Countdowners 2014

[Farrowandbawlbauls]

Yes I know it's still Christmas 2013 for a few more days, but technically, the countdown started this morning.

So..Here we are again.

We will need:

Links to other threads about bargin hunting
Links to sales throughout the year
Links for decorations
Links for days out
Links for any good electrical sales
Links for budgeting
Links for really good gifts for men as they are generally the harest to buy for and grandparents/in laws.

There's no harm in starting a list now either for what you need to get next year, learning from this year and previous years.

The top of my list I must remember to write a card to SIL T&S, every single year they have sent a card and I've failed to send one in return for the 3rd year running now. Ditto Claire.

Must remember to buy crakers from M&S again, they were fantastic.

Ps

smiles - I can't remember the exact one I used to say but will this do;

'My Vampire Eats Many Jam Sandwiches Until Noon'

Cheer up everyone! Halloween is almost over and then we can be free and be bonkers out in the open without getting looks. Shopping sounds like good therapy. VERY happy with my Sainsbury's bargain today, the HotWheels set looks awesome I want to play with it now

Oh arse, I forgot about the sale.

Well, ds did that homework and can still remember the planets and that stupid sentence so all is well there.

I've gone past caring about that clip. I got a crap score for that exam so that has made me focus on a few things that I've either been lazy with or haven't been able to understand. 2 things have finally clicked today so I have gained a bit more progress than usual but there is no more messing about. I need to put some serious hours in at home so I'm now very behind. I can write these first few exams off as I won't get the scores I need BUT I can't afford to write off anymore.

Serious study time from now on now I have a good idea of just how much work I need to put in.

Anyway, back to the good stuff (I'm on a 20 minute break)

Mama - hope the underwear isn't too uncomfortable, those photos look stunning, I'm very envious of you. Not long now!

Chesty - Where have you been?

Outthere - thank you for that. I take it you've had to this as well then?

Just when I thought I've finished my stockings I have to make one for the cat...I can't leave her out can I?

I'm going to have to doubly make sure the decorations are on properly this year. They're glass and I don't want her to break them then stand on any of the shards...although I'll have to get her out of the bath first.

It's freezing! Autumn has certainly set in..isn't it lovely?

Outhere - because of his ASD I had to make him have an interest in it so it had to centered about his current obsession - minecraft (talk about making things hard for myself)

So we ended up with :

Minecraft Village Emeralds Make Jumping Sheep Under New Planets.

Right I need ideas for a 12 year old girl please, make me look the cool auntie please

12...

OK, easy ones first:

itunes vouchers
amazon vouchers
band merchandise?

Is there anything she likes in particular?

Should have said I'd prefer to give a gift rather than vouchers.

Loom band kit? (year 7s and year 8s at my school love them still)
Lip balm with fruity flavours
Magazine(s)
Onesie!!! (It's a must at that age)
Bracelet
Some hair clips / bands / flowery band that the young girls wear all the time

Cheer up everyone! Halloween is almost over and then we can be free and be bonkers out in the open without getting hmm looks

YIPPPPEEEEEE they can also shift the Halloween stuff out the way and make room for more C H R I S T M A S ....

Getting so excited & feeling so Christmassy with this thread that I think I need to buy baileys ths weekend

GETTING my baileys this weekend.

already got all xmas biscuits and choclates from lidl

Get the Co-op's vrsion of Baileys, it's much nicer (thinner) but nicer and smoother and half the price.

Going to M&S next week to get the biscuits etc...

but can't spend a lot, as have Driving test next week and due to an incident at school that I thought was over but isn't I'll need to buy a car ASAP so I can drive the kids to school and back.

I am eyeing up a litre of either sainsburies own, 10 or baileys proper 15 - 6 quid off..its got to have whisky

1 ltr is £10 in ASDA at the moment. I'm looking at it now.

Hi chesty, wondered where you were.

I've had a productive week. I done a big Christmas present Amazon order ordered a couple of Peppa pig things from Asda and found some stocking toys in tesco. DCs presents are pretty much done now. Still need to get some more bits for their stockings though, probably just stickers, toothbrushes plus hair clips for DD1 and a couple of toy cars for DS. I'm completely stuck on what to get my sister and her DP though.

Anyone with young boys check out the imaginext Ocean boat on Amazon. Should be £40 but currently £25, I ordered one for DS. It came today and it's about twice the size I was expecting!

HALFTERM!!!

Sorry for shouting, I'm just so bloody excited. I'm so knackered, it's unbelievable. Just happy I survived my first term at new school in new role without major hickups. Drinks on me tonight

Christmas tree is ordered, went for Fraser Fir again.

Christmas shopping is on the cards for this holiday. Amazon's wishlist is big. Seven, already finished?! Wow!

I've got the baileys chocolate luxe on my birthday wish list

In the mood to shop but ChestyDog had X-rays this week a mere £600 will have to wait til payday on Monday but I'll be working

Quite a ruckus going on re trolls ATM isn't there, I missed it all I think.

Have seen MrsVamos around.

Good luck for driving test smiles

Wow very organised Seven and with a new baby

Wish I was on half term mama. Any plans for the holidays?

Any one doing anything for halloween?

Best go get ready, lunch and catch up with friends today, may even crack open the after a stressful couple of weeks!

I'm currentely making my way through a bag of Lebkuchen Stars.

Lovely and Christmassy with a latte.

Who here has had their PSL yet?

Hurry up because it's not going to be long before the Christmas ones are out again.

2 months! TWO MONTHS!!!

We will be surrounded by wrapping paper, getting ready the turkey and homes filled with smiles (hopefully).

I slept 13 hours last night. My body needed it.

Have been scrubbing the downstairs this morning, only just finished. It's all sparkling clean again. Tomorrow the upstairs.

Not doing anything in the next week bar spending money on too much tat.

I only said I'd finished the DCs presents, I'm certainly not finished or organised! I decided what to buy my parents last night but still no idea for my sister and her DP.

What do you all do for people who are hard to buy for? Do them first to save worry or leave them until last?

I ordered a christmas reusable nappy which arrived a couple of days ago, it's awesome!

Wow only two months, not long now :)

Been to a local garden centre today and they got christmas displays out. I may have over dosed on sniffing yankee candles.
Really disappointed in the new Candy Cane Lane scent....it's awful!

I may have seen the advent house snuck in DMs basket. Hoping its a birthday gift for me

Watching Home Alone on TV now....it's getting closer!

What's everyone been up to?

We watched our first Christmas film last night. Sky has True Christmas back.

Seven, I only have to buy DS. We stopped giving presents to adults in the family years ago. Best decision ever. So much less hassle.

Had a huge toy clearout today. Two large, black bin bags for charity, three bags filled with junk into the tip. Space for new toys, yay

What's DS got on his list this year mama?

Nothing really. Yes, nothing so far! It's like he is a new child.

'Santa' knows what he likes to play with though so he is getting more bits to add on to his wooden train track, Hot Wheels and if he feels generous a wooden castle for all his knights and dragons. Am eyeing up the one on ELC, waiting for half price or any other good discount as it's £40.

The reality is - I could get him loo paper rolls, paper and pen, £1 cuddly toys and the boy would be happy