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

Rosa_Damascena

I was gobsmacked to see the 1.2kg tins of chocolates in M&S already last week! But then last year I was too late by looking at the start of December, so I will get them next time I pop in. I did notice the food offering changed at the start of the month (as pointed out by @mandco), I just didn't expect the full-on razzle dazzle to be launched until after Halloween. Fool that I am!!

Spendless

Christmas food but not often the Christmas gift range are usually out by now. How do I know, well today would have been my Nan's 101st birthday, she died last year at 100 and for many years I was able to buy chocs, biscuits etc in a nice tin for her, for her birthday, but a severe lack of gift range items to look at. Theyd all be out 3 weeks later when I look for DH's birthday present.

PennysIntoPounds

My mum usually buys me the latest Thursday Murder Club book in paperback for Christmas, I saw it for a fiver in The Works so bought it for me from her as she doesn't have one nearby, so that's saved her a few quid!

Coxy11

I went to Canterbury today with DDad and DS2. I got DD a jumper from H&M plus a set of 3 fragrance from Boots:

https://www.boots.com/sol-de-janeiro-sol-and-cheer-set-10397068

Hoping it doesn’t look too Christmas-sy. She’s given me no ideas AT ALL so I got a gift receipt for the jumper just in case…

I received a birthday £5 off from Hotel Chocolat VIP so used that today and treated myself to a packet of puddles to which I added £2.95.

mandco

I got caught out with a few xmas food items I wanted last year thinking I had plenty of time to get them only for them to sell out weeks before so picking bits up as I go this year as long as the dates are long enough

Took a chance and headed to smyths first thing this morning to see if I could get any of the Pokemon 30th anniversary cards released today. Instore is the only way to get them so Wasn’t optimistic as I knew it would be busy and wasn’t prepared to wait hours - last time they started queuing about 6am. Got there about an hr before opening and it was way busier than the last time but luckily I got there just in time to get one of the last tickets available before they started Turning people away. they’d sold out of everything apart from the trainer box but did get 1 to put away for Xmas so happy with that.
i do feel for parents who’s kids want them but that couldn’t get there because of work/school runs as the majority of buyers who can end up being resellers the boxes are already listed on eb@y ect for £150-£200 😡

Coxy11

I wondered if you would be getting the Pokémon stuff @mandco - glad you got it okay. My kids were never into it but late nephew was and his brother (13 years his junior) has got all A’s cards and collects them himself.

I visited a NT place on Wednesday and got a nice soap for my Mum to put away for Christmas. She’d pointed it out when we went out the other week. She’ll probably put it in her undies drawer!

Nephews birthday on Sunday (19) so I got a card out last night and left it for DH to write this morning. He’s popping it round after work as it’s on the way home. This is DH’s sister and BIL who appear to have stopped sending cards so I’m going to channel my inner @Spendless and see what happens for our birthdays next year.

I’m going to start buying a few ambient food bits from October. Hoping to have our bedroom back by then (depends on carpet) so will have more space in the house to store stuff.

mandco

@coxy11 the whole only selling instore on release with such limited stock is an absolute pain but it’ll be worth it come Xmas just frustrating I was only able to get 1 item as it means deciding on who get it - they released 3 different items this time and they limit it to 1 of each per person but with varying amount of stick per item so everything else was sold out by my turn. my lot have all gone through Pokemon phases though it was more toys when the boys were little but now they are older they’ve started collecting the cards again but actually being able to get any is ridiculously hard. it’s seems very popular with the late teens - twenties age group who remember it from the 1st time round. Like many I’m a little gutted at how many Pokemon cards I got rid of from the original release my eldest had once he out grew the brand as some of them sell for loads.

boots Xmas section was fully up and running today other than a couple of spaces where specific items were missing - did drop off a set of recycling hoping to boost my points a bit more to cover some gifts.

Pandora have a 3 for 2 sale on - last year I’m sure they had the same deal closer to Xmas but not sure if will come back so might get DD’s charms ordered now

Spendless

My kids also mention how much things ftom their childhood are sought after now, pokeman cards, figures such as my little pony and moshi monsters.

Worked out how to redistribute some items bought in anticipation of DD being here on Xmas Day by sending her down a ber basket (or is it burr?). Put in it PJs that were destined for the XE hamper, the additional handcream, a lip conditioner I found. Bought a pumpkin spice diffuser and an electric toorhbrush (recommendation of dentist this week).

Fetched up with DH that I hadnt got him.anything for his bday. He says he wants to get something while we're away. Mine and his bdays are the last of the year, when I get back Ill be able to concentrate on Xmas.

mandco

I did read that childhood toys are becoming a must have collectible - something to do with trying to recreate the joy felt in childhood in a time where life pretty much sucks in most areas.

had to make a trip into town today to pick up my M&S order that was supposed to be ready Friday but got delayed and wasn’t ready when I was in town at the weekend but still had the same collect by date despite being delivered 3 days late? Said order included the teddy bear nut cracker https://www.marksandspencer.com/spencer-bear-santa-nutcracker/p/hbp61229556 I’m not usually a great fan of the nut cracker style decorations but it’s actually really nice. While I was there i Also picked up a small box of the Xmas chocs https://www.marksandspencer.com/food/the-mini-merry-christmas-selection/p/fdp60753709#intid=pid_pg1pip96g6r7c1 to try to see of it’s worth getting the bigger box.

As I was going into town anyway I ordered 3 charms in the Pandora offer for dd for click & collect rather than wait on delivery so those are now safely stashed away for Xmas.

princesskitty29

Hi all, so sorry for the radio silence – again!! Every time I post on here I’m determined to come back on regularly like I always did but life just keeps getting in the way what with DS1 not going to school and the endless tasks and meetings involved in getting an EHCP. I do want to be better though as I’m not doing much for myself at the moment. I will try to catch up with everything but in the meantime I hope everyone is ok.

I’m still adding to my Christmas stash and I’ve also started the food cupboard. We’ll be at my mums for Christmas day so I won’t need to get as much as normal but I do like to have things like nuts and chocolates at home.

DS1 has gone to my in laws today so I’ve made myself a cup of tea and I’m going to go back and have a catch up and maybe also buy a few Christmas presents off my list!