Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Countdown to Christmas 2022: the final straight (thread 4)

396 replies

NoWordForFluffy · 13/11/2022 08:29

New thread!

42 (for ease tomorrow.)

OP posts:
CrazyBaubles · 16/11/2022 15:01

Toyto do you have a Shaws near you? Ours had some lovely nutcracker cushions and matching door mats, blankets and bedding which were reasonable prices.

Wreck your DH got back on his feet quickly. I'm impressed he didn't take to his bed for a week like a lot of mn husbands seem to!

I get random flashes of festive feeling but I mostly feel a bit stressed / overwhelmed at the minute. I think a lot of people feel the same.
The house a few minutes away from me that has loads of decorations (think blow up Santa, giant light up letters, lights on every fence and tree, a light up nativity etc) have put their decs out and I think that'll push some Christmassy feeling around here Xmas Smile

WreckTangled · 16/11/2022 19:42

He doesn’t get paid if he doesn’t work 😅 but even when he was employed I think he’s only had one day off sick previously in the whole time we’ve been together.

The weather here is horrendous, it’s wet and windy and there’s flood everywhere. DD’s bus was late back too the traffic is always worse when it’s wet.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 16/11/2022 20:46

Bella that is rubbish of your DH but I'm guessing he's maybe (like most of us) worried about the cost and being overwhelmed by it all? Children the age yours are get very excited by Christmas , I know when mine were little we tried to do everything behind the scenes so they believed it was all done By Magic .

My Mum was a Christmas Hater , she didn't want the bother of cooking or cleaning, didn't put up decorations because she CBA putting them away ,
Often we heard I wish I could go to sleep and wake up after New Year and My favourite day is Boxing Day because then it's all over
Not like she did anything !

Family friend visitor did it and when I was old enough, I cooked .
We got presents but it felt unfair when I saw the effort that friends parents went to ,

Taytocrisps · 16/11/2022 21:54

Sorry to hear that Bella. Obviously not everyone likes Christmas - we all have our likes and dislikes. But children get very excited about it and your children will probably be able to tell if your DH takes a very half-hearted approach. Is he prepared to help out at all or is he leaving it all to you? Are you hosting Christmas dinner yourself or are you going somewhere else?

I guess the main advice I would give you is to start by making some lists. Make a list of all the presents you need to get/who you need to buy for. Get the kids to make their Santa lists, if they haven't done so already. Black Friday is taking place this Friday so you may be able to get some reductions on toys etc. If you're hosting, make a list of what you 'll need for Christmas breakfast, dinner etc. Don't forget things like alcohol, soft drinks, snacks etc. Decide if you're getting all your food from a supermarket or if you need to order the turkey and ham from a butcher. If you're not hosting, maybe check with your hosts and see if there's anything they'd like you to bring.

Maybe set a date to bring your DC to visit Santa. Although the 9 year old may be too old for this? They'll probably enjoy some Christmas movies or maybe a baking session - making gingerbread men or something like that. Don't put yourself under too much pressure, especially if you're doing it all or yourself. Or most of it, at any rate. And finally, tell your DH you want a very nice present under the tree.

Taytocrisps · 16/11/2022 22:02

Crazy no Shaws near me or I would check out those cushions. I have a Nutcracker duvet cover already Grin. Almost time to dig it out. We need a Nutcracker emoji. And a gingerbread man one.

Taytocrisps · 16/11/2022 22:04

70 sorry to hear your Mum hated Christmas. Is she still like that now? Do you go overboard now to compensate?

NoWordForFluffy · 16/11/2022 22:16

Taytocrisps · 16/11/2022 22:02

Crazy no Shaws near me or I would check out those cushions. I have a Nutcracker duvet cover already Grin. Almost time to dig it out. We need a Nutcracker emoji. And a gingerbread man one.

We bought a Nutcracker duvet cover from Next last year. We also got a tomte one from Dunelm. I live a Christmas duvet! 🤣

70, I've not seen the Christmas loo roll yet. Have you?

OP posts:
NoWordForFluffy · 17/11/2022 07:58

38

And yet still too soon, apparently, for some people to think about Christmas! 🤷‍♀️ Xmas Confused

Awful weather forecast today and tomorrow. Might get DH to build a boat! 🤣

OP posts:
WreckTangled · 17/11/2022 08:27

Our weather is better now, sunny. But lots of floods, 20 cars stuck on the dual carriageway overnight.

Covid got me so that’s me home until I test negative/day 10 whatever comes first.

BiddyPop · 17/11/2022 08:52

Morning all, I can't believe how fast the days are whizzing by. (So fast, I almost missed getting off the train at my stop!). I've been too busy with work to think about it much, massive conference next week that my tiny team are organising on top of everything else. And I need to travel for the entire 2nd last working week before Christmas. And then travel "down home" for the holidays themselves...and all that entails. It will be fine. I'll sleep in the NY.

Sorry to hear all the bugs and other worries and stresses you're all going through. Hugs all round to keep going 1 step at a time.

ConstantlyCooking · 17/11/2022 09:41

Good morning all! I keep writing posts and then losing them.
Work and weekends have been busy after our break but hopefully I will have time to check and update my lists on Sunday. DH and the DC haven't given me any ideas for presents yet (obviously I have a few put aside) but no proper presents for them or DGD. DD's Advent calendar just needs to be wrapped and numbered.
I am enjoying the Christmas lights after work and am planning a walk to see some of the best lights and windows with a friend in early Dec.

CrazyBaubles · 17/11/2022 10:53

Wreck how are you feeling?

We have a nice clear but cold day here. I'm hoping to get out and enjoy it (and stretch my legs) on my lunch break. I need it today, work is full on.

I'm also going to town after work to pick up some more c&c orders. I'm also going to have a little wander around and hope inspiration hits for my outstanding presents.

HairsprayBabe · 17/11/2022 13:38

I did amazingly well at immediately falling off the thread 🤣

Let me try again!

WreckTangled · 17/11/2022 14:10

I’m fine, quite tired but that might just be because I’m not doing anything. Wouldn’t even know I had it. I could have watched so many Christmas films today if we had wifi 🤨

WreckTangled · 17/11/2022 16:30

Managed to get ds the M&S biscuit advent calendar! I had to message them on fb as lots of places had sold out but they were really helpful with their stock checker so dh was sent to get one. Although he phoned me saying there wasn’t any but no, he hadn’t asked or looked properly…

WreckTangled · 17/11/2022 19:12

I have wifi!

NoWordForFluffy · 17/11/2022 19:13

Yay! Christmas films all day tomorrow!

OP posts:
WreckTangled · 17/11/2022 20:17

You know it! Going to get my Christmas candles out too!

HairsprayBabe · 17/11/2022 20:30

I've got the m&s whip calendar for dh I've bought myself a coffee pod one too, refill one for ds not bothering for dd as she is only 10 mo at the start of Dec and it will be the only year I can get away with not doing one for her!

NoWordForFluffy · 18/11/2022 06:39

37

Morning!

I woke up stupidly early for some reason needed the loo but it meant I've ordered DS' tablet from Argos as they're reduced. I had a £5 voucher and paid with Nectar points, so only paid £1.99 cash!

I then bought two cases from eBay for the tablets (I got DD's a while ago).

Just one Lego set to go. The Black Friday / Cyber Monday deals should be announced later for Lego (I've loads of points to spend), so I'll know when to buy!

OP posts:
NoWordForFluffy · 18/11/2022 06:40

What are M&S whips, Hairspray?! 😱

OP posts:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 18/11/2022 08:10

NoWordForFluffy · 18/11/2022 06:40

What are M&S whips, Hairspray?! 😱

HaHa I wondered that too , but I;m guessing like Walnut Whips (for the older ones amongst us they used to be topped with a walnut half . Coffee ones were nice )

Unless Hairspray has something to share with the group , Maybe it's an S&M Whip eather than an M&S ? Xmas Wink

NoWordForFluffy · 18/11/2022 08:21

I did consider those type of whips, 70 (not coffee though, bleurgh!). But decided the alternative option was more interesting. 🤣🤣

OP posts:
CrazyBaubles · 18/11/2022 10:44

🥳🥳 for your wifi Wreck
Which CCFs are you watching today?

Hairspray this is not that type of thread 😱😂

70 I have an unspoken agreement with my dad - every year I put a box of 3 walnut whips in his hamper and he opens them first and gives one back to me while my dm reminds us all how much she hates them Xmas Grin

I'm in a good mood today, not sure why though. Work is busy, I have to pack for a weekend away and I have a headache so I should be stressed 🤷‍♀️

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 18/11/2022 11:07

I went to Aldi this morning

I can report :
No "The Snowman" loo roll , I'm going to look in Wilko again today though online it wasn't in stock . They did have (Aldi) Vanilla Sugar scented loo roll ( wtaf)
I bought some Gingerbread Latte handwash and it's nice , very subtle scent not gingery though

No vegan fishsteaks again, I think they've been discontinued Xmas Sad