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

Rosa_Damascena

I have just investigated the tree decorations in M&S and the theme this year is snacking. No sign of the truffles though!

PennysIntoPounds

Thanks @mandco, his boots were on the way out anyway so they've been taken to the shoe recycling bin before they sat in the hall for months while we went 'mend or not mend'! Very glad for these boards so I'm in the mse habit of saving for a Christmas pot, but a few more surveys and vinteds are going to have to be done in the next few months!

The scents sound great, love a good dupe. If you're on FB you can often get a little tester perfume when brands are launching a new product if you follow perfume companies, I sometimes put one in my Mums stocking if I think it'll be up her street, got a Liberty's one already for this year, and last year included the Rolling Stones ones- who knew there was such a thing?!

mandco

@sammy_kaye18 dd quite likes vanilla based scents so I’ll def check those out too - the bottle on the next one is very pretty like you say gives jean Paul gaultier vibes they do a mens dupe too.

popped into home bargains this morning as dd wanted to pick up a coupe of Halloween candles she’d seen I found the dr paw paw lip oil trio for a bargain £3.99 cheapest I can find it elsewhere is Amazon at nearly double https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dr-PAWPAW-Tinted-Lip-Trio-Pack/dp/B0F15MYDKS?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&smid=A1D9MAJ9098EKP&th=1 so picked that up for DD’s stocking they also had the mini luxe lip balm trio @ £2.79. Didn’t pick up much else today but did see a few bits I want to pick up later.

Did pick up some York fruits on offer @ £2.50 & some red & green peanut m&ms in Iceland plus some matchmakers on offer @ 95p in Tesco for the Xmas stash.
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sammy_kaye18

Thanks @Spendless I think it is just wherever is cheapest tbh but I keep looking for samples and browsing the freebie board - I also apply for perfume samples too and a few of those get added into stockings etc to see if people like them.

@mandco - I believe Tesco have their chocolate oranges on offer too at the minute for 80p if anyone else puts them in stockings.

I am going to focus today on finding a place to hang the 5 stockings that I have to fill so as and when I get things I can wrap and put into the stockings to see how full etc they are and wont have the panic come nearer Christmas that one doesn't look full enough. I'm yet to see if mine will get filled, its the first year I've had a stocking since I was 15!

I did do a small shein shop the other day though and picked up the following

• 2 picky blocks (the things are jelly with strings in that you pick with tweezers) for DD16
• Shark socks (looks like the shark is eating your foot) for DD16
• Pk of 5 hairbobbles that look like googly eyes (will split between DD16 and DIL19)
• A pickle jar badge for DD16
• Thick fairisle type socks for DH
• 2 pk of magnetic socks (they look like they are holding hands) one for DS and one for DIL
• A chicken nugget keyring for DIL
• 2 towel hair bonnets (one for DD16 and one for DIL19)
• Keyring clasps and hoops to make macrame lanyards, key chains and plant hangers

Think it cost me £14.75 in total and puts a few bits in their stockings to start us off. I'm in town tomorrow so I will pick up 4 chocolate oranges to go in them as well.

Still need to start the cross stitch for nan so going to nip over to the cross stitch thread for inspiration and accountability

mandco

@sammy_kaye18 thanks for the heads up on the choc oranges wouldn’t be Xmas without one in the stocking

Nice little haul from shein I’ve been putting off looking but I do find its often a good place for girly stocking fillers, Xmas decs and arts & craft bits for the grandkids

Spendless

We're back off our hols and Ive visited parents who were away at the same time and had the same airline experience we did where they think Ryanair is a good role model to copy. Thinner, narrower seats, no pillow, blanket or headphones, half a can poured as a drink and our bfast for a 7 hour flight was a cookie each, I kid you not and that was still better than parents who when Dad asked if he could get 2 toasties for his 3.5/4 hr flight got told No cos he hadnt ordered them.

At least it gives me ideas for main gifts for them, will be looking out for travel pillows/blankets for them. I'll add them to the bits I already have and then they'll be done. Not sure when Ill be able to get everything down from the present cupboard cos I want to spent this week chilling till Im in work on Friday and then I go on the 'holiday punishment rota' for a week where Im in most days then waiting to find out after that.

Coxy11

At the risk of being thrown off this thread for bragging rights….I bought another 3 of each truffles/mini light up tins today in M&S. They are with the chocolates/foil wrapped chocolate lollies if that helps. And still £4 each. I am happy to start a little industry and send them to you all from Kent!!

That’s awful about your airline @Spendless - name and shame!! Enjoy some downtime before going back to work.

Good to see you @sammy_kaye18 you have made good progress on the stocking fillers. I’ve never bought from Shein - may take a look. Thanks also for the choc orange heads up.

That’s a good price for the Dr PawPaw lip oil @mandco don’t blame you grabbing it!

There is a Highland Cow experience near us so that might be an idea for DD and her boyfriend.

mandco

not sure what M&S were thinking with the snack themed tree decs this year?? I’d have thought it was a pretty niche theme anyway but personal I think they Mostly look pretty tacky and not what I’d expect from M&S

@spendless that’s shocking service i agree name & shame it’s the only way they take notice. I hate it when companies feel they can penalise you for taking time off your entitled too by making you working long shifts on return. Hopefully your next rota will be more reasonable.

@Coxy11 well done on finding more of the M&S Tins - I’m hoping I’ll find some in stock soon apparently they have been getting them in but they’ve been very popular and sell out quickly.

A highland cow experience sounds like something my dd would love I didn’t know they did them - unfortunately nothing local to us but did see one a couple if hours away which also does camping/glamping stays which I might look at for her birthday in the summer.

Shein can be a bit hit & miss with the odd bit of tat that’s not like described but I’ve had some really good buys though shipping times can take a while - last year I picked up a selection of highland cow stationary bits for DD’s stocking. You’ll find a lot of stuff that’s exactly the same on Amazon/ebay ect for a lot more but with faster postage as it’s uk stock. the sellers have purchased on shein originally and then sell on for a profit

Might look at doing a Tesco Xmas food to order as they are doing a Finest Free From Caramelised White Chocolate & Speculoos Cake 720g (Serves 12) not totally sure yet as it’s not my favourite flavour but it would make a change from the usual chocolate yule log which is generally the only gf cake option.

Rosa_Damascena

I couldn't find the M&S truffle tins in my local store on Saturday, but was a little surprised at the £6 price on the mini baubles, they really were not big. They must have run out.

mandco

I’m easily influenced and ended up having a browse on shein - ordered some k pop stuff for the grandkids, some wooden tree decs & some capybara Xmas wrap as it’s not something I’ve seen anywhere else.