* Rocking around the Christmas Tree * - It's the 2018 Christmas Chatter Thread

peppy I do think really get any of the traditional body spray and shower gel sets for anyone, OH has sensitive skin so I never know how he'd react to any so that's him out. I buy for a couple of girls who are just getting into smellies so have started getting them things like lip gloss or small cans of body spray but in the past have got them some nice things like big character hot water bottle / pj covers. They're usually gifts that I can afford / are in budget in the sale but not at full price.
We also have a couple of DN who are still in the Disney age range so things for parties (that they always seem to be going to) like nail sets or glittery body spray is good for them.
This year I saw some additional bits for people I wouldn't normally buy early for, but really liked so that was a good buy IMO.

I love the darts at Xmas - actually went to bed as it was getting late during the second semi and couldn't sleep because I was too excited to see the result so sat in bed watching it on the iPad I love the fact there aren't many sports where people of such different ages can compete against each other.

msgiggle - I have been keeping an eye on the Boots sale but not really been impressed with it this year. Saying that I've not bought much at all in the sales, apart from some wrapping paper & a few little bits & pieces. I think at the moment I'm trying to focus on getting the house decluttered so the thought of buying more stuff doesn't work with my new focus

Hi murie, hope you are well. I do that sometimes, I don't always reply but I'm always reading & checking in on everybody.

Stokie - that damn cough has been bothering a lot of people. I hope you're feeling a little less fed up today! I always find January is a drag, the weather is rubbish, payday seems a long time away, there is nothing exciting to look forward to & is just generally miserable.

Hi bunbun, welcome back to the chat.

0462 - that's a great deal on the advent calendar. I wish I was good at finding these bargains. Good luck with the house sale, hopefully you will get a buyer soon that wants to move quickly & be in before the spring

vulpix- sounds like you're still on a mission. Great find with the curtains, I need to get a new pair for my bedroom but we will be redecorating that room this year so I will probably just keep the ones I've got until the decorating commences. Bedding is so expensive isn't it! We have got a super king size bed too, so makes it top of the bracket all the time. I usually only buy our bedding in the sales now but the problem with that is, they aren't always available.

kerri - I used to do a lot of my shopping in Boots, just used to do it by default, but over the last 2 years I bought a bit more in Superdrug mainly because of offers I'd spotted, but I certainly think they are better value for money than Boots now.

3forH - hope you are doing well.

Peppa - we have booked somebody in to start working on our back garden in around 6 weeks now, so that by the time the weather warms up it will be lovely.

I've had a busy weekend really. Put some furniture together, sorted through my daughters clothes & toys to get rid of some stuff & put some of her board games away properly, instead of having them stacked in the corner. I also put all our Christmas bedding in my ottoman, I usually keep them in the airing cupboard with the rest of our bedding, but they get in the way so I thought I'd put them somewhere that isn't used regularly. I also put some of our old bedding in a charity bag which is being collected today, so that clears up more space . I feel like I achieved a lot this weekend, so I'm happy.

Afternoon all, been a bit awol but am reading along.

Its DD's big 10 birthday tomorrow :eek: she's very excited but im a bit at the thought of my baby being in double figures, im just not ready! She very helpfully wrote me a birthday present wish list . . unfortunately she wrote it yesterday *rolls eyes*, DH was after a new xbox game so we wandered out to the city and I actually managed to find 2 of the games she was after in the sale at g@me so snapped them up and was talked into some wireless headphones for her as well, so my amazing idea of a trip to Harry potter has again been side lined and we've said we're going to stop trying to do it as a present and just book it later in the year on a whim as a special treat for her as she's never one to ask for things through out the year.

I too am feeling the january blues, its just such a sad month, so long and cold and dreary, im not much of a fan of february either but at least you can say its only 4 weeks long, january just seems to stretch on for an eternity, I swear the calendars are lying, there is no way this month has 31 days! feels more like 131! :rotfl:

Also looked in Mr T for reduced toys for next years giving tree but they were surprisingly lacking! I usually get something each january :eek: did pick up 2 packs of gift tags for 5p each, not sure I needed them but I just couldn't turn down 5p gift tags! :rotfl:

Good luck with the move 0462

Sorry if I haven't commented on anything else I should have done, im struggling a bit with the health again and I just cannot retain information at the minute, I read it and !!!!!!! it disappears into the corner recesses of my mind never to be seen again

Quieter in here now. I do find it harder to post with less Christmas stuff happening, but I'll try and post at least once a week.

We several inches of snow with more expected overnight. It does look lovely and the kids have been out playing since school finished. But I like my snow before Christmas lol.

Picked up a few things in the sales, a denim jacket for me and bits and bobs for my youngests birthday in May.

Still not decided whether to move or not. I really don't want to, but makes sense financially.

Well done KERRI, only buying what you need/want in the sales is when you get a real bargain. I tend to spoil it by buying more than one when I spot a 'bargain' and ending up with things I've got no recipients for so I'm going to try not to do that this year.

Hope DD enjoyed her birthday JAKESMUM, it pulls the heartstrings when they reach these milestone birthdays doesn't it. When I look at my girls now they're grown up I can't believe it, I can remember being their age so clearly and it only seems a short time ago.

0462 hope DD is feeling better now. Your post reminded me that I'm supposed to be budgeting for Christmas this year so I've started with all the big bills that aren't paid monthly (insurance, car servicing etc) and tonight I'll work out how much we need for pressies across the year and at Christmas so I can be sure how much I need to put away each month. I haven't really got used to not having my salary coming in every month but I used to budget well years ago before I earned good money so I'm confident I can do it again if I really try. I find it hard to budget when the money I'm putting aside is in the bank so for now I'm going back to my envelopes and I'm going to try using cash instead of the credit card. I pay it off in full every month but I do buy more if I'm not parting with real money.

No Christmas planning here (other than aforesaid budgeting) but I'll still be getting my daily Christmas fix from our lovely thread.