Countdown to Christmas 2023: get past the post-Christmas slump by thinking about the next one! (Thread 1.)

[NoWordForFluffy]

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Morning (just)!

I failed at eating yesterday which meant I got blotto far too early and wasn't well. Oops! 🙈

But we had a great time anyway and I avoided having to tidy up!

Countdown to next year is go go go! 🎄🎅🏻🎄🎅🏻🎄🎅🏻

Oh and I track everything I spend religiously, and use points for as much as possible, I shop for toiletries in boots and collect points throughout the year and spend them on bits for her so effectively they cost very little especially if you use vouchers cleverly.

I also do surveys throughout the year and convert the rewards for vouchers. I'm all for doing things as cheaply as possible.

Me too, Tribe! I'm signed up to three different apps which give you money / Amazon vouchers in exchange for receipt data, plus I absolutely rinse the Nectar points offers as much as possible through the year, so I can spend them on food / presents. E.g. I bought DS' tablet for £1.99, a £5 voucher and £55 in Nectar points. Bargain!

@TribeD which survey sites do you use?

I collected £60 in Amazon vouchers for last Christmas using 2 receipt snapping apps. Very pleased with that. I keep meaning to see if there are any more but haven't got to it yet.

Back to school for us today, too. I am knackered. I think I prefer the quietness of afternoon nursery to mornings with almost a full class 🤣 I'd run out of go by dinner time & my back was starting to hurt again though.

Mum book is looking at me from the table telling me to stash it away but I wanted it out for some birthday notes I'd made for dd1 & now cba to look 🙄

I'm aiming to make a sensible crafting plan over the weekend - including turning the dolls house into a gingerbread house. I'm just not sure where to start with it 🤔 I think air drying clay will feature but need to think of a way to pipe details...unless I painted them maybe & modelled icicles for the windows from clay/fimo type stuff. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

I also want to crochet a wreath I downloaded the pattern for last year, and continue adding to my village. Oh, and, diarise important things like buying cranberries and mulled wine spices, then making the actual sauce etc. More likely to get done that way, I think.

Tesco points saved for Christmas only even if it pays for the tubs of chocolates and buffet stuff that will be a help.

@lucysmam I use swagbucks and prolific mainly, but I'm going to have a trawl tomorrow and see if there are others - I'll share on here so if anyone is interested they can have a look.

I used to use shoppix to scan receipts, but got out of the habit - might get back into that too.

I use Shoppix, Storewards and Amazon Shopping to scan receipts. Probably make £50 a year on the first two and Amazon is £5 of Amazon vouchers per month if you scan 10.

@TriTribeD I've been thinking of doing a 1st December box this year. Thanks for the ideas. I think this will be the last year of believing for ds2, so I want to make it special.
I've been busy today making Christmas gift cads out of the christmas cards we received. I just need to use a hole punch and thread some twine and then store them for Christmas.

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Morning!

I woke before the alarm. Not sure why, but pretty standard these days!

I got the letter following my consultant visit yesterday, so called the GP surgery and have a phone appointment next Friday so I can be referred for nerve conduction studies.

I'm still waiting to be called by the private hospital, but I'm waiting til my credit card statement comes so it's in the next payment period! 🤣

To chase them that is. I'd rather the £1k scan cost was pushed back!

Hi I have a question, does anybody know about PayPal and refunds? I’ve received a refund through PayPal and should be going back onto my card but I’ve had a new card so it’s different to the one I paid with, does anyone know what happens now?

If it's the same bank, it should still find its way to your account.

Thank you, it’s quite a large refund so I wouldn’t want it to go missing

Planner coming today and calendar for financial dates etc for rest of the year so will get cracking on that. Invited to church tomorrow morning for the kings arrival to the manger service so will go to that. Next week halfway through January so that’s good.

@FallHappy1 This is the full list of what I put in:

Red and White gift box (I think it was from card factory and was about £4.00)
Two elf cuddly toys (Not elf on the shelf!! )
Santa Hat
Christmas Pyjamas
Christmas Jumper
Christmas Socks
Twas the night before Christmas Book
An assortment of other Christmas books (we've collected at least half a dozen over the years)
Christmas Bookmark
Santa plate
Santa Mug
Christmassy Bath Bomb
Chocolate Advent Calendar
Hot Chocolate Spoons
Christmas Craft Kit
Letter to Santa kit (picked up a bundle of these years ago in the sales)
Christmas Cookie

Aside from the perishables I've had most of it for years, jumpers and Pyjamas come from ebay.

The bits and pieces are all wrapped up and put in the big box, which the elves deliver ready for breakfast (Xmas tree shaped crumpets) on 1st December.

As far as DD is concerned Mummy and Daddy spoke to the elves, and we decided to do an Advent Box rather than elf on the shelf - you can't do both, in the same vein, Santa brings her stocking and ONE smallish present.

Evening. Absolutely crazy busy work day today, I'm exhausted and need another holiday!

I've attached a pic of the Christmas planner I have. A lovely friend of mine bought it for me 2 years ago. It's great and especially helpful to stop me buying someone the same gift twice because my memory can be a bit rubbish.

I try to avoid Amazon where I can but I received a £20 voucher for them for Christmas so treated myself to <nerd alert> a crochet stitches book and a nice 2023 diary.

New Years Resolution this year is to finish the craft projects I've started before starting a new one.
I also want to make myself a cardigan, a blanket, something with the sewing machine and complete at least 2 large cross stitches. Not sure how doable that is for me though!

And as always I forgot the pics 🙄

Christmas planner and my new diary attached 🤞🏼

It was from Dunelm online! They have a really good Christmas sale on at the moment 😍

Lovely is that the five year one? I want that as well.

The Christmas planner? It's set out so you can date it yourself so depending on how many you pages you use for each year etc it could last a lot longer.
I don't buy for lots of people so I think it's going to last me approx 10 years.

First time on this thread, but usually on the Christmas ones and I see a few familiar names on here :)

I keep reading about the Christmas planner and like someone else on here I use the notes app on my phone. However, is there a good Christmas planner app? I’d like one which auto calculates so you can compare cost each year. I do it manually at the moment.

Thanks!

I have a Cath Kidston Christmas planner, used it for about 6 years now its falling apart and nearly dead, think this year might be its last

Went to John Lewis today and had a mooch about their sales, felt like there was lots compared to previous years there was even a lot of Halloween stock left I bought a few bits to put away for next year though.

I love Dunelm, I'll have to see if my DM wants to pop over next week at some point

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Migraine has taken a big chunk of my day so it's a bit rubbish here. I'm only now able to look at a (dimmed) screen so work has been hard.

Hairspray I really wanted the Cath Kidston Christmas planner but was too tight to buy it.

12th Night

Still some shops our way decorated , they don't go out of their way to de-Christmas here .

We're scoffing vegetable soup (random blend of vegetables from the fridge/freezer) and fresh bread. Trying to make a vague attempt to be healthy

This thread moves quickly!!. I’ve been lurking for a while and this is the busiest I’ve seen it it’s nice to see so many fellow Christmas lovers though. Thank you for the recommendations for Christmas planners, as soon as we get paid I’ll be getting one.

@CrazyBaubles the planner you linked is really beautiful I think I’ve been swayed into buying it. Especially as it lasts for a while.
Our decorations went down today and I’m feeling quite down about it but I’m busying myself with planning for next Christmas when we’ll have a new family member to celebrate with :).

Crazy is the dr doing anything about your migraines?

I was lazy tonight and ordered fish and chips 😳