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

Spendless

Dont feel bad about claiming coxy. As you point out youve contributed. Ive got 3 missing years of not enough NI contributions mostly caused by the pandemic and now I realise I could have claimed job seekers  in 2 of them and received the credits as well as payments and didnt. I dont think itll make any difference long term for my entitlement to state pension, I believe I already have enough years but Im also.mindful that any future Government could change that!

Friend with a costco card picked me up one of those outdoor blankets that have sleeves. Intend putting it with the marshmallow set picked up from.B &M a few weeks back and adding some more bits as a 'bonfire hamper' thinking of the items to make smores and the mystical fire sachets we've discussed before.

Unfortunately not going to be able to visit a Walmart before Christmas so cant get Mum her (and mine) fav PJs (soft, with pockets and really reasonable prices) so unless I see a satisfactory alternative think its going to be fluffy socks instead to go with the book cushion, books and nice tin of caramel cookies. 

Dad - Im still dithering about, but I remember last year he mentioning how hed love a decent traditional flatcap. Unfortunately we're unlikely to be able to fit a short European xmas market in where I know Id easily find one. Not sure if I can find similar here.

PennysIntoPounds

I just had a look and there are loads online @Spendless for varying prices 

PennysIntoPounds

I need to start having a serious think about Mr PIP's gifts, why are men so hard to buy for?! I've looked at some nice gift places and it still all seems to be tat, sport themed, or gardening.
Think one of his gifts if I can afford it will be a ground coffee subscription as the price has gone up so much. Bit of a cheek as I'll also drink it but at least he won't have to shell out for it from the shops for a while! If anyone knows of bargainous decent coffee subscriptions please let me know 

fionaandphil

Or if you have a local market they might have them there @Spendless ours has loads of things like that.  My dad used to forget his all the time and just go and buy a new one!  They are also quite trendy now due to peaky blinders

mandco

Argos is now up https://www.argos.co.uk/events/christmas-gifts?tag=ar:homepage:newhp:section2:christmas-gifts:block3

mandco

@Coxy11 glad the trip went well  eating out has become really quite expensive in the states compare to what it used to be not to mention the tipping.

I’ve seen quite a lot of wicked themed bits lately it’s very popular - Asda George have a couple of fleece blankets & boots have some beauty /toiletry bits in the 3 for 2 which are fairly reasonably priced which could make good Xmas eve box/stocking fillers

You definitely shouldn’t feel bad about claiming jsa if your eligible you’ve paid into the system for years when there are loads of people getting uc or other benefits that never paid a penny onto the system. 

The girls are pretty good at sharing though like most kids their age do require a bit of prompting at times   so definitely leaning towards paying the extra for a more substantial one as a joint present as they’ll both end up using it anyway and it’ll save arguments over who’s it is & 2 would take up too much space.

the dove hand cream cracker is great value at the current offer it’s £8 in Superdrug. I did find it a bit annoying the 1/2 price offers are online only this time as it means you have to do click & collect if you don’t want much or buy more to get free delivery and quite a few bits are oos.

@spendiess love the idea of a bonfire hamper - Aldi had some huge marshmallows in recently I got them to make s’mores with also used hovis digestives as they are kinda rectangular for a more traditional s’mores shape.
have you tried Primark for pjs?not quite the same as the us ones and It can be hit & miss but when they have them they do some super soft pjs/lounge wear items - they are currently changing over to winter stock so might not have the best choice right now but worth checking between now & Xmas.

@PenniesIntoPounds. Men’s/teen boys are often one of the hardest groups to buy for. The coffee subscription sounds like a lovely idea more of a treat than regular coffee but practical at the same time, plus a subscription is a gift that keeps giving all year.

My vint@d feed is currently packed with Xmas themed items the last couple of days there have been tons of Xmas themed items listed seems like a lot of people have realised there’s a market for buying early.

Spendless

Thanks for ideas re flat cap for Dad, Ill take a look.

I forgot to say Newberries fruit jellies - well they're a blast from the past that Id forgotten. I googled them and manufacturer has changed to Germany. Theyve slightly changed their name, think it was something like Newberry fruit jewels but they no longer have their liquid centre. Suppose it depends on how much of a traditionalist your MIL is @Coxy11 as to whether she'd appreciate the new ones. 

Coxy11

Morning all,

Yes @Spendless the Newberry Fruits are now very hard to find - our posh farm shop complex possibly had them but there are road closures and given we’d already been to two supermarkets I didn’t have the energy to sit in traffic lol!! DH dropped the plant and chocs off at IL’s so I’m hoping she likes them. 

Re a flat cap - DH got a tweed one from a shop in York a few years ago - they are different sizes and despite being 6’2” he has a small head!!! Not sure if you know your Dad’s head size but it you’re going to get one, hopefully it will be exchangeable if it doesn’t fit. This was the shop: https://www.clarksonsofyork.com/

I collected my Boots order yesterday. When I went back to order the £10 Olay cream it had sold out so I got a No.7 equivalent, the Dove cracker and a Wild deodorant refill to meet the minimum spend of £15 for click and collect. Total spend of £18.55 so cheaper than one of the other brand moisturisers, and all things I needed. 

Will look at the present buying gift list today and start jotting down some ideas. We (that’s the royal we) left everything to December last year due to the house move in November, so I’m determined to get ahead this time around. I know I don’t need any cards or wrapping paper so that’s a start! 

Coffee subscription sounds great @PennysIntoPounds Xx 

Thanks for the heads up re: Argos @mandco - this may be helpful for youngest two nephews 9 and 6 so I’ll take a look later x

lazysheep

@mandco I was doing my weekly shop in a big Tesco last night and saw the Lindt shortbread truffles in the seasonal aisle - £7.50 normal or £6 CC price.

mandco

lazysheep said:

@mandco I was doing my weekly shop in a big Tesco last night and saw the Lindt shortbread truffles in the seasonal aisle - £7.50 normal or £6 CC price.

Cheers for the heads up I’ll pop to Tesco this weekend 

@Coxy11 Argos are also doing 3 for £20 on selected toys till Tuesday? There are few bits that might be ideal for that age group depending on their interests https://www.argos.co.uk/list/3-for-20-on-selected-toys-and-nursery/opt/sort:price:desc/
I’ve been using the no7 protect & perfect range - dd got me a set of minis for Xmas and can’t fault it and my skin definitely looks better too - items the different ranges tend to go on the £10 Tuesday quite often on rotation & there are frequently offers on the rest like % off or 3 for 2 so I’ve never paid full price.

ordered dd some Steve Madden earring from tkmaxx so thats a start towards Xmas