Come one come all. It’s countdown to Christmas 2018!

[SideOrderofSprouts]

366 days to go

😂🎄

Merry Christmas everyone!

I still haven't decided what to do with Ruldolph day. Should've held off booking the Santa train til then!

Oh Rudolph Day ( first one of 2018)

Might do a list of 'Things I bought but didn't actually need ' and put it somewhere prominent for next Christmas

336

This year really is going to be the 'buying less' year.

I've got a better idea about what the DC like now, so will focus my efforts on those things rather than just getting 'stuff they'll probably like'.

It's basically Imaginext and Lego, plus the train set that get the most play. Oh, and the Playmobil emergency services!

I am going to try and buy less this year, for DP especially, I knew he had got me something expensive and I felt guilty so I just kept buying to get the cost the same....

I just realized Rudy Day is Thursday - I have to bring DD to and collect her from a school hockey match in the afternoon, and then Scouts in the evening. But I can write my lists on the sideline of the pitch, get started on some sewing on the kitchen table while she's at Scouts, and put on some Christmas music while I work (over an hour of peace!). And I can bring my knitting in the car to do while I wait for her to get out of the Den. So it could actually be reasonably productive!!!

I've decided to use the 25th of each month to buy my supermarket savings stamps. Last year I had to add £3 odd to my stamps for my Christmas food shop so I'm aiming for something similar this year.

I am going to use Thursday to work out my budget for 2018. Not hosting this year so should be cheaper :)

Fluffy.... Hairspray .....I am going to be buying less too this year.
I almost have to stop myself from buying and I buy and buy because 'oh it doesn't look enough'. I have a BF who I want to stop buying for her 2 boys who are 30 and 32!!!! She doesn't want to stop buying for my 2 DDS and I just don't know what to do. My nephew is 22 this year and I feel we (my sil and DB) should stop buying now too . I could go on and on. I am not being mean am l? I just feel almost overwhelmed by the thought of it all again this year. BAH HUMBUG!!

Ahhhh, Mrs, my niece and nephew are 18 and 20 this year and I think it's time I stopped too. But how do I broach it with my sister?!

Not mean at all MrsMad

I have a huuuuuge family and DH's is above average too. I buy for my goddaughter (niece) on my side and her baby and i have a great niece that I'm godmother to so I buy for her and her brothers. I usually mark baby's first Christmas too for any great nieces and nephews. DH's nieces and nephews are all under 18 so we buy for them too. We don't buy for adult siblings and I feel very guilty that my SILS all buy for my adult DDs. Apart from that it is just presents for our elderly mums and that's us done with extended family. Nobody seems to mind.

I don't know how to say it either Fluffy but I am wondering if they are feeling like it too?
How can we ask them well I suppose we can easily ask them but the problem is..... I realise as I am writing this is that I feel bad not buying for them. However this is utter madness and I need a damn good talking to !

Woolly....... I thought I had a lot to buy for ....PHEW!

My DC are still very young, so in my head I think it feels unfair. But, it's not really, as I've never forgotten a birthday or Christmas since they were born! 🙈😂

I'm an idiot really. I'll ask my mum what to do! 😁

If she is anything like mine she will say 'ahhhh well it is Christmas' lol

I seem to have fallen off this thread for a while there.

I am thinking a lot about Christmas traditions at the moment, doing some research on the history of Christmas around the world and trying to determine what traditions to adopt and what to let go. It seems that Christmas has changed so much over the centuries and is different from country to country which actually gives a lot of freedom when choosing.

Re the present thing we have a rule in my family that presents for children (nieces, nephews, etc., not own children) stop at 18. Adults (parents, siblings and partners of siblings) only according to agreed upon and reasonable budget. Other adult family members such as aunts, uncles, and the like only if celebrating the holiday together and then only token presents.

This seems to work very well, the budget is reasonable and everyone is happy. Also we tend to club together to buy each other larger and more expensive items from wish lists so very rarely either give or receive unappreciated tat.

I appreciate that this approach is not for everyone but it works very well for us. Also no presents exchanged with friends (with only one exception) or children of friends. I never understood the need to buy for all and sundry and am happy not to receive X sets of toiletries or having to take loads of tat to the charity shop.

335

Only two more really early starts after this, then I'm back to my usual getting up time of 5.45 from Monday. Woooo! I've missed those extra 45 minutes in bed!

Tired today. Snotty small boy couldn't sleep due to his bunged nose last night and the only way he'd go back to sleep was sitting on my lap, upright! Took me right back to him being a baby as I spent many nights upright as it was the only way he'd sleep. Poor sausage!

Eugh it's so wet and windy out there. Going for a hot stone back massage tonight! Can't wait

Ooh. I love that type of massage! Enjoy!

It's hideous weather. Meant to blow over by 10, and be sunny but still windy. Should make for an 'interesting' lunch time walk for me (I'm in a workweek challenge with people on Fitbit, so am getting out at lunch!).

I've not had a hot stone one before. It's meant to rain heavy all day here

Fluffy l don't think l could manage that early unless it was lovely and light, then l would be good to go have a good day and great idea to walk lunchtime, it makes all the difference. Hope small snotty boy feels better today lol. Aw Bless .
Wreck never had a massage before, am thinking l don't really want to have ppl looming over me , bit of a phobia there methinks lol bit of a dentistryish phobia ? enjoy it very much though my dear.
Weather is dire . We were going to go to Gloucester Quays but decided against it because the roads are awash. Instead l want to go for a good walk in the forest up by us but it is blowing a gale and tipping down! Never mind will try later if it settles down.
Have a good day everyone
Rudolpho day tomoz!

hideous weather today... and i have left my bloody phone at home!

Ooh, Wreck, I am treating myself to one on Saturday as DD is away overnight and DH is away all week (leaving me cope with her) - so a much needed unwinding!! They are bliss, once you get past the first heat of the stone hitting you.

My apron arrived this morning and it is bea-u-ti-ful. Really regretting not getting the matching oven gloves and tea towel now.

Ah good to know bibby! I'm really looking forward to it.

Woolly I think you should get them by hook or by crook mwahahaha