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

mandco

@spendiess wow you’ve had a rough couple of weeks life really does kick you when your already down sometimes and I’m Sure the situation with dd is incredibly worrying with her being so far away. 
Glad you had a lovely time at the wedding sounds like you really needed something to lift the mood for a few hours. The overnight stay and Xmas market trip sounds great something fun to look forward too and a little break away will probably do you both good but I totally get choosing a hotel closer to home under the circumstances.
how’s your dad doing? 

i know some think it’s still too early for Xmas but this years Xmas ads are rapidly appearing - did actually quite like the driving home for Xmas m&s food one with dawn French I saw yesterday I think the start is very relatable for a lot of people.

i know what you mean about ds trigger pc  the boys have an old pc which has a few upgrades so far and this is the one I’m continuing to upgrade for taz ds1 started a new build totally from scratch for his birthday a combo of money he’d saved and money I gave him towards it but it does still need a few more bits to get it fully upto the specs he wants. 

PennysIntoPounds

Of course I love Christmas or I wouldn't be on this thread, but I had to call virgin media today and their hold music was a version of Santa Claus is Coming to Town which really annoyed me, I'll decide when to engage with Christmas thank you, companies that have nothing to do with Christmas shouldn't be foisting it on others in the first week of November!

Spendless

Wonder when the piped music at work (songs thankfully) will change to Christmas ones, was thinking December maybe last week November.

Yesterday saw a woman on TV (,think it might have been Alice Beer on This morning?) talking about Christmas TV ads. Only caught a bit of what she said but it was 'retailers spend a lot of ads so then need to recoup the cost'

So I was correct. ToysRUs regurgitated the same ad for a few years cos they were skint. 

Realised yesterday am going to have to find room to put present cupboard stuff cos painter & decorator is coming at beg of next week - thank goodness! 

mandco

Xmas ads are proving very divisive this year 
The John Lewis one is pretty disappointing I get the sentiment but it’s lacking a proper Xmassy vibe - just adding some Xmas decor doesn’t make a Xmas ad - long way from their quality ads of the past
i actually like the Coca Cola one yes I get it’s Ai generated which seems to be the biggest complaint but as a Xmas ad it has all the components and that feel good Vibe out of all the ads Ive seen it’s the best so far. 
not a fan of the aldi Kevin the carrot ads in general but the mini clip I’ve seen with the puppy is one of their better ones 
boots one I found a bit meh like Asda & sains 


@PennysIntoPounds. I hate phone hold music at the best of times but I’ll agree no need for it to be Xmas music especially this early unless I’m phoning a Xmas based company.  Not actually heard any Xmas music in shops yet but have seen some people complaining it about online.

The cat is doing much better she was back at the vets yesterday her incision is fully healed and after having her bodysuit off for a few days she’s back to her usual diva self thinking she rules the house  . 

Coxy11

Hi all,

Hope you get some answers re: Nan’s care @Spendless and that your Dad is doing okay. Lovely to have a short break away booked in especially with the promise of a Christmas market. 

Glad your kitty is doing well @mandco x

I picked DH and chums up from the airport last night so a late night for me. DH is in work today and I’m on leaf sweeping duty (again). I also have a Vinted parcel to post. 

I ordered DS1’s aftershave yesterday from
Boots and got some hair dye too to enable home delivery. 

Re: Christmas ads, I’ve only seen the M&S and Argos ones so far as haven’t watched much TV over the past few days. I picked up the Aldi Christmas food brochure. Some nice buffet bits and a white chocolate pavlova/yule log type dessert that I’m tempted to get. 

Looks like we might have to have Mum for dinner as she told me she’s not going to nieces house. I know DSis will be cross but I’d feel bad if Mum was sat on her own - although she’s not family oriented and the least maternal person I know. It’s just not important to her. Families! 

Spendless

Sorry forgot to update re Dad. He has a GP appt tomorrow re his heart. Unsure how true it is but we're hearing stuff indicating Nan may be out soon and discharged home. I really hope this isnt true without her being assessed of her capabilities first cos Nan could give drama student DD a run for her money when it comes to convincing acting skills! 

princesskitty29

Well it’s been a  busy time here with half term and back to school but we’re getting back to routine. We had a good time at Butlins at the start of the half term however DS2 was up all night being sick the night after we got back so he must have picked up a bug. It was a tense wait to see if anyone else got it but luckily no one else did. We had a fun Halloween as my estate is buzzing on the night, with one of my neighbours doing a huge display and disco outside his house to raise money for Great Ormond Street hospital. Last night for Bonfire night we lit the chiminea and toasted marshmallows, had sparklers, then had hot chocolate outside whilst doing some firework spotting. Today for me is now the home straight to Christmas! I’ve got Heart Christmas on the radio, put a festive gingerbread scented had wash in the downstairs cloakroom and put out ‘The Snowman’ themed box of tissues – I have to put these out now as they last ages, last year I had a festive box of tissues out until they ran out in March! I actually still have MiL’s, my dad’s and brother’s birthdays before Christmas but they’re mainly sorted so I can really focus on Christmas now.

It's been exciting seeing the Christmas ads pop up on TV, although the John Lewis advert made me cry!

@Beshki no problem, I’m glad to hear you found some suitable stockings.

@mandco eek not long until the fire walk, I’m sure it will be a great experience. Sometimes I wish I could homeschool DS1 but it just would not happen. Trying to get him to do any sort of work at home is almost impossible and we have had such terrible times over the years during lockdown and trying to do homework etc, he now doesn’t bring homework home. We’re trying to get him in full days from this week but the last two nights he has been quite dysregulated so I don’t know what the answer is long term. I’m not asking you by the way, I don’t think anyone has the answer do they!

@Spendless Gosh it sounds like you have been going through it! Sorry to hear about everyone who is poorly, I do hope they recover soon and I hope some help is sorted out for your Nan to ease the pressure on your parents. Blimey it must have been scary writing off your car, I know I am a careful driver but I always worry that I don’t know what anyone else is going to do at any given moment! I’m glad you’re going to get away for a night to recharge.

@Coxy11 sorry you are having a hard time with your mum, families are never easy are they! I’m glad to hear your DS2 has found a job, hopefully this will help him going forward.

princesskitty29

I've just realised I posted my last post thinking i'd caught up but actually missed the last page of comments, I haven't got time to read through now but hope all is ok with everyone x

Spendless

I should have added sparklers to the bonfire hamper when I had chance - bet they're more difficult to get hold of now?


Yesterday Nan was moved to a residential assessment centre where she'll be for between 1-6 weeks whilst her needs an capabilities  are identified. This was a last minute change purely because a staff member saw my parents leaving Nan's ward on Wed PM, recognised them from a previous visit and  when Mum told her everything that had gone off since she dealt with it. Without this I highly suspect Nan would be home and we'd be back to square one before long! 

Dad had an ECG, first was high, redid and 2nd was normal. Has to go back in a month.

Painter and decorator is due here beg of week thank goodness. Even the dog now prefers his own  bed downstairs to sleeping with us upstairs in chaos! DH and a relative will get the room completely cleared out tomorrow when I'm at work and then  I have a meet up after my shift  with eldest for drinks and food. Once normality returns then I should be able to crack on with present buying. Still thinking flat cap and/or voucher for Dad. Will finalise Mum's present with a book. Nan obvs now needs leaving till last minute when we know what's happening. FIL I'll get the chocolate if still available but anything else is upto DH to get. Son and daughter (both adults) we've already spoken to them about main Christmas gifting  which they'll receive in advance and they'll  have some  little things to unwrap on the day. No idea re DH, I'll have a chat with him about it. 

  

fionaandphil

@Spendless we're just going through something similar with FIL after a hospital visit.  He was sent for assessment and stayed there 5 weeks.  During that time it became clear he couldn't go home so we started asking about alternatives.  We were advised by the staff that we needed to have social worker involved and so glad we did as it has made it much easier to navigate.  We did think that the care home would have to be paid by the family but it looks like the Council are going to fund it (and I think use some of his pension), just waiting for the financial assessment to be finalised. 

The appointment of a social worker can take weeks though so best to apply as early as possible, we did this online.  If your nan has mental capacity she can make the decisions, but they will also listen to other family members and to the physios, care staff and doctors.  There is a huge amount of info online but even after reading that we still thought that it would have to be self funded and were wondering how.

I hope you managed to get something sorted out that will work for all of you.