O come all ye festive frugaleers, gather round for festive chat and frugaleering

[northender]

Haven't been on the old thread for a few days so thought I'd start a new thread as it's nearly full.

Darn it I need To go to the supermarket. I'm having a cooking day and I need foil and cling film and random other bits I've suddenly run out of. My Christmas puddings are steaming, my red cabbage is braising and my girdle buster pie is freezing. Trying to remember what else I need as I've got so much to remember. Losing my tiny mind!

I've finally finished my wrapping! So pleased. Have also tidied the whole house hoovered downstairs put some washing on and sorted out my pile of paperwork. I haven't had time to eat yet though I'm starving. Need to pick ds up from his Christmas party in a minute can't wait to hear all about it.

Spotty I love hearing about all the festive fun too! I've not wrapped anything yet. I must start tonight as I've had enough of the boxes staring at me accusingly!

That sounds nice having a cooking day what.

I'm still rearranging my house after all the building work finished. It seemed to be getting totally randomised towards the end and I'm still trying to put stuff back.

That's good to know need you hear so many horror stories I'm never sure who I can trust!

Oh £5.38 in local shop on bread toothpaste a multi pack of biscuits ( my mums baby sitting tomorrow and we don't have much food in!) and a chocolate bar for me.

Lunchtime!!! Just bought and scoffed a Christmas pulled pork and stuffing wrap! So. Good.

Today's jobs have included calling HK to reserve a table for NYE in a very swanky restaurant (and arranging payment). And sorting out boat insurance.

Never let it be said my life is dull.

Christmas shopping is done. And I just need to wrap it now.

Secret Santa was done today. Bottle of prosecco and some lovely chocolates. Yay!

More work gifts have arrived - a fruit basket. So Ive got some vitamins for the next few days!!

That's a good and interesting life you have there em.

Lovely to read the different approaches to parenting I'm very relaxed but similar to babsmam would be alert to what they're doing, this upsets dh no end as he sees danger everywhere! And gets cross with me for not rushing in. Ds 2 years is up & down our stairs by himself all the time while I'm at home dh still carries him

what will you get me some tinfoil too I noticed we're out this morning
Gas is out too since yesterday will see if dh can pick some up if not I'll get it tomo or sat.

I havent done any wrapping or written any cards. I will crack on tonight. I havent done any baking either.

Not feeling Christmassy

Christmassy feelings seem to really come and go collie. Maybe yours will arrive soon.

I've got all my wrapping done now and am alternating between excitement and guilt at the size of the pile, which I think is a good way to be.

I bought cranberries for cranberry & White choc fudge and someone's eaten the cranberries while I was trying to figure out what liqueur to soak them in! Going to soak the raisins in rum.

No wrapping here either, that's Monday's job.

Love a cooking day, wish I got more chance than I do.

lila, there's a standing joke in our house, that is now embellished I must admit, that the only time DS fell down the stairs was when I was stood right behind him when he was about 10 months old

Hope you feel Christmassy soon collie

Must admit to spending £35 needless pounds in M&S, but some of the stuff was just too delicious to resist, and will be our Christmas treats (sort of) Oh well.

Talking of customer service, amazinging at M&S too, I had forgotten all the details as to when I am picking up our Christmas food order and they were just super. So friendly, had such a giggle with the staff. I used to go in all the time before I became frugal and they are always absolutely fab.

I'm feeling v Christmassy. Dh is 30 tomorrow and we're going to London. We're going to go to the hummingbird bakery, Leicester Square, Covent Garden, view from the shard, the real Greek for dinner (yum!) and a walk along Southbank Christmas market etc.

Lovely catching up on everyones' news. I had to firmly stop the natural helicopter in me when DS was young and force myself to sit on a bench in the playground/ or at soft play etc., to let him get on with it, rather than hover every step of the way. I am glad I did it, but I still feel the anxiety when I think back to it...

Today has been an NSD, as my lovely friend treated me to a wonderful lunch out, which should have cost me the best part of twenty pounds! I posted all my Christmas cards too.

Oh yeah £1 something on two second class stamps wtf?! No wonder no one sends cards anymore!

Does anyone know, please, what I need to return something to Amazon? There was no paperwork in the package.

TIA, will catch up later.

Adora you have to go into your account on Amazon, select the order you want to return and follow the prompts. Can either select a day to wait in for it to be collected or drop it at a locker point.
I have one to return as well, but I have til end of January to return so willing no rush

Stamps are an insane price aren't they spotty. I get mine from shhhh (whispers) work, so kind of steal from myself and DH Your days sounds lovely, enjoy. I bet the lights will be super too.

Creme I do agree, I use to feel the same as I sat and waved from my bench as the DC did something I was nervous about. There was this mahoosive spiders web thing that kids used to climb at our local stately home. DS would go right up to the top, even from a young age and I used to grin and wave and shout well done while wibbling inside

Right, off to clean downstairs.

Oh I'd love to go to London. I fancy a road trip. Not a 6 hour one though

I keep making myself disgusting teas. Not sure how I can forget how to make a decent cuppa. My teas are all too weak. I like them strong.

I just painted a bit of the hall wall in Old Paper II by Little Greene Paint Company. I am giving it a good looking at now to see if it looks right. .

£28 on dog food.
Wandered into matalan, picked a few sale things up, put them back and wandered out

Swimming lesson cancelled last minute because someone pooed in the pool

Tuesday £34 on the cat at the vets. £124 on an espresso machine. Found it cheaper so John Lewis are going to refund me £10.

Wednesday £2.50 on cat food

Today £5.35 on milk and lavazza gold coffee (get me with the posh coffee)
£7 on zinc supplements for dh.

Free tub of clover with a facebook page voucher.

www.hotukdeals.com/deals/get-your-10-voucher-december-s-lidl-news-2nd-edition-2353602

Lidl voucher on Saturday