Here we go again...Countdown to Christmas 2026 (Thread 1)

[NoWordForFluffy]

365

Evening!

I'm a bit tipsy and very tired, but it's been a good day.

Round 2 tomorrow with the roast dinner!

@GrannyWeatherwaxsBroomstick - thank you - looks delicious - I might defrost mine tomorrow....

Our road still has a few houses with full on decorations still up, we still have our outside lights on and I took the wreath down but couldn't bring myself to throw it away as it still looks lovely so I'm putting it back up tomorrow.

I got some White Company hand lotion which was 40% off and will make nice gifts. Off to Sainsbos tomorrow so will look out for any bargains and report back.

349

Apparently , yesterday was the day most New Year Resolutions were broken.
I was on "No Spend 2026" but I went through M&S and bought a couple of jumpers .
In My Defence ( I Am Not a Lawyer so I don't know if this even is a defence ), these are jumpers I wear pretty much Spring/Autumn/Winter , they were nice patterns and I don't wear wool . I have found so many jumpers have a small amount of wool but that's no good for me .
I blame DD , she told me to look in there while I was waiting for the bank to open. Staying out of the rain

I don't do New Year's resolutions, never have done.

I think you needed the jumpers, 70. They were made to be yours. 🤣

I was lucky to have spotted them @NoWordForFluffy , one is inline , the other isn't and it was only because I went up to look at Mens clothes to see if there was anything for DS.....the jumpers were there by the escalators .

Kismet !

In the UK, jumpers are always a good purchase @70isaLimitNotaTarget

I ordered a wrapping paper storage bag which has arrived today so ive just sorted through my stocks. Its safe to safe I wont need any xmas wrap for a couple of years 🙈 ive got 14 rollspf xmas paper and two rolls of kraft paper to make homemade wrap with. Then theres the 6 rolls of birthday wrap!
I need to resist cheap on sale paper!!!

When I went in today they had very few left so obvs I am a Trend Setter

I don't haunt M&S but my DD had ordered a top from there .

348

morning crew! We had a takeaway last night using the funds from the Christmas Day scratch cards. That felt really nice and something we’ll do again. We only ended up £15 up but won £50 so that felt good. I’ll be adding £30 for scratch cards into my Christmas budget.

I need to think about the budget and how k account for Christmas. I’ve been very erm free and loose shall we say.

What kind of salsa please?

Thanks for this reminder - I used to do pork shoulder steaks with hoi sin sauce soy sauce garlic and ginger in slow cooker on low for about 8 hours then shred and serve with coleslaw on buns or wedges etc. Haven't done it for years but adding to this weeks menu.

70 I think those jumpers were calling to you.

Sounds delicious.

Afternoon.

Grim weather here today. Windy and mostly wet.

I've just hung the washing out for the window of dry weather, as it's so windy it'll nigh on dry before it rains again.

This food talk is making me hungry, it has to be said!

@Carriemac whichever you like best. I used a Luchito smoked salsa and a mild salsa because the smoked one is a bit full on.
I'm definitely having a go at the pork steaks.

@NoWordForFluffy we got a load out too! Even if it doesn't fully dry it smells so nice for being on the line in the air.

It does. And it dries way more quickly for having been outside too, if it doesn't fully dry.

There has been no rain free window at all here today. It’s been utterly grim all day.

I’m just back from my DM’s as we went up for a late lunch.
We’ve been on a big, focused sort out of the house this weekend and I think we’ve actually achieved a lot. Started by organising the attic then putting stuff up there that we don’t need often.
Have sorted out the airing cupboard, LO’s toys, our room (including the wardrobes) and have done most of LO’s room. Awaiting new storage for that which isn’t coming until Tuesday.
Tomorrow for my ‘day off’ I’ll be finishing LO’s room and doing the utility room. Fun fun fun here 🙄

Any progress on your plans for Christmas Fluffy? Do you think your DH and DC will be happy to go?

Any progress on your plans for Christmas Fluffy? Do you think your DH and DC will be happy to go?

This is my problem, @NoCheesesForUsMeeces. I'm not sure the kids will. They're not fans of change (autistic), so I think it may go down like a bucket of cold sick! 😩

I'm thinking I may still do two days, but have one family over one day, and the other the next. And make the dinner when my parents are coming, as it's a smaller number of people, so easier to manage (we won't have to take the sodding door off the kitchen, for instance). Maybe swap back to Christmas Day for the dinner, as the kids aren't that bothered about stopping for food now.

Well done on your sorting. I've done a little cleaning today, but not as much as I intended to. I did clean the lounge carpet yesterday though, and ironed the uniform (which DH normally does), so I've been vaguely productive! 🤣

347

urgh Monday.......

Monday again. I might try and work out the budget for Christmas this year and then add it to ynab. The trouble I have is that i drib and drab then go massively over budget.

I’ve hit a stumbling block with ours.
i know how much we can afford. But splitting a bulk of it between 5 children.
it be the first year our eldest is fully a adult. I’m not sure what to do there. I refuse to buy electronics etc now for an adult.
i feel like I should be cutting her budget/gifts. But to what I don’t know.

Monday again and this one is especially yuk because I have a blood test any minute.
Sunshine have you thought about getting your oldest some adult stuff like tools to start them off in their adult life. We have been buying DS various tools sets for a couple of years now. Of course, DH borrows them to 'teach him how to use them' and not at all because he really likes them 😀

Morning!

I'm not sure I would arbitrarily cut a child's budget just because they're now an adult. It would depend on all circumstances as to what I did.

It was bloody windy here overnight and absolutely tipped it down. Luckily DH got back from walking the dog before it got too bad last night!

We did have a dry night though, so our towels should be dry!

My kids are both adults and I spend a reasonable amount on them both still, and that won’t change. I might spend a bit less than I did previously but not much.

I’d say my dad switched his spending on me to more token when my kids were born. My mum is probably similar, but husband and I always get a Christmas stocking bits and the kids get a smaller amount of gifts but probably slightly more spend. Actually my step mum does that too…

I think until they are fully fledged and earning well I’d keep it similar but more practical maybe?

This year my boys both had spendy presents, but I imagine they’ll have smaller gifts this year as there is less they want. I should probably budget £400 each for all their presents and stockings.

If I break it down
£800 for kids
£500 for each other
£500 for other people
£500 for food and drink for Christmas and new year.
£200 for tree and wreath and decorations
£300 for Christmas events
£150 for unexpected spends.

So that’s £3000. That feels insane, actually. But we can justify it and I could trim it back. At least if I have a budget I can try and stay within it and change it again next year.