We're rocking around the Christmas tree, waiting for Santa to come to town. It's countdown to Christmas thread 4!!

[SideOrderofSprouts]

99 days to go

disclaimer. This thread is up early because I am old and tired and need to go to bed. It's actually 99 from midnight

Finally caught up!

@HandbagCrazy gosh, that is early, but reassuring to hear she is doing so well - we are due in 9 weeks, and I couldn't even begin to imagine him arriving already.

@QuimJongUn fingers crossed for your hubby - my motto is plan for the worst but hope for the best! Very uncertain couple of months ahead for you.

I've picked up a few stocking fillers this week, attempted to find my xmas cake recipe (to no avail!) and started planning DS1 advent calendar / picking up bits.
I've decided I'm going to do one for hubby too with beers (although I may give in and just buy the beer hawk one instead) - he does so much for us, and has been amazing during this pregnancy, so I want to treat him.

Quim fingers crossed my dear would be amazing to get the better job!
I have just remembered a few months back or was it last year we had to gain another day somewhere , somehow or did I dream it. For some reason I can't wait to got to 89 days .....

We had to gain a day last year! 😂

Ooh. My Nigella and Jamie Christmas books arrived this week. I'm going to look through tonight. Last night was Good Housekeeping!

Ahh thank you Fluffy I was so hoping it wasn't this year ! Saw lots of lovely books in WHSMITHS today and Matalan has the most gorgeous Nutcraker decs in , nearly succumbed to a robin snow globe and a glittery doormat !

I've bought a shit load of new decorations this year and still need to go to JL for the kids to choose theirs this year, so I'm avoiding buying too m any more! 😂

If anyone sees hype bags go on offer against his year can you tag me? Chipstheeldest wants one for
Secondary

I'm catching up after being away last weekend and then being ill (again). I can confirm that flying with vertigo is not much fun.

Quim - I hope your DH gets the better job and the intervening time isn't too stressful.

Handbag - best wishes to your lovely new niece.

I picked up Terry's Chocolate Oranges in Tesco today. Buy one get two free - so 66 and a bit pence each. I doubt they'll last to see a stocking but you never know.

Following on from Ann's thread about ideas to give digital gifts I have decided to follow my own advice and I'm getting a jigsaw made to tell DD1 about her concert tickets as they won't be delivered until 2 weeks before the show. We were in Wilko today and she was finding little bits and pieces that she'd like so I need to go back to get them when she's not with me. They also had wind up racing pugs that DS would adore.

OOh, must get to Tesco!

I have ordered some chocs from Ocado for stock piling. Well one is some dairy free stuff for taste testing and some for stockpiling. www.ocado.com/webshop/product/BoojaBooja-Hazelnut-Crunch-Chocolate-Truffles/381247011?from=search&tags=%7C20000&param=booja+booja&parentContainer=SEARCHbooja+booja

Quim & Handbag, I hope all is well.

The dog’s pyjamas came but were too small in the chest. I ordered her exact measurements but it restricted her breathing when she sat down. Couldn’t get them off either, had to cut them off. The seller will be sending another pair but no idea when Sorry to disappoint!

I saw online that the Glasgow Christmas market wasn’t going ahead and I was super disappointed. Turns out, another company is just handling it! I’m relieved.

Not a lot of Christmas prep going on in our house atm. Dd is really struggling with OCD & high school. She’s been diagnosed since she was 7 and has been in high school for 2-3ish years but this year it’s kicked off again. We’re going to a meeting on Monday so she can meet a teacher that helps kids struggling with anxiety/school refusal. She’s been disrupting/storming out of classes which is interfering with her education and everyone else’s. Will just have to see how the meeting goes!

92
It's getting so close now. Hope housekeeping November issue is out next Thursday. I'll be first in line for a look..

Good Housekeeping? I've had mine by post, read it and recycled it already!

I spent a short time looking through Nigel and Jamie recipe books last night. I'm going to be making a few bits and bobs from both!

Welcome back Wooly, and fingers crossed for good news for Handbag and for Quim.

I picked up those three for one chocolate oranges yesterday and they were causing quite a stir. Ended up with a big group of women all chatting about stocking fillers 😆

I got my choc oranges on Thursday .... I bought 6. Only 5 remain 🙈

Bastart my heart goes out to you with your DD - I have two boys with OCD and the youngest (14yo) has just come through a chronic two year bout which was triggered by starting high school. He has been better for a couple of months now and I could cry when I see him just pootling around without all the anxiety.

Big squeezes for your DD (and you) - it's so difficult for them, isn't it, and you get desperate to take away the pain.

Good luck with the meeting!

And grrr for the pjs 😆

We have added the local Christmas market to the calendar this morning, so feeling festive 🌲

tootsie step away from the chocolate oranges 😆

Yes i hotfooted it down to tesco and got 9 on thursday evening. What a bargain.

Everything is a bit later here in Ireland sadly fluffy. I've checked every day and they keep saying g next Thursday 😑😑

I succumbed and bought 3 of the choc oranges. I have put them in the garage . I will have to move them at some time but am not strong enough to resist them atm .
Handbag welcome to the world to your little neice
and Woolly hope you feel better soon my dear.
It is getting a bit chilly today there is a nip in the air , not gonna put the heating on yet though and did manage to dry a load of washing on the line ! Have a christening to go to next Sunday and am frantically starving myself to get into my 'pretty dress' I think I will have to wear spanx , big knickers and a corset to keep it all in !

Thinking of scrapping my baubles and buying new this year so had a quick look in the Range. DD spotted an elf on a shelf and somehow it ended up in my basket

Still
No
Word
On M&s?

@ScrappyMalloy

Must. Not. Eat. Chocolate. Organs.

Maybe I should wrap them up... ah balls, I'm not wrapping them, I've bought crocheted Christmas pudding covers for them all... need to check they fit... going to have to take one out the box now 😶

@SideOrderofSprouts Yes, early next month apparently. I read on here that Sparks members will have a preview on 3rd October, so I'm going to sign up this week! 😂

Need to order turkey & decide who else is bringing what over, it's getting close!! 👍🏻🎄

I cashed in my first £50 of Nectar points today and have an order coming next Sunday with nibbles and ingredients for recipes I'm going to make in the lead up to Christmas.

I know what I'm going to make now, so just need to get the bits and bobs ready to do it!