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.

I was fully aware of mine need! The human brain is weird and wonderful.

Dh is out and staying at his brothers as a taxi home from nearest town is £25.

Dd is up crying that her throat is sore so I've filled her up with medicine and hoping she falls asleep!

Yes Spotty! It's sometimes called 'stranger in the room' (I did lots of googling!!) both times I felt like someone had touched me in my sleep, which woke me up with a start, but then I couldn't move/speak when my head was screaming 'get up!!!!' I was trying to tell dh that something was seriously wrong but couldn't do anything and he was lying right next to me...aargh, just thinking about it makes me feel all floopy

ursula I've had that. Was convinced there was someone sitting on the end of my bed and I couldn't get anyone to help me. I was kicking out and screaming (or so I thought). Scary stuff. Did not like it.

Argh I've never met anyone else who's had it like that yes to the person touching you! So horrible.

The cake is still very much appreciated by ds fortunately. I only discovered how to make gluten free cake in April, so he thinks I've handed him the moon when I make it even if it's burned. Oddly he prefers the burnt bits.

I also bought gluten free corn flakes today and ds is champing at the bit to have a go of them. :-)

Our wood floor is a bit colder than carpet was and a lot warmer than bare floor boards, but I think we could have chosen better underlay. I didn't realise at the time that there were different types and a good underlay would make it really warm. It's really fine though, and I wouldn't complain. Oddly, we replaced the vinyl in the kitchen at the same time and it is lovely and soft and warm to walk on, when the previous vinyl was hard and icy cold.

Well done spotty. That was great to speak up like that. It may surprise them the first time but they'll soon get used to it.

Btw I had the annual Christmas shopping cock-up today, and once again, quite enjoyed it.

I ordered what I thought was a duck and a one-person sized Christmas pudding for dh as he's the only wheat-eater here.

Well it turns out that what I actually ordered was two duck breasts shrink-wrapped, and the world's tiniest, thimble-sized Christmas pudding.

Dh husband seemed suitably pleased. I quite enjoy the mystery Christmas grocery delivery these days and the adhoc cooking that goes with it. For the first time ever, everything will fit in the oven.

Need when is your epic party? Is it soon?

Is anyone working tomorrow? DH is working until 3:30 :( I feel a bit lonely as the family have plans.

DS is too young to get excited about Christmas. And Its the first year without certain members of my family and I'm really noticing it.

Any frugal ideas of how I can get in the Christmassy mood? Feeling proper pants tonight

Collie that's rubbish. Dh has tomorrow off for the first time since I've known him. I'm inky off because I don't work Thursdays. Hmm swimming? Is there a farm doing anything fun? Carollers anywhere? A children's church service? Even if you're not religious I'm sure they wouldn't mind

Was going to suggest a church service? I have tomorrow off for the first time in years and our plans are ice skating in the morning (well not proper ice skating its fake ice but should still be fun!) and a church service in the afternoon.

Am currently waiting for dd to go to sleep so I can sort out her stocking presents!

My friend who had invited me to hers for NYE is now going away to see friends and so am feeling bit fed up that it looks like it will be another NYE sat in on my tod

You could go and sit near the door of a supermarket with an ice cream and give marks out of ten (quietly to ds) for how frazzled the shoppers look as they come out with their 75 bags of shopping. I used to do this with ds at a recently pedestrianized junction. We gave marks out of ten for quality and speed of 3-point-turns as angry drivers realised they'd gone up a blind alley.

or something less cynical.

Maybe you could think about the favourite haunts of your relatives who are not here and go to one of those? Maybe a cafe or a nice garden or something and think about those people, perhaps with a picnic.

ipsos

I'm working tomorrow. And dh is going to see Star Wars again.

I've decided Im going to the beach for a hot chocolate with DS.

Good plan Collie

My horrible dc had me up at 5

Great idea collie will you be having a Christmas Eve sea swim too.....!!?

In in two minds whether to go for one on Christmas Day. We've done it before over here. Was loads of fun - a crowd racing towards the water then dunking under, screaming then running back to towels and the pub for hot toddys ant hot chocolate.

Dh isn't keen though.

2x excited dc.
Baking this morning, movie afternoon then christingle

Collie the beach sounds fab

Catching up, had my Christmas party last night which cost me around €20 as workers had given us money to spend & work paid for the dinner. I managed while talking expressively to knock my salad off the table

Now pondering how to collect my car which a colleague kindly brought home to his house yesterday. It has been raining but has stopped now.

My bank balance looks good & I've cash gifts in my purse so happy with that & not many spends today as I have vouchers for most things.

morning all.

It seems like ages since I have been here.

NK hope it all went OK in Oz.
Collie hope you get the tratment you need (and it works) now there is a diagnosis.
Ipsos I have a couple of flour free cake recipes if you want them. I will type them out when I get a chance & post them.
Em your employer sounds fab. All I got was are you not working next week then....

My brother & family are over from Oz and I have done my (v. expensive) last minute christmas present shopping.

I forgot to get anything for dinner tonight so I am going to have to brave the supermarket..... if I leave it late enough and aren't fussy it should work out cheap. The prefered option is pizza so I am not expecting them to be sold out.

Sounds like a lovely plan collie, I was going to suggest a garden centre with all the twinkly lights if you have one near, but the beach sounds nicer.

Ouch spotty, that bit of Christmas I don't miss, DS once got up at 2am Christmas Day!

at ipsos, hope you cackled in an evil manner at the mad drivers! The epic party is NYE, getting more epic as DH randomly invites folk. It's cool, it will be fine, we will do party games (always fun!), hot dogs via the BBQ and stream the music round the house. I like separate rooms usually, but you can open it all up so it's pretty open plan, which will work nicely.

Aww girlie, that's a bit crap of your friend. Is there anyone else that fancies company? Does your Mum do her own thing?

A meal and cinema this afternoon, our Christmas Eve tradition. Star Wars. Excited.

need I have heard Star Wars is great - the kids loved it. Enjoy!

I agree girlie that's really crappy.

This morning we are going to the cinema to see hotel Transylvania 2 (festive ) then to nandos. Home for tidying and sorting then to Costa again for hot chocolates and to see the lights/fc fly over. Then home for our traditional Christmas Eve pizza.

Welcome back unescorted. Recipies would be lovely. :-)

Party sounds amazing need. Good luck with it.

Ds got up at 5.30am today. Hoping with all hope that that's the earliest he wakes tomorrow.

Dh has gone to sainsbury's for more ground almonds so I can try the cake again. Seems a shame to go to church with nothing tomorrow as we have actual homeless people who come to our service and they always grab a cake in each hand and scuttle off to a corner as if it's the only food they'll see all week. Cake no.2 may be a better bet since I've had a practise.