Mince Pies, Mulled Wine, frugal festive frolics. Yuletide budgeting banter & Merry Saving Shenanigans for all 🎁🎄🦌🎅🤶☃️

[MaryGreenhill]

Welcome to the Christmas Frugal thread . We are a super friendly group here & everyone is welcome 🤗 .
☃️🤶🎅🦌🎄🎁

Just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone for the kindness, support and lovely messages, they’ve meant more than I can say ❤️ Wishing everyone a very happy, healthy New Year, and hoping 2026 brings brighter days and peace for us all. ✨🥂

Morning! Dh is tidying and changing beds ready for people to come over this evening. I don’t think we’ll be having any spends today…

Lots of love.
Jumping to the new thread.

Morning everyone. Anyone got anything excited planned? I'm meeting my sister for a walk and a coffee this morning. It's very cold though (-2 when I woke up). I'll need to wrap up warm.

A bit annoyed with how my plans for New Year's are shaping up. I'd invited my Dad up for NYE, because I knew he'd be on his own otherwise. Then I suggested we go to my favourite restaurant for lunch on NYD. Dad accepted the invitation. So I was all set for a quiet NYE, watching TV with Dad, and heading to bed shortly after midnight. Then DD told me that she's invited her friend over for NYE. That's fine. She's a lovely girl. Then DD told me that they're going to a house party and asked if I can collect them. So I'll have to drop them to the party (about 7 miles away, on bad country roads) and collect them at some late hour. It also means I can't have a drink at all. Now, I'm not the world's biggest drinker, but I would have enjoyed a glass or two of wine (or a gin and 7Up) while I watched the NYE TV programmes. DD can drive, but if she drives, then she can't have a drink at the party. If she had told me a few days ago, I would have had time to digest it. But I don't like having things sprung on me.

And to add insult to injury, the restaurant I was looking forward to is closed on NYD. I've found another restaurant that's open, but it's further away. And I haven't been there before, so I don't know if the food is nice. The menu looks good though.

DD told me that there's something smelling in the recycling bin. I hope my sister didn't put the wrong thing in it. I've three bins and my sister is inclined to be 'helpful' when she's here and takes it upon herself to empty the bin or chuck some recycling. But she doesn't check with me first and then I discover she's put something in the wrong bin.

Sorry for the early morning grumpiness. I think some of it stems from the knowledge that I'm back to work on Friday and my time off is coming to an end. Hopefully I'll feel better after a brisk walk in the icy fresh air.

Lovely to hear from you @needastrongoneagain . Nice that your brothers have reconciled (and your Mum got to witness that). Your plans for tonight sound great - hopefully you'll get to spend it on your own. That pie sounds delicious.

@RumBananaSundae it would be so ironic if your flakey friend turns up on the one occasion that you want to cancel.

Just come up to the home and this miracle was there to welcome us .This has made me so very happy ❤️
Happy New Year everyone 🎉

That does sound a bit much to have dropped on you last minute @Taytocrisps, especially when you’d already pictured a calm, cosy NYE with your Dad. It’s understandable to feel annoyed when plans shift like that and suddenly you’re the taxi service and the designated non-drinker. A heads-up would have made all the difference but that's what its like with youngsters their plans change .
Hopefully the walk and coffee with your sister will help clear the cobwebs , there’s nothing like cold, fresh air to reset things (even if it is properly freezing 🥶). Fingers crossed the recycling mystery turns out to be nothing dramatic too.
Shame about your favourite restaurant being closed, but the new one sounds promising sometimes those unplanned places turn out to be lovely. And I think end-of-holiday grumpiness is very real, going back to work always takes the shine off things. Spoil yourself today 🤗
Hope tonight goes as smoothly as possible and that you still get some moments to relax and enjoy it, wine or no wine.

That does sound a bit much to have dropped on you last minute @Taytocrisps, especially when you’d already pictured a calm, cosy NYE with your Dad. It’s understandable to feel annoyed when plans shift like that and suddenly you’re the taxi service and the designated non-drinker. A heads-up would have made all the difference but that's what its like with youngsters their plans change .
Hopefully the walk and coffee with your sister will help clear the cobwebs , there’s nothing like cold, fresh air to reset things (even if it is properly freezing 🥶). Fingers crossed the recycling mystery turns out to be nothing dramatic too.
Shame about your favourite restaurant being closed, but the new one sounds promising sometimes those unplanned places turn out to be lovely. And I think end-of-holiday grumpiness is very real, going back to work always takes the shine off things. Spoil yourself today 🤗
Hope tonight goes as smoothly as possible and that you still get some moments to relax and enjoy it, wine or no wine.

That does sound a bit much to have dropped on you last minute @Taytocrisps, especially when you’d already pictured a calm, cosy NYE with your Dad. It’s understandable to feel annoyed when plans shift like that and suddenly you’re the taxi service and the designated non-drinker. A heads-up would have made all the difference but that's what its like with youngsters their plans change .
Hopefully the walk and coffee with your sister will help clear the cobwebs , there’s nothing like cold, fresh air to reset things (even if it is properly freezing 🥶). Fingers crossed the recycling mystery turns out to be nothing dramatic too.
Shame about your favourite restaurant being closed, but the new one sounds promising sometimes those unplanned places turn out to be lovely. And I think end-of-holiday grumpiness is very real, going back to work always takes the shine off things. Spoil yourself today 🤗
Hope tonight goes as smoothly as possible and that you still get some moments to relax and enjoy it, wine or no wine.

Hohoho l seem to be in triplicate 🤣

Love this.
Good old nana Pumpkin ❤️❤️

Happy New Year / Happy Hogmanay frugaleers

Happy New Year Frugal Comrades!

Fab to see Nana Pumpkin looking happy, lovely photo @MaryGreenhill

£1.83 Co-op. Almost a NSD.
Start the way I mean to go on in 2026.

Ah thank you so much @ChipshopPickledEggshes just amazing 😍

To you and yours too @lifelongfrugaleeronwards a upwards sweetheart ❤️

Happy new year to you and yours @Mochi1fudge🎉
Ah thank you so much 😊

@Taytocrisps not grumpy at all, you've got plans for a quiet NY and now you're driving Mums Taxi.

My DS has been invited out last minute which I am pleased about as he's been having a difficult time to find a new job but I've offered to be on call if they can't get a taxi - likely around 2am. I rarely drink but my plan of a Baileys, book and early night is no more! DD has disappeared with two friends to one of their houses. DH has told her home by 8.30pm which is likely v uncool for a 14 year old however I think the other parents appreciate that, as then they say the same!

I've plonked a big pot of chilli on the bench with sides and bowls. Going to read my book and let them get on with it.

Sounds like your quiet NY plans have gone slightly sideways @Mochi1fudge.
At least you’ve got the chilli sorted and a book to escape into 😊. Fingers crossed your DS has a fab night out 🤞 and the taxi on call duty stays peaceful for you, well done doing that . And good on you for keeping DD home on time other parents will appreciate it, even if she’s not thrilled 😁

I am hoping to finish this thread off 🤗

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Plastic flowers from Amazon

Watching Matilda

Another 27

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