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

mandco

@spendless great news that they have sorted out interim care & a plan for proper assessment for your nan must be a big relief for your mum & dad especially with everything else they are currently dealing with health wise. Frustrating your dads tests didn’t actually get him any answers and he has to wait another month but hopefully less stress about nan will help with his recovery.
How’s dd doing? did things get sorted re her phone & card 

@princesskitty29 glad your break went well Halloween in your estate sounds amazing the kids must love it  sorry to hear ds2 got sick though so many bugs doing the rounds very lucky no one else came down with it.
Schools are a lot flexible now re part time attendance when I was having issues with taz it was simply full time school or homeschool so we ended up homeschooling and despite the initial challenges it was the right thing for him under the circumstances though If flexi schooling had been an option I do think I’d have tried that. I had a lot of reservations at first and it took a while to find the right methods - we do a lot of child led hands on Learning educational trips/days out & online activities rather than school style sat at desk type sessions. There are still some hard days it’s a lot of responsibility and I still question if I’m doing enough but overall it’s been worth it and he’s so much happier. The hardest thing for me is never having a break - sometimes I do miss those few hours of peace you get when they are at school. 
You are right there’s isn’t a one size fits all answer it’s more learning their main triggers & responses and figuring out what helps it’s a process and evolves with time but it does get easier - look at the progress you’ve already made 

the firewalk was so much fun I loved it and even did it a 2nd time I’d definitely do it again if I had the chance.

Spendless

Things are moving along re Nan. She now has a social worker, which is a relief is there is now a 'go to' . Mum was asked to fetch in incontinence pads, but as far as we knew she wasn't incontinent prior to recent  hospitalisation so that situation is being assessed to see if it is just stress related from recent events or a new development. Family have been to visit and reported she's ok. Mum has been told that Nan will be in 4-6 weeks. This takes us into Dec, so my own belief is in order to set things up for longer term plans whatever they are it's more likely to be early December when she's moved on. 

DD - first we sent cash via Western Union but the shop wouldn't accept her UK (provisional) driving licence as iD despite a sign outside saying they would and WU intself confirming it was acceptable ID! Mr S pleaded with the store staff on the phone  to help as she was stuck in a foreign country with no access to money. One gave her (equiv) £15. From that she could buy and put money on a travel card and then Mr S ordered her another phone (android) and Google pay works on that (don't ask me about technology!). In the meantime she's cancelled and ordered another bank card.

Mr S and  relative spent yesterday getting out our old bedroom carpet in anticipation of painter coming tomorrow. We also need to sort out a plumber for a new radiator put on (ours was the only radiator still left from when we bought the house 24 years ago- every other has been replaced!). We do have a few other odd plumbing jobs to make someone coming out worthwhile. Then we will need to order a new carpet   and can then move back in to our room! My time was far more pleasant after my workshift  as I met eldest and we first went and got korean food and then spent the rest of the time in a pub working thru their drinks offers before DH gave us both a lift home. 

Still stuck in a bit of limbo re Xmas presents. Keep having people coming in where I work talking about how they are on a Xmas shopping trip and am left thinking yes, I should be doing this by now. Decided there's no point buying Dad's flat cap until we've done our mini break as the place has a lot of nice independant (some  expensive!) shops there  and a Xmas market on, so I think I should see what's there before making final decision about it.

PennysIntoPounds

Aldi's chocolate stouts are £1.99 a bottle and are absolutely delicious, if anyone is on the lookout for a nice stocking filler or extra little pressie for an ale drinker 

Spendless

Thanks for that pennysinto pounds   - Mr S loves ales and especially chocolate ones. I wil pick some up. That reminded me last year he dithered and decided against a chocolate rum we saw in France and then lived to regret it. I could get that for him.  I'll need to buy on-line. It's this one. 

https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/43698/deadhead-dark-chocolate?awc=400_1762851228_58ef6181d96f6acd9be6b1ed761d279c&source=&sv1=affiliate&sv_campaign_id=259955&utm_campaign=259955&utm_campaign=affiliatewindow&utm_content=!!!promotype!!&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_medium=link&utm_source=awin&utm_source=shopwindow

I am currently itching to go Chrismas shopping but currently I have no car, the weather isn't nice enough to go out without one. Due to bedroom being decorated, I have nowhere to stash gifts  once bought. Everything I have bought so far  is currently not in one place for me to look thru first. 

Anyone come across these in Greggs?. Wicked travel mugs 2 different kinds, selected stores only apparently are flying out (excuse the pun -lol) . You get a free drink with it, mug costs £8. Good stocking filler if you can find.

https://www.greggs.com/news/follow-the-yellow-bake-road-with-greggs-x-wicked-for-good

mandco

@spendless sounds like it was a total palaver to sort but must be a relief to know dd now has access to at least some money 
saw those wicked cups on line but none in store thought they make a nice Xmas donation gift for an older teen 
It’s frustrating when you want to get on with the Xmas prep but other things get in the way - hopefully the decorating won’t take too long 

@PenniesIntoPounds the choc stout sounds interesting I’ll mention it to dd she’s has her bf dad for secret Santa and he likes trying different real ales/stouts

tesco slots opened today for non delivery plan customers - I really wanted to get the red velvet Yule log from the festive food to order - the latest slot available for delivery was Sunday 21st - nothing Xmas week at all so I’ve taken that. it’s says good for 1+ weeks so hopefully it’ll be ok. Couldn’t get a couple of other bits I’d looked at as they’d have been too short dated.

dd has booked us a girls night pre Xmas spa visit - me dd ,her bf mum ,his brothers gf’s & dds friend are all going so should be fun.

Coxy11

Glad the firewall went well @mandco 😊 and great that you managed to get your Tesco delivery slot. 

Saw a mum briefly yesterday and she’s now saying she WILL go to Niece’s - can’t keep up with it all! She also asked me if I had a tree up - errr No because it’s only November…swear she’s losing the plot. 

In buying news I’ve been doing quite well for DS1 and DDIL. I’ve ordered a Stellar frying pan and both are getting Nordic socks as they have wood floors and tend to not put the heating on due to cost. DDIL works from home so these will be great - just need to tell them not to TD them as they are wool! just to say that the pan and socks were on their list 😊

DD’s list includes various random things including a dog…in CAPITALS so clearly she really wants one. Nope ain’t happening as I know I will be the one doing all the care. She also wants some Ugg mules  so will wait for BF deals to arrive on those.

No clue about DS2 - he currently has an electric toothbrush and some toffifee (ironically)…

Spendless

Lol to the dog request coxy. My family asked for one for 20 years and I refused on same grounds as you. Eventually I was ready (we got to the point where the benefit of a dog outweighed the negative). However as predicted I am main care giver (I needed to be in the palce where I accepted  this and was happy with it)  and  even then dog loves Mr S best though even he is out-trumped  in dog's fav person list  by 'Grandma' (my Mum).

Today I've found the going viral plush key rings that are jelly cat in style and £1.49 at HB. https://home.bargains/product/9b9d48f8-4059-4df7-9987-e8e33b6cbe12/plush-keyring?qid=347947719a15eb7fd625ad2dc04b3fa7

Store had 3 designs in. None of the croissant ones that are most sort after and only one of another type - none after I picked it up -lol. Another stocking present found

Spendless

My parents visited last night, talked about Nan in assessment centre then said 'Christmas is cancelled' I thought they were talking about not being able to make Christmas Day plans due to not knowing what situation would be with Nan. They weren't - they said they hadn't got time to go Christmas shopping due to not being able to plan their days - twice they have had urgent calls from assesment centre asking them to fetch in personal  hygiene items in  of Nans straight away and have dropped everything to do so. They need to learn "No" is a sentence, but they are elderly themselves and easily overwhelmed -  which was my whole point at the hospital that my parents shouldn't be Nan's default carers!

 First Mum said she'd just give everyone money then said but she still wanted DS and DD to have something to unwrap in addition  and could I get it. This is all very well, but we both work - me part time but frequently on a weekend when DH is off and currently I have no car to go and look at anything when he's not around and he works away mid week and with our bedroom not finished I currently have nowhere to store anything. The rainy weather hasn't helped cos me and a friend think nothing of going on long walks where we'd take in retail parks as part of the journey but we've cancelled twice this week due to weather and today doesn't sound any better. I admit to being stuck for inspiration on what I can get- I'd sorted my own gift buying out, I wasn't expecting to have to think of other ideas. Anyone mind sharing if they similar aged relatives what they're buying?  Son is 25 single, lives alone, works in IT, doesn't have a vehicle. Daughter is 22, a  final year drama  student currently studying abroad but will be back in time for Christmas and will then have around 5 months left of studying in London before graduating. Doesn't drive. 

Forgot to add parents weren't even going to have a Christmas Day meal. They thought they'd order a take away (unsure exactly how many they'd find open and delivering!) due to not knowing what's going on with Nan so unable to plan. I said that idea was ridiculous so why didn't they just return to my earlier invite of coming to us because if they have to change things at the last minute or leave early or arrive late we can accommodate all of that. This is what they are now doing unless Nan is allowed home. Part of me thinks she's far too ill to be allowed home but who knows. 

Coxy11

I can well understand your parents not wanting to think about Christmas given everything that is going on. Good idea for them to have the option of dinner/tea at yours if they are called into the hospital for Nan on the day.

Guessing because of their age they won't be too keen on ordering anything online (forgive me if I'm wrong). Christmas Day is 6 weeks away and given your work schedule and lack of car could you order stuff online on their behalf to be delivered to them so you don't have the storage issue?

In terms of what to buy for your DS and DD - my DS2 is 21 and single, still lives at home but I've got him some new bedding, an electric toothbrush and some chocolate so far. He is a gamer and will no doubt give me some PS5 games to order for him. 

Not sure of parents budget but would your DS appreciate something for his house/garden from his grandparents? Maybe a kitchen gadget - coffee machine/air fryer/sandwich toaster?? Or something like new towels/bedding which are practical but can be expensive when you're running the house solo.

For DD - there are some great fragrance and make up offers at Boots and also M&S do brands now. With BF deals already being advertised it might be you can get her something online from there on parents behalf?

I'm deliberating over a Coach handbag on Vinted for DD. It's up for £85 but seller will take £75. DD doesn't care if it's genuine - it looks to be but Vinted charge £10 to authenticate items like that. What to do.

Spendless

I think make up on a GF deal is a great idea for DD. I am not scheduled to work that weekend and DH is on a Xmas night out (!) so will head to a big shopping centre on the train to see what they have.  Have an idea what brand/s to go for. 


DH said he will think of something for DS, will be along the lines of something practical whether personal or household cos as you say larger expense items are difficut when you're running a house alone. 

Today before work I am trying to track down a free gift with a magazine which would make a lovely gift/stockimg filler - will reveal all if I find it -lol. Already tried local shops going out in the rain and they didn't have it. 

Not sure what to suggest re Vintd coach bag coxy. Are you happy to pay that much if it turns out not to be genuine?