A Very MSE Advent 2025

Rhyddid2026

I've opened the ferrero for today's Advent joy. I also had a meal with an old work friend.
I normally donate money/food at Christmas but I haven't donated much this year. I'm going to have a look at charity ninjas this evening.

Cheery_Daff

We had friends round for lunch, made a lovely veg soup and exchanged gifts and had a nice natter 😊 Then a cafe trip with Mr C, and I *almost* finished my Christmas present shopping - just one final thing to get for my sister tomorrow (I know what it is, just need to go to a very particular place to get it).

Been and got the last of our food shop, nothing exciting, just a bit of a normal top up shop, plus I did get some gravy granules so I suppose that counts as festive 😂😂 and one box of little tiny mince pies 😂

Then had a festive clean and clear of upstairs - all clothes now hung up, all bedding put away. Just need to run the hoover round up there tomorrow and we're done 😊 Mr C has just done all his present shopping for his family too 😊

Seeing his family Christmas day, and mine later - but I might wrap my presents tomorrow anyway just in case I've missed something. I made a big stash of present bags a few years back so this is extremely easy and enjoyable!

And now we're going to sit and have a little drink in front of the tree 😊 And I'm going to remove my flaky sparkly nail varnish ready to re-do it tomorrow for Christmas 😊😊

Wednesday2000

I have vacuumed and dusted and moved the rug upstairs as I said I was going to try a pilates video from YouTube this year and I still haven't got around to it!!! I am going to do it in a minute just before my shower.

We got a new console table delivered and my husband is putting it together. I ordered a new sofa in the Wayfair sale, but that won't be delivered by Christmas now.

I am going to be wearing a long red dress today with my red earrings.

PennysIntoPounds

Happy Christmas eve MSE Advent friends ✨️

Tis today that our official advent finishes, though I'm sure some of us will continue with some lovely festive daftness until the end of December so do come back and post here if you'd like to

Thank you all so much for joining in, it has been an absolute joy hearing all about your run up to Christmas achievements, your lovely times spent by yourselves or with others, your marvellous accessories and clothing and items that you've made an effort to dig out and enjoy

The Christmas period is miserable for many and overwhelming for most, even with the best of intentions- I love Christmas but there has been many a day when this thread has filled me with the Christmas cheer I needed, so genuinely thank you all, and I hope it has brought some smiles and contemplation to others too.

Very proud of us all for having A Very MSE Advent and enjoying what we have and appreciating what we can do, and wishing us all a very kind Christmas and festive season 🥂

Blackcats

What a lovely post PIP.  This has been such a happy place to spend Advent.

we went to our local bakery/cafe this morning to support a chum who was playing his saxophone to raise money for a very local charity.  There's something typically British about sitting outside in the freezing cold, cradling hot cups of tea and listening to music.  I donated £20 from my personal spends to the charity collection - for family we miss at Christmas.  Then as if we weren't already chilled to the bone we went for a walk around a local beauty spot.  The sun was bright and the sky was vibrant blue and we saw lots of dog walkers and people riding horses.  It felt a much nicer place to be than any shop.

@Wednesday2000 - a long red dress is such a glamorous way to enjoy Christmas Eve.

daisy_1571

Happy Xmas everyone 

Heres my homemade advent calendar.   You hook a decoration (a button with a hook on the back from the pocket/plant pot) up each day.  Its been used for about 20 years since i made it



Daisy xxxx

Cheery_Daff

Aw @daisy_1571 that's adorable 🥰

And @PennysIntoPounds what a lovely post, and thank you for the thread 🥰 it has indeed been a delightful place to hang out 🥰

Mr C and I have been out and done the last of our shopping, and had tea in two cafes 🤭 Home now. Neighbours have dropped us some presents - I've got theirs but I'm not going back out now to drop round, they'll have to wait. Settling in now with leftover roast veg soup, mince pies, and probably a Christmas film or two 😊

Rhyddid2026

I have loved this thread, it's been lovely to be part of, and I'm usually a total grinch leading up to the day.
I've had lot's of Advent joys today. After a stressy morning I spent half hour in the garden, refilled the ducks paddling pool, and upended some pots of soil for the ducks n chickens to scratch around in and pick bugs and critters out of.
I managed to finally get to the post office to post presents overseas (OAT). 
I think I might actually finally have my Christmas wish of a solo demand free Christmas Day come true (family drama/distress permitting).
I've opened a bottle of Blodwens Blonde Ale and found some comedy to watch.
I've lit the log burner and I'll be wrapping presents this evening.
Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you all have a lovely day x

Four_Seasons

Thank you Pip for starting this thread and all who posted on it, it has made me smile/chuckle most days,  it definitely helped me through some difficult days. Have a lovely day tomorrow xx

Cherryfudge

Thank you everyone for sharing your Advent - I've so much enjoyed it and thanks to this thread I've made some progress with freezer contents and unused toiletries.

The last few days have been busy with DGD's birthday, work and trying to fit in Christmas prep, plus a lovely gingerbread and cinnamon hot chocolate courtesy of my son in law. I finally posted cards (late is sometimes better than not at all) and have just put glittery decals on the glass door. It's a shame these lose their sticking power after use: does anyone know how to revive ones we particularly liked?

Right: a start has been made on Christmas dinner preparation and I can do the rest before church tomorrow. In the afternoon we will walk to our son's house to get some exercise as well as spend time with them.

Have a blessed and restful Christmas everyone!