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

Spendless

I went thru the present cupboard. More things for Mum than I'd realised. Some may need to be held back for other occassions and enough toiletry sets for the menfolk to split between the 3 of them. Looked thru DD's items with an idea of what to move to main item rather than stocking gift. Don't think we'll know till after Halloween what's happening with a view to finalising plans after Thanksgiving. 

Then  sufferring from cabin fever due to half a house out of action, rain, Mr S working away for the 3rd consecutive night I decided to go for a little look round some shops, mindful not to do anything that imposes on tomorrow when I've planned a breakfast meet up, walk (weather permitting!) and some shopping. I decided to go and look round a newly relocated M&S. Parked at a nearby shopping centre (one without a parking eye!) walked down thinking it's not as busy as I anticipated, there's plenty of car park spaces then realised I'd got the wrong day! Reopening is later this week! Talk about mind fog! After a little empty handed walk round returned to my car but decided to pop in Farmfoods first. To my surprise I found several items suitable for stockings at low prices. Bar of Terrys choc orange under £1. Tub of chewing gum around 79p (frequently asked for this as a 'freshen up' item for nights out). Kitkat duo caramel 79p for anyone making a caramel lovers hamper and a pack of hand warmers for £1. My eldest lives close to water and also walks to work so always on look out for things to keep him warm in winter. I then went to Aldi to look at the Christmas range. Some nice bits and the dessert chocs look lovely but I think I'll stick to 'known' brands. I'm not buying anything yet as Nan isn't well currently, it's 'just' a cold but I'm mindful that at 100 there may be no 'just' about it. She has spent the past 2 Decembers hospitalised just after Christmas day, so I think I'll come up with a plan in my head what to get that I can implement last minute. I saw our local bakers did a box of cakes including 2 butterfly buns (something Nan frequently requests) with a few days life on them, so nearer the time I'll go in and  have a chat  and see if that's something I can order.

I forgot to say but last year I bought DH an infinity travel pillow (it allegedly  was tried to be belivered  on Xmas eve though no one saw or heard anything - not even the dog! - so feel your pain re deliveries mandco!) and came late. Anyway most recent trip Mr S remembered to take it. It's comfy and lovely to touch but I would say needs wrapping round something to get the 'full pillow' effect. In this case we used the aircraft pillows. This is it if anyone is interested.

https://infinitypillow.co/?srsltid=AfmBOopBGV5_Jc8WuqiAMCpQMGIrQ61mg1CwHL5Cu5F5GHUCsxQnCez6

 

mandco

@spendless always a nice surprise when you realise you have more presents in than you thought. Hopefully you’ll have a decent idea of what happening with dd sooner rather than later so you can plan accordingly rather than it being more a last minute rush.
Get well wishes for your nan I’m sure you’re concerned for her like you say at her age even minor illness can become more of an issue 

I found £1 Xmas scratch cards in my local newsagent not seen them in any of the supermarkets yet - so that’s another thing off my list.
debating if it’s worth getting chocolate advent calendars this year as my lot prefer the fancier ones like kinder bueno /lindt and they are are really quite expensive for what you get this year. Tesco do have offers on but they are still £8-£10 each

brought a bottle of jean Paul gaultier for oh in boots as it’s currently 1/2 price and they gave me 2 free mini samples of men’s fragrances so those can go in ds stocking. Didn’t quite have enough points but they were doing get £10 worth points on a £60 fragrance spend so picked up a cheapy fragrance and combined with a £6 on £60 personal offer & a £5 recycling voucher I got £21 worth of points back. 

princesskitty29

I haven’t managed much Christmas stuff in the last week or two as I’ve been caught up in clearing stuff out of the house (very slow progress) and some PTA events at school. I did buy a couple of bits last week, in the charity shop I found a really good sized triceratops dinosaur for DS2 for 50p, I was really pleased with that as their prices have got steadily higher in the last year or two. I also got a Hulk book for him for £1. He’s really into How to Train Your Dragon so I found a nice book and puzzle on Vinted which he’ll like. A while ago he mentioned he’d like a D-Rex toy, when Amazon had their Prime deals it was on offer so I got it just in case with the idea that if he didn’t want one in the end I could return it, but it turns out that’s what he’s asking Father Christmas for and he won’t change his mind now so that’s all sorted.

My Christmas wrapping has stalled a bit with everything going on but I am still way ahead than I usually am. I’m packing this morning to go to Butlins tomorrow then I’m helping to run a Pumpkin Trail at the school this evening to raise PTA funds, pupils bring in carved pumpkins and we put LED candles in them and set them out in various places. There’s also food, a bar, activities for the children and a tuck shop. Last time the weather was mild and we had it out in the school grounds which was nice as the children could run about on the field but alas the weather isn’t that kind this year. It’s being moved inside now and we’re going to spread out in the school a bit and dim the lights in the hall and play Halloween music so it’s a bit disco-like which the children should enjoy. Wish us luck!

@Coxy11 I’m glad to hear you managed to have the no more presents conversation, these things are always daunting but you’ll be glad you did it in the end. I love the snowflake! That anti-spiking cover looks like a really good idea, how sad we even have to think of it though. We do Halloween here, it’s a very big thing on our estate. Our estate is only 9 years old and it’s just grown over time, loads of houses participate and go big with decorations and there’s quite a nice atmosphere on the night itself with everyone out trick or treating. The only downside is it’s got a very good reputation so lots more people are coming from other parts of town which means the treats run out fairly quickly unless you’re willing to spend a fortune on them!

@mandco how is your cat doing? We love Butlins for the same reason as you, and being able to retreat back to the room is a godsend. I feel like we may have a bit of trouble leading up to the break as DS1 will be anxious/excited but he is also doing a couple of full days at school this week which will inevitably take it’s toll. Thank you so much for your kind words, they are so lovely to hear! I’m sure you know that as well! You too are an amazing mum, we need to remember it more often.

Spendless I really like those cufflinks you bought your DH. Unfortunately the only time I’ve seen DH wear cufflinks was on our wedding day!

Coxy11

So bad about the Evri parcels @mandco is there any further news? Well done on getting all those boots points and a fragrance for DH. 

You sound as busy as ever @princesskitty29. Hope the PTA event goes well and enjoy Butlins x

DH and I went to an outlet mall yesterday. He needed shoes for a boys trip next week. He also got a Tripp cabin case. I was looking for a dress for tomorrow night - have bought one from Next but not 100% happy with it. Anyway nothing suitable. We went to a large mall today and I got shoes so I’m done. JL had lots of alcohol gifts - some good ideas for our three adult children and DIL. 

I saw a Jellycat turtle - it was Timmie Turtle and had a loop to hang it on the tree. No price, but a similarly sized penguin had a sticker for £8. I thought the turtle would be cute for DD’s stocking, took it to the till - £20!!!!! Told the assistant I’m not paying that price!!!! DH was laughing his head off at my indignation. It’s a toy FGS!!! 

Beshki

princesskitty29 said:

@Beshki are you still looking for stockings? I was sorting through my boxes the other day and came across two stockings I bought in Poundland a few years ago, I used them one year for my in laws and they always give things like that back to me to use again. I have kept them in case I needed them again but I’m trying to be strict with myself and I came to the conclusion I probably wasn’t going to use them again so I was going to pop them into the charity shop bag. If you haven’t already got some I can post a picture on here and if you think they’re suitable I’m happy to post them to you? For free of course, postage won’t cost much at all. They are still in great condition.

@princesskitty29 that’s so kind, bless you. My OH managed to get me a couple from Poundland but thanks ever so for the lovely offer x

Coxy11

Emm and Ess order arrived. I ordered PJs for both DD and DIL plus a Benefit set each. DD's one was great but DIL's was not worth the (discounted) price so I've sent that back along with the jeans I'd ordered for me. Only thing I kept for me was a Benefit blusher for £12 but as I used my birthday giftcard towards the order I need to pay myself back from the Christmas pot.

Looks like Mum has decided not to go with DSis to nieces from CE to BD. She is making a right old fuss. I'm keeping out of it as currently not too happy with her for another reason and tbh would rather not have her here as it means I can't have a drink until the evening. Families!

DH has had a prang in the company van and is still in London. Says he'll be home for 4pm but I reckon it'll be closer to 5pm once he's been back to the yard to drop the van back. We need to leave at 5.15pm to pick up DSis and BIL for the award ceremony as it starts at 6pm. I've been wearing the shoes around the house to get used to the heel and have scuffed the soles on the doorstep! 

mandco

@princesskitty you’re welcome thanks in return I really appreciate the thought
it sounds like things have been hectic hope the pumpkin trail was a success - I honestly do not miss the stress of organising/participating in stuff for the pta now I homeschool taz.  Fingers crossed your Butlin’s break goes as smoothly as possible once you get there.
its great when you take a risk on getting a big gift early and it pays off. 

The cats doing ok she was back at the vets this morning for another check up as on Monday they said her incision hasnt healed fully yet so they put her another course if antibiotics - it’s looking better but still not quite there got to go back again in another week. I think she’ll be glad when she can get her bodysuit off full time as she hates it and seems really depressed & lethargic when it’s on.

@coxy11 sounds like a fairly productive shopping trip even if couldn’t find an alternative dress - clothes shopping is so difficult. Jellycats are ridiculously expensive but at £20 I wouldn’t have brought it either. I’ll have to check out the sets Jl don’t get there very often.
shame about the emm &ess order its one of my biggest hates about online shopping you never know til it arrives what is actually like.
has your mum decided for definite she won’t go now or it’s it a she might change her mind again when things settle down type deal? I can totally understand not wanting to host her now especially if it means changing your plans to accommodate her. It’s one of the reason we swapped to us only xmases I got sick of trying to keep the peace with everyone else while putting my wants/needs 2nd - yes Xmas is often about family but I realised spending it with those you really want to spend it with it’s far more important than hosting just because you feel obligation to do so.

sounds like today is one of those days  fingers crossed thing get better dh gets home in time and the ceremony goes well - goodluck 

one of my parcels finally turned up 5 days after they said it was delivered but still have 2 missing & 2 more stuck in the endless cycle of out for delivery- delayed- back in transit repeat daily - at this point I’m boycotting any company that uses them for delivery which is proving tricky as they seem to be the go to choice. Did find a yodel drop off point that’s about a further 15 mins walk away than my local evri one so going to swap my vinted postage options to them instead.

i ordered dd a beauty advent calendar which is going to be her main present - we talked about it and she’s happy with that as she really wanted it but can’t afford it herself at the moment as her bf is off work sick so moneys tight. This one https://thebeautycrop.com/products/advent-calendar?variant=55703788323191&country=GB&currency=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=&utm_source=&matchtype=&device=c&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21886648045&gbraid=0AAAAADJyOl2NjgEMd34UGqfmEjwp2js60&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIl8TRoYK9kAMVdZhQBh0cswUJEAQYCyABEgIxnPD_BwE. They also have a bunch of stuff on offer including some 3 packs of lip oils/balms/treatments down to @ £5 which would make great gifts each so added a couple of those too.
https://thebeautycrop.com/products/peptide-lip-treatment-set-3-pudding?_pos=11&_sid=5238caf36&_ss=r
https://thebeautycrop.com/products/glow-milk-pout-party-sweet-edition?_pos=10&_sid=5238caf36&_ss=r
 https://thebeautycrop.com/products/peptide-lip-balm-set-3?_pos=13&_sid=5238caf36&_ss=r

Got a reminder this morning that my fire walk is just 2 weeks away - 

Spendless

We went to us only Christmases too after one year BK (before kids) when my MIL invited us for Christmas dinner and my Mum for Christmas tea - which we though was fine as my Mum made a fuss of a buffet type meal after the main event whereas MIL didn't so we accepted both. With a week to go MIL announced Xmas dinner was at 3pm, my Mum announched tea was at 4 (they lived only streets away so that wasn't a problem). When we mentioned the clash MIL sulked that 'we'd be leaving straight after eating her meal' My Mum sulked 'that we'd be too full to enjoy her food'.  I note neither offerred to amend their times (and yes we should have asked timings when we accepted) . So, we managed - think Vicar of Dibley scene and from then on refused to go anywhere but stay at home, which was fine when my (late) Nan  used to join us, but once she went into a care home then DD especially, found it a bit boring and no different to a Sunday dinner at home. This year though I have extended a 'come at the last minute if you need to' invite to my parents just in case its an off day for Nan and they are left having to manage the day round that - I don't think they intend taking us up on it, 1 parent would the other not so keen. However it's now looking almost 100% certain DD will be home for Christmas - unless anything changes drastically over the next few weeks.

I agree that jellycats are a ridiculous price that is probably fuelled by them having an adult following! 


Glad the cat is slowly making a recovery mandco. I don't blamed you for home edding Taz. I would not want to relive the last 12 months of DD's schooldays even  if I was paid £1million to do so! Many schools do not deal well or are ill-equipped to support ND kids. 

princesskitty - I cant remember what started DH with cufflinks - quite possibly when we married, but he wears a suit and shirt and tie for work (office days) even though especially since the pandemic everyone has very much dressed down, so I *think* I might have bought him a shirt and cufflinks one Christmas. He wears them to corporate events or important meetings, sometimes work related but he is also in a voluntary role  for a not for profit organisation in the  US (which is the trips I accompany him on) and there's a lot of formal dining there so he wears them then. No idea what he'll do with them once he's retired (a few years to go). I've already threatened to throw away his ties (leaves all over the place), suit jackets (ditto) and mobile phone (same no for work and personal calls) by throwing them all in the nearby canal on the first day he stops working and even I'm not sure if I'm joking!