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.

Chesty, something like this and pretty ribbon to tie it together?

You can get them on ebay.

Christmas 24 and Christmas 24 +1 are back on!

YAY!

Smyths have loads more Lego minecraft in than the Lego shop online (will go to the store soon to see if they've got anything in as it's usually cheaper than the site online)

DD's lakeland stuff arrived yesterday so she just needs an Ipod and the waffle maker, donut maker and the chocolate fountain and that's her done.

DS's lego needs to arrive and I'll get those other bits I saw today at some stage and that's him done.

Just the stocking fillers and the ex inlaws, then I can get a few bits for myself with any luck. Oh and the cat.

I've finished my Ucas statement today, just need my tutor to look at it and advise me on a few things, once that's done, it's ready to send.

Physics exam on Tuesday. Today I've managed to memorise a bit more, including a part he said we WILL be tested on.

Driving test has been re booked for the 21st of this month, so three weeks away. He's booked me in 2 more lessons, one that week and one the week before. Apparentely, I don't need more lessons, just a confidence kick.

It's too warm. It's not right. Even the ice cream van is out and about.

It supposed to be getting colder by the end of next week though so it will start to feel more seasonal soon with any luck.

I got an email from the Christmas Tree Farm so I had another look at the trees, well, cause I felt like it and noticed that their prices have jumped up by about £20. My account says I ordered my tree for £59 but the website says for the exact same tree, it's £79 now!

I'm going to take a look at the bank statement to make sure that a) it's been paid for already and that b) it's at the lower price. If it's all in order then it's going to worth remembering to order and pay for the tree in September and the prices goes up towards the end of October. Mama, if you want, I'll remind you as well so you get the cheaper price.

I still forgot to tell Chesty this:

In poundland there are mini christmas bags which will hold a votive, there's a few in a pack. Mama's idea is better though and is a classier look.

Christmas24 you say? YAY! Have a handful of films on record now.

You sound almost done, definitely don't forget the cat Our dogs will get new beds matching the new living room. Which, at the moment, is an utter mess. Three fish tanks have been cleared out, fish rehomed to good homes, bare floorboards, bare walls, no fireplace but a huge hole in the chimney breast... It's going to be a major task, but we got loads done. All the stripping and prepping is done, not bad for a day. New wallpaper going up tomorrow, yay :)

Good luck for the 21st, you can do it!

That would be quite rude if they upped their price by £20! This is why one should be organized, eh? Get in early, while they are cheap.

Off to enjoy chippie now and then more living room stuff...

Those cellophane bags are pretty but I wanted something non see through IYSWIM. Will check out pound land.

Got some more gifts today and it's triple points at boots til tomorrow when you spend £35. They were also playing christmas songs

Was going to pick up some baileys luxe but £19!

Good luck for 21st smiles

Mama! You've done loads with the Living room already, you'll have it done in a couple of weekends. It's sounds as though it's coming on really, really fast.

Chesty, original baileys 1ltr bottle is £10 in ASDA. Empty it into a saucepan, add some hot chocolate, let it melt in without getting lumpy, cool in the fridge and then pour it back into the bottle. Because of the alcohol it'll keep anyway, especially in the fridge. I had an open bottle of Baileys in the fridge for 6 months and it was still ok another 2 months after that.

I love that schops are playing Chrsitmas songs already. I'm going to wrap up presents tonight I think when the kids are up stairs. I'll have to go in the loft sometime tonight anyway.

I know! I can't believe how much we got done today. It's all prepped and tomorrow we will start actually painting / putting up wallpaper etc.. Monday our fireplace will be delivered and next weekend new floor. That's it, could actually get it done much quicker than expected. Then I just have to find the perfect new sofa, blinds, cushions, but that's fun stuff.

It goes easier now without the fish, but it's so empty without them :( I miss them, but I'm having a custom built, huge marine tank. It has always been my dream, we have a small one at the moment, but I want a big one. At last it is happening! The other tanks had to go, marine is a huge task to upkeep, have only kept one big tropical tank in the kitchen with my favourite fish that I simply couldn't give away.

Just watched miracle on 34th street was on sky1.

I'm a celeb starts soon, can't wait! Wonder who'll be on it this year?

Oooh, was it the older or the newer version?

I love celeb, so funny.

Going backwards in project living room. DH has spent about the last three hours sorting the bloody TV out and all the cables for Sky, DVD players etc.. Got sweet fa done today...

The 1994 one with the extremely cute little girl with a lisp ( can't remember her name)

Put your feet up while DH does it mama Sunday is a day of rest ( spoken from the sofa in pjs, watching more christmas films)

Oh yes, that girl is so sweet, but like you I can't think of the name.

I had my feet up, waiting for KFC now. Can't be bothered to cook and everything is still a mess. Perfect excuse

Look what I did this morning! Went to a discount shop (like B&M) for fish food, came back with all of this (and no fish food . And there was more not added in the pic, forgot to add all the Aldi goodies to it. They have Christmas stuff in and it's lovely!

DH went a bit when I got Nordic style mugs. He stopped me when I was going to grab some Christmas sofa cushions. I might go myself sometime and get them

Ooooh Mama, that's a good haul. ASDA or Sainsbo's have the nordic bed spreads in, I was so tempted to get one the other day.

Hello Chesty. I've recorded it so I can watch it later and again nearer the big day...it might even me the Christmas eve film.

Well, I've cleaned the house from top to bottom. While I was cleaning I found some money which I'd stashed away and forgotten about! £60!

So I've spent it in Boots on my favorite things, I can't wait!. I'm picking them up tomorrow to put in the loft for Christmas. I'll pick up the Good Food magazine tomorrow as well while I'm out.

Good haul mama. I'm a bit obsessed with wrapping paper, I've splashed out on nice paper from John Lewis this year, thankfully we don't have many adults to buy for. Kids get cheap paper because they don't appreciate the wrapping! Living room sounds like it coming on well.

smiles sorry about your driving test, better luck next time. Wish I could find money I'd forgotten about.

Slowly making more progress. I've ordered presents for DH and both of my parents this week, plus a couple more things for DD2 to even it up a bit. Still my sister and her DP to buy for, plus gift vouchers for my nieces and a few more stocking bits. Considering going shopping tomorrow so the DCs can choose their baubles and I can buy the stocking bits, I hate going into the city when it gets too near Christmas.

Ooooh want john Lewis wrapping paper now :-)

Urgh. Another crap exam to write off.

On the upside...

Got the Good Food Christmas edition today so I've been relaxing with that. If you get a copy of Glamour magazine for £2, there's a free nail varnish, a 20% discount card for h&m AND there's a luckydip type card for the body shop inside.

The lucky dip card can be worth £3, £5 or £100...£3 at least..so there's a free or cheapish stocking filler for someone. The magazine isnt too bad either, which did surprise me.

still I got my JL wrapping paper in the sale last year for 50p or around that, a roll. It's worth getting it then.

I picked up more christmas lights while in Maplin on Monday. I had to return a charger that was the wrong size, so they took the cost of that from the price of the lights. I don't think we'll need anymore now.

I NEED

Lakeland hook thing for the wreath.

A hook to screw into the wall to tie the tree to as I've got a feeling the cat will try to climb it at some point and I can't risk the tree falling.

To start drying oranges and orange slices.

Citronella to spray the bottom of the tree to deter the cat.

How is everyone? Any progress today? Are you all ok? Mama, what's left to plan for the wedding? Chesty, how did the surgery go earlier in the year?

50 sleeps

Will catch up later, mega busy at the moment.

My its cold! Caved and put heating on!

smiles was discharged from ENT this week all good at last
What happened with the exam?

Thank goodness guy Fawkes has gone, bet fire works go on all week here!

Just she'd a tear at John Lewis crimbo ad!

Be back later tonight.

That's great news Chesty.

Exam..er, nerves just got to me. The second I walked out of the room I knew what I git wrong and they were all easy marks I'd screwed up.

BOTH tutors for two different subects have said the same thing, top marks in coursework and assessments, it's just the exam nerves that drags the grades down so much. I've got another exam on Tuesday AND some rescue remedy, so will try that to see if theres a difference.

I've just watched the JL christmas ad too. Another cute one.

Starbucks have their Christmas drinks out, so tret myself to one earlier while walking around the food market that's back in town.

The Christmas market should be here soon.

I missed the JL ad :(

smiles I mis-read your post, I wondered why you were going to be dying oranges :o

How would you dye them though? Leave them soaking in watered down food colouring? I wonder if that would work?

I watched it online theOnly haven't seen it on TV yet.

Is it christmas smiley time yet?!

Not yet

Is it too early for a festive name-change?!