Season of mist and mellow fruitfulness...and ramping up those Christmas preparations! Countdown to Christmas 2024 (thread 3) (title edited by MNHQ @request of OP)

[NoWordForFluffy]

91

(Saves us checking the old thread tomorrow!)

Here goes, folks. New thread to see us through autumn!

Ignorant question from someone who doesn't do online food shopping - what's the difference between c&c and food to order please?

Once we've planned where we're going to be we'll make a plan for food. Pretty sure we're going to be home though so DH will be cooking.
We've got a turkey ordered from farmer friend which we've done the last few years we've been home and it's always lovely.
The next town over has a giant Sainsbury's, an M&S food hall and a big Aldi so I'm sure we'll manage to get everything else (we won't need much). I'll just have to put up DHs moaning about how busy it and how people don't know how to drive/park 🙄

I finished my second card yesterday (and went back and did the piece of back stitch I'd missed on the first one). Not the most complicated but they are cute.
1 more to go!

🎄83🎄

Adding as I couldn't see a countdown for today

@NoCheesesForUsMeeces Click and collect you pick up from the store, and the delivery comes to your house. I have never had too many problems with the Christmas delivery. I used to go to Sainsbury's at 6am Christmas Eve but I quite often work so it got difficult to fit in.

Food to order @NoCheesesForUsMeeces is ordered well in advance and is guaranteed (barring system errors etc). Usually comes from a central source. Click and collect depends on what is available in your local store on the day it is picked.

Ah, interesting!
Only online food shop I've ever done has been Iceland for bulk buying some things that DH likes.
FIL orders from 2 supermarkets every week and is always complaining about things missing/swapped so I've never wanted to risk it (plus DH is fussy and likes to pick his own fruit and veg).

Totally get that @NoCheesesForUsMeeces. I wouldn't risk a normal online delivery for Christmas food but food to order should always be safe (barring my Morrisons experience but that was Easter food at least). Have never had an issue with M&S food to order or Sainsbury's

To be honest, DH does the food shop most weeks. I sometimes tag along but I'm not in any way helpful - I browse the middle aisles of random stuff in Aldi then wander around the home stuff and seasonal aisle in Sainsbury's, meeting DH at the till
I don't generally get involved at Christmas either - deal here is he plans, shops and cooks all the food (and keeps the moaning to a minimum) and I do everything else decorations and presents

We once had a missing salad from Sainsbury's (and a battle to get it refunded!). But nothing vital.

Waitrose's offering also isn't good. This is going swimmingly. Not! 😩

I always look for a nice salad at Christmas but usually end up making my own.

Still no luck with the M&S Christmas food porn mag, they had all sold out.

In preparation for Christmas cookies, I have sorted the baking cupboard out today. Found some molasses from when I last made gingerbread 2 years ago! I cheated last year because I was crazy busy and just bought ready made dough from Tesco!

I've never done a Christmas Food Delivery but it makes sense to get the heavy things delivered ( cat food , bottles , loads of soya milk, flour, freezer food ) if I don;t get them from Costco .
Then go instore for vegetables and a last minute look about ( FOMO)

I enjoy wandering around shops late afternoon on Christmas Eve as long as I don't actually need anything! Sometimes find some nice bargains. I found there were fewer canapés and nibbles in the M&S and Sainsbury's catalogues this year. Hopefully, they will still have them in- store in December. This week has seemed ridiculously tiring, but I think I am getting a cold (I blame the children!)

82

Morning!

I take a coffee with me and queue up at M&S on Christmas Eve at about 6.30am and they open at 7am. I'ts always quite busy and festive feeling. I get all the veg and a few other bits. DH and DS go to the butchers in the afternoon to collect the meat order then the turkey goes into its Nigella brine bath.

Going to try and squeeze in a visit to B&M bargains today.

Morning!

That's a coincidence, Magnolia, I just told DH that I'm going to B&M later. They've got bargain Squishmallows, so will get one each for the kids for Christmas.

They also have Squishmallow bath bombs, so will pick a couple up for DD's stocking as DS has Minecraft ones!

Stunning sunrise today on the dog walk. We're having pleasant weather here too, 16-17°.

@NoWordForFluffy

Wow, stunning photos!

Great minds think alike Fluffy!

Fabulous sunrise.

What a gorgeous sunrise Fluffy Almost worth getting up early for.

The weather has picked up a bit here yesterday and today. Hull Fair starts tonight so I'm planning to take DD tomorrow in case it turns next week!

DS has no interest in rides so has asked to stay home with DH and play computer games. I'll bring him back some candy floss! 😁

Started my Christmas prep in earnest today with a trip to M&S. I had heard they had some festive bits and pieces in but was more going for some of the store cupboard bits and pieces that I always end up forgetting nearer the time! I made a note last year that their piccalilli and festive chutney was particularly nice so got a stash of that. Never tried the merry munch or jelly munch before but since they had it in stock I’ve got some to try - see how long it stays hidden before anyone else finds it 😁

Hope everyone is having a lovely Friday!

@Clouday
When I buy goodies in advance, I store them at my parents' house to avoid temptation.

I've done nothing Yuletidesque today, apart from ogle the Betty's Christmas fare 😋 online.

A friend told me yesterday that Channel 5 have started screening their cheesy Christmas movies 🤩

Betty's Christmas offerings you say @MonkeyTennis34 🤔 I'm in Harrogate shortly.

I have been working in town all week, so going to catch up on pre-Christmas shopping this weekend. I need to get a few things for DD's Advent calendar plus start on the Christmas stash and stocking fillers+ gifts (so basically everything!!).

I know everyone hates the grammar pedant but it's actually Season not Seasons. Did it for A level so it makes me a bit itchy. ADHD is my excuse.

81

Took DS out , had a wander about the shops but not an area I'm too familiar with so I just browsed as I really CBA carrying things about .

I do need to buy some nice Panetonne from TKMaxx if they have a nice one (or even better the mini ones )

I got some washing dry but I reckon this'll be the last few days of it going outside , we haven't put the heating on yet but soon it;ll be washing all over the bloody house and the dehumidifier running.

I have a small heated rail thingey and a zipped up DrySoon circular one with the blowey heater at the bottom. (And a tumble dryer but try to limit that )

It's a brisk morning here, and no sign of a sunrise yet. Heading to town shortly with DD to get the train for a Uni open day, staying the night so she can watch her team play against the local team there tomorrow, then we go our separate ways again.

A visitor this week brought out some Percy Pigs and a box of M&S chocolate squares for the team, the pigs went to the 3 with kids and we are having a team coffee break on Monday to share the goodies and make time for 20 minutes quiet chat amongst the mayhem.

But I haven't started my Christmas stash yet (apart from my matured mince meat). I know I was here last year but with finding a house and work, I really didn't notice what was seasonal here. Definitely Pannetone - but I can't recall much else. I'll be home in November and possibly putting a checked bag for a few bits.

I know. It's a typo. Thanks for your input though.