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

Spendless

DH bought FIL his birthday present a couple of large bars of choc, 1 his fav bar, the other a different brand but the same flavour as one of them in the boxed set I saw at Christmas. Hey ho - this is why I decided to not get involved! We called to see him with card and gift but he'd gone out on a day trip, which I didn't know but DH did and had forgotten. I was pleased for him that he'd gone on an outing. It was to the same wildlife park we went to recently. I've no idea if the care home charges for these sort of trips but if they do, we could have paid for it as his present.

The money I spent the past month on the 3 birthdays plus Easter I have moved from my Monzo account which now has £65 left. That will get topped up though because there are no more occasions until June when they appear in a cluster again with our WA, parents WA and Father's day within the same week!

Coxy11

Hi all,

I'm back from a week with the family in the Highlands. Stunning scenery, some lovely walks, rain, sunshine, wind and snow - all in the same week! The drive back was really long yesterday but fairly uneventful luckily.

Dad and Stepmum's birthdays whilst we were away. I messaged via WhatsApp as the phone signal was particularly patchy. Kudos to my DSis who managed to actually speak to them via WA and put me to shame. I will call after tea tonight.

I bought a couple of small Christmas stocking gifts whilst away - socks for DD and DS2 plus a pair for Dad for FD - they were on 3 pairs for £20. Dad will be here in the UK so will also get him some beers.

Nephew's birthday tomorrow. DH got him a Spiderman duvet set and a small Spiderman Lego set. Well I say he got them, I found several items in Argos and he chose, I collected whilst doing a food shop. He will drop them off tomorrow and also visit BIL who is back in hospital with more awful side-effects from his immunotherapy 😥

I am on a wellness retreat day tomorrow with DSis and a friend. Looking forward to it as despite being away we did some long hill walks and didn't really have a rest as such. Back to work on Monday.

Spendless

Glad you enjoyed your hol coxy. Sorry to hear BIL is back in hospital. I like nephew's present, a lovely mix of practical and play. Since you had to help a bit do you think your DH has learnt to not interfere with what you buy in future.

We are away with my parents and Im gleaning ideas for presents all the time. Mum has forgotten her travel alarm clock, we said use your phone. They dont have a charger on them, Mum didnt pack one cos Dad told her he didnt need one. 🤷‍♀️

In the Boots 70% off sale I bought a small zip up but quite rigid toiletry case with bodywash/lotion in. It has a clear front and I wasnt sure what I was doing with it. Now I think Ill tip the toiletries into DD's stocking and use the case to put in items that they need to have if they go away. Charger cable, plug and a powerbank will be going in! I should also be including written instructions on what a meal deal is since that one confused Dad at the services??! It was literally like a scene from a comedy sketch show - lol.

DH came across the car freshner set I bought him at Xmas and is using it. I might buy something along the same lines for Dad for FD. A look in my gift cupboard reminded me about the paddle board and drinking glasses I bought for DH. Ill tell the kids they can have that to give for FD, just add some ale.

mandco

@spendless hope DD’s play went well. Sounds like you have discovered a few more gift ideas figuring out what to get is often the hardest part.

@coxy11 glad the trip went well even if the weather was erratic. Sounds like you still did some of the leg work sourcing your nephews presents but as he’s still young probably for the best as at least you know he got something suitable.
sorry to hear your bil is having a tough time

Been crazy busy here had an emergency vets visit with one of the rabbits who needed medication & syringe feeding even 4 hours for days thankfully he rallied and is recovering nicely but that cost me £600 I could have done without though glad it was now and not while we’re away. I’ve also had raging earache due to another ear infection-dr thinks the last course of antibiotics didn’t fully clear it so doubled me up with tablets on top of the spray - he also gave me an extra spray to take with us just in case 👍️

Frantically trying to get everything sorted for the holiday still have so much to do and running out of time doesn’t help DD is going away this weekend with her bf on a last minute trip so now need to sort all her stuff too as she won’t have time once she’s back. Stressed is an understatement

Spendless

Ouch to the bunny costs. My vet friend once told me why Rabbit bills were more expensive than dogs/cats. Think it was to do with more intricate insides. I hate feeling overwhelmed and not enough time versus tasks. We have xmas decs still not away! For this reason I have banned DH from accepting or giving out any social invites this weekend in order to get some general house tasks and life admin done!

In a display of organisation not usually seen, Mr S has bought his Dad his FD presents already. On our recent trip he bought some handmade choc in the shape of tools that his Dad used to use and from abroad he also got him some crisps in a flavour his Dad really likes and you don't find here much. So it can be done leaving your significant other to fathom it out themselves, just needs nerves of steel whilst you leave them to do so without your intervention - hahaha.

That just leaves me to decide what I will get my Dad for FD and their and our WA.

Spendless

My Mum met me from work yesterday for us to go and watch The Magic Faraway Tree (really enjoyed it). She was early and my shift hadn't finished, so she decided to call in Primark and return. When I got out she showed me what she'd bought - a set of 3 clear toiletry bags to be used 'on their hols', exactly the same style, size and shape as the one I have got in that I intended using as a gift. She's obviously realised same thing I had, they need to be able to see stuff! Oh well, back to drawing board for what I'll get. Thinking of returning to buying the car freshener/accessory stuff for Dad for FD and settling on a day-trip for our WAs.

DH said to me last night about the items for his Dad. Don't think I've ever bought this far in advance for him before (you don't say -lol, resisted also adding and you've not ran it past relative for approval either).

mandco

@spendless a little frustrating your mum went and brought herself a set like you’d already brought great minds eh? . Ohh sounds like dh is finally started to get the hang of present buying even if it is just for his dad.

Yep buns have very delicate digest systems and treatment can be very time intensive as it’s often syringe feeding sometimes as often as every 20-30 mins which bumps up the costs considerably if they require in house treatment- unfortunately this one had need a vet trip while still in the insurance waiting period so any gut related issues aren’t covered which typically is the most likely reason they’d need to see a vet🙄

been up since stupid am woke up and couldn’t get back to sleeps so figured I might as well start sorting out the last minute bits that need doing before we head to Heathrow later - we’re staying at a hotel tonight then fly tomorrow 😀

Coxy11

Hi all,

Hope @mandco and family are enjoying their trip. Will look forward to hearing all about it x Did wonder who is looking after bunnikins - not sure there's boarding kennel equivalent - or maybe I'm wrong??

Annoying about the clear cosmetic bags that your Mum has bought herself @Spendless - could you use them or gift them to DD? Great that DH has bought for his Dad's FD - at least that's one gift sorted!

BIL still in hospital AFAIK - nothing from SIL this week although I've just texted her. We have had my BIL here this week fitting a new en suite. He's done all the prep - pipes, electrics, plastering, rerouting waste pipe etc, so next week will start the actual fitting. The dust has been unreal and obvs it's off our bedroom so not great, but it's progress!

I've done another couple of Boots Scan to Recycle recently so my points are up to £40 now, plus I've qualified on Shoppix for a £10 voucher too. All to be put towards gift buying going forward.

I attended a Wellness day and not only did they give us two goody bags I also won the raffle prize! I gave some of the items to DSis - a full size lip gloss in a sheer gold which did not suit me at all plus some haircare as seemed to receive lots of twin haircare products from various brands. I kept the prosecco for me lol! I've added these items to my Project Pan list so I don't forget to use them.

Next gift buying is for my nephew who is 18 in a few weeks' time. When we were on holiday I realised they have a family tartan as BIL got a scarf for them both. I found a company online who make hip flasks with a circle of the tartan on the front and can be engraved, so I ordered/received that this week. I'm really happy with it - total cost including engraving and postage was £24.99. He will also get a voucher as budget is £50.

My Dad is coming over in June so will be here for FD. I got him some bamboo socks whilst on holiday and will also get some beers for him to enjoy whilst here. DH and I went to our local town yesterday to pay the bathroom shop bill and there's a lovely gift shop there. Treated ourselves to a couple of items (one for our new en suite) plus one for the kitchen. They had lovely garden bits in there, and I suggested getting something for his Dad for FD but he didn't really engage, probably because it's 2 months away! This is the biggest difference between men and women I reckon - us women like to get ahead and not leave things to the last minute!

Photos of some goody bag loot and hip flask to follow:

Spendless

Some areas do indeed have boarding facilities for rabbits (or other small animals like guinea pigs or hamsters). A friend of mine (a Vet) owns and runs such a facility. Her eldest daughter got into a private day drama school aged 11 and she needed another income stream to cover the fees and spotted a gap in the market.

Goody bag has some fab stuff in coxy and hip flask with tartan is lovely too. Hope BIL in hospital is ok.

Yes, its a bit frustating Mum had same idea as me, on the positive side it does mean she has recognised a need for them to have visible stuff when they go away. My case is a colour that would suit anyone, so it might even end up with DH with items in it.

Mr S also suggested a book to me that my Dad would like for FD. Said to wait until the end of the month to order when my birthdays/occassions pot has been topped up.

Have a lovely holiday mandco.

Spendless

I forgot to say I sent off for this offer from Gruum .

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/deals/gruum/#4DxsdvFLOVV3cw1hkqesgX

I went for the one with face sunscreen and lip protector as these are the items I'm most likely to use as stocking fillers.