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The Twitch - How much did it cost you last year?!

354 replies

NannyPlumForPM · 17/11/2013 13:40

Now I am nosy intrigued as to how much the dreaded 'twitch' cost you last year. I probably won't start twitching until at least the second week only December when things are getting wrapped... But it cost £140 with oh I don't think dbil has as much as dfil etc etc .

Tell me your stories Grin and make me feel better

OP posts:
fuzzpig · 21/11/2013 21:14

Tiny twitch in national gallery shop today. Ok not that tiny Blush. Went in for one (expensive) puzzle, came out with that plus a smaller Van Gogh puzzle and a Van Gogh finger puppet :o they will make great stocking fillers though, DD will love them.

nickdrakeslovechild · 21/11/2013 22:09

The Twitch, Brilliant there is a word for it. Just had "The Twitch" in Lidl with all the yummy Christmas chocolate and biscuits!

Luggage16 · 21/11/2013 22:14

every time something new is posted on the bargain thread I twitch! I do not need to buy anything else for the children! lol

Crocklebog · 21/11/2013 22:30

I twitched and bought £50 worth of xmas candles yesterday FFS!

AFingerofFudge · 21/11/2013 22:37

hmm, I didn't realize until tonight that there was a term for it - i definitely suffer from "the twitch" - especially with books. The DS's normally end up with a pile akin to a library shelf's worth of books. The Book People have seen me coming and keep tempting me with their cheap but fab books......Another one of their blooming catalogues arrived today and again I have the twitch. Last week I swore I wouldn't buy another book until after Christmas.

TheOneWithTheHair · 21/11/2013 22:49

Oh I'm the same with books. Ds2 has a book fair tomorrow and the woman that picks him up is letting her son choose a book. I felt obliged to give some money to ds2 as well. I'm only bothered because they are so bloody expensive and I know I'd get it cheaper at the book people. (and I'm worried I will have already bought whatever he chooses. )

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 21/11/2013 23:40

My recent twitches...

I bought my DD A flannel nightshirt yesterday (she loves flannel shirts and I bought DS a dressing gown ) for her Christmas Eve Hamper

I'm going to admit defeat and but Tom Smith Christmas Crackers. I have looked at loads of the supermarket or M&S and thought "hmm, tat" so I'm going for naice ones.

Sweets and chocolates but in my defence... I have a glass bowl on the coffee table that had gold wrapped Lindt truffles and chocolate coins (getting less and less)

TotallyUprobably · 22/11/2013 09:52

Didn't add it up last year but the twitch must have cost us at least £120 - and I think I'm underestimating to mask the true horror. Have decided this year though there will be NO twitching whatsoever - I have become Xmas-dictator and have issued a strict budget and timescale to DH (and myself obviously). When the first week of December runs out (or the budget does) that will be it - anything not bought AND wrapped is OUT! I loathe the twitch - not only does it cost too much but it takes up too much time and I end up a nervous Grinch by Xmas instead of enjoying a serene mulled wine induced haze of Christmas joy.

Now just to see if it turns out that way! And if DH can resist twitching!

StarvingBookworm · 22/11/2013 11:48

The twitch has so far cost me at least £2 - I saw on the bargain thread that there were Tinkerbell hair wrap-towel-things in pound land so couldn't resist getting one for DD's stocking despite being done. Which means I need a final teeny item for DS, no idea what, probably something from poundland too!

Marne · 22/11/2013 12:36

It gets me every year, I finished dd2's presents a few weeks ago, needed a couple more bits for dd1 as dd2 has quite a lot but this week I ended up buying dd2 some bongo drums in LIdl so now dd2s pile is even more bigger than dd1's. was also tempted by the Asda big dolls house this morning as it is a bargain at around £37 but I am trying soooooo hard to stop myself.

JKSLtd · 23/11/2013 19:02

Not sure how much it cost me last year but I'm happy to find the Twitch thread this year, hadn't seen it yet.

I wandered in Asda on my own earlier and bought:

DS2 a set of planes (he has tonnes already)
DS1 & 2 another onesie each
4 books (well they were 2 for £7 or something & 1 should be a gift as I only have 3 DC)
3 DVDs (as the ones I bought in advance have ended up being given away as 1) we already owned 1 and b) PIL bought the DC some DVDs a while ago)

But i did resist a big cuddly doll for DD and lots of big plastic toys

I got my sister some chocolates to post to France for her birthday (her 40th so felt I ought to send more than just a card).
Have my Mum's bday on the 13th too to think about.
And think the whole extended family is descending between Christmas & NY so that means more food/booze & presents to think about....

PIL are coming next weekend for an early Christmas as they are going away - have given in and ordered something for MIL as DH is totally crap.
Need the DC to pick up some small things at the garden centre we're going to tomorrow to see FC from them to PIL.

CloserLook · 23/11/2013 19:46

Getting the twitch right now. Had all DS presents done but now he's announced he wants a race car and track (all because George got one from Santa on Peppa Pig). Trying to resist as he's got enough for Christmas already but know I'm going to end up buying one.

JKSLtd · 23/11/2013 20:06

Twitched again, thanks to MN, and bought FIl a personalised plectrum Hmm oh well, it was only £5 Grin

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 06/12/2013 21:48

Ooooh I'm thinking about a late night trip to Lakeside or Bluewater (have to be a weeknight after work though) to dive into Lakeland Limited and M&S.

DH and I went to Bluewater last week but it's not the same having him follow me while I stroke cashmere (that I don't want to buy) .

I need to see what bargainous things they have in the last few days.
And listen to the cheesey instore Christmas music.
Xmas Grin

annielewis · 06/12/2013 21:52

Oh god I get it baaaadly! Every bloody year without fail! I don't add up how much it costs me or I would have to spend more on the therapy to deal with the lunacy!

Clandy · 06/12/2013 22:12

I brought my final presents last night. Today I spend £20 on amazon on tat! Dd1 got out a Santa list she had done at nursery with stickers at the top of the list. And none of the other things she has asked for. Confused

Marne · 06/12/2013 22:25

The twitch has cost me a lot this year, dd2 wrote her Christmas list last week and only one thing on the list I had bought her, felt really guilty ( dd2 has ASD and its hard to get any reaction out of her on Christmas Day unless I buy her something she really wants ), so I went to toys r us and spent £50 on pokemon. Also picked up some bongo drums for her the other week and now she has a lot more than Dd1 so I have ordered her a calendar and a few other bits, so getting close to £100.

KungFuBustle · 06/12/2013 22:53

My Mum twitched this year with a huge flat screen TV for DS for his Xbox. Only Grandchild on my side of the family.
She usually extremely generous and thoughtful but she's pushed the boat out.
MIL is getting him a tablet.

I spent £60 in all on him, just twitched and got him a nice hoody from amazon. He needed one so I will not beat myself up on spending money I don't have....

KungFuBustle · 06/12/2013 22:56

I preempted a twitch though, asked if money was no object what would he have. Lego book apparently, the one I got for £3 inc delivery thanks to the bargain thread. Had to stop myself punching the air when he told me.

enormouse · 07/12/2013 01:47

I've got the twitch! I'm glad I've found out what it is because I thought I'd gone mad.

I had sorted out everything early and been really organised this year - DC2 is due next January and I'm convinced I'm going to go into labour early. So I wanted Christmas organised early.

Having finished shopping yesterday I took a look at what I had bought only to think hmm…DSs stocking looks a bit empty. So I've only gone and ordered an entire bloody family of schleich lions off Amazon.

Cost of twitch so far -£14.12

TheHOHOHOnlyPink · 07/12/2013 08:03

Twitching badly this morning. Ds1 has plenty, but I'm worried ds2 doesn't have enough. He is just 2 so will probably play with the boxes! I really want to buy him some pixar cars figures.

Dosey · 07/12/2013 08:06

After reading this thread I am twitching like mad

wannabestressfree · 07/12/2013 08:26

I twitch after the last pay day. This year I have promised ds1 (16) a trip to blue water on the 23rd and I know I will twitch badly then........ Succumbing to inevitable

MamaBear17 · 07/12/2013 09:02

Oh bloody hell! So 'The Twitch' is why I went out on Christmas eve and bought Dd a little plastic desk? It was rubbish because it was slanted so the pencil crayons rolled off and we regularly had lunch related accidents! Im replacing it this year and have bought a lovely little wooden table with two chairs. I will not twitch!

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 07/12/2013 09:16

wannabe

Bluewater on the 23rd The CocaCola lorry will be there Grin

It won't be a Twitch, it'll be an out-and-out hyperspasm.
You'll need to have expresso on a drip to cope Xmas Wink

It might be a tad busy.