What is the difference between snowmen and snow women? Snowballs! It’s countdown to Christmas thread 5!

[SideOrderofSprouts]

45! ( from midnight. Three glasses of wine and a tub of pringles means I’m falling asleep!!)

I’ve got the marks and Spencer’s one, I wanted the reeses one too but dh said no. Only one calendar per person. The mini fridges have moo free ones and dh has Haribo.

The DC share the wooden advent, taking it in turns to open the drawer to get the chocolates out! (DS is up to chocolate on the milk ladder, so we don't have the expensive dairy free stuff to buy!)

If the Minion ones start arguments they'll be going away again. This is very likely! 🙈

Finally made a small dent on the wrapping last night!

My kids each have two advent calendars this year. Dd1 16 has a make up one and a heroes one, dd2 13 has a make up one and a much sought after Reese's one and ds 10 has a wilko lego one and a Haribo one as he is still not fussed on chocolate since the chemo.

I'm feeling very behind this year!

DD's Lego city calendar is under my desk at work- I got queries on how many days to december last night with a worried expression 😂 I also have chocolate pieces for the fabric one so she's fine!

DH finally started talking last night - he has a couple of small
Things ordered and one more thing planned for Santa so then, apart from actually buying her rucksack (which was chosen but didn't stop her browsing another shop yesterday!), she is done. Order DHs present (amazon so waiting for black Freida sale to start). I need 2 half bottles of port for 1 gift (and 1 for us) in M&S, something for 1 lady and 3 gents (adult siblings and partners), and 4 DCs (various aged DNs). Pjs for us all. lush stuff. And finish crafting 3 things (1 seam on each with the sewing machine and 1 button each on 2 of those). Oh, and something for a DAunt (not going to get knitting finished) and a hamper of HM foodie treats for an extended family of DAunts and DUncles. Then I'm done with buying.

Nothing wrapped yet though.

Today I am focussing on paperwork sorting, and going to a craft fair with DD as her training is cut short by weather.

Loving Food Network Christmas programmes

Same! Love James Martin, reminds me of my Dad!

I'm older than James Martin but I still would

I Made festive macarons, and I now need to watch then food network! I also love James Martin.

We have a wooden advent calendar with space for chocolates for all three of us each day :) DH and I have just written a list of what is still left to do and it is a lot. It's my birthday tomorrow so after that I will be in full swing :)

Those macarons look amazing!

I've got barely anything left to do...bored! 😂

Are you doing anything for your birthday, CBeebies?

They do look so tasty! Very envious of you and your organisation fluffy.

Plan is lunch, shopping and Murder on the Orient Express tomorrow while DS is in nursery :)

Happy Birthday In Advance Cbeebies

Love the look of the macarons Fridge

DD has decided this year I mustn't watch all the Christmas Food shows (she's right in a way, not an evil dictator) her arguement is:

"You watch Delia cooking a ham with cloves, Nigeela shoving a turkey in brine and Fanny Cradock shoving a piping bag full of sausagement under a turkeys skin and up its bum and we're vegetarian so you never cook them )

I will limit myself to Nigel Slater this year (and Paul Hollywood but nothing to do with his baking skills )

Mmmm macarons, love them!

I nearly got busted last night wrapping Dh’s birthday presents. Just finished & put away before he came back!

I keep lurking on this thread, recognise most of you. I’m jumping in!

Have done lots of shopping so far but not all. Have booked lapland for next year eeeee!

We’re going to Longleat in three weeks to see Father Christmas.

🎁🎄🎅🏽❄️

Welcome wreck * *

I am indulging in a soppy Christmas film on Christmas 24 (The Flight Before Christmas). Complete twaddle but full of festive music. DH is in the next room working and has made a few “it’s November” and “that’s a lot of Christmas music” comments. I’m 99% sure he’s rolling his eyes but was quick to say he “likes that I’m festive and get excited” when I offered to turn it off.

I am also on a mad, online shopping spree after panicking a little! So far today I have sorted all children in the family (6), siblings on both sides, friends and their children and PIL (I had a lot of things in online shopping baskets, so not quite as big an achievement as it sounds).
I make Ddad a hamper so can’t order that online, and am stuck on DM and DH, although I have put aside budget to get more presents while we’re away.

I am jealous of those who enjoy the cookery programmes. The only one I can watch without feeling guilty is Jamie Oliver. I don’t enjoy cooking so feel bad that I’m watching things I will never attempt.

Can I ask, apart from Biddy (who has mentioned her cards already), do you all send cards? I saw the thread earlier from a poster who wishes she got more cards and almost all the responses were people saying that either don’t do cards or wish they could stop. I love sending and receiving cards but questioning myself now.

Our Santa trip is 16th Dec...a steam train in the Lakes. Can't wait!

Hi WreckTangled, glad you could join us!

The problem with being so organised is the damn twitch, CBeebies! Twitched twice now. Fail. But...I've no more of DS' wrapping paper from us, and Santa has already been generous, so that's the end of the twitching! She says! 🙈😂

Handbag I only send cards to aunts etc I don't really see through the year plus close relatives, so 15-20 in total, maybe?

NoWord you've got just shy of 6 weeks worth of Twitch-iness to spare.
I was in Matalan last week and when I was leaving after paying, I saw the Pokemon wrapping paper I was looking for...........so I'll need to go back and I'll need to buy some wrappable present for my DS .

I'm not Twitching though, I haven't nearly finished.

Jump in wreck join the countdown

I posted on the Christmas card thread about the fact that my family have a game involving the Christmas cards and the trend to not send them is killing it off :( I have 30 in and will write them soon.

I'm seriously considering putting an end to doing cards this year. I've already got one for DMum and we will get one for DMIL. There's a couple of elderly aunts that might be miffed but I think everyone else would be relieved.

I've got a shopping trip next weekend and I'll wrap after that - I may even wait until at least 1st Dec. DS has a weekend off karate on 2/3 Dec and we might head off to Birmingham for a wander around the Christmas market. I know it will be packed but I have promised him a shopping trip and DH has offered to drive so I can indulge in the Gluhwein.

Thanks everyone! We watched the grinch earlier.

Re Christmas cards I send a handful, only to older relatives who I might not see and/or won’t buy for. I got some of those lovely M&S 3D ones in the sale in January so I’ll use those, think they had 76% off! My family send cards for everything (Easter etc even when we will be seeing them!).

Fridge those Macaroons omg they look divine well done oh my!
welcome Wreck join in my dear
I have to do cards I can't bring myself to stop it seems so Bah Humbug lol
Got loads to do DD2 home from Uni and I have not seen her for 11 weeks so this week is totally devoted to her lol
Hope everybody is feeling better
Take care all

I send around 30 cards, to my family (hand delivered) and ILs mostly (DHs family are scattered around the country so we see most of them once / twice a year max).
This year I've changed job role and team and think they'll be sending them so I'll join in with that too. I don't know, I enjoy them but think it won't be long before they dwindle to just a handful.

Anyway - I am now alternating between crocheting presents (working on a unicorn at the mo) and more online browsing. 70 some of the Matalan stuff is lovely this year! Did you buy anything festive? I am adding random Christmas crockery to my basket and hoping DH doesn't notice

Handbag they had a 20% or 25% (can't remember which) off jumpers and Christmas wear.
I love a jumper me

I bought ( things that were on my To Buy List)

grey sherpa fleece for DD bed -silver snowflakes on it
Oval robin serving platter
Some gift cards envelopes (teens= gift cards and money gifts)

A lambswool jumper for my DS (not a present just a he needs it jumper)

And ........... dog paw socks (intended for dogs to wear , little Nordic pattern with rubber paw pads) for my three guinea-pigs to hang up to do their traditional Christmas Eve photo. They have Christmas hats that come out every year and a holly pattern fleece to pose on.
They get rewarded with the veg trimmings so win:win

Enjoy your time with your DS Mrs :)