Countdown to 2016 - a whole extra day to wait.

[AbbyCadabby]

366

[santa]

[orlakielyimnot]

You mean that 2016 is a leap year, not that we have an extra day in 2015 in the countdown to 2016? I think I'll revel in the extra day, may take it off work and do something nice!

[candykane25]

Hopping on board.

[NowBringUsSomeFuzzpiggyPudding]

I didn't join any countdown threads for the last couple of years and I really missed them! So, I'm signing in, if you'll have me! [santa] [hands out Lebkuchen]

I may have already bought two of the main presents for next year. Already on my spreadsheet (this year was the first time I actually kept track of spending at all!).

Thinking ahead to 2016... I particularly want to be more charitable. I'm thinking of setting aside a chunk of our budget to help others, as in the past I've always struggled to do this - I think planning for it will help because otherwise I tend to (selfishly!) panic that we can't afford it. Unfortunately volunteering is unlikely to be an option if my health deteriorates further, so it will be in the form of donations, but I'd rather it was objects (food/toys/essentials etc) instead of money because I think it will mean more to the DCs.

Also definitely want to do more craft and cooking with the DCs. They are home educated now so we have much more time! We made a couple of clay decorations (made imprints of our lavender bush, turned out really well!) but it would be nice to do it properly and make presents for family.

[AbbyCadabby]

orla, yeah, an extra day in 2016! So 365 days til Xmas next year now.
I think Feb 29th should be a bank holiday, wouldn't that be nice!

Hi, candy.

Me too, Fuzz. Been preoccupied with various things, and not on MN much. I actually made it a new year resolution to be off it for a while, think I was a bit addicted!
Of course we will have you.
Sorry to hear about your health.
We are also going to do more donating. Had to hoard DS's baby stuff but now DD is here we are going through baby things as and when they're outgrown. Did a massive dejunk today, and MIL took two big boxes away to her friend who runs a charity shop. Not totally selfless - feels good to have had a clearout.

Also want to do more craft with DS - he's not been into it until recently. We home ed too! (DS was never at school.) How old are yours?

Took the tree down tonight. Having a party NYE and need the space, so took the opportunity of PIL being here to get on with it. Roll on Xmas 2016!

[NowBringUsSomeFuzzpiggyPudding]

DD is 8 and DS is 6, how about yours? They were in yr3 and yr1 when we deregged :) really pleased they've come out now, DD's mental health in particular is much better.

[NowBringUsSomeFuzzpiggyPudding]

We seriously need a clear out too!

Clearing up today as we have our second Christmas with my teen/adult DSCs and DSS' GF. Always involves loads of board games, and a relatively new tradition of a quiz! Can't wait :o

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

xmasclock.com says 363 days + 7 hours (and something)

Is that till Christmas Eve though? (I was a day out last year when we counted down, I kept checking back to it periodically)

Let the Countdown begin and WayHey extra day (feel very ancient so each extra day is a bonus)

[NowBringUsSomeFuzzpiggyPudding]

Hey 70! I've missed you, not being on the Christmas threads . Every time I see your name on MN I want to talk about Christmas. It's like a Pavlovian response.

I've been updating my Christmas 2016 files. I really want to cut back on the amount of gifts... I say that every year though.

[NowBringUsSomeFuzzpiggyPudding]

(It's fuzzpig here by the way )

[AbbyCadabby]

fuzzpig, my DS is five. DD is a baby.
I was Lentil, btw.
And yes - seeing 70 or BiddyPop make me think Xmas!

I don't know, 70 - www.timeanddate.com/date/durationresult.html?d1=27&m1=12&y1=2015&d2=25&m2=12&y2=2016&ti=on says 365.

We did fewer gifts this year - having DD made me reassess how much stuff we could accumulate if we didn't calm it down. I'm aiming for a more minimal approach.

[OpheliaSnowBalls]

Joining nice and early this year!

This Christmas has been lovely (is! IS lovely! It's not over til 6 January! ), but the end of an era - DD is off to uni next year and all our little run-up traditions won't happen . For almost two decades we've done special things in November/December, lovely 'us' traditions. This year they've been tinged with sadness for us both because we know it's the last time we'll do them. Feeling weepy again just thinking about it! So next year will be a very different kind of Christmas for us, hopefully just as lovely though.

Already bought some lovely crackers, wrap, cards and decs massively reduced - I love having a few new things in my Christmas cupboard when I put my decs away (which won't be for over a week yet!).

[Oh2beatsea]

These Christmas posts on MN have helped me massively this year with ideas and good deals so I am planning to be really organised and start buying /getting ideas early on!!! I've bought next year's Christmas cards today - all at less than half price. Must remember where I stash them this year!!!

[AbbyCadabby]

Oh, Ophelia. Only the last time for a few years maybe - she could well be back after uni.
Care to share all your lovely traditions with us?

Well done on buying your cards Oh2. I have a pack of cards, wrap, crackers, PJs for myself, and a couple of festive outfits for DD that were half price.

[KinkyDoritoWithJingleBellsOn]

Checking in, counting down and hand-making presents for next year, so starting immediately. I have set myself a mega challenge to make a heap of crochet blankets, so want to try and follow the countdown to keep on track.

[NowBringUsSomeFuzzpiggyPudding]

I'm hoping to stock up on giftwrap etc tomorrow if my dad doesn't mind going via town (I need to pay a cheque in anyway) - or I might nip in today just to get some time to myself :o ooh I could go to Shakeaway... hmm.

[Paperblank]

Hello!!

360 something days

Well our christmas guests have gone, we're almost out of quality street and I have to say a lovely time was had by all.

Looking forward to doing it next year with a baby in tow! (8 weeks to go)

[AbbyCadabby]

Lol, yeah, 360something! 364? Ish.

Stocked up on lots of wrap today - hopefully got enough for the next five years of gifts from us (vs gifts from Santa/stocking). Got the same wrap we had this year hoping it will feel special to have the same for a few years.

Ooh, Paper, how exciting! Do you know what you are having? Is this your first/last etc?

[KinkyDoritoWithJingleBellsOn]

362, not that I checked or anything...

[ohhelpohnoitsa]

Hopping on the bus to next Christmas. Shops around here seen to have cleared out cards.and wrapping paper already!!!!!!!! No bargains to be had..

[AbbyCadabby]

Did you count it out on your fingers, Kinky?

[NowBringUsSomeFuzzpiggyPudding]

Oh Paper that's so exciting, they'll be nearly one! My great-nephew (I'm not as old as that makes me sound by the way! :o) turned one this Christmas, it's a lovely age for it, he's been thoroughly spoiled bless him :o :o so cute.

I found similar ohhelp - did my annual trip to Boots for the wrapping paper and there was, to put it bluntly, fuck all! Normally there's loads. I actually felt a bit sad, I love Boots paper and have always bought it in their sales each year since DH worked for them (staff discount!), and I feel like I've betrayed them by not buying any despite the fact that the company totally screwed us over when he got a back injury and that's why he doesn't work for them anymore :o I got cards but that was it.

I checked Debenhams - no paper but I got crackers - I like the ones with activities in rather than gifts, this year we had the musical whistle ones with a songsheet which caused much hilarity! For next year I got ones with paper planes. :o

BHS had absolutely nothing. It's so weird, every shop I went in had this wrapping paper wasteland with nothing left! Until I went to M&S (thanks to a random shopper who kindly answered my frenzied demand question about where they'd got their paper from!) and there was LOADS. So I've written it on my file to try there first next year, although TBH I've got so much I shouldn't need to! But I'm thinking of getting one of those Really Useful Boxes that's the right length for wrapping paper.

Sorry that was a ridiculously long piece of waffle, kind of reminds me of Frank from the Vicar of Dibley why yes, I am watching it right now talking about how he went to the pub and they were completely out of crisps... but hey, if I can't talk wrapping paper in the Christmas 2016 thread then where the heck can I?

[AbbyCadabby]

I got mine in Tesco.
Considering buying: wrap storage bag.

[Paperblank]

361

I am soooo excited about having this baby. We are "old" parents (I'm 41 and DH is 43) and this is our first baby. We met in our late 30's and got married earlier this year and this little one is just the icing on the cake. We've no idea what we're having we're looking forward to that final surprise


I have no doubt that DH is going to spoil the baby rotten - next Christmas will be something to behold!

[ConstantlyChristmaslyCooking]

Hi all. Was going to wait until after 12 th Night to post, but wanted to say to ophelia that DS started university this year and following advice from 70, I used this as a chance to create new traditions including sending small advent gifts in the post and linking decorating the tree to end of term. It has worked well, so don't worry [santa]

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Hello

We still have the decorations up, we take them down on NYD.
I'm working on the 31st so DH will be cooking (haha then I woke up)

I'll buy some nice NYE/NYD food tomorrow, get some fireworks (I'd love to go to London but it sounds a load of aggro to wait about (for the fireworks) and get home again)

Doing the Between Christmas and New Year tidy up and healthy meals thing (I didn't go overboard due to my pedantic intestines , had some cake and pudding and waited for the inevitable results.............)

We had a housefull for Christmas which was lovely, lots of yattering and cooking. Now my DC are 13.6 and 16 , Christmas is more a get together with more food.

I also realised that this would be the last year my DMum and DDad would be able to travel to me , so any Christmases we have together will need to be at their house.
I'll be one of those people buying their food on Christmas Eve then , I'd arrange a Sainsburys delivery to their house then run round to the Co-Op for any ommisions.

Pushes away the box of Cadbury Heroes , back to my goodly habits now