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.

Hope your starting to feel a bit better Seven?

Car was iced over today! No de icer either and ChestyDog has a grungy eye again...good start to the day

Sorry to hear you've been through it too mama.

chesty hope your day improved. The anti-depressants are really helping, I'm actually feeling almost normal again but it does take a lot of effort.

Looking forward to getting the tree and trimming up next week, we're pre-ordering the Turkey tomorrow

How organised is everyone? I've got a handful of presents left to buy but have at least decided what to buy.

I've got a few things left to get but know what they are Seven
Also need to pre order turkey.

Off work week after next so will settle down to wrapping whilst watching Christmas with the Kranks

My tree will arrive tomorrow!!! So excited!

Jingle is back, DS will discover him for the first time tomorrow. I won't do a blog this year, no time for it. But happy to add people on FB if you want to see his escapades, just PM me.

Off work tomorrow, yay! Shopping for stocking fillers and thermal clothing And then I'm done. In three weeks today I'll be a Mrs!

how exciting mama!
Does DS know yet?
Are you putting the tree up tomorrow? I really want to but can't bring self to do it until December

Is anyone Black Friday shopping? Any bargains?

How exciting mama! When do you go?

We ordered the christmas meat yesterday. Also counted what we've saved throughout the year in the christmas tin £185!

I know Black Friday is meant to be about Christmas shopping, but I've ordered some converse and an iPhone for myself plus some more cloth nappies.

Tree is here, but it won't go up until Sunday. DH still putting the final laminate pieces down today and tomorrow. Can't wait! Chesty, no need to wait for the first, Sunday is much better

Went shopping, spent all my wages (or so it feels) on jumpers, coats, thermals, and other random crap. Shops were manic, but got an unplanned Black Friday deal, Asda had a cool HotWheels track for a bargain.
Also got the final things for wedding, make-up, nail varnish etc..

Seven, we are going to open our tin tomorrow, can't wait to find out how much is in it.

19 sleeps to go until Lapland!!! They played Christmas tunes on the radio today DS will be told next week Sunday, got a plan

Happy 1st of Advent everyone! Nobody can roll their eyes at us anymore, it's officially the Christmas season

Tree going up today!

Yay

Is Jingle here or is it tomorrow?

If I feel better later might start doing the tree.
Hoping ChestyDog is ok with it this year.

He arrived on Friday already couldn't wait

DH at work, but should be back soon. House tidy again, living room complete (bar sofas but can't afford them at the moment, have to wait until boxing day sales and another payday) and then the tree goes up.

Shall we share pictures later?

I finished sewing DD1s advent calendar last night. I need to dig out DS one this afternoon and the advent candle I bought a few weeks ago. DD2 is full of cold and really miserable :(

December 1st tomorrow!!

Just in time, Seven! Hope DD feels better soon.

Well, I had no luck with the tree, the stand is not strong enough, because I decided to go for 8ft this time without thinking it through . Need to get a new stand tomorrow and then I can hopefully have Teresa Green in my house

I decided to wait until Tuesday.

How are you doing Seven?

Early birthday present

Oooh, a Yankee advent calendar, how cool!

I need to get it done Monday as every other day is full with stuff - dentist, give blood, visiting friends...

Calendar looks lovely chesty. I'm doing ok, but I forgot to take my tsblet yesterday and could definitely tell this morning.

Advent calendars to fill with sweets tonight, then I may put Love Actually on and wrap presents!

Can't wait to open door one

I ran out the other day Seven luckily managed to get a prescription.

I watched The Santa Clause and Home Alone today.

Two Christmas films in one day? You go girl

DS loved his advent calendars. Yeah, I know, he has two... One Playmobil one Usborne books. Both pretty cool though

Going to decorate the tree now, had to send DH out to get more lights, as the old ones are far too short for the big tree. At least we got a good stand at B&Q it's safe now.

I need to attend CFAA (Christmas Film Addict Annonymous)

Well the tree is up, I'm not sure that silver, teal and white is vey festive but matches my decor

Need a few more bits to decorate the room tho.

mama is yours up?

My tree is finally up!

Chesty, at least yours matches, mine doesn't. Need to get new set of baubles and stuff in the sales for next year now that I have an ivory and olive lounge.

AAAAARRRRGGGGHHHH !!!

HOW SOON IS IT NOW !

We sleeps all!!

Are we normally on sleeps threads yet?

Where O we're is Smiles?

Ha ha....damn you auto correct!

23 sleeps

21 sleeps

Oh. My. Blardy. Gawd.

Mrs hello! Awfully quiet around here

Ha be been out for birthday eve drinks and feel a bit squiffy!

Happy birthday Chesty! Hope you feel better.

Sorry for being quiet. Work is madness at the moment - assessments, marking of assessments, marking of books on top of it, report writing... Will be back to the living near the end of next week.

Also not well with sickness. DS wasn't well early this week and now it has hit me. Ah well, a few more pounds to be lost before the big day, silver lining...

We are telling DS tomorrow! Picked up the tickets yesterday, also got a few Euros already which will all be added to the big surprise box. In the box to break the news we have:

• cuddly toys (husky, reindeer, santa, snowman)
• a ten day countdown for him to cross out and get excited with
• a map with a flight path from here to Lapland
• the tickets
• Euros
• Picture collage of where we are staying
• a personal invitation letter from Santa!!! It looks so good, got it on ebay.

So excited! Will video it