Santa Baby - it's the 2026 Christmas Chatter Thread!!

mandco

@spendless The boots app is separate to the recycling one it’s basically just a mobile version of boots online where you can access your card digitally and view your account/shop via your mobile. If you don’t have the app you should still be able see any personalised offers in your account on the main website - I think it’s under my advantage card - Offers just for me? on the app its right on the front page at the top which means I don’t forget to check as you do have to activate offers to get them.

I do think some of sdd issue is seeing all the ridiculous seasonal hauls/gift baskets ect that get hyped up on line it sets unrealistic expectations but I think a lot of the younger generation assume this is normal - chocolate eggs were always more than enough for Easter when mine were little. I get why dd was annoyed we had the same issue due to age gaps so ours missed out quite a lot compared to their cousins who we brought for til they were 18. Taz I don’t think has ever received anything from extend family so I often feel the need to buy him extra to make up for the fact he misses out even though tbh he doesn’t really know any different anyway.

Spendless

Oh thanks, Ill look tonight as Im setting off to work shortly. Would u believe Ive just had a text saying my parcel is turning up today. I was off all day yesterday and am all day tomorrow too!

I did wonder if it was the Easter basket trend. That's a US thing because they dont have chocolate eggs like we do. They just have the small ones (like creme eggs) and chocolate bunnies or at least that's all I saw when we were there at Easter time last year. Thats understandable though, they have some hot states and their chocolate has to be made to a different melting point - which is why it doesnt taste as nice! Add in that they have spring break, which is a bigger thing cos their schools dont break up as frequently as ours, so opportunity to stock the kids up with various items. I do wish a cultural explanation of why accompanied said videos though.

Dog was just going bananas and a van wss outside, so was hoping it was my parcel, no such luck!

mandco

@spendiess typical it’s due on the one day your not going to be in -when that happens I usually end up spending the whole day worrying if it’s still gonna be there by time I get home as 99% of the time they leave it on the doorstep in plain view - hope you got it ok

The zoo got their capybaras this week and have managed to lose one already - they both escaped 1 was recovered quickly still onsite but despite a couple of possible sightings the other is still missing.

my insomnia has kicked in big time again the last few days - I think I might have to have a look at some sleep aid medication when I go to the pharmacy later

Spendless

Parcel was ok when I got home. It had been hidden from view. Outer sleeve is lovely (and says nothing about mother's day on it so can be given for other occassions). The cardboard box that the contents are in though, I had to prise it apart with a knife. Very secure but no good for checking if contents are all ok, without wrecking the box. Not good if you are not gifting immediately (which many of us on here do save for later in the year). Contents are lovely, the 3 haircare items plus probably the brush are earmarked for DD. The 2 skincare are mine, which leaves 2 bodycare and 2 cosmetics to share out. Unsure how I'll divvy it up yet, but will just put in present cupboard for now.

Read about the escaped capybara, Hope it's found soon and you also start feeling better manco.

mandco

@spendiess makes a change to get decent packaging due to cost cutting most is now usually so flimsy it’s barely holds the contents

went shopping with DD this morning to try and find some bits for the holiday I picked up a few toiletries/medications but not much luck on the clothing front - did manage to find a possible pair of shorts in matalan(need to try them on) dd did much better and should now have plenty of outfits providing the stuff she brought fits. I did however find a 4 pack of stitch Xmas wrap reduced to £1 in Primark & some nightmare before Xmas gift bags reduced to 29p each in Asda.

found a 2 pack of tartan pj bottoms in the Argos clearance section reduced to £6 so those are going into the Xmas box might split them 1 pair each for the boys as they are different colours. They get some really good offers at times but you do have to keep checking as stock & availability seems to change frequently.

Spendless

It's a lottery to what you find. I promised DD a new outfit to attend the drama festival in. She found a top and earrings in New Look, but rejected all the bottoms. We then tried Primark and hit gold. I suggested some brown pin striped trousers, she loved them, we got to the till and they were £5. Neither of us had looked at the price at all, full or reduced. She also bought some shoes and I expected them to be the £16 it said on the label. At the till they rang up at £7. She also wanted to look at more jewellery but I suggested we went to where I work instead as they've recently got a new range in and I could get my staff discount off and she picked up a necklace and bracelet. Whole outfit sorted at less than I budgeted for.

Spendless

Last night we ordered DD her bday present. Its her bday next week but shes unlikely to be home. We may suggest she comes home for a night or 2 afterwards to incorporate the Easter weekend. I have the money in my occassions pot to pay for her present. Have a little small postable something to go with her card to get there for the actual day and I created a hamper full of 'bits' that she can pick n choose whether she leaves here to use or takes back with her. I also have Easter eggs.

I found it a bit of a slog at the beginning of the year, to both build up savings to pay for occassions and buy items when seen. I felt like abondoning it, but so glad I persevered as I see the rewards now of both being able to pad out gifts and having money already earmarked to buy presents with.

After DD's bday and Easter, both next week. The following week is FIL's bday, which other than giving DH a budget I intend staying out of.

After that no more celebrations until June, when we are hit with 2 Wedding anniversaries (ours and my parents) and father's day all in the same week! Havent a clue yet what we will do for the anniversaries, but Dad mentioned the other day that he would soon need a new wallet and I asked him what he liked about his current one (various different sections or what DD dubs an 'eco system' - lol). I will start looking but I also think that the US celebrates fathers day the same date as the UK, so will look when we're there in May. DH I bought the paddle board with small glasses for my present cupboard so will tell the kids they can have that, just buy their Dad some craft ale to go with it.

The Mothers day give me cosmetics, that Im saving till Christmas, I decided that the bodycare will be for Mum and am splitting the cosmetics between me and her.

mandco

@spendless I find the beginning of the year is always tough you’re catching up with the Xmas over spends and January is usually a long month but sounds like your perseverance has paid off and the present stash is building nicely

the Lego sets I ordered on offer did turn up 😀 so those are stashed ready for DD’s birthday in the summer.
Dd is actually going to be home for more than an hr 😉 the next few days as her bf is away with work so going to try and sort out stuff ready to pack for the holiday which is coming around quickly now.
Finally got round to listing some stuff on vinted yesterday and sold a couple last night which will go towards holiday spends - still have a bunch of stuff to list so really need to get that done as hopefully will make a bit more before we go but I do find its time consuming and I’ve been so busy lately.

Coxy11

Hi all,

DH's birthday today. We don't really do gifts but I got him a Yeti mug for his upcoming camping trip - £33.99 delivered. We have ordered a Chinese takeaway to be delivered shortly and are just waiting for DS1 and DDIL to arrive. We'll go to the village pub after.

DH was working today so I took the train to Margate for a browse of the chazzers/artistic quarter and did a Boots scan to recycle. The bin was full to overflowing but I managed to squeeze my 5 items in - two regular sized bottles and 3 minis. Got eyeliner x 2 and a Wild deo refill. Points are now at £35.61 as I've done 8 S2R so far this year and only used my points for one small purchase.

Unfortunately there was a trackside fire at lunchtime so I had to get a replacement coach service to next nearest town to home (our station is very small, tumbleweed kinda stop). This took an hour as had to visit all the stations in between, then when we reached local town there was a sea of about 250 people!! I'd been in touch with DS2 to come get me, but walked a mile out of town to get away from all the chaos. Glad I didn't hang around in Margate too long as would probably still be on a bus!!

Next week we travel to the Highlands with DSis, BIL and nephew. DD and DS2 are coming with us. We'll be there for the Easter weekend and the following week and plan to do some walking, cable car up Ben Nevis (weather permitting) and visit some scenic areas!

Glad the Lego sets arrived @mandco and good that you've got DD's birthday gifts sorted @Spendless x

Spendless

Yeti is a lovely brand. A year or two ago DH US trips took us to the area where their HQ are based and as part of that, the board that DH is on could all select a gift by Yeti. Only we had to take into account how to get it back to the UK, result was I now have the most expensive lunchbag Ive ever owned and the pooch the most expensive dog bowls - lol.

Hope Mr Coxy enjoyed his day. The 'tumbleweed' description of the local train station made me laugh, cos the station in the area where DS lives is exactly the same. Its like its through a small woods and you stumble on it by accident! I had the misfortune of having to get off there once cos I missed my stop. Its only one stop down from where I live but our station is loads more pleasant.

DD is home next week again on a flying visit of less than 48 hours. Will be inbetween her bday and Easter. Will have items for both here. Think Im going to add some of the give me cosmetics stuff to her hamper as shes mentioned running low on some items.

She wanted to do something for her bday that didnt involve food. Was getting a bit stuck since only have Good Friday to play with but have found a spa day and paid less than £100 for the 2 of us. Weve been to the same place before for a Hen party and I also attended a wedding there. Its not got loads of spa facilities, just sauna, steam room, gym and pool and youve got a set time for the hot tub, but you also got a choice of 4 small treatments, we both chose a mini facial and includes a hot drink and small snack. When I attended the wedding there last year it was during the time Nan and Dad had gone into hospital and Id crashed my car and I felt it give me a really 'away from it all' feeling due its beautiful surroundings.