Countdown to Christmas part 2

[SideOrderofSprouts]

Wow! Part two!!

8 months to go

237. Is there an echo or have I no friends 😂

I've started buying. When we went away at Easter I found a few things in the local shops for sticking gifts for the DDIL s. Also a main present for my aunt. Found something unique to a specific place for my DSIS and a couple of bits for DM and MIL. That's made quite a dent in my shopping list and I'm determined to buy as soon as I see things this year, rather than waiting til nearer the time. Also, because we have a lot of winter birthdays in the family, finding more summery things for those people will be nice and they always end up with a gazillion scarves and gloves but might like an item of clothing more suitable for warmer weather. We'll see how the plan goes.

Can I join, please?

I love Christmas and spend a lot of time all year thinking and planning. I do advent calendars rather than stockings for the DCs and have already made a good start in the January sales on a few decorations for their bedrooms. Usually I keep an eye out for bargains throughout the year to get as much as possible for my money. I'm not as crafty as I might wish but love doing simple stuff with the DCs.

Everyone is welcome! As long as you don't moan that it's only May 😂

237 days 11 hours 22 minutes

Yay, lovely new thread

Apologies for being MIA, family and friend dramas have taken over my life for the last month (1 divorce, 1 temporary split and 1 pregnancy - 3 different couples) 😱 so haven't had chance to check in on the thread.

However, the pregnancy (very early stages) is going to result in a baby near Christmas so the expectant mum has already requested a crochet Christmas blanket & hat.

I used my Rudolph day to make a start - I watched Christmas with the Kranks and tried to make a Christmas tree that I've wanted to make since I started crocheting but got in a muddle and had to give it up in the end.

Hope everyone else is having a drama free lovely bank holiday weekend

Had to Google Rudolph Day. Thought I'd missed a holiday!
On a tight budget this year so keeping an eye out from now. Even if there was no budget I need no excuse.

Eeeek we're a third of the way through 2017

🎄236!! 🎄

That was very precise st midnight @handbag 😂

I was browsing Pinterest pinning lots of Christmas table decoration ideas and noticed the time so thought I would jump straight in and get a gold star on the new thread 😂

Crafters - the works have christmas stuff on their site

Can I join?! Last week I watched Home Alone. Yesterday DS & I watched Arthur Christmas (he's only 15 months but I'm hoping he'll inherit a love of Christmas from me rather than being a Grumpy Grinch like his Dad ) I don't know why, I just feel festive! Perhaps it's the lack of sunshine and summery weather...

Anyway I'll be on the hunt for matching Christmas PJs this year for DS and DC2, who will be 1 month old in December, if anyone can recommend some? Also hoping to be massively organised this year so I have very little to do and can relax with my newborn.

I have just been on the itv catch up thingy and downloaded and watched the darling buds of may christmas special.
Seen it so many times that i know every word but oh it was lovely!

I have just added two more things to my hampers list for this year, I made a hostess gift for a friend, home made truffles and biscotti, the truffles are made with condensed milk not cream so dont go off really quickly!

235

No luck last week with Cursed Child tickets. It looks like I'll have to bite the bullet and buy the late release ££££ ones if I want to give them as presents. We'll see...

I got the led lights yesterday in DD's name and stashed them away- also spent too much on Lego for the stash but that is rewards during the year as we are working on positive reinforcement which is not sweets. I was getting 10 mini figures for my drawer but there's a loyalty offer at the minute of a 6th free with every 5 (collect stamps so don't have to buy all at once!) so I have 12 now. And a couple of small sets (€5 and €12 priced ones).

I also went through my wool stash as DM will take some next week when she's staying, so I pulled out anything I am happy to let go (1 of my 2 crates), she'll probably only take about 3 balls. And I sorted my fabrics too.

I started a scarf for DF, and have wool to do a similar one for DM. I have plans for 2 sewing projects for smallies ( an expected new arrival in late autumn and a 15 month old for Christmas). And maybe a few more like dolls blankets for older girls and a tote bag for another girl to carry her treasures.

Today I am taking on ikea to get a unit for DD's room and also get ideas to overhaul that room. But midweek is lots better than weekends!

@any

Christmas pjs look on eBay. I've had some bargains from there

I always do christmas stockings for my in-laws, I figure they haven't had presents from father christmas for years so it might be nice, I usually do up to date presents but I thought about maybe doing presents from their childhood this year, they were both born in the 1940's so was looking at the 1950's, does anyone have any ideas what I could put in them?

Thank you xx

I want to try my hand at crocheting a few ornaments this year but am a complete beginner. I tried a 'How to' book from the library but it made absolutely no sense to me Does anyone have any suggestions for an easy to follow instruction video on youtube? There are so many crochet videos on there that I don't know where to start...

Bella Coco is a good website for "how to" crochet instructions. Attic24 does good photo tutorials once you've got the basics nailed.

Bella Coco and Attic24 - thanks Woolly

Thanks SideOrderOfSprouts! I'll have a look. I know it's cheesy, but if you can't be cheesy at Christmas, when can you?!

Exactly!

MrsChrimbo
Ration book and a spinning top?

www.thepeoplehistory.com/50stoys.html this might have some good ideas?