Countdown to 2016 - A whole extra day to wait...thread 2!

[MrsDilligaf]

Well hello avid countdowners....

A shiny new thread for us

Link to the last thread here

Thanks Babe and Mummy . Shall look into them.

I picked Boots and M&S catalogues today so felt quite seasonal flicking through them sipping a chai latte.

I don't do online , I like the trawling round the supermarket, glaring at the Sainsburys staff who move the fruit/veg aisles so there's no gap in the middle. Why? I do not know why?
Getting everything on my list and thinking "Ooh I have my Nectar Points I can buy that too"
The Nectar Points have changed last April they only give 50% of the rewards they used to, but I'm hoping for the Points Boosters.

I have lists of Things To Do in preparation. Lists of Lists .

I've got £76 in Nectar points. I'm waiting for all of the bonus ones they send by email near to Christmas. I didn't have as many points last year so I'm not sure how I've done it seeing as you only get 1 per £ now!

I'm hoping to get to £100 by Christmas. It'll pay for all of our extras nicely.

I detest doing a 'big shop' at the supermarket. It's just too stressful!

78

DD is writing her lists (its still only October there DD, pace yerself)

Just going to check QVC Christmas 3 Day Event now.....

High fives constantly I had a lovely preliminary flick through the Boots and the M & S Books of Christmas Delightfulness. Th really does them justice I need to wait until the baby is asleep and then enjoy an in depth study.

However....the lovely people at BOOTHS have sent me their Christmas Book. Beautiful it is. Beautiful. So Beautiful in fact that DH has been told that He Must Not Touch. Even Martha, who can generally do no wrong, has been told that She Must Not Touch, and that if she dares to chew the book she will be going straight in the wheelie bin.

MrsD "if she dares to chew the book she will be going straight in the wheelie bin"

Only reasonable reaction tbh

Well if she does the crime she does the time

I walked through the John Lewis christmas store yesterday, got all teary and DP was very I can't help it is just so exciting for me, get a bit overwhelmed like Kristen Bell and that sloth!

77
I am currently considering Christmas bedding and trying to drag DH kicking and screaming persuade DH that we should go to Costco today. This will be my first Christmas as a member and I have heard tales of their wrapping paper.

Costco had some lovely stuff in when I looked a couple of weeks ago.

I want Christmas bedding.

Oooh love that bedding AvDe the tartan checked reindeer stag is rustic in a Hunting Lodge in the Forest way , Christmassey but Wintery too.

My DH did the face when I showed him the red tartan I liked so I'm looking a grey .
I saw one in Matalan thats grey, cream, terracota and the stag print (I'll need to see it IRL though)

I'll be the

Shortlegz- DH claimed I would spend money on things we don't need. He doesn't understand I would buy thing I didn't know we needed. This is very different

76

I was debating if I should buy the QVC TSV (Todays Special Value) yesterday, it was a pre-lit tree but, I decided to leave it and see what's in Costco (I have one of the cards that gives a % back )

Went shopping with DD (local) and after a couple of hours with 3 bags and trying to manage in Primark (foisting the bags off onto DD while I paid) I remembered that the IDEA of Christmas Shopping is lovely and romantic, the REALITY is anything but

So: I plan to buy my tree and this years baubles within the next couple of weeks.
My Christmas Jumper as soon as I see a nice one
Bedding

I am going to buy as much as humanely possible online, including M&S and Lakeland orders so I don't have to look for things that aren't instore or aren't my size.

Then any shopping will be as stress free as possible (in theory)

I find the best parts of Christmas shopping are looking around seeing what there is early in autumn and then later in December wandering around busy streets with nothing urgent to buy. The actual going and buying can be difficult but coming home with bags to add to my Christmas cupboard is always fun (especially if I have to sneak them in).

As DD enjoyed the Christmas Eve hamper last year and as DS chose special bedding for Christmas when we did his pre-university shopping (I was so proud ), I am going to do little Advent boxes with a beauty advent calendar plus Christmas film or book and Christmas food treat this year.

I've bought that same stag duvet cover set in navy from eBay for around £17 king size. Seller is tonys textiles and the duvets come branded in his packaging but design and pictures are the same as Catherine Langswhatever

70 I realised the same thing a few years ago. I have an idea that shopping in December, in the cold, with Christmas lights and music, with the obligatory stop for got chocolate, would be lovely. I forgot about queues / being pushed over / glasses fogging up when going from outside cold to inside warmth.

So for the last 5 years I have made lists in September, done online research for best prices etc and ordered presents online through October & November, and used December shopping trips to just wander about, drinking hot chocolate wine and enjoy the atmosphere without actually needing anything.

Oh and I gave in and bought a Christmas magazine today

I do the vast majority online - a 6yo and a toddler do not make for easy shopping trips, plus I can't keep things secret from the eldest if he's there, obviously, and I barely get a chance to go shopping without them. I like doing it online anyway.

Awaiting one set of PJs for DS (ordered online), still to find duvet covers for all of us, but other than that, I am mostly set! Oh, and a festive Lush bathbomb, but they aren't out yet.

Ah I forgot about the festive bath bombs in lush - I usually go for the honey one but the festive ones are lovely

I know, can't wait! DS loves them. Ooh, I'm feeling rather excited!

75
[fgrin ]

Back in a bit for a catch up+

Popped into Dobbies on the way back from a wedding yesterday, basked in all the festive loveliness bought a Yankee candle (christmas eve) and 3 baubles!

The are doing a Christmas afternoon tea offer so I may have to organise one with my mother, just to start another tradition