Page 6 | Countdown to Christmas 2017

SomethingOfTheNight · 04/01/2017 11:00

M&S have some Meow-Vellous Coin Purse & Lip Balm Set 7ml, reduced from £8 to £2.

TheWoollybacksWife · 04/01/2017 12:27

Greetings from beautiful Bruges - just finishing tea and waffles before hitting the brewery tour. I did say on the low carb thread that I'd only be starting after weekend

I have found a beautiful shop selling Christmas decorations and it would be foolish to go home without one as this trip was part of my present from DH so I'd love a reminder of it for years to come 🎄

HairsprayBabe · 04/01/2017 13:03

Oooh! V V Jel of you here Woolly! That sounds so lush, I am in a freezing and boring office in Birmingham, and on a sad diet to boot! I would much rather be on the continent eating carbs and drinking beer!

We are off to Geneva next month for my birthday, I am going to eat so much cheese I pop! Literally cannot wait! I hate this time of year so booking a holiday has really raised my spirits.

That is a fantastic bargain Something I may have to pop in after work...

SomethingOfTheNight · 04/01/2017 13:50

Hairspray, I ordered online but definitely worth a mooch if you have a big store near you .

flapjackfairy · 04/01/2017 15:37

I have eaten puds way out of date. They keep forever so stock up now on matter what is my advice!

Mrsmadevans · 04/01/2017 16:47

Great idea lifelongfrugaleer re the lights thank you,
lollyj the sales are crap this year I did buy a few bits in Mr Ts today but nothing really amazing
I am missing the bargain threads too
I miss christmas so much
it seems to go so quickly and I love it so .....

Mrsmadevans · 04/01/2017 16:48

I need to get a christmas pud fo rnext year any recommendations
we had aldis last year very nice too

Mrsmadevans · 04/01/2017 16:49

God last year that was just 2 weeks away ....sob

Guitargirl · 04/01/2017 17:23

Everyone back to work and school today. All the decorations are down. But tonight DD's birthday banners and things go up and then I have to do final prep for her party on the weekend. This will mean going shopping tomorrow - the first time have been back into a shop since before Christmas.

purplecabbage · 04/01/2017 18:48

There is some solace now that the year has turned and one can think about Christmas this year

jennywasafriendofmrbrightside · 04/01/2017 19:24

Not sure if this happens everywhere (so apologies if this doesn't help) but our council tax bill for the year is spread over 10 months. However I budget it into each months monthly expenditure so when it comes to our free months (Feb & mar) I put the same amount into savings for Christmas

AmyAmoeba · 04/01/2017 22:54

[waves]
Just finished writing my annual christmas post mortem report on my phone. I find it really handy to read over the following year because it contains all sorts of details that I would otherwise forget. And there's always a few minor disasters to have a laugh about the following year.

Bought some beautiful wrapping paper today at half price, a saving I will completely blow on coordinating layers of ribbons. What I really needed to get was the Santa Claus paper so I can be wrapping and stashing the kids gifts in august but I didn't see anything that was quite right. Still I am an expert at ignoring such minor trivialities and I'm just concentrating on feeling smugly frugal and organised.

I secretly like planning Christmas a lot more than I like actual Christmas. While I'm planning I can kid myself that it's all under control

Original poster

SideOrderofSprouts · 05/01/2017 08:16

Generally the sale threads run and then I start the prequel thread in a few months time.

OP posts:

Tootsieglitterballs · 05/01/2017 08:31

Planning has started, ideas for Christmas 2017 put in wish lists, pinterest board started and wrapping paper bought!

I just love planning for Christmas! My work makes me super busy in the run up to Christmas, so I need to be super organised!

EmGee · 05/01/2017 08:42

Just checking in - Happy New Year everyone! I love the Christmas threads.
My NY resolution (along with the usual 'eat less, exercise more') is to spend less time on them though!! I am a horror at whiling away hours and then looking at things online and debating whether or not to buy them.

Is it 360 days to go or 359?!

HairsprayBabe · 05/01/2017 08:57

353

Morning all!
I just informed DP that my 2017 Christmas spreadsheet is up and available for him to view and add to. He gave me a face! Cheek!

flapjackfairy · 05/01/2017 08:57

No way less than that 353 i think!so nearly there then? Ha ha

AeroFloss · 05/01/2017 10:26

Yes I keep all of our decorations up, i take them down all at the same time. I usually take them down on the 6th but a few extra days won't hurt.
Went shopping in the sales yesterday and I too found it pretty dismal there wasn't much left, but I did mange to get a few books, some crackers, gift tags, and paper so not all bad. I usually have a quick look at the sales before Christmas ready for the next Christmas, but didn't get a chance to this year as the DC finished school earlier than normal.

BiddyPop · 05/01/2017 11:17

Morning all!

I have an unexpected day at work today (covering for DBoss - her DSis passed away on NYE, she'd been ill - but while she had been due to cover this week, the 3 managers reporting to her agreed at the funeral to cover a day each instead) so I am catching up slightly. If slowly, as my left index finger is bandaged up (I tried to slice the top off instead of cutting bread on NYE - BEFORE the bar was opened!).

Christmas 2016 IS DONE - it went OK - no major dramas or problems, but lots of minor ones, and no relaxation yet. I've got a day with nothing to do on Saturday, so I may get my tidying done then that I'd planned, I suspect a batch cooking day for the freezer won't happen. Who knew that 2 weeks off could fly so fast (of that, we spent 6 days away, home for 36 hours which included a half day going to a funeral, away for 4 more, back for another funeral, took the Cubs to the circus yesterday, and now work today).

But as part of being in work today, I am doing my Christmas debrief, rolling over the spreadsheet, and may get to a few sales at lunch.

Guitargirl · 05/01/2017 12:53

I have taken four large IKEA-sized bags to the charity shop today, mainly clothes the DCs have grown out of and have also taken out 4 black bags of rubbish .

I also called into our local (posh) card shop which has lovely Christmas gift bags and crackers but they are £££ so I usually just pat them wistfully. Yesterday though I saw in the window that all their Christmas stock is 50% off, which to be honest makes it about normal prices. So, I called in today to get some bags and crackers for next year. I also picked up a few things for DD's birthday party on the weekend, including party bags. The sales assistant ran it all through at 50% off which I was more than happy about!

We are off to the theatre tonight for DD's birthday. Wish I wasn't quite so tired though. It all still feels pretty full on post Christmas. I reckon from the week after next I may be able to have a day to myself on the sofa.

HandbagCrazy · 05/01/2017 12:56

Amy me too! I love the planning more than anything.
Last year I bought a red leather bound notebook which is especially for Christmas. I put the card list in there, ideas for presents, the budget and then what I actually bought and how much it all cost. I now have to add my write up of what worked and what didn't and list the stuff I've bought this year already then it will be packed away until September when I start planning fully again.

EmGee - I have a NY resolution to put my phone / tablet down more and read. I get lost for hours on MN, and get frustrated in May/June when the Christmas boards are quiet

My Christmas went well but was very quiet, and next year will be all change as me and dsis are both going away (desperately) so DParents have said they're going to go out for dinner / stay overnight somewhere for the first time ever

purplecabbage · 05/01/2017 19:14

Amy I love planning Xmas too!!
Handbag Great idea to have a special and lovely notebook for such: Last year (I know feels so cruel!) I used various scratty notebooks as well as planning meals using Office and shopping lists with notepad. It is a good thought and something to look forward to that one can and will be supremely organised this year!

I do very much enjoy the pre-planning contemplation phase: mostly around the meal, mostly consisting of watching all of Nigella's Christmas output, fantasising about making mountains of lucious food! Though quite apparant from this year that less is required, we had so many dishes, sides and extras that were not really needed!

Mrsmadevans · 05/01/2017 21:18

Went into the red cross shop today their-extremely gorgeous but very expensive - christmas cards are half price bought 2 packs and a book for me ...I am Malala only 50 p and not even been cracked open yet .I am not looking forward to taking the tree and decs down tomoz. I have only done the cards and was very strong this year I threw them all out, did not keep mine or hubbas to each other or my parents cards . I usually keep them forever then throw them out eventually when I can be strong enough ....I keep thinking what if this is the last xmas card they ever send us ? I am being maudlin but its the post xmas blues , thank God for this thread

flapjackfairy · 05/01/2017 22:27

That is exactly what i do Mrsm.
Sadly dear father v ill so may well be the last card from him and dear mum!

73kittycat73 · 06/01/2017 12:10

Sorry to go off topic slightly, but I say keep the cards! I did a whole flat clear out last year, I was ruthless and chucked everything non essential, including sentimental cards from my mum. I was on a roll, lol. Now I really regret it, so I've kept this years cards from family.