year and folk are still a bit cliquey towards us, but we persevere! DH ended up having 3 pints and 'helped' me with serving the dinner by cutting literal slabs of turkey and piling up the plates. I left a lot of mine as did DD. DH then promptly fell asleep at the table leaving DD, DS2 and I to wash up and tidy. I wasn't overly impressed....

We had some pudding later - had bought a profiterole stack, so light if indulgent! Also had some cheese later on. DH had a port in a long stemmed glass which he placed on a little table and DS1's dog knocked it over - looked like a murder scene. Luckily the lounge carpet will be replaced in 2026

We have a No Bones Day today. Neither DH or I are dressed yet. DD is still asleep. DS2 is at work 10am-3pm poor thing. No plans other than to get DS1's dog back to him - not sure if he is collecting or we are dropping off.

All food plans are leftovers for the foreseeable - plenty of turkey and ham leftover, plus cheese. Yummy.

Glad you had a good day @MrsRyan - a bit upset for you that DH didn't seem overly impressed with his gifts. I hope you also received some nice and considerate items from him. I'm cross on your behalf!

DH and I stopped buying for each other a few years ago. He was made redundant and was out of work for a considerable time. We took out a cinema limitless subscription instead and had that for about 5 years until we moved here. Haven't found a replacement for that yet but not overly bothered. I buy myself things that I want throughout the year plus still receive from MIL/FIL and our children.

Spendless

I'm also a bit surprised that your OH wasn't keen on his gifts Mrs Ryan. You buy the most lovely things, always find a bargain or discount code to help with finances if things are a bit stretched. I often read your lists thinking I'd love that or what a good idea, I'll pinch that one. Was he expecting/hoping for something specific? I initially asked my DH for a gold chain and pendant. This is because the 2 independant shops in a neighbouring town that have served me well for costume jewellery for the past few weddings have now vastly reduced their stock. I thoughtI'll build up a collection of gold and silver jewellery instead (I used to have these things years ago but eventually when things broke weighed them in). I spotted what I liked, checked the length size was correct by going into a jewellers and tring a chain on and sent him the link. What could be easier. First I knew he hadn't ordered it was about a month later when he saw the correct jewellers but at an outlet park and suggested we look inside, mentioned the necklace as we walked in with the words 'it's a silver one isn't it' No, it's a gold one like I told you and you clearly haven't looked at the link or indeed ordered it. So I look when I get home at the message I sent him and the necklace is gone, not discontinued, not select your email for notification when back in stock, just no longer exists to buy. I fetch this up with DH who said 'you hadn't expected me to buy it already had you?' It was November not July! So I said yes, yes I had, especially since it was on a half price offer which I also pointed out at the time! He then looked for something similar, couldn't find anything ,so on rediscovering a small locket in my jewellery box I suggest he just buys me a plain gold chain (the original one  I wanted had had a pendant on it). I get yes, can I send him a link across to the  one  I want, I mean how hard is it to walk in a jewellery shop asking for a plain 9ct gold chain suitable for a locket/pendant, which you could even take with you at least 18inches in length. The jewellers must be full of assistants helping clueless men at this time of year! So, I told him to forget getting me jewellery if I had to do just about every step of purchasing it, then it wasn't a gift and to buy me something else instead. I received some nice presents (DD then heard DH's version of the above story and guessed there was more to it so gave him a helping hand) of a lovely bag and make up/skin care but it was the chain that I initially wanted.   

Somehow I forgot to fetch 2 of DH's presents down from the wardrobe and only noticed them XD evening, one was the bottles of Choc stout from Aldi, someone recomended on here. The other was the long sleeved t shirts. To my surprise he was wearing one when he picked me up from work yesterday. I said so you don't find long sleeved stuff uncomfortable then? (my whole point about him having his working space heated to sub tropic temperatures whilst he wears something more suited to the beach) and he said 'I didn't own anything'  Honestly!

At work I am allowed my staff discount off sales stuff, which is generous. I worked yesterday and a huge amount of the shop is devoted to 50% off rails. I bought 2 jumpers (cos you know I lack them and have identified this need!) they cost £10.50 total. I put one on when I finished work and it was lovely and toasty. After that I headed to Boots and picked up some bits DD had requested, plus bought a couple of items to put away for next year for both her and the menfolk. The mens one was a large set reduced from £40 to £20, unsure yet whether it will be given as a present intact - it looks really nice, or split up into several individual bits. DS likes toiletries that mean he has a stock and doesn't have to pay out for them, DH likes minis as he works away a lot, Dad likes aftershave related stuff. I bought both Dad and DH a car dashboard cleaning brush, you select the car make that is on the handle. I kept DH's blank as he'll change his car next year. I kept Dad's car make on it so he understood what it was. He didn't (facepalm!). I said didn't you realise when it said 'Ford' on the handle, parents reply - oh we didn't take it out of it's case???!!

We enjoyed dinner. DH cooked, me and Mum did all the prepping of veg, made stuffing and starters. DS fetched down the christmas crockery, Mum and DD laid the  table. Dad hovered watching and getting in the way!. Colin the caterpillar ice cream chocolate dessert. It is lovely don't get me wrong. It requires 45 mins thawing time. I think this is due to the very thick Belgian chocolate that covers it, Dad struggled with eating through the thickness of it even after allowing for thawing. I'd say the serves 8 is accurate. If I was to describe it, I'd say it's similar to a posh chocolate version of artic roll. Really lovely but would I pay £16 for it - nope! Mum paid as her contribution that she insisted on,  she also fetched HM cranberry sauce and Christmas crackers. I had already bought crackers cos when I initially suggested her buying them when she insisted on contributing, she loked at me so blankly as though I'd just suggested fetching space dust, which is why I thought directing her to M&S freezer a better idea. We now have crackers ready for next year and don't have to think about them. 

DD's 2 fav stocking items were freebies. I decided at the last minute that she would appreciate the White company make up bag that DH received when he got his recent upgrade to BC and put that in. The other my friend gave me, she bought some stuff from Sephora and they were launching a range called Rhode by Hailey Bieber (Justin's wife) and as a promotional give away received a reusable bottle of water - selling on ebay for a fortune! 

My surprise was that we all received money from my late Nan. Really wasn't expecting that, but Dad had taken out money on Nan's behalf in advance of into hospital (he had POA) , so after she died decided to still gift us  the cash in the money wallets they'd also bought. They had Nan's name on but they hadn't had the opportuntiy to get her to sign them and usually the money would come as part gift, part money to me and DH, all gift to the kids. Nan's presents were usually along the lines of chocs/alcohol/toiletries just from shops she could easily get to but parents said they weren't second guessing what she'd have wanted to buy so we all received money. Going to have a think what to do with mine and discuss with Mr S. 

Redredrobin

Merry Christmas and all the best for 2026

Despite my best intentions life got in the way this year , I’m hoping to be more involved over the next 12 months.