Countdown to Christmas part 2

[SideOrderofSprouts]

Wow! Part two!!

8 months to go

I do similar for hampers - have a few nice baskets that I re-use for my family. For SIL I did always buy a box, usually a gift box from a card shop, and use that (that will stop from this year as she doesn't appreciate the effort).
For MIL I use an old cardboard box that I wrap inside and out with Christmas paper as I have to post it to her.

I can't believe it's July already! And I am so excited, me and DH have booked our flights for Christmas. We'll be spending it in New York 🎄😊 I'm already planning a trip to on particular street which is meant to be the best decorated, a show on broadway and ice skating at the Rockefeller. Even DH keeps making comments like "it'll be like you're in home alone" so I think he's excited too.

I almost forgot - 🎄172🎄

I spotted something for DD's "hamper" (stocking!) in BRU airport today to pick up on a later visit (might go stale buying now😄).

I keep nice but sturdy boxes during the year and also pick up baskets when they're being sold off (after Christmas and Easter are usually good times!).

I've been known to use ordinary newspaper scrunched up and just cover with a single sheet of nice tissue paper as bedding (tissue paper often from naice shop purchases and carefully saved).

Admittedly, I buy cellophane from ikea. But I've been known to save any fancy bows if I'm lucky enough to get florist flowers during the year 😁 ''Tis all about reusing before recycling!! 🤣

That was meant to be coloured tissue paper from nice shops....(I'm calling it jet lag - more tiredness caused by travel)

Handbagcrazy - I'm so jealous you are going to New York at crimbo!

Will you do a Vlog? 😀🎄

Thanks for all the hampers suggestions ladies. Specially HairsprayBabe, why didn't I think of charity shops?! My mum was out today and said she saw hampers for sale either in the £ shop, or charity shops (She'd been in both and couldn't remember which one.). She remembers the hampers as she thought they've got their Christmas stock out already. That'll hopefully save a few bob, so thanks again!

I often get either jute charity shopping bags or canvas reusable ones (Tesco once did a nice orla Keily style one!) and fill them instead of boxes.
I've also done themed hampers like a movie night one where i used large popcorn tubs 🍿 like that instead of a box or gardener ones with a trug...or beauty one with a vanity case etc.

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We've lost Sprouts somewhere! Hope you're OK, Sprouts! 😁

Miserable weather today...who'd have thought it's summer?!

Blacksmith - I don't know if my technological skills will stretch to a vlog but I will definitely post some photos while I'm there!

Isadora I love the movie hamper / popcorn tub idea. I'll be stealing that for dnephew I think

I have to say I'm really not enjoying this weather. It's hot hot hot here (south wales) and I'm hiding indoors. I cannot wait until the evenings start getting dark and I can feel cold again!

Fluffy I've just noticed your post about the weather being miserable. Which part of the country are you in? I will trade you miserable weather for the sunny day here!

I'm in Glasgow! It's brightened up now, thankfully.

Ooh. Just checked to see when M&S are likely to release what their Christmas food will be and it was 12th July last year. Rather excited! I have a £75 voucher for Marks so will use that at Christmas. 😁

Hello! Sorry I am here!

Been a bit hectic around here recently but I do pop in to read

Looking forward to the end of term as it's always a milestone in the year

Anyone else watching the Christmas in July post she on Christmas uk?

I bought an "Encyclopedia of Christmas Fayre" in charity shop yesterday! Then spent the evening browsing it semi-drooling!

Have penciled in a big organisation session for next weekend when I have Friday and Monday off to my self. Our pet snake died last week and we have sent the vivarium to MIL for storage so the back bedroom is going to become a usable space again not just a dumping ground!

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Sorry to hear about your snake HairsprayBabe.

Would love to know what's in, 'Encyclopedia of Christmas Fayre'? Is it a very old book?

Ordered a new Christmas planner the other day and it arrived today. I'm very pleased/impressed with it. Now I just have to pull all the Christmas presents bought so far out and log them!

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Today I'm determined that we are going to build the new tree to make sure it's OK! 🎄

Aggghhh - total baby brain... I've just realised I have no idea where I cleverly hid (in a really sensible place so I'd remember exactly where they are) the presents I've bought already for Christmas 🙈

Only saving grace I guess is Ive realised in July and not December, or worse still, January (which is my mums usual trick!)

Put a reminder in your phone when you find / re-hide them!

Take a photo when you do (making it obvious to you where in the house they are) and keep it in a Christmas folder on your phone. I do this along with screenshots and photos from shops of ideas/gifts.

Excellent ideas! A Christmas app for such things would be great....

Aww are you planning buying another snake Hairspray (I have an ongoing cycle of rescued guinea-pigs and I think once I get to The Last One , I will have to dismantle their Pighouse to stop me getting more)
I'm sure there are snakes in Rescue.................................

I have no hidden presents , but now we're past the halfway mark, I can start looking for things.
I bought two candle holders
I have a box of Yankee votives (from last year)

I was clearing out the wardrobe last week and found my Christmas Jumper from last year George@Asda navy blue with Sleigh/Reindeer .

Oh god I helped at our school summer
Fayre today. I look like a lobster

I'm a bit crispy too!

This is just my shoulder. My back is worse :(