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

Spendless

Some of the ordered gifts came today. Just placed Mum's book inside the reading cusion and it looks soooo good.

The razor gifts are brill. The bogof shaving gel only one was sent, we think the other is on its way but was still a good deal even if it got missed off. Can't believe how good Dad's present looks for a freebie. This is it though in a different colour https://www.gillette.co.uk/p/gillettelabs/razer-razor/14917508/?affil=thggpsad&switchcurrency=GBP&shippingcountry=GB&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19862296755&gbraid=0AAAAACcZSyhuwDm8X3OpMLWCh41rwzUDD&gclid=CjwKCAiAlrXJBhBAEiwA-5pgwrEcpLahJWprm28XeVQqDltJxIOylxC4B7DseMmq9GoeXRIrw2xdAhoC6O8QAvD_BwE

No longer available on the website, so I suspect was popular.

Items for both kids from my parents are all here now so will take round later this week for Mum to wrap. Wasn't able to buy Nan's shawl today due to  issue with tills, will buy next work shift I have. 

This leaves me with

Mum - Done
Dad - Awaiting del from online shop - plus look for flat cap
FIL - DH's domain!
Nan - Shawl to buy next work shift - might add something else but will need to decide nearer time
DH - Stil work in progress
DS - Still need to get a few things.
DD- Done apart from one stocking item to get.

I have a run of a few days off beginning of next week when DH is abroad and I think this might be the time to wrap presents - might send dog to Grandparents whilst I'm doing this! 

PennysIntoPounds

Reminder that Sainsers £11 Baileys deal ends tomorrow and Tescos ends on the 8th

mandco

@spendless sounds like your Xmas mojo is back and you’ve had a very productive few days . the Xmas list is looking good - it’s a great feeling seeing it all get ticked off.
thanks for the Gillette heads up - some great prices considering how ridiculously expensive they usually are.

@coxy11 that’s really frustrating having your hours cut especially so soon after starting & at this time of year - fingers crossed you can find something to make up the difference.
I did manger to get a side of salmon at the weekend( they had 3 left) but no beef or gammon joints left in my local sains - either they haven’t ordered much stock or everyone is stocking up early. Little bit annoyed with myself I didn’t pick them up when I saw them originally but at the time I didn’t really have the freezer space so figured I’d run that down during the week get them at the weekend big mistake it seems.
tesco have been advertising 1/2 price joints too be again virtually nothing available instore - they did have a few smallish misshaped fatty pieces but nothing worth buying,

the tree still isn’t decorated though it does have lights on now - my Xmas mojo is still lacking though tbh I think it’s partly down to the perimenopause- I’ve really been struggling with a lack of enthusiasm for anything the last few months - i just kind feel meh all the time.
had a bit of a sort though the present stash and got out the grandkids bits ready to start wrapping those this week - in typical fashion I’m already missing a few gifts I know i brought.
not Xmas but ordered a birthday present for dgd2 in the Black Friday sales - her birthday is just after Xmas. I often wait till the post Xmas sales and see what she got for Xmas first but I have 2 hospital appointments in the week running up to Xmas and it’s always a big germ fest there this time of year. Might be coincidental but the last couple of years I’ve ended up sick over Xmas following a hospital appointment shortly before Xmas so figured I’d get a head start just in case.
booked the glow event for the 27th - everyone agreed with taz as we have quite a bit on in the run up to Xmas it’ll be nice to have something to look forward too afterwards and it was quite a bit cheaper too.
had a chat with ds1 and he’s happy to get iou vouchers wrapped so there’s something under the tree ( I’ve pre ordered a couple of items for him but they won’t be here till next year) so could potentially do similar for taz for the digital credit towards a game he’d like. Ds1 did say it would be fun if the vouchers had funny quotes or poems so any suggestions much appreciated.

dd had a lovely trip for the most part - there was issue with their return flight being to the wrong airport which ended up with a £100+ uber fare curtesy of the bank of mum & dad but ultimately they got home safe if much later & more expensively than anticipated.

Spendless

Posting from our hotel room. Freebie overnight stay courtesy of some hotel loyalty points. Have paid for breakfast, which was £15pp (was £18 if you booked on day!) but because its buffet and includes hot drinks and juices then it was reasonable in comparison with other places.

Bought Dad his flat cap - yay! When the car brush turns up he is sorted. Also bought alcohol in diff flavours or shaped bottles for family members and a couple of stocking gifts for DD.
Really enjoying the time away.

Need to see if I can still get an advent calendar for DD for DH to take over. She was excited to see the ones they have abroad, then she realised they are all '12 days of Christmas' not Advent, and then they were sold out anyway! 

mandco

@spendless enjoy your break 
great news on sourcing a cap for your dad you must be pleased 

my lot never actually got advent calendars this year their choice - dd wanted a beauty calendar which she’s having as her main Xmas gift. when ds1 found out he asked if he could get a funko pop one and have that as a Xmas present rather than a having chocolate one. Taz is never that keen on the df chocs that come in advent calendars and didn’t want any of the ones we saw so I’ve just upcycled some of the left over haribo packs from Halloween   he probably won’t eat many anyway and the packs will just sit in the snack box as usual till the grandkids come over so wasn’t paying £6+ for the privilege of a shop brought one.

Glad

Every year I say to myself that next year I’m going to start earlier, mainly because both children live away and things need posting. Then here we are 2nd December and starting to stress! Daughter and partner in France nearly done, waiting on some Crocs for him and to get a few bits from the makers market on Saturday.
Son also nearly done but his partner hasn’t given me any ideas yet! 

Spendless

Hello Glad - waves. Nice to come across you again.

I enjoyed our trip away and was definately helpful in getting a lot of the Xmas shopping finished - still awaiting 3 online deliveries and maybe look for a little Extra for DH then I'm done.

Yesterday morning as we were in a supermarket literally about to look for a supplement to go with the idea I have for Nan's gift when Mum rang as Nan was unwell. We abandonded our idea to go to a shopping centre next and drove back. I was very glad we'd made the decision to not stray too far from home. Nan was sleeping when we got there in a  chair but woke up and chatted, a little confused but ok. After a bit we left and parents took her to the dining room where lunch was being served. Assessment centre have asked Nan's GP to make a call on her.

Back home earlier than I anticipated, decided to start wrapping presents. DH went for an afternoon nap and I realised I needed some other additional packaging, either baskets or boxes mostly due to me splitting some toiletries between the menfolk. Drove DH's car for only the 2nd time since my crash and the 1st was literally going to my parents house a couple of streets away. Contemplated between the price at Poundland and the more luxurious designs at TK maxx - £1land won -lol, thought to be fair that's because on going back before making a final decision I spotted a stack of boxes priced £2-3 that I missed previously. 

I've been wanting to use up my stash of wrapping paper for a while. This year I think I'll acheive it but need some for DD's gifts. Saw a nice one in TK maxx but when I returned after selecting the £land boxes, Id clearly been looking round there with a 'ooooo isn't this pretty' head on and not noticed the price as it was £6.99 for the roll! I left it. 

Work rota has come out. Not working XE or NYD, so dodged a bullet there with regards to lifts and DH elsewhere. I haven't got that many shifts over the 2 week period which suits me just fine tbh.

enthusiasticsaver

I just saw this thread on the MSE ADVENT CALENDAR so thought I would pop over and say hi to all you organised Christmas MSE ers. 

I have actually bought and wrapped most of my Christmas presents mainly because I hate shopping and am not that keen on wrapping either so do it as I buy the gifts.  I also only buy for immediate family so DH, DD1, DD2 SIL and 2 DGDs. I always buy just a hamper or flowers for mum as she says every year do not buy her anything. 

I also did a Christmas market this week so bought up a few food and drink  treats and off to a Christmas Tree festival this afternoon with DH in our local town. 

PennysIntoPounds

Used a voucher from doing surveys to get chocolates for mum and Mr PIP's stockings

Did not have a voucher to go towards Mr PIP's main present, not even a teeny bit of cashback available, so winced as I paid for it, but these things are what money was saved up for in the Christmas pot!

mandco

Welcome Glad & enthusiasticsaver

@spendless sorry to hear your nans not doing well again and you had to cut you’re trip a little short though sounds like you had a great time & have managed to make serious progress with the Xmas shopping. 

Great news you didn’t have to work nye/nyd worked out ok but still doesn’t excuse dh making plans without checking first.

I did the same thing in tkmaxx they have some beautiful wrap but £6.99 a roll - I don’t like it that much 

@PenniesIntoPounds I loathe paying full price for stuff too but at least you have it now 

still need a few small bits /stocking fillers but otherwise I have all the main gifts and its just the wrapping to do - I know I say every year i want to get it done early and I should try and do a little each day but I keep procrastinating and finding other things to do.
do need a roll of wrap for girls presents - something a bit more age appropriate and maybe a bit girly as all the ones I have left this year are more grown up designs.

hoping to find some of the 1/2 price joints this weekend to freeze so I at least have those covered should options for fresh be limited closer to Xmas - they’ll always get used for a Sunday roast later if they aren’t needed.

hoping to fit in a late night visit to the city centre next week to see the Xmas lights and check out the Xmas market depending on the weather- doubt we’ll do any actual shopping but I’ll treat taz to something to eat from one of the stalls while secretly begrudging the ridiculous prices and just enjoy the atmosphere.

Argos already have upto 1/2 price on selected Xmas trees & decorations plus reductions on xmas homewards too though lots oos already

@princesskitty29 hope you’re doing ok