Countdown to 2016 - a whole extra day to wait.

[AbbyCadabby]

366

[santa]

Morning christmas campers.
Buying those xmas pressies last week has given me the bug and even though he won't ever admit so has Dh. We were talking about what we could get the boys this year. We have a few ideas for Ds1 but not a clue for Ds2. It doesn't help his birthday is mid november either.

I've put all our presents on top of the wardrobe in the spare room...it's looking very full up there.

We got quite a few presents last week at another garden centre (we've done well at garden centres this year)

I STILL need to go up into the loft to see what paper and cards we've got. I didn't put much stuff away last Christmas as I was waddling about very pregnant. No idea what I've got

My boxes have started in my bedroom. Doesnt feel like alot yet though

hello everyone
nickdrakes -thanks for the explanation
Paperblank - I know the feeling! My baby was only a few wks old last xmas so nothing got done.

I haven't done or thought about anything xmassy today but I just wanted to check in with my fellow xmas nuts (no pun intended!) and catch up with the thread. That Aldi post is v interesting.......

I'm off to the breastfeeding thread now
ding dong merrily on high everyone!

139

Only 138 Days y'all! It's August and schools back ughhhh but it's ok! Before you know it, September will be upon us.. We will look forward to Halloween and then we will blink ! Christmas is right around the corner and I can feel it !

I'm having an awesome Halloween party for my 3 year old and her friends from childminders so I'm
planning for that too helper. My Christmas tub is starting to look decent now though as well.

-Ratbagcatbag

Haha! Nice:) The yearly Halloween parties never get old ! Just remember to have some silly Halloween games to play and everyone should have a great time.. My Christmas tub is looking great as well ! :)

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I've just been trying to pick up a few stocking filler bargains on the JL website - and have hit a few tech problems so hopefully they will go through but at least it won't be the end of the world if they don't.

Otherwise, not a lot to report other than that there is a definite feeling of autumn, a good 3-4 weeks earlier than normal, around the place at the moment....I'm thinking of wandering onto the weather board to see if any of those experts have a "feeling in their waters" about a hard winter ahead (I know - forecasting is an inexact science and you cannot tell what will happen a couple of months ahead with any great accuracy - I wanna know NOW if I will have a white Christmas!! channels Veruca Salt...

Afternoon all.

Trying out my new name (I am paperblank)

Whaddya think?

I can feel it too! Really hoping for White Christmas myself! Hope we get one!

Btw, love the name ^^ lol

137

Love your new Mrs, fits like a glove

name

starting to get frisson of excitement here too started the great xmas buy, got a gorgeous green sparkling tinkerbell doll which will be great to open on xmas day for 4 year old, manual flutter wings, looking at new xmas decs too.

Last year didnt have enough santa and reindeer, have found gorgeous wall banners of the sleigh I will purchase soon, also some new glam things to hang from ceiling

booked peppa world for xmas santa visit and disney on ice - cant wait.

Sounds fab august we have Disney on ice tickets but it's end of November here. Thinking of maybe Thomas land and then a Santa train somewhere. We also have annual passes for local adventure place that decks out well for Xmas too

Oo er Mrs, love the namechange.

And I also love ChristmasHelper!!

Hmm, I think I shall have to think about a namechange for me too (I've kept the same one since I joined MN, I really ought to show the courage of my Christmas convictions at least once!!)

Tinkerbell with wings that flutter sounds like a great gift. We're gone beyond dolls (DD has always been a tomboy but tolerated some dolls for a little while). This year, I am thinking about lifejackets, camping gear and sports gear so far. And I have no ideas for DH - I found a good book that I think he'll enjoy (I always like to give DH and DD at least 1 book each) but no ideas for the main thing. But on reviewing my spreadsheet yesterday, I realized that I have 8 people sorted, another 5 people halfway done and almost enough for the "fun" part of DD's stocking (still need some useful stuff, a book and fruit/sweets). But about a quarter of the way there!!

DH and I were talking in the car on Sunday and decided that we are not booking any Santa type outings this year (DD is about to turn 11), and he doesn't want to go to "Carols by Candlelight" either. So I am not entirely sure what I can find to do as a family (and it can't be Saturdays except the afternoon of 17th Dec, or Sunday mornings, as DD's diary is full up with Cubs/sailing/hockey). And we are travelling on 23rd so it will be chaos of wider family after that until 28th.

Biddy, what about:

Ice skating
Christmas market and give some spends
Cinema trip
Show at a local theatre
Something a bit mad like go ape, go karting or Segway?

Hi All
Sorry I disappeared for a bit, been on my hols - sans internet bliss

Hope everyone is festively ticking away, I popped into Store Twenty One last week and bought a load of discounted christmassy stocking stuffers/last min gifts all at least half off, bought some nice candle holders for 50p each!

I always feel the week after i get back from my hols that christmas is well and truly on! I have another week off work from the 22nd and I will be pickling away for the start of project hamper 2016

ho ho ho

Thanks Rat, there are a few good ideas in there! There is usually a skating rink near us in Nov/Dec, and karting sounds interesting!! Must go do some researching....

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This week I am decluttering my bedroom and the utility room to make room for Christmas supplies.
I also need to start a second batch of Christmas vodkas and begin to collect ideas for a Christmas Eve hamper ( I introduced a hamper last year to add fun as my children are old (17 and 20). DD loved it.

Paperwork and lists were done over this morning's coffee, so there is now a bit of a plan!

And I spent a couple of hours going through the main bookcase last night, clearing out books I've never read and probably won't, and ones I have read but am unlikely to go back to. And took about 1/3 of my cookery books out that I know I don't use. And a couple of management/business books, and the "How to write the Best man's speech" that DH won't need again. So there is a massive M&S bag full to offer DM and DMIL, and remains will go to charity.

BTW does anyone else have thoroughly rotten wintery weather?! I am cuddled up in a cardigan at work - as the heating won't be turned on for another 2 months!

Marks & Spencer have Christmas cakes in!