As usual, I'm totally stuck for ideas on what to get for most the the people on my list this year but instead of asking for ideas I thought maybe if everyone would write down what they've got in mind or bought so far it might give us all some ideas?

So far I've got:

A set of 5 Craft kits off one of the shopping channels which comprises:

A nail bar with stick on decorations
Make your own bag with stick-on glitter and fabric pens
Make your own dolly with stick-on glitter and fabric pens
Make a scrap-book with picture frames and stickers etc.
Make your own jewellery kit

(They'll go to the granddaughters aged between 6 and 9 plus I will get them something to wear which their mums prefer but at least they've got a toy each cos they don't really get excited about clothes)

B-Daman figures for my grandson and Mr C's step-grandson - don't really know what they are but my grandson asked for them!

That's it, so look forward to your lists for inspiration. :)

I have bought...nothing...other than cards (as I have to post some abroad)...presents are easy this year....everyone just wants money...other than Mama Coastie who has a list because she likes having presents! :blink:

This year I am buying my in-laws and my bro in law and wife - yearly parking tickets to our nearest town.

I am buying my kids an in car DVD player - end of arguments!!

I am buying my neices [all a million of them] how to be a Pop Star DVD [I actually secretly covet this myself!!!]

I am really looking forward to buying my new grandchild - who is incidentally two days late - something gorgoeous and babyish.

And I haven't got much further than that at the minute!!

Yearly Parking Tickets in the Town Flip - now there's a good practical present.

The Pop Star DVD sounds good too - hadn't heard of that :thumbsup:

I noticed our local cinema does vouchers - that could be good for a family (if it wasn't such a flea-pit). Made me wonder if other cinemas do them.

Keep the ideas flowing please :)

So far I have bought Two tops for Mr M a zip up hoody thing and a black slim fit zip up. Jumpers for all the grandchildren all these from Tesco's at 20% off.

Three large boxed bottles of wine bought on last visit to france.
Some of those boot style slippers with velcro on for m-i-l as she is 90 and can only manage those, very hard to find though and had to get a maroony tartan which look a bit manish.

A thermal balaclava type thing as a tree pressie for oldest son who doesn't drive do goes by bike everywhere also has early morning dogwalks to do. He will probably scare the life out of someone if he actually wears it but with the cold weather predicted thought it may be useful.

My bargain for xmas was for three of my grandchildren that have gameboys.
Their dad told me they could do with the accessories that come in a pack from Argos price £24.99, so I sent him off with the money to get them for me.
Argos only had two so he went to the game shop to get another where he found exactly the same thing for £7.99. So he bought three there and returned the other two to Argos.

That is as far as I have got with my shopping.

I haven't bought a fekkin' thing yet and am starting to panic as I have NO days off left before 23rd December, and I really don't like the idea of shopping in dublin city centre on a saturday evening - it's manic in there at the best of times.

Haven't sussed ebay Ireland yet, and would be afraid to bank on it for prezzies in case they aren't right, and and I have 23+ presents to buy.

Anyone else fancy fekking off to lapland for the duration?

I've bought half of people's presents...vouchers and nice jewellery.(tho' not expensive jewellery)
I'm hoping I'll get inspired between now and the 24th.

(TE..is there a Dunnes Stores in the new Dundrum?I know there's a massive Penny's..yay...but is Dunnes out there?)
I mite try and brave it one night this week......wibble.

Im doing OK - but part of it is through necessity. My parents are going to Derbyshire next weekend (where most of the family live) to deliver the pressies / cards - so i had a sudden panic on my hands. Luckily i had only 2 to buy.


Grandma - Box of posh choccie biscuits.

Aunty - A lovely handmade address book which is beautiful and made from silk.


For the rest of the family, this is how im doing:-

Mum - I have bought her a necklace, but im also getting her a handbag which i know she will love.

Dad - Cufflinks - but i will also get him some aftershave or something too.

Sister - The same as Aunty above

Brother in law - scarf

Neice - a lovely pink (has to be pink) leather small shoulder bag (she is only 8).

Nephew - nothing

Dog - doggy toy.




My parent always buy both Mr. B and i an advent calender every Christmas and i love it. But this year there was 3 of them. On closer inspection one is for the dog, and behind every window is a doggy choc :blush:

an advent calendar for the dog..that's great.
wonder where u can get them.
(I have a 'Dora the explorer' one...with chokkies...yay.)

an advent calendar for the dog..that's great.
wonder where u can get them.
(I have a 'Dora the explorer' one...with chokkies...yay.)

Im not sure where she got it from, but its made by the people who do 'good boy' doggy chocs. Im sure they must be available in Supermarkets or pet shops.

So fat all I have bought is a couple of packets of chocolate coins - and a bottle of Glenfiddich Coran reserve for my son ( Down to under 20 quid at ASDA!)- although I may end up giving that one to myself :D

I love christmas - but detest shopping lol.
What i really like about christmas ......


















...is having everyone safe and sound around the dinner table.:)

I love christmas - but detest shopping lol.
What i really like about christmas ......


...is having everyone safe and sound around the dinner table.:)


My favourite part of Christmas is when lunch is over and I'm stuffed full of turkey and pudding, presents all given out and it's time to veggie out and forget it all for another year :)

I haven't bought anything else yet apart from a suede jacket for my son which he happened to spot on one of the shopping channels that I was flicking through. Got a feeling it will be too small and probably have to send it back :mad2:

Although Mr.B and i dont tend to go mad at Xmas for one another, i have just bought him a gift online.

He is a smoker, and he loves having a fancy lighter. A plastic thing just wont 'do' for him. So for our 10th anniversary i spent £65 on a gorgeous silver lighter .... which he lost (although i suppose it had 3 years of use from it).

He was really upset - so i have rectified the situation. I have just spent £85 (which includes postage) on a new lighter for him. Its a Colibri Beam Sensor lighter. Basically you lift the lid, and then pass your thumb through a beam of light which is on the side. It then lights. Here is a link http://www.menkind.co.uk/ProductDetailsHori.asp?ProductID=10832

He will love it as its different. It comes in a nice box with a leather pouch and 2 spare batteries - so i think someone will be happy Xmas morning.

That sounds lovely Bonnie. I'm sure he'll be thrilled with it (and hopefully take care of it ;) ).

The jacket I bought for my son is a perfect fit, thank goodness so that's him "sorted" apart from a little tree pressie.

I've ordered some Radio Control Model Enthusiasts books online for Mr. C. Two books came to £30 so a couple of little tree pressies and he's sorted too.

Still got copious g/kids to buy for and it's looking like I will be the one with the haunted expression racing round the shops on Christmas Eve :(

Yesterday I bought four books to go with the one I already have...this accounts for four presents in total! :wink2:

Today I bought 2 dragsters for the twins the back wheels are made of old cd's and I think the other parts can be replaced with household objects although I haven't investigated further.

They are still in the boot of my car as I have bought them too many presents already and Mr M will have a moan at me so I will sneak them in and wait until he is in a good mood before I show him.

They are always very appreciative of what they get and I know they will love them and they were only £7.99 each.

For their sister I bought a doll in a carry thing that converts into a bath only £9.99 including the doll and it is quite large I think it was good value and that is still in the boot too.

Went out this afternoon and bought heaps of stuff to make up a hamper for my parents, a camera for my uncle, a glitter dome making kit for my niece and a rattle and cuddly toy for my yet to be born nephew!

Okay i suffered for half a day this weekend by taking the children christmas shopping, it wasn't too bad really.
I was fortunate enough to win a lot of money at poker this last week,so the family will be having an especially good christmas this year.:wink2:

So far I have bought:

Nowt! :bored:

Not even for yourself, PJ?
You better hurry up.....

Not even for yourself, PJ?
You better hurry up.....
I know. I do this every year without fail and then on Dec 23rd I'll be running around the streets of Glasgow as if I have a rocket up my bahooky!

Yes....stress...AND you will end up paying a fortune for the dregs, coz all the good stuff will be gone.
AND whatever you buy will be reduced in the sales in 3 days time anyway.
Bah Handbag!

Yes....stress...AND you will end up paying a fortune for the dregs, coz all the good stuff will be gone.
AND whatever you buy will be reduced in the sales in 3 days time anyway.
Bah Handbag!

If you can hold onto your nerve til the last minute though, a lot of the shops reduce their stuff before Christmas so you can get some bargains. I don't like to live that dangerously but have done well in the past looking for that last minute forgotten pressie or two :)

I bought my mum a handbag yesterday for Christmas. I hope she likes it. Mr.B chose it - its suede, and a galaxy chocolate brown colour. I think its lovely.

So far I've bought a Christmas cake for my Dad and two tickets to Egypt for Christmas and New Year......apart from having to get a secret santa present for someone at work.....that's my Christmas shopping done!

I decided to take Mr M to Egypt for the holiday period. I usually spend a small fortune on presents and goodies for Christmas so this year we decided to get away from it all. We going to be in Luxor most of the time....but we're also going to Cairo for a few days in the middle. As for presents for each other....we are going to go our separate ways shopping with £20 each and see what we can get for that!

I'm very excited :)

So far I've bought a Christmas cake for my Dad and two tickets to Egypt for Christmas and New Year......apart from having to get a secret santa present for someone at work.....that's my Christmas shopping done!

I decided to take Mr M to Egypt for the holiday period. I usually spend a small fortune on presents and goodies for Christmas so this year we decided to get away from it all. We going to be in Luxor most of the time....but we're also going to Cairo for a few days in the middle. As for presents for each other....we are going to go our separate ways shopping with £20 each and see what we can get for that!

I'm very excited :)

What a brilliant holiday I would love to do that. :cry: I have been watching the recent BBC 1&2 programmes Egypt, what a fascinating country.
I have been through Suez a few times but never got ashore.
Have great time; I am sure you will tell us all about it when you get back
:)

I have at least two more books to buy...possibly three...and then I'm done...It's cash all the way after that! :)

Have a great trip Minks...I enjoyed Egypt...well the part I saw of it anyway...Dahab on the Sinia...lovely town and people!

Well, i am now officially one of those smug people who have finished their Xmas shopping :devil:

I finished this lunchtime. I have bought:-

Dad - Cufflinks and Aftershave

Mum - Handbag and necklace

Dog - OOoops, forgot the dog :bag:

Cats - OOooops, forgot them too :bag:

Mr.B - Mr & Mrs Smith DVD so he can drool at Angelina, a fancy EXPENSIVE lighter, some Joop aftershave (the new blue one) which he fancied.

Sister - a handmade silk photo album

Brother in Law - A nice woolly scarf

neice - a pink leather small handbag thingy

nephew - a talking alarm clock

Granny - a tin of posh choccie biccies

Aunty - a handmade silk notebook.


Phew .... must get cats and dog something tomorrow :thumbsup:

Well done...they are lovely prezzies.
I went in to do some late night shopping last night...but did not get very far...as the shops closed at seven....and I only got to town at around half six.
Yikes.......panic....I'm shaking in my boots now...there ain't much time left!

I have only one major pressie left and that is a scooter for our eldest. I still have my dad's book to get but Ian Rankin is signing copies of Rebus's Scotland on the 15th so I am going to get it then.

Need to think about the food shopping soon and get things ordered!

Need to think about the food shopping soon and get things ordered!

Thats what i need to think about too. Last weekend i bought three bottles of vodka, one bottle of Bailey's and two bottles of port - so that should keep us going for a day :wink2:

So pretty soon i need to do a Tescos home delivery order of all the heavy stuff, like booze, ice cubes, mixers etc ...

Then a few days before chrimble i will go to Tescos personally and buy a few cheap turkeys (Mr.B loves turkey so i keep a few in the freezer for the whole year), and all the nibbles / pate / cheeses / crackers etc ....

Oh - today i bought some choccies in Woolworths which were on offer. I got some Bendicks mints (luv em), and some quality streets and brazil nuts in dark chocolate ... so i feel ive made a start.

Need to think about the food shopping soon and get things ordered!

Hehe, I don't have to do that this year, we are going to my mums:w00t:

I got all the presents out today that I've bought and I only have hubby's dad and one more neice to buy for. Oh and one more thing for hubby, I'm going to get him a tide clock, so he knows for definate when he can go fishing.

A couple of things I did buy for a neice and nephew that I had no idea what to get, was one of these...

http://www.firebox.com/pic/p604h.jpg

One of the chocolates has a chilli in:w00t:

And some of these...

http://www.firebox.com/pic/p618h.jpg

Lollies with worms, scorpions and ants in.

They are both a bit gothic, and I had no idea what to buy them, so I'm hoping they will go down well, so to speak:w00t:

Hehe, I don't have to do that this year, we are going to my mums:w00t:

I got all the presents out today that I've bought and I only have hubby's dad and one more neice to buy for. Oh and one more thing for hubby, I'm going to get him a tide clock, so he knows for definate when he can go fishing.

A couple of things I did buy for a neice and nephew that I had no idea what to get, was one of these...

http://www.firebox.com/pic/p604h.jpg

One of the chocolates has a chilli in

And some of these...

http://www.firebox.com/pic/p618h.jpg

Lollies with worms, scorpions and ants in.

They are both a bit gothic, and I had no idea what to buy them, so I'm hoping they will go down well, so to speak:w00t:


Very original Andrea :)

Ooh, Andrea where did you get those lollies, my nephews would "love" them!

Re the chocolate chillis - I have had some chocolate chillis and they are gorgeous - where did you get them as the shop I got them from last year has shut down!

Bella, they are both from firebox.com

Quick tip though if you want to order from there.
If you sign up for the MSN Xmas countdown at

http://www.msnchristmascountdown.co.uk/

they will send you (via e-mail) a £5 voucher to use at firebox.

mwah, mwah, mwah! Thanks Andrea, you are a star!

I've bought nothing of consequence and am getting jittery.....

Well - i did my 'heavy' tescos online order today, and everything will be delivered tomorrow.

I got LOADS of offers on lager, gin, turkeys, wine etc ..... So i will store everything in the dining room until Christmas eve (Mr.B is under strict instructions to keep his hands off the goodies until then).

The only thing i forgot to order were nibbles - but then again i can pick them up over the coming weeks in our local Budgens.

I do worry though that i havent enough booze ... as i like to cater for anyone who turns up. I have 6 litres of vodka, 2 bottles of port, a crate of lager, a litre of gin, 2 bottles of Baileys and 4 bottles of cava. Is that enough :unsure:

Im hoping now not to go to Tescos physically as i hate that rush. I think i will try and get my pate, cheeses, bread, nibbles etc locally.

I do worry though that i havent enough booze ... as i like to cater for anyone who turns up. I have 6 litres of vodka, 2 bottles of port, a crate of lager, a litre of gin, 2 bottles of Baileys and 4 bottles of cava.



Well that's you sorted Bonnie, but what have you got for the guests to drink?

I'm gonna just turn up at Coastie's house for Xmas:wink_kiss

So far my list looks like this:

Mr. C - Books on Radio Control Flying and will get something else

Son - Leather Jacket (which he's had and worn :( ) & small tree pressie to get

Son's G/friend - Dove Pamper Kit and Robbie Williams CD

G/son Tom (13) - B-daman figures and ?

G/dr Hannah (8) - pink cords and pink and white top + tree pressie
G/dr Faye (6) - Same

Step G/daughter (18) - ?

G/son Evan (3) - Looking for a road track cos he was pushing his cars up and down the Railway track he got for his birthday last week.

Son's g/f's sons (14 and 12) - Vouchers

Mr. C's G/dr (8) - Craft Kit
Mr. C's Step-g/dr - Craft Kit
Mr. C's Step-g/son - B-daman figures

When Mr. C's brother and sis-in-law came to visit they brought Christmas presents for us with them :( so I've had to reciprocate although we did agree one year that we wouldn't do it for adults!

His Bruv: - Screwdriver Set
Sis-in-l - Knickers, pocket radio and some hair gloss that she was on about
Niece:(40 lives at home) - Just a small gift cos they add her name to the pressies they give us so I got her a really nice Mascara cos being unemployed it will save her spending out.

Getting there but still a bit to go yet

I just bought my husband a tide clock.
To stop him from keeping a little book of the tide times for his fishing, and blaming me when he can't find it.

Wooohoooo! Had a good day's shopping yesterday and got my worst nightmare presents, Mr. C's son and D-i-l and his daughter and s-i-l!

Littlewoods in our Town is closing down and they have a sale on with up to 50% off everything.

I got the 2 girls real leather handbags reduced from £30 to £15 and a sparkly clip on thing that you can put on a belt, handbag, keyring or whatever, and for their men I got Paco Rabanne (sp) Aftershave and shower gel + 5 pairs of socks each (not very original I know but they will probably give Mr. C Lynx aftershave and me chocs or bath stuff so I'm just not going to get in a stew about it)

Also met Step grandaughter's mum in town and she helped me pick some pretty dangly earrings that she knew her daughter would like and I will give her a voucher to get a DVD because her mum couldn't remember the one she wanted.

So, apart from a few small bits and bobs I've almost finished :thumbsup:

Did my main food shop online last night to be delivered next Tuesday (they were running out of delivery slots fast) so will just have to get the last minute perishable stuff and that's it!!

I feel quite relaxed now. Is anybody still stressing about what to get?

I don't have to buy any food shopping cause we are off to my mums for the holidays, but I have bought a few nibbles, biscuits, chocolates, all the essentials:laugh:

As for presents, I've got all of them apart from hubby's dad.
I asked hubby weeks ago what we should buy for him, and he said "let me think about that one"
So last night after letting him think for a few weeks, I asked him again. The answer I got......."Let me think about that one":wallbash:

I'm gonna just turn up at Coastie's house for Xmas:wink_kiss

Yehay! Party at Coastie's!!

Crit, they mentioned on the news last night that on-line shoppers were running out of delivery dates. I pick my turkey and the salmon up on 23rd and get the veggies then too. I have got all the stuff to make my cranberry & prune stuffing and orange, sage & thyme stuffing. I am going to par-boil my potatoes and freeze them, them cook them on the day.

I have still a few things for Mr B to get and he is a nightmare!!!!! Arrghhhh!

And a yellow cup for my 2 year old - she wanted a purple one for ages but has now decided that she doesn't like purple anymore and wants a yellow one!

The only presents I have to wrap and the kid's ones and I will do that on Monday when they are at school/nursery, and I think that is about me!

I even bought a bag, a DVD and a book for Mr B to wrap up & give to me!

I even bought a bag, a DVD and a book for Mr B to wrap up & give to me!

:blink: So you like suprises then on Xmas morning :ninja:

Mr.B went shopping yesterday for my pressies. I had dropped a massive hint about some wine glasses i wanted .... and the box under the tree looks suspiciously like them. But other than that, i havent got a clue, and there are 2 more pressies under the tree with my name on them :thumbsup:

I have bought all the presents now, but i havent wrapped them all. I need to do them over the weekend.

Went on the bounce off work yesterday afternoon [boss was SO not impressed but fek him] and went on a complete pressie buying maniacal spree with the help of Urk and a few brandy and ports and managed to buy 12 prezzies which is half my list done. Am a happier bunny now........

There is now also only 10 of us round the table for christmas din dins, which is a much more manageable number....

all good...:thumbsup:

Yehay! Party at Coastie's!!

Crit, they mentioned on the news last night that on-line shoppers were running out of delivery dates. I pick my turkey and the salmon up on 23rd and get the veggies then too. I have got all the stuff to make my cranberry & prune stuffing and orange, sage & thyme stuffing. I am going to par-boil my potatoes and freeze them, them cook them on the day.

I have still a few things for Mr B to get and he is a nightmare!!!!! Arrghhhh!

And a yellow cup for my 2 year old - she wanted a purple one for ages but has now decided that she doesn't like purple anymore and wants a yellow one!

The only presents I have to wrap and the kid's ones and I will do that on Monday when they are at school/nursery, and I think that is about me!

I even bought a bag, a DVD and a book for Mr B to wrap up & give to me!

LOL Bella, I ordered my present from Mr C off the shopping channel (some make-up that I particularly like) and yesterday while shopping for his children I added some perfume for myself ;)

After a few years of getting absolutely nothing except a surprised look when I gave him his little tree pressie, and "Oh you daft thing, I didn't think we were getting each other anything" I got wise and now I just get what I want out of the joint account. Yes, we have usually bought ourselves something before Christmas that we both wanted, like a DVD player and said that was our Christmas present to "us" but a little "tree pressie" isn't too much to ask is it. I will probably even end up wrapping it myself - how sad is that?

In his defence, he has usually bunged a wad of cash at me after Christmas but it's not the same. I'm still a kid at heart and I want something to open on Christmas morning - even if I did buy it and wrap it myself :)

I was just finishing off my online shopping when they said that on the news Bella. I was relieved that I'd already booked a delivery slot because I had visions of everyone rushing to do it once they heard that news item.

Mr. C's total contribution to Christmas, so far, is to hang a few chains up for me. I know he goes out and earns the money but I envy the men who don't have this headache year after year.

:blink: So you like suprises then on Xmas morning :ninja:



LOL! Well, Bonny I am hoping that I will still have some surprises!! :laugh: I needed a new bag and saw the one I wanted and I ordered the DVD & book when I was doing other CDs, DVDs etc!

I have just bought Mr tiggs a smoothie maker and a cordless keyboard. He has been hinting around for both of these for a while now.:glare:

I have had to hint to him that I would like a George Foreman? Lean Mean Grilling Machine, so I assume that is what I will get. :D

I have just bought Mr tiggs a smoothie maker and a cordless keyboard. He has been hinting around for both of these for a while now.:glare:

Hubby bought me a smoothie maker over a year ago now, and i have barely used it because i didnt know how to !!!! It didnt come with a book or anything, and i didnt know how to physically make a smoothie.

I once tried to bung in an apple, banana and some orange juice, and it was a bit pants.

So i have asked mum and dad for a book this year called - Squeezed: Juices and Smoothies. It looks fab. Maybe you could ask for that too ?

cheapest year ever - cant do any in my predicament, so we will be having christmas when i am home and able! still dont know if i will be out of hospital by then:cry:

on the plus side, the physio is going well!!

Hubby bought me a smoothie maker over a year ago now, and i have barely used it because i didnt know how to !!!! It didnt come with a book or anything, and i didnt know how to physically make a smoothie.

I once tried to bung in an apple, banana and some orange juice, and it was a bit pants.

So i have asked mum and dad for a book this year called - Squeezed: Juices and Smoothies. It looks fab. Maybe you could ask for that too ?

Bonnie, you can find lots of recipes for smoothies if you google for them :)

I am going to start my christmas shopping next week :D

I am going to start my christmas shopping next week :D

Best plan Ils if you can keep your nerve - everything will be reduced and you'll get twice as much for your money. I've done it in the past. I'm just too organised for my own good this year :laugh: