On your marks, get set, go...it's the countdown to Christmas 2020. Thread 1!

[ThatsMySantaHisBeardIsSoFluffy]

366

Afternoon.

Here we go again! It feels slightly bonkers setting off again before today is over, but it's tradition, so who am I to argue?!

Nabbed some discounted fluffy socks from Fat Face for next year’s stockings. Yay.

I went up town today and it was absolutely manic. You couldn’t move.

I definitely couldn't be bothered with any sales I have to say (well online is fine). DH went in as he was passing the door around 11 which is when he got the Christmas Jumper.

I've got bits from Next and a Harry Potter Dark Arts tin from Boots. Both online. Also some seeds from Thompson and Morgan I don't need anymore seeds!

There's no way I'd go to the shops today. I'm still relaxing and enjoying the break. I certainly wouldn't take the kids to the shops. Utter madness!

I didn’t take the kids, that would’ve been too much but I had to go up anyway so popped into a few shops. There were quite a few kids there though

We had to go to Sainsburys for formula for DS this morning and there were loads of cards and decorations for half price - and the usual cookware/electrical items. I didn’t have time to browse but it looked like there were some good bargains judging by the amount of people at those shelves!

We don't really need anything, so I'm avoiding looking!

DH got me a new stick blender for Christmas. It's marvellous! I made Yorkshires earlier. I'd be buying for the sake of buying if I got anything.

I'm a bit unsure about shops opening on Boxing Day really. I don't remember working it when I worked in retail as a teenager. But it was a fair while ago. 😂😂

fluffy I think that’s the thing isn’t it, if you go out with a list of things you need and get only that then the sales are great. But if you go without a plan you end up coming back with a load of crap you don’t need

Slightly controversial but I refuse to shop on bank holidays because I don't think shops should be open. No one in retail is paid enough to work on Boxing Day.
Where we are pretty much shut down at about 4pm on Christmas Eve (except for the pub) and won't reopen until tomorrow and I'm pretty happy with that tbh.

We drove around the island earlier so I have more highland cow pics for you (as well as a pic of a new Christmas dec we picked up a few days ago)

Fluffy If your cow cross stitch is the Bothy threads Daisy Coo then I am completely jealous because it's lovely and on my shopping list if it is ever in a sale.

We are relaxed and stuffed with turkey rolls and cheese right now. I'm enjoying being away somewhere slow and quiet so much more than I thought I would!

Sounds like you're having a wonderful time, Crazy.

And yes, it's Daisy Coo! It's ace, isn't it?

Hello everyone
Overslept this morning and had to rush to do Mum ,was there till 2pm , did shopping for her afterwards, visited NDN and then we had tea then visitors so couldn't come on here till now
Never mind normal service will be resumed very soon
Have a good sleep everyone

Shopping online is the way to go. You’re at home but you’re getting set for next year’s presents, especially the essential gifts: fragrance, wash gift sets, pyjamas, fluffy socks. Everything on sale now.

364

Morning!

My cold is worsening. I was going to the allotment today, but will go on Sunday instead. I'm not well enough to do heavy digging today. It's tidy toys day (which DS is very keen to do, apparently!). I might combine it with taking the trees down, even though it's a bit early for me generally. But it's easier to access toy storage without the trees in place! I'll see what the kids want to do!

Yes, it's a better day on Sunday, I think. ☀️

I've just put some washing out on the line as it's forecast dry and breezy today.

We might take the kids' tree down today as that's the one in the way. I'll see how it goes!

Morning everyone 😀
Just off to Mum's , her legs have been great since her stay in hospital 😄
Fluffy ah bless you darling 💐 hope you feel better soon and don't do that allotment today leave it and relax 😊
Fanny bought Dd1 vegan coconut and chocolate M& S Baileys rip off 😄 l didn't like it too sweet but the alcohol hit the spot 😄
I want to take the lot down but the family won't let me 🙄😂😂
Have a great day everyone 😀

Morning all! We’re going to the park today to try out some of the new outdoor toys the kids got, and their new hats and scarves. It is bitter here, it’s actually 5 degrees, but it feels much colder. I kept waking up in the night cold so I shall bring a hot water bottle with me this night. We won’t be taking the tree down until after New Years I don’t think. I have to start cracking on DD’s project too, she has to do something art and crafty to do with the Victorian times, I’m very stuck on what to do.

They’re gorgeous crazy

crying I do love online shopping but always get impatient waiting for it to come

fluffy I hope you feel better soon hon

mrs I’m glad your mums legs are better.

Can I join please

I absolutely adore all things Christmas and it truly is my happy time. My parents, in particular my Dad, always made it so magical for us as kids and since he passed away last year I try to keep Christmas in his memory.

We had a wonderful time this year.

Christmas Eve was very low key but completely magical. My 3 DC (9yo triplets) still wholeheartedly believe which I’m so thrilled about.

Christmas Day we went to my DM for a lovely family lunch and then back (via the park for a kick about) for TV and even more yummy food.

Boxing Day my DP hit the sales and came back with some lovely pampering treats for me as well as all the cards/wrapping/decs for next year!

It was all going so well until I managed to open a kitchen cupboard, knock something and have it land on my daughters brand new phone screen smashed and appt made for it to be repaired on Saturday! I was devastated but to her credit she took it so well. Trying not to let it bring down the mood today.

Decorations will stay up til NYE but the twinkly lights will remain for a while

DD made me take her to Bluewater (the swine ) , I reckoned today would be better than the weekend .

I was not on the lookout for anything , she hates M&S with a passion so I bought some clothes online from there (leggings) that I needed and were reduced .
Bought a couple of Christmas things from Lakeland , some laundry items and some toothpaste (how Rock'n;Roll am I ? )

We only have out of reach decorations so they don't get in the way .
Planning a clear out of the kitchenwares (we have a Charity Shop nearby that takes only homewares including electrics which is brilliant . I;d much rather something is checked and sold than dumped if it's in working order )

Crazy my DS works P/T at a well known fast food outlet (he's at University and it fits nicely round his schedule) , he was working on Boxing Day (his choice) he said it was really quiet .
He got extra pay , did a short shift and got the cleaning jobs to do - which he did without too much whinging . (I;m sure there was some low level whinging but he's a very junior member of staff )

Makes me wonder if it was even worth opening on the 26th ?

I just had to get some more fruit from Aldi and it was really quiet. There was plenty of re-stocking being done (and lots of lovely red 50% off stickers on stuff I needed!) but not huge numbers of customers. Mrs, they're selling Moo Free selection boxes off cheap. I got a couple as the bars are normally £1 each and the whole box was 99p! Good for after school snacks or general vegan treats!

Fluffy that is a great offer on the moo free , well spotted m'dear!
Will look next time we go
Been to Mum's till half 1 , come home , tip run, visited NDN who is very down bless him and am now sat down with a cuppa and breathe DD2 has Gavin & Stacy on again God knows how many times this is now
We are off from Mum's tomorrow, so we will go to Cwmbran to get out for a bit.
Hope your cold is better Fluffy and everyone is ok

Finally home! Have got a load of washing on. Am completely exhausted. Will fill you all in later

How many more loads to do, Wreck?!

Mrs, another productive day for you!

70, I got some leggings from Next's sale (online). My old ones had seen better days!

I'm still sneezing like a good 'un. It's driving me insane. As is the runny nose too. Hopefully I'll improve tomorrow!

Fluffy I can highly recommend the Tesco cold and flu capsules (the 80p box). I don't know what witchcraft they contain but they dried my cold up overnight on Sunday. I also swear by Halls mentholyptus sweets (in the black packaging)

I appear to have bolloxed up my ankle just before going away for the weekend. Currently dosed up with painkillers and sporting a fetching elastic bandage. No idea what I've done but if it doesn't improve I'll get it looked at on Monday.

No sale shopping here - unless you count half a dozen bottles of cranberry and clementine Buck's Fizz from M&S - apparently someone on MSE managed to get it for 90p a bottle so I was a tad disappointed to pay £4 each.