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

Soontobeoap

I normally buy small presents for Grandsons as an advent calender but as they get older or is getting more and more expensive. AmaOn have the Lego advent calender for £18.99 so I have ordered 2 of those. Job done.

Spendless

I too think the M&S xmas decs look tacky.

We flew with airtransit but since they only go to Canada, pretty easy to give them a swerve in future. Parents flew Tui. I do wonder if the time of year played a part, less passengers = smaller planes. We flew back on a larger plane (it was changed no idea why) and their seats were wider. Its something I will look up in future, width measurement of seats.

princesskitty29

Hi all, it sounds like everyone is getting on well with their prep. We’ve just been in an EHCP bubble recently, DS1 has been awarded one which is great but realistically I don’t know how much difference it is going to make. All of the recommendations involved having 30minute 1-2-1 sessions dotted through the school week to go over certain things but seeing as we can’t actually get him into school it doesn’t really help! We’re in a difficult spot at the moment as we live in a 3 tier school system so he is currently in his last year of middle school, he is due to go into Y9 next September which will be a move up to upper school. We’re supposed to make a decision now and apply for a place but we have no idea how things are going to look next September. We have found an alternative school that would very much suit his needs but obviously the LA are pushing for mainstream school as they say it can meet his needs – even though he can’t attend! So at the moment the LA will recommend the local mainstream upper school and we can put in a parent request for the other school, but of course we know that will be rejected so we’ll likely have to go to a tribunal at some point. I really wish the government would do a complete overhaul of the education system, it is quite outdated and even a lot of teachers that I know don’t like it either. It is so super stressful.

Anyway DS1 has gone to my in laws today to give me a bit of respite so I’m getting on with some jobs and catching up on here. I’m going to my parents on the 7th November so I need to get wrapping presents to take up there as we won’t have room in the car to take them all at Christmas. I got a lot wrapped and ready in October last year and when I was ill in November it was such a relief to know I had already got a lot sorted.

Spendless happy belated birthday!

mandco we sound so similar – we’re off to Bultins in half term! DS1 is happy there as he knows it so well and is comfortable – and if he has a good time then everyone has a good time. What a great bargain you got, ours always cost a lot more than that! :D

Auti I love the advent calendar you decorated, it looks lovely and you know it’s unique to you.

Coxy I love the idea of those M&S light up truffle tins as table favours. Gosh your kitten sounds like a handful!

Sammy_kaye so good to see you back here! It sounds like you have some great ideas for people. I too worry about the future when my boys are grown up and that I may feel like the magic has gone, but I loved Christmas so much before I had children that I’ll have to try and tap back into that. Maybe focus on things that bring you a lot of joy at Christmas? Maybe have advent activities to do each day for you or with your DH? I think getting stockings for you all is a great idea, I don’t plan on ever stopping making stockings! :D

Rosa_Damascena I don’t mind the M&S baubles, I imagine they’re probably better for gifting to people who like specific snacks etc.

PennysintoPounds gosh those boots are expensive but I also totally get that it can be worth paying for quality that will last. Are there any discount codes or cashback you can get with them? Maybe they can be the next 3 years Christmas presents! :D

Spendless

@princesskitty29 - Have you joined some support groups? When we were in EBSA hell it was the end of yr 10 into first full term of yr 11 and I found the support groups I found on SM a godsend. They were full of invaluable advice and I wonder if theyd be able to help with your senior school conumdrum.

We ended up by chance with a bespoke package for youngest. Unable to attend her (3rd!) School in yr11 f-time. She went part time, very reduced GCSE subjects (core ones plus history) and had private tutors at home rest of time. Her official school paid for the core subjects one (an admittance theyd made a pigs ear of her case?!) We paid for history.

mandco

@princesskitty29 its such a battle to get them any support so it’s great they have issued an initial echp but obviously its not gonna help if you can’t get him into school I the first place. It’s daunting and draining fighting a system thats working against you and will always push for mainstream first but he has the right to an education that fits his needs not their wants. It took sdd 3 years and multiple appeals and tribunal to get dgd into a specialist school but shes doing so much better now shes. I will admit I gave up to easily and probably switched to homeschooling full time with Taz too quickly but it was the best option for both mine & his mental health at the time as I was really struggling but I do worry he’s missing out in some areas despite the fact he’s perfectly happy.

We love Butlin’s for the same reasons but the prices during school holidays can be eye watering - I know we are really fortunate to be able to take advantage of the super cheap term time breaks as a perk of homeschooling.

Pick up a Boots Xmas catalogue instore today

Popped to different home bargains today and they had a load of grinch & polar express stuff my local doesn’t have. Picked up some Xmassy themed shower gels/hand washes and a 6 pk of lynx shower gels for my bil for £7.99 which pricewise is pretty hard to beat.

Aldi had the small frozen turkey breast joints in today so picked up a couple of those - £4.99- edit - so checked my receipt and they went though at £7.99 so assuming they were put in the wrong place or mispriced on the shelf but still not bad value. Only really me & Taz who eat it so not worth forking out on anything bigger though I go with the unstuffed as it’s more meat. obviously not top of the range quality at that price but we’ve brought them the last couple of years and they’ve been pretty decent so ideal if you just need a small amount of turkey or are on a tight budget. Also picked a Black Forest roulade they did have the choc nutcracker dessert in stock too.
The Xmas brochure is available to view online - they have a few interesting bits coming out late nov/early dec

Ordered 1 more thing off my list - I’d been waiting for a decent offer or free p+p - They were doing free gift worth £25 with any purchase.

mandco

while I’m not a fan of buying from home bargains online - customer service is practically nonexistent if you have any problems and they charge for courier returns they had a few bits not available in any of the stores I’ve visited so I’ve risked it and placed a small order including the dr paw paw mystery box - 5 items worth £30 rrp for £5.99.

the boots gift guide has a double points instore voucher & a qr code for a comp to win £1000 worth of gifts inside the centre insert.

Coxy11

@princesskitty29 glad your DS has been awarded the EHCP but the uphill struggle to get him to school to actually benefit from it is crazy. Sending you empathetic support xx

Those turkey joints sound good @mandco if you've only a few people who enjoy turkey. We went to a local garden centre last November with an instore butcher and they were doing boned and stuffed joints on bogof. I'm wondering whether they will have the same again this year what with food inflation. Thanks for heads up on Boots catalogue, will try to get one today when I'm in town volunteering.

DS1 came for dinner on Saturday as DDIL is visiting her family in the US. I did lasagne and he said they never have it as don't have a decent oven dish. So that's an idea for them for a joint gift.

Only 10 weeks to Christmas and I really need to get a shifty on with purchasing. Less people to buy for but currently nowhere to store anything as our bedroom is still being done. Hoping to be back in there at the weekend/early next week as the carpet is being fitted on Saturday.

Have had an invited for open house drinks on Christmas Eve with our friends from old town. It's 35 miles each way and I know I won't be able to have a drink as DH will want to drink with his mates. Also Mum coming to us this Christmas Day so will be picking her up and dropping her back, so yet again, no chance of having more than a little bucks fizz that day. Same friends are going to Paris for NY - we won't be going as too expensive.

PennysIntoPounds

That seems a shame @Coxy11, is there any budget available to book a room somewhere rather than do a 70 mile round trip for an event you can't even enjoy a Christmas drink at?! Could your mum stay the night or book a room nearby?

I see Dunelm are also doing a range of food and drink tree decorations, must be the in thing this year

Coxy11

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82173663#Comment_82173663

Thanks but I don’t think there will be any budget friendly rooms on Christmas Eve 🙁 Also Mum can’t stay over as we don’t have a spare room. Luckily she is only 10 minutes’ drive away. Will indulge in alcohol on Boxing Day!!

Two more gifts purchased today at the National Trust place I visited with DDad.

This for DS2: NT chutney

And this for grand furbaby DS1’s dog: https://www.ecopetparcel.co.uk/products/stick-man?currency=GBP&country=GB&variant=55896661033344&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&stkn=aec3f50c0800&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22810590202&gbraid=0AAAAABxDOIT6T2VuJaZ2ClzuYnmagr7ER&gclid=CjwKCAjwotzWBhBFEiwA1JhPoP_kNHUvc_El1EW087UnC9Xs7YJBX6-FTn4_56l8kE-TfZN_qSLDqxoCcsQQAvD_BwE

I also got a box of 8 Christmas crackers from the charity shop I volunteer at. Only Tesco ones but for £4 they are a bargain. They are red/white designs and have a game inside. 8 is the max we would host so I’m covered.

Also saw this offer in the jewellers in town yesterday. Good deal and available in gold or silver tone: Warren James

Spendless

I suspect many hotels will have guests on XE as they are staying there on XD too coxy. Your other issue would be driving on Christmas day morning in order to get home and risking that youre still above the limit to drive. Probs better to stick to boxing day drinking.

The Warren James offer is well worth it. That design is a copy of a famous Van Cleef one. I spotted the girls on LI earlier this year wearing it and noticed we had a (very cheap) version where I work. I bought the set for DD's bday but took the jewellery off the packaging and presented it in a box. Telling my colleague she had similar story, her sis in law had told her that her daughter (collague's neice) wouldnt wear anything from where we work. My colleague said 'ok' bought the items anyway, removed it all from the cards and put in a box. Shes far more creative than me so I bet it looked amazing. Result neice loves the pieces are wears them all the time.

Ive had DD home for a few days as she tested positive for covid. House is still wrecked from us being away cos Ive either been ill myself, at work or in nursemaid role since returning. Am longing for a day to myself but wont get one till next week.