so its only....

[RabidCarrot]

364 days till Christmas

LIDL getting christmas items out this morning. They already had the christmas puddings and stollen out. Oh hell I love stollen!!

I was very bold this morning, I got a kitsch Christmas jumper for DH! . And pjs for dd. I got stocking items for my bro yesterday, and a couple more for dd. there weren't any jumpers in ladies or kids yet.

I am on an overnight away from all responsibilities, DH remembered very very late last night that dd has swimming today (I even sent a meeting request to his diary 2 weeks ago so he'd remember!). And I was expected to organize dinner, he pulled sausages from the freezer.

But I have had a massage, gone through my lists, and made a couple of stops en route so got a few things. Including some garden things for dad,s hamper.

I need to get myself organized to go for a nice g&t, then a hot dinner to enjoy with my book and some peolewatching.

97

96

I bought some silver earrings and pendant for my DD (arrived today).
I'm going to have to find myself a present hidey space I reckon.

95

I have finally started shopping for dcs. I did a big order online yesterday and have got a few things for them. It's ridiculous that I've just started as I've had the 1st December hamper ready for months!!

I'm holding off getting too much for dd as I'm sure it will change the closer we get to Christmas.

What did you get buzz?

We actually have bought virtually nothing so far. Just the Lego ideas book (£3 from the book people!) and a couple of Pixar cars vehicles. Oh and I got DH a tiny Harry potter Lego set for his stocking.

Apart from that I have a few ideas but we are really embracing the idea that Less Is More this year!

We had a quick wander in a couple of shops the other day (during school time, they were empty) and TBH everything I saw just looked tacky/rubbish/pointless. I felt like a grumpy old woman as I huffed and rolled my eyes at everything I saw

Fuzz - I got everything from Smyths, they are having a 20% sale all weekend.

For dd I got monster high dolls, a VIP pet, disco ball and the elefun game. And ds got some jake and the pirates figures, little tykes guitar and a mega blocks table set (I actually got 2 of these - one for ds and one for nephews birthday which is on Christmas Day).

I'm also going to get dd a marble run and a Hama beads set but couldn't these in Smyths. I know she's got her eye on a Monster High car so will wait to see if it comes down in price.

I really wanted to get ds a little tykes construction set but it seems to have sold out. Hopefully will come back into stock soon!

What are you planning getting for your dcs?

I was planning doing a Chrustnas activity every day in December - anyone got any ideas that work well with little ones?

Thanks for the tip buzz I've never looked at smyths but I will now.

For the DCs their main present is the Playmobil Pyramid (from Santa, will be set up downstairs ready to play for the Wow factor! Can't wait to build it late on Xmas eve while glugging baileys :o) which was a bargain from toys r us.

Apart from that it'll be more Lego (got my eye on sets like wheels, doors/windows, roof tiles etc to boost what they've got), some puzzles/board games and maybe some little figures. Craft stuff possibly too.

Doesn't sound so much like 'less is more' now when I write it all down. That will be all of it though, as some of it will be from my parents (who hate choosing so they get us to order, wrap etc... fine by me!)

We have agreed no electronic stuff for them this year.

Activities for DCs - this is something I really want to increase as I've struggled in the past. I guess lots of baking, making little sweets etc. Making decorations, cards, gift wrap. Maybe a woodland walk to collect pine cones etc?

94 days!!! :-)

93 days!

Home bargains had 2 aisles of Christmas stuff out. Had a good nosey and will go back on pay day

Yipeee!!

The Range had all its Christmas stuff out today. Gorgeous little Santa outfits, children's Santa aprons and cake cases with toppers somehow ended up in my basket!

I had a look at The Range last week, their Christmas stuff was upstairs being unpacked.
I got looks from the staff.

Had to slink back downstairs to admire the Hallowe'en range

I did that last week 70, I wonder if we are in the same place. East mids?

92

Not East Mids nick I'm an Essex type (but NOT TOWIE)

The Ranges all over probably get their stock at the same time though.
Saves an in-house fighting.

91

I'm watching QVC Christmas Shop

3 months today!! Have we all got out sprouts on yet?

For Pete's Sake buzz are you only putting them on now?
Mine have been on the low burner since March.

You're will have TEXTURE and might be a bit green (albeit sludge green)

Best get the pressure cooker out.
And put it in the microwave.

90 days!

Feels ridiculously close now! Definitely getting me through the drizzly cold days (although with the odd nice day - or 'scorching' as DD puts it - I'm getting rather confused )

Is The Range a bit like The Works? We don't have one here.

Got some unexpected money the other day and DH immediately paid off the credit card which we'd used for uniforms, school shoes, DS' birthday dinner etc... but the app crashed and it paid twice. Bank refused to reverse it so we've agreed to use the credit card, which now has a few hundred quid prepaid on it, to start buying some of the presents we've already agreed on. So if I nip into town later (I've got a whole day to myself yay!) I will be going to the independent toy store - some people who lost their jobs when the local Woolworths closed started it a few years back - and getting some Lego sets - we agreed to get stuff like wheels, roof tiles etc to boost their collection. They will be a bit more expensive than online but I'm determined to support local shops when possible. Plus, as we are buying less, a few quid more for the presents won't make much difference.

It's dd1's birthday party in Sunday and after this is out of the way Christmas feels really close and I really start to think about presents. I love this time of year, Halloween and bonfire night and then of course Christmas. It's lovely

70s - I love a green sludgey brussel sprout!

It is a beautiful sunny, crisp day here - just the way I like it! Autumn has arrived.

I ordered a chocolate spoon mould set this morning - has anyone used them? Do they actually come out looking like spoons?

fuzzpig The range is like a mix of B&M/Home Bargains/Hobbycraft/B&Q. I dont think there is much they dont sell and its cheap and sooo good, the craft section is better than Hobbycraft and most of the top floor in ours is taken up at the moment with Christmas stuff. They have a cafe, garden & pet centre lots of homeware. I bloody love the range! This week I got lots of craft christmas bits and dog chews and a box of broken biscuits!