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

Spendless

I agree it's the NYD airport run that is the potentially the more problematic especially since he hasn't found out the time!. I could ask but keep hanging on for works rota first. I already know I'm not working Xmas Eve but am working Boxing Day for a few hours but rota doesn't currently go any further. 


With the bedroom almost back to normal, bed frame and wardrobe up. New mattress arriving today. Need to shop for curtain pole, new light and bedding, I decided I could start Christmas shopping and take advantage of BF deals whilst still on. Anyone looking for stocking fillers on make up, to fill up their own make up bag or to split bits. Boots have an offer where if you spend £20 on selected cosmetics you get a free make up bag with a few items in. Don't know if make up bag colours or items inside vary cos frustratingly can't find the correct link on line but typically a blush, lip gloss, nail polish and mascara. Some items might be minis, others full size. Brands are typically elf, rimmel, maybelline inside the bag. The £20 spend can't be on premium brands or anything with gift parcel, but ideal if you need to restock.

I was considering going to another city's larger shopping centre tomorrow to try and nail more shopping but yesterday's haul combined with online shopping think I'm going to get most done that way. I also was able to pick up/order gifts for kids from my parents, which is just as well since they have been requested to be at a meeting later today about Nan from her SW. Unfortunately I am at work for most of the day - and they run such a tight ship there on available hours it makes it almost impossible to do a last minute swap of shifts, consequently I can't be with parents for this meeting. I am only hoping they speak up about the stress and limitations on them both at their ages  - both have form for not doing so. Watch this space I suppose. 

PennysIntoPounds

Think I've got all the gifts for my mum, another gift arrived today for Mr PIP, and I've wrapped gifts for the friends we're seeing tomorrow, so starting to feel progress is being made.
Someone on olio was getting rid of loads of Christmas cards so we're sorted on those too and very mse!

Spendless

We slept in our bedroom last night for the first time in weeks! No curtains/curtain pole up yet - that is to be sorted, but at long last I have a feeling of being able to move forward.

Other than a dental appointment at lunchtime today I have the rest of the day and until lunchtime tommorrow free with just me and the dog as Mr S away o/n at a works party in a different part of country. 

Just been writing a revised Xmas list.

Mum - Reading cushion, tin of biscuits, cabin bag - all bought. Need a book for reading cushion. She started reading the 'why mummy drinks' series earlier this year and enjoyed them, but I was passing her on mine to read, then we came to a halt cos she she read them too fast and I hadn't managed to get thru 'why Mummy drinks at Christmas'. I still haven't so was thinking of getting her her own copy but I seem to be struggling to find. Anyone any ideas where to get one?

Dad - We are away on an o/n trip next week to a large city where there's a Chrismas market and am hoping to find him a flat cap. Depending on whether we do or the cost then I'll decide if vouchers are also being added (Dad is notoriously difficult to buy for- even my Mum struggles). If when wrapped Mum's stuff looks 'more' than Dad's I'll also return to the idea I had earlier this year of burying Dad some nice sugar free drinks and putting them in a small crate.

FIL - This is Mr S's domain and I mostly refuse to get involved  (I already buy for one difficult Dad!) but I did see the chocs gift box he likes though that is months ago. Difficult place to get to without a car so will see if we can do a trip on Sunday and find out. Other than that I expect he'll need to be bought clothes as he's in a nursing home.

Nan - There is an update on her situation, but because there's some things to be made official first, I'm unable to say on here yet. Gift wise I've seen a shawl where I work (ladies clothes shop) and I get staff discount so I'm thinking that plus maybe some chocs or biscuits. 

DD - Her term abroad has been so expensive, some costs anticipated, some not . so some things have had to be 'in lieu of a Christmas present' She will however still have stocking gifts to open. 

DS - Will be getting items of a practical nature, whether personal or household. Still to be decided on and bought. 

Mr S - He has been on the backburner over the last couple of months with everything else going on. I've had no car to go and look round the shops and he works away. When he's home with the car then I've been rota'd in at work and when it's fallen we are both off then we've done things together. He always says 'I'm not bothered'  and he genuinely wouldn't be but I would struggle with him not receiving anything. Will talk to him this morning about any ideas he may have and how and when I could get them. 

Just glad I have a lot smaller list to buy for nowadays, if it had been the ones of yesteryear then I'd really be stuck by now how I was going to have time for everything. Are you noticing any difference @Coxy11 now your list is smaller? 

Hoping to get the tree out of the loft this weekend. It might not go up yet, but at least it'll be downstairs ready, 

Spendless

Ok, so little bit of movement on buying for the menfolk of the family. Mr S talked about wanting some more blades for his razor and said this was the best deal though I gulped at the outlay price. Anyway ordered several bits and was elgible for a free gift that we're going to give my Dad.

https://www.gillette.co.uk/c/black-friday/

Mr S is happy for his razor blades to be wrapped up for xmas day though he knows about them - lol. Had a couple of other ideas too that I'll look into.  

 

Coxy11

Hi all,

Good to see you @MrsRyan - you're well ahead of me with gifts!!

I'm feeling slightly more comfortable with a smaller list this year @Spendless. Saw BIL and SIL (DH's siblings) last weekend for the first time since I mentioned the no buying this year. Neither mentioned it. They were here for us to take the photo of them to replicate the one from 1985! Happy to say we eventually got a shot they were all happy with (my photographic skills are rubbish) so I'm going to get DH to take the SLR camera to get it printed.

I'm going to forego the Coast bag for DD as can't afford a real one at over £200 and not sure I trust anyone on Vinted not to do me over!! Last year I ordered a last minute Dr Martens backpack (literally on 20 Dec) as the boy she'd been seeing, who didn't want a girlfriend, popped up on SM with a new squeeze. This was on her list but at £125 was a bit much given everything else she'd been bought. It was an attempt to cheer her up. Think I've seen her use it twice this year as tbh she barely goes out.  I have ordered her a pair of UGG mules which cost £125 even on BF so that's her main gift. Just need to sort a couple more stocking fillers and a couple of other gifts. Thanks for the heads up re: Boots giveaway @Spendless.

Finally got a wishlist from DS2 last night so I'm going to take a look later. I have a very busy weekend with an indoor boot sale tomorrow daytime then running a quiz night in the evening - all proceeds to our fundraising. Then Sunday is a local Christmas market which I've never been too and quite fancy a trip out for. DSis and BIL will come too so it's a nice thing to do. 

DIL is finished apart from a couple of stocking fillers. DS1 needs one more thing and a couple of stocking fillers. Will also gift them some money as things are tight and DS1 is delivering pizzas on weekend evenings to make ends meet. Really hard for them right now.

Workwise I started two weeks ago with a Monday and Wednesday, just did Monday this week and was told due to a staff member leaving (whose commission was going to be paying my wages - financial advisor) I'm only needed on a Monday from now on. Will probably be at least until late Spring. Was very disappointed especially given I've shelled out for a new laptop which arrived Monday night and is still sitting unpackaged in the study! I'm going to look into invigilating for school exams as a way to top up my salary as one day a week is less than the JSA I was claiming.

I managed to get 2 x HP beef joints, a £10 large gammon joint, and a half side of salmon for £8.75 Nectar prices in Sainsburys yesterday. These are all in the freezer. Have also heard about legs of lamb being on offer at Asda but won't be able to get there until at least Wednesday at this rate. We rarely have beef or lamb now given the cost so these will be for Sunday roasts throughout miserable January!!

Can understand your frustration (and horror) at the CE and NYE airport runs @Spendless given your unknown work pattern and lack of independent transport!! Men just don't get the stress of it all. In previous years we have always had DH's family on Christmas Even from mid afternoon into early evening. This was to swop gifts and have food/merriment, but this all stopped during the Covid years. Last year we had them over in between and it was really stressful as we'd only been here a month, I was still getting to grips with the oven, and 4 extra people turned up (I'd asked for RSVP's but this changed on the day). DH was a little disappointed when I mentioned I wouldn't be willing to host them this year - no point having them on CE as no presents to swop TBH it's me that formulates what we will eat, shops for it, cooks it and serves it. DH does help clean the house and does drinks/coats but it's just a lot, especially as it's 18 people if everyone comes and not like we can use the garden given the time of year. I have said let's wait to see if either of his siblings offers to host, or his parents. Even if it's just coffee and mince pies will be better than nothing.

DSis and I have just been for a long dog walk and she mentioned that DNiece is planning on taking them to the theatre on Boxing Day so Mum had better make her mind up where she will be for the main event. She is still deciding apparently. Both DSis and I are getting really fed up with her!!

fionaandphil

@Coxy11 good idea with the invigilating, it can be a good top up.  Don't forget to try all local schools and colleges and apply before Christmas if possible as it takes a while for the DBS to come through unless you have a portable one from already working in education.  I've just finished my first lot of mocks for this academic year and have some more already booked in for spring.  It all helps top up the coffers and once you have experience you can apply elsewhere if you don't like it.  Good luck!

Spendless

Called at parents. They are now definately coming to me for Christmas dinner.

Mum wanted to contribute financially and first offerred me the small turkey joint she has in her freezer - it feeds 3. There will be 6 of us plus 2 dogs. 🤦‍♀️ I then had a brainwave and have asked her to buy Colin the Caterpillar ice cream dessert, which shes agreed to. Admittedly I havent said it costs £16! Should be fine as long as Dad doesnt notice. 🤣

Spendless

Amazing how a few different things altering can cause a mindset shift. I slept for the 2nd night in our almost finished bedroom, I woke feeling really excited about Christmas and moving forward.

Spoke to DD yesterday, said I was off Xmas Eve and she asked to do something as she often feels bored that day. Was struggling to think of something, as we're already going to the theatre a different day and then at a relatives another. Anyway I have come up with us doing a sculpture trail not too far away, then having a meal/drinks and then as she has fond memories of my late Nan making sausage rolls which DD is convinced happened each Xmas Eve, I've arranged for her to go round and make some with my Mum. I won't go and will instead use that time to prep veg for the following day. I've since seen that Wicked has a showing that day but  there's only one showing, which would mean we'd have to switch the sausage roll making to slighlty later, we are both hoping to have seen the film by then though, DD with friends where she currently is abroad and me with a friend here. I will keep that idea on the back burner though. Then I've said that evening we will have a bit of a pamper session with face masks and watch Christmas TV.  I will ask DS his plans but I'm sure last year he wished to stay Xmas eve at his own place and just join us in the morning. With the veg etc prepped on Xmas Eve, as a family we can all go and visit FIL in his care home on Xmas day morning.

Gift wise - I have now bought both my kids presents on behalf of my parents. Thank goodness for B&M and their  digital and electrical range and that they have enough stores here that I was able to walk to one easily!. For the other half of parents budget I took advantage of BF deals and bought some self care products for both. 

Mr S is coming back from his Xmas party later and then we are going to friends for drinks and supper. Present wise I'm going to suggest we go to an outlet/retail park tomorrow. There I will be ale to pick up stocking bits for DD, look to see if the choc is still available  for FIL and . look at new bedding  and curtains for ourselves.  

 

PennysIntoPounds

That's a shame about the commission money @Coxy11, hope you can find some invigilating roles. I've recently started doing it and am really glad I did.
Think you're right to pass on the Coast bag! If she's not using the DMs bag, ask if you can stick it on vinted 😁

Glad things are feeling more resolved and Christmassy @Spendless

If anyone here would like to join in with our MSE Advent you'd be very welcome
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6643184/a-very-mse-advent-2025#latest

Spendless

Went Christmas shopping today both in person and online and feel a lot happier.

Straightened our bedroom up more and the present cupboard is back in action - yay!

Ordered Mum her book, so that is her done. When arrives will wrap with the book cushion. 

Ordered 2 of these, 1 for Dad, 1 for DH. 

https://pinauto-uk.com/products/dust-sweeping-soft-brush

Also picked up some car air freshner that apparantly smells like aftershave/perfume - we'll see -lol

Struggling to copy a link (new laptop!) but company is called carfume.

Showed Mr S the chocolate pack for his Dad. He said we'd bought him different flavours before and he didn't like them and told another relative so who repeated to Mr S. After racking my brain I think this was one different flavour a few years ago, not all the diff flavours in this pack some I've never seen before  but usually I don't get involved in this present - I think having my own Dad and a 100yo to think up ideas for  is difficult enough  so am stepping aside, leaving DH to it  and thinking along the lines of one of DD;s favourite phrases 'not my circus, not my monkeys'   

Picked up stocking bits and ordered  the mystical fire sachets for the bonfire hamper. 

Also bought adult offspring clothes or items for home.

Mr S came up with an idea he'd like this morning by this evening he wasn't sure, so will leave for now. Working tomorrow but that means I can pick up other bits cos am in city centre. Present list now looks like this.

Mum -  Reading cushion, book (waiting to arrive), biscuits, cabin bag.

Dad - Razor giftset , car brush (waiting for both to arrive) . Looking for flat cap at Christmas market next week.

Nan - Shawl (to be bought tomorrow)

FIL - Leaving to Mr S

DH - Multi pack razor blades (knows about them) car perfume and car brush. A few toiletries. I bought some packs in the Jan sales and will split the contents between the 3 menfolk according to what suits more. DH likes travel sized items as he works away a lot, DS I like giving him the items frequently used as it helps with household costs if he has a stock in. Dad then tends to get the more bespoke items. I feel he 'needs; a main item. I'll ask for more ideas this week or we may see something whilst we're away.

Son & Daughter - Mostly bought or arranged. Can think of 1 stocking filler still to get DD but then will also need to check how everything fits in  before deciding what's stocking and what's under the tree. I have missed my present cupboard soooo much for this sort of thing.

Dog - Was bought a self heating dog bed/pad today. As he loves presents will need to get more but he has a doggy cousin coming to stay over Christmas (relative owner away) so need to include there too. 

No tree up - ran out of time, so going to be mid December where there's another window to do it - hey ho. It'll be up for DD's arrival.