Countdown to Christmas 2017

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365 to go

Hi ladies, can I join!

This Xmas was the first one where I only spent what I had and put nothing on credit. This year I aim to do even better! Lots of old debt to pay off so need to be fanatical about finances.

Have bought all cards, wrapping paper and gift bags in sale - got lovely expensive stuff for cheap!

Want to save monthly also x

Of course you can hybrid nice to have you on board!

I've got to go to Tesco tomorrow to pick up a prescription so I might have a browse around the goodies.

Off up to see my side of the family for New Year. Lots of birthdays in January and then we have Martha's first birthday in February. Christmas was fun, she started crawling in earnest on Christmas day and hasn't stopped yet!

Blimey MrsD I remember the days of everything being three feet off the ground out of the reach of crawling/toddling babies. How on earth can Martha be almost a year old?

I think I'm correct that the last two threads have had "Countdown Babies" - bagsy me not having one on this thread . I'm away next week on a break with DH that was part of my Christmas present - I'll breathe a sigh of relief if we don't come home with an extra passenger (we are both too old for that sort of thing, thank you)

I've started have bought;
Robot wars DVD
Esio Troy DVD
Star Wars eye found it (Disney version is a big hit here)
One cat teddy
Two toobs
Lego mini figure clock
Playmobil pirate case
Playmobil figure
Plop trumps
Fart pen
Diablo
Pizza party game
It's mainly stocking fillers but I want to get ahead and buy as and when I see something

Just took my tree down. Baby chips destroyed the bottom half of it this year anyway. Next year he will be two so not so bad!

Gabriel will be two too, he's not been too bad with it this year. Only took the tinsel off once!

It'll be funny having a two and a four year old. This year we've had some lovely Christmas adventures and I'll book more for next year. Less presents more presence.

I've just worked out how much we spend at Christmas on presents (and for birthdays too) so I've now got a much more realistic idea about how much I need to save each month (£150 ). No wonder we are skint come January!

I reinstated the standing order to the Christmas savings account yesterday.

We had a pre-Christmas break at Butlins in Minehead this year, and we've booked again for 2017. It was a really good way to start off the festivities and get everyone feeling christmassy.

We also went to butlins minehead for Christmas fantasy....and hated every minute. We usually love butlins but we go during term time so it's usually quiet.

I'm going to start saving £50 a week come February. I want to be very prepared this year I usually don't start until September.

Woolly you are never too old for that kind of thing imo.
I have just become v proud mum to an adopted 2 yr old and i am an oldie of 52!
It was special to have him officially adopted for this christmas .
Have a wonderful break with your dh and how lovely to have that to look forward to now all the excitement is coming to an end. He sounds a v thoughtful husband!

Thank you flapjack

He is a sweetie - there was a bit of a panic about childcare for our youngest but it's all sorted now.

I'm only a couple of years younger than you and I think DD1 would have a fit of the vapours if I turned up to her graduation in a maternity frock. .

Many, many congratulations on your new DS. 2 is a wonderful age and how special that he was officially yours for Christmas. A new member of the family is the best present anyone could wish for.

359

Please can in join but I will probably dip in and out.
I save £100 per month but thinking of saving for Lapland so will need to up it. Less dc pressie then but my 3xdb and 1x sil rescinded on the no pressie deal making me look a twat on boxing day

How annoying they went back on it!

I don't know if I told you this story before but I was on my hen do, having just announced my pregnancy at the grand old age of 41, and at the next table in the restaurant was a lady celebrating her 50th birthday and announced to her family that she was 20 weeks pregnant...just you be careful Woolly!!

I can't believe she's 1 in February, she's just gone from being a baby to practically toddling overnight.

Congratulations Flapjack how lovely to have it all official for Christmas

Chips the bottom of my tree has been thoroughly investigated and there isn't much glitter left in the baubles - it's mostly over madam.

I have bought martha a few Christmas tops in the sale...she's going to look fab in her elf outfit and hate me when she's 16

I've got a wardrobe of Christmas jumpers for the boys for next year.

It's so funny how fast they change, Gabriel has been walking for six months now (he's almost 16 months) and I feel like the baby stage is long gone. Next Christmas he will be more reasonable, he's not been bad but he found the long visit to Santa hard.

I had a lecture at my latest smear test about not getting complacent because of my age too I promise I'm a responsible adult, honest. Any theoretical child I have now would be younger than my eldest sister's great-grandson.

I have 3 grown up kids also and a foster child of 10. Both youngest have complex needs. Honestly i just cant grow up! Still love christmas and all things associated with childhood so really glad i found you lot! And u am loving hearing about your little ones adventures.
No doubt some would consider that pathetic but hey i just dont care ! Christmas makes me happy . Find it hard to see why some are bothered by that

Christmas makes me happy

So does planning it

Chips the eldest no longer believes :( but she loves Christmas as much as
Me so I have a partner in crime
Now

I inherited my love of Christmas from my late father who seemed to have the knack of finding the perfect present and loved stocking up the house with lots of festive treats. My DMum was (and is) less of a Christmas nut - but looking back I can see it must have meant a huge amount of work for her. I have lots of siblings and when they were still living at home the days must have been one long round of cooking and washing up. She is still very much of the mind that a job is only done properly if she does it herself.

I think I may have had my last "Santa" Christmas with DS. He's 10 soon and he either doesn't have a Scooby or he's played along with his dear old mum

We are back from the cinema (Fantastic Beasts) and have had a delicious takeaway. DS is curled up with his dad watching the footy and my DDs are pottering about doing a few light chores. I'm going to pour myself something cold and alcoholic and curl up with my book.

Happy New Year to all my fellow planners 🍾🍾

MrsD - did you get tickets to go into the manor or did you just do the grounds? I tried to book tickets for the house but couldn't get them at all! I saw on another post you'd been to WM.

I love xmas and I was feeling a little flat and then I found my way here among my fellow christmas addicts yay! Anyway I have vowed to not get any stuff all year round to mess up the place and to give money to them all instead but I think I will change my mind lol .....lightweight

Happy New Year !

Yes happy new year to all . Hope 2017 is good to one and all x

Happy New year! DD treat me and DH to some sleep last night by sleeping through, best way to start the year!

Got all my Xmas cards and wrap for next year sorted now, haven't found any presents yet though.
Did some homemade chocs this year that went down well with recipients so I might look for a truffle dipping tool to expand my repertoire