Christmas 2023 #4

[Silverback]

What a lovely memory just goes to show its not about massive presents

So true.
My best ever present was a bar of Galaxy.

I told my husband about an incident that happened when I was a kid- I had been given some galaxy chocolate as a stocking filler and my stepdad just opened the bar and sat there eating it all. Because I politely pointed out to him that he was eating my Christmas present I was banished to my room alone for the rest of Christmas.

My husband remembered the story and many months later I opened up a massive bar of Galaxy that he had got me to ‘make up’ for the past.

It remains my favourite Christmas memory.

 

[Hastaggifted]

I went to a wreath making event this afternoon. First time I've done anything like it and I'm so pleased with how it has turned out. I'm going to get a pillar candle and have it as the centrepiece on our table I keep looking at it, I cant believe I made it, I don't have an artistic bone in my body

 

[Tanne1999]

I’ve worked mega hard this year, held down a full time job, a part time job, and extra shifts through agencies etc. My savings are very healthy, so I decided I wanted to splash out this Christmas. We had a horrible year - my grandma died unexpectedly, my cousin died unexpectedly, my Nan had cancer and then kidney failure and beat both, my mother in laws having cancer treatment. It’s been so mentally draining on us all, so I decided to go mental and spoil everyone this year. The biggest thing being a 4 day long trip to Prague for my boyfriend. I’ve paid for the flights and hotels, and will look at booking things to do out there in the new year with him.
He works ridiculously hard and he’s been my absol saviour this year, I wouldn’t be here without him. He really deserves to be spoilt.

A girl in work asked me what I got him as she’s looking for ideas for her boyfriend. I told her all the small bits I’ve got him and then said about the holiday. She’s gone absolutely ballistic at me saying I’m setting ‘unrealistic standards’ for Christmas for other couples and I shouldn’t be spending this much money on him. And she doesn’t understand how I can afford it.

I don’t think I’m setting unrealistic standards given I’m not going round boasting. She asked, I told her. I hate people who can’t just be happy for other people

 

[rainbowlemon]

 

[duckdinner]

One of my sisters is fully indoctrinated into the hinch cult and has to have everything perfectly clean at all times (her home looks like a show room!) She always specifies when she sends my niece's birthday/Christmas wish list over that if we are going to get her something not on the list, to make sure it is not messy.

I've just ordered this from Amazon for my niece:

I hope it makes as much mess as it looks like it will

 

[InkHeart]

I hope you have a really nice time over Christmas. Less is more sometimes and we don't all shell out massively because we don't have the funds and we live within our means.

Thank you. It'll be an emotional one, being totally alone, but I'm thinking: social media blackout so I don't have to see other people with their families; twinkly lights on all day; all the films I've been meaning to watch all year; traditional dinner; share some chicken with the cat. Should be good

 

[Lalla]

I'm donating Christmas Day in a box (groceries) to a local family who are struggling financially...this is what I've got so far, is there anything I've forgotten please?
Planning to spend about £50-60.

Turkey
Gammon
Veg (potatoes, broccoli, carrots, parsnips, sprouts)
Pigs in Blankets
Stuffing
Yorkshire Puddings
Gravy (& stock cubes in case they are not as lazy as me and make their own gravy )
Christmas pudding & mince pies
Custard
Box of Christmas biscuits
Tin of Roses or similar
Bread
Butter
Bacon
Eggs
Cereal
Satsumas
Christmas Crackers

 

[wotdidijustwatch]

Hi, new to the thread

Does anyone remember their best Christmas as a child/teen? I have felt really nostalgic recently and wanted to share the memory I was talking to my mum about this last weekend....

I was 14 and my dad had been made redundant. My mum says it was around Easter time that it happened. My mum was a sahm so we just got by on my dads wages. The job he lost was pretty well paid but he then had to take a few temp and agency jobs which he did and he probably started and got finished from perhaps 4 jobs that year. My mum recalls he found it hard to find a permanent position anywhere. Anyway, about 2 weeks before xmas his temp contract ended. Of course, he knew it was only tempory so tried to find other work before it ended but then again, not many firms take on so close to christmas. Anyway, I was 14 and not dumb so I knew not to ask for the latest Nike trainers and a phone...the Nokia 3310 were the phones to have back then. I remember so well what I had that year....a make up bag that my mum had filled with nail polish, manicure set, make up brushes and lip glosses. The usual smellies like body mists, bubble baths and bath salts. And then there was this watch with a silver strap and a green face. I knew it was from Asda because I used always look at jewelry and watches when we went food shopping. I'm 37 and still have the watch as like a keepsake.
I remember this Christmas because the family rallied around and we had a big Christmas dinner with the family who all bought something to eat and drink. Also, my niece was only 6 weeks old and I remember feeding her her 'christmas dinner'.....of course a bottle but it was special because it was her first Christmas and I was excited at being an auntie for the first time.
That christmas in the year 2000 was the one that stuck out for me.

 

[InkHeart]

I've been terrified of the costs this Christmas and thought that I couldn't afford Christmas dinner. But thankfully my boss gave me a £20 in my card, so I've now got everything I need for the Christmas lunch and some mince pies! Yayy!!

I wish I could have had more experiences this year - like going to the pub for a mulled wine, or visiting the Christmas markets, or going to the cinema or something. This is the first Christmas where money has been so tight that I couldn't afford the stamps for cards, and even worried about being able to afford veg and gravy. But here I am, looks like I'm going to make the finish line!

I'm in a very difficult home/family situation, so any "It's not about the material things, it's about being with people you love" falls completely flat for me. The very few people that I love are recently deceased or in a care home. I don't care if I sound selfish: Christmas is entirely about me having a nice time for a few days of the year.

 

[Silverback]

Got this from sainsburys yesterday! It vomits gravy basically.

 

[strawb]

here are some cozy christmassy vibes from sweden for you all

sorry for the spam but i had promised!

 

[strawb]

this afternoon i had a moment of pure christmassy bliss fiance and i were making a traditional christmas meal in the kitchen while listening to christmas music and just started spontaneously dancing... can't believe next christmas we will be married!

 

[CallMeHollywood]

So baby ended up coming way before his due date , and with the shock of it, I’ve lost my Christmas spirit a little. Trying to find it again by making sure his first Christmas is memorable.

 

[Hastaggifted]

Well I had it out with him. Told him I'd done my DIL duties by inviting her and she chose BIL so they’ll all have to STFU and I wasn't being guilt tripped and he could spend the day with her if he preferred. I was fierce He straight away changed his tune BUT now we're going to hers on 27th and she's going to make lasagne. I hate lasagne

Sorry to derail this thread, I should have started on the rant thread but I'll finish it here.
After telling my husband off and him apologising to me, he tells me MIL has been texting him saying that my mum and I need to come to terms with the fact my son (15) has different interests and would probably rather spend boxing day at the football. He isn't even a mad football fan and he doesn't even know they are playing on boxing day. AND, he's hardly likely to turn down food family and presents to sit in the cold with that old witch. He firmly told her no. So now I've told him he can tell her she'll have to come to terms with the fact I don't like lasagne and I would rather be at home on 27th and I'm not coming

Who has actual meals on any of the days before new year anyway. Its all about party food, cheese and pringles fgs

 

[carriebooboo]

I've eaten everything. Absolutely everything.

 

[Silverback]

Hope nobody minds me sounding off on this thread. I’ve hit peak Xmas fatigue. I’m grieving a close relative who died just before Xmas, and I’m being haunted by memories and feelings and thoughts about it all.

On top of that I’ve hit a wall with organising presents, cards, food, blah blah blah. And two of my kids are really unwell which is likely to both spread around the family and ruin Xmas itself. I felt so drained today I struggled to concentrate at work and I just feel down.

 

[rainbowlemon]

Stole this from the meme thread.

 

[PamDoove]

My big Asda shop for today has been cancelled! So now I’m having to find someone to watch the kids while I do battle in Aldi!

 

[duckdinner]

Its -2 here right now, so I might have caved and given the cat her Christmas present early

 

[Hastaggifted]

I told my Mum my MIL had asked for money for Christmas to put towards Chanel mademoiselle perfume. I said my MIL has plenty of money but my Mum said its difficult to spend that much money on a perfume for yourself. And said how she had looked at Chanel No5 for herself but it's too expensive. *my ears pricked up & noted*

I've just looked on Boots and Coco mademoiselle and Chanel No.5 have money off, then their code SAVE10 took another 10% off and because I bought 2 perfumes, I get free gift wrap. I've just bought 2 100ml Chanel perfumes for £195.84. £97.82 each. It's £136 on the Chanel website. Pleased with that. And I know my mum will be all pleased to be able to say to my braggy Aunt, so and so bought me Chanel perfume . I know I'll get told off spending money on her but couldn't buy for MIL and not my own Mum.