It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas Off Topic Chat

hometruths · 25-10-2020 6:36pm

Browsed in here because I as starting to get a bit worried about a Covid Christmas!

Surprised to see not much talk of disruption, which is great positivity! But wondered is it a forum rule?! I.e is it too bah humbug to talk about any disruption?

Have already bought the kids presents, so that is a relief, but am worried about family not being able to travel from UK.

I guess Christmas Eve family lunch in a restaurant and pints after Will be out. Will probably order a real tree to be delivered, which is better than nothing, but will miss the fun of going to choose it with my eldest daughter.

Anybody else feeling a bit worried about anything?

Lashes28 · 25-10-2020 6:43pm

schmittel wrote: »

Browsed in here because I as starting to get a bit worried about a Covid Christmas!

Surprised to see not much talk of disruption, which is great positivity! But wondered is it a forum rule?! I.e is it too bah humbug to talk about any disruption?

Have already bought the kids presents, so that is a relief, but am worried about family not being able to travel from UK.

I guess Christmas Eve family lunch in a restaurant and pints after Will be out. Will probably order a real tree to be delivered, which is better than nothing, but will miss the fun of going to choose it with my eldest daughter.

Anybody else feeling a bit worried about anything?

Ack my brother not coming home for Xmas is now looking very likely. He's a teacher in France and always comes home at Xmas with an full rota of meeting up with friends and family. I worry about how he's gonna deal with not getting home and what he will actually do on Xmas day. I've ordered him the same Xmas jammies that we will have here and he's planning to be on zoom for the day. It won't be the same,but we will try to make the most of it.

Loughc · 25-10-2020 6:44pm

schmittel wrote: »

Browsed in here because I as starting to get a bit worried about a Covid Christmas!

Surprised to see not much talk of disruption, which is great positivity! But wondered is it a forum rule?! I.e is it too bah humbug to talk about any disruption?

Have already bought the kids presents, so that is a relief, but am worried about family not being able to travel from UK.

I guess Christmas Eve family lunch in a restaurant and pints after Will be out. Will probably order a real tree to be delivered, which is better than nothing, but will miss the fun of going to choose it with my eldest daughter.

Anybody else feeling a bit worried about anything?

There’s no rule here about not talking about COVID. the general rule of thumb is if you love Christmas and talking about it in March you’re most likely going to see the positives in life haha.

I wouldn’t say I’m worried I think it’s going to be very different like a good few of my family normally go for a Chinese on Christmas Eve but I think that this year that will be a takeaway between 4 of us one household.

I tend to self isolate most of Christmas with family, books, tv and chocolate so that won’t change this year.

freshpopcorn · 25-10-2020 7:11pm

Boxes of Hunky Dorys, Tayto Cheese and Onion, Tayto Variety box And King!
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SarahLil · 25-10-2020 7:23pm

Woohoo boxes of crisps have arrived

Lashes28 · 25-10-2020 7:35pm

Can't wait to see the coke ad... Eeekkkkkkk

Toto Wolfcastle · 25-10-2020 7:45pm

schmittel wrote: »

Anybody else feeling a bit worried about anything?

I'm looking forward to the opportunity to spend Christmas as home with just my husband for the first time ever. I feel sad for my elderly in-laws because it will be pretty quiet for them but I've wanted a cosy Christmas at home for years so I'm fully embracing it.

Posy · 25-10-2020 8:12pm

Loughc wrote: »

I would love one for my office so I’m interested too.

I just have a little 2 Euro shop tree on my desk at work. Does the trick!

freshpopcorn wrote: »

This time next week it will be November and we'll be waiting for the first Christmas ad!

Lashes28 wrote: »

Can't wait to see the coke ad... Eeekkkkkkk

YES- the Coke ad! No matter what is happening right now, the Coke ad will inevitably make me squeee with excitement!

schmittel wrote: »

But wondered is it a forum rule?! I.e is it too bah humbug to talk about any disruption?

Like Loughc said, no rules- but we are a pretty upbeat bunch here. We have had plenty of discussion about disruptions, Level 5 restrictions, Christmas lock-downs and so on though.
To be fair, there is so much doom and gloom elsewhere on Boards, on social media, news reports etc... that we try and keep things light and bright in our little corner of the internet.

Heroditas · 25-10-2020 8:32pm

I picked up the Lidl catalogue for next week's nd have spent the afternoon drooling at the contents. Not the drill sets or band saws but the salamis, cheeses, chutneys, beef wellingtons, ice creams, biscuits...

Actually, the bags of "seasonal spices" will be handy for my curries - cinnamon sticks, cloves and star anise.

LED decorations on offer from Monday 2nd November
Christmas trains
Christmas garlands
Musical reindeers
Yaaaay!

Not sure about the LED grave lights though!

Sheep Shagger · 25-10-2020 10:21pm

Heroditas wrote: »

I picked up the Lidl catalogue for next week's nd have spent the afternoon drooling at the contents. Not the drill sets or band saws but the salamis, cheeses, chutneys, beef wellingtons, ice creams, biscuits...

Actually, the bags of "seasonal spices" will be handy for my curries - cinnamon sticks, cloves and star anise.

LED decorations on offer from Monday 2nd November
Christmas trains
Christmas garlands
Musical reindeers
Yaaaay!

Not sure about the LED grave lights though!

They should be bringing their festive food catalogues out soon....a bit like M&S only cheaper. Theirs will have dates in store etc though as unlike M&S you can't order and collect.

Heroditas · 25-10-2020 10:26pm

Sheep Shagger wrote: »

They should be bringing their festive food catalogues out soon....a bit like M&S only cheaper. Theirs will have dates in store etc though as unlike M&S you can't order and collect.

We were tempted to buy some of the M&S food yesterday but decided against it in the end.

PTH2009 · 25-10-2020 11:38pm

this time 2 months it be all over

Lets hope lockdown works and we can have xmas pints and see our families over the holidays

freshpopcorn · 25-10-2020 11:55pm

PTH2009 wrote: »

this time 2 months it be all over

Lets hope lockdown works and we can have xmas pints and see our families over the holidays

You’d probably have dinner with your family. Personally I think lots of people would break it if they did try and stop it especially with the system they’ve in place now.
I doubt you’d see your Christmas pints tough.

PTH2009 · 26-10-2020 12:23am

freshpopcorn wrote: »

You’d probably have dinner with your family. Personally I think lots of people would break it if they did try and stop it especially with the system they’ve in place now.
I doubt you’d see your Christmas pints tough.

Think the government need to sort something out, Imagine what a level 5 lockdown at Christmas would do for mental health

Yeah not too confident about xmas pints, maybe if we go back to level 3 and a group can book a local hotel and have a few then (L3 was residents allowed dine/drink in the hotel bar)

DelBoy Trotter · 26-10-2020 1:12am

freshpopcorn wrote: »

Boxes of Hunky Dorys, Tayto Cheese and Onion, Tayto Variety box And King!

What shop was this?!

freshpopcorn · 26-10-2020 1:20am

DelBoy Trotter wrote: »

What shop was this?!

Spar. No, sign of them anywhere else!

Timistry · 26-10-2020 2:27am

Today was very Christmassy. Long lazy Sunday, fire on early, loads of food and nothing really on TV but managed to pass the day!

Jude13 · 26-10-2020 7:55am

I was meant to be off work all last week, we went glamping which was really cool. Sadly work issues came up so spent a lot of time on Wednesday on the phone and had to cut the holiday short by working Thursday back at the office. Griping about not getting a holiday is pants though as with the lockdown at home many are really struggling keeping job.

I have had a lot of pressure in work which has dampened my usual festive pomp. I would usually have the Halloween decorations up but haven't bothered. My OH is adamant in relation to no Christmas movies, tunes etc. until Christmas fm launches. I could do with a movie or two.

matchthis · 26-10-2020 8:32am

That sounds like a rollercoaster of a week, but hang in there. I’ve had the odd Christmas karaoke in the car going to/ from work. It’s a little distraction and looking forward to Edward scissor hands and the nightmare before Christmas which are sneaky Christmas movies at Halloween:D Make sure to finish that glamping holiday, they look like so much fun

Mutleyboo · 26-10-2020 8:52am

Jude that sounds like a pain in the ass week.. nothing worse than looking forward to a holiday and time off for it to be ruined especially by work. Grip away, everything is relative.. you work hard by the sounds of it so tine to play is needed.

Agree with Matchthis those films are what I call transitional films.. not quite Christmas ones but definitely get the cheer up inside..

Mystery Egg · 26-10-2020 10:09am

The Range.

Tenth time lucky posting these!

Sheep Shagger · 26-10-2020 10:43am

Mmmm the 5km rule does apply to all kinds of shopping does it? Lol

Is the range fully open (xmas stuff?)

Loughc · 26-10-2020 11:25am

Timistry wrote: »

Today was very Christmassy. Long lazy Sunday, fire on early, loads of food and nothing really on TV but managed to pass the day!

Completely agree. It definitely felt very Christmassy yesterday.

otnomart · 26-10-2020 12:57pm

Loughc wrote: »

Completely agree. It definitely felt very Christmassy yesterday.

Same here. Was off Friday, so Fri felt like a Sat, Sat felt like a Sunday and Sunday like one of those lovely days off between Christmas and New Year !

No Bank Holiday for me today;

Enjoy, Irish Elves !

otnomart · 26-10-2020 1:05pm

pigtail33 wrote: »

The BBC Good Food Website has announced all the winners of the Christmas Taste Awards 2020

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/review/bbc-good-food-christmas-taste-awards-2020

Thanks !

And now Good Housekeeping UK has announced theirs
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/christmas/a29385528/best-christmas-food-drink-test/

Costa won the mince pies category and M&S got the gong for pudding

otnomart · 26-10-2020 1:12pm

On 7 and 8 Nov, Country Living will be running videos on various Christmas crafts/decorating and also on cooking with Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall

https://www.countryliving.com/uk/news/a32251339/celebrate-at-home-with-country-living-virtual-event/

Mystery Egg · 26-10-2020 1:39pm

Sheep Shagger wrote: »

Mmmm the 5km rule does apply to all kinds of shopping does it? Lol

Is the range fully open (xmas stuff?)

My local one is fully open.

Toto Wolfcastle · 26-10-2020 2:23pm

How to decorate a Zoom corner.

Love it. My WFH desk is where the tree will be so I'll have to move and I'll definitely be creating a little grotto for myself.

What masterclass does everyone need this year? Mine would be 'how to lay a festive kitchen island for 2 and where to hide the inevitable chaos from cooking so it doesn't feel like you're eating Christmas dinner with the washing up.' A little niche I think.

kitten_k · 26-10-2020 4:03pm

Home savers have lots of 2ft prelit Xmas trees for those looking for trees for their desks / offices

kitten_k · 26-10-2020 4:03pm

Mystery Egg wrote: »

My local one is fully open.

Which one is that?

Posy · 26-10-2020 4:08pm

Anybody have any suggestions for a website selling nice wrapping paper/tags/bows etc?

26-10-2020 4:10pm

Posy wrote: »

Anybody have any suggestions for a website selling nice wrapping paper/tags/bows etc?

Dunnes?

freshpopcorn · 26-10-2020 4:11pm

It's a very interesting thing to be honest. My local Tesco has closed off Clothes, DVD's and something else.
Another store has closed off toys as well.
The staff haven't a clue what they are meant to do.
Will they deem decorations essentially in a few days time?
Halloween costumes are another thing.
Hardware stores seem to a mixed bag also. Some places have everything and others don't.
When the stores reopen in a few weeks it will be interesting to see how they are stocked with Christmas stock. is decorations, Christmas themed items such as bed linen, jumpers, decorations, etc

Posy · 26-10-2020 4:12pm

Couldn't find that much in my local Dunnes this year. Although, all my Christmas ribbons (all 400 of them :pac: ) are Dunnes bought.

26-10-2020 4:13pm

Posy wrote: »

Couldn't find that much in my local Dunnes this year. Although, all my Christmas ribbons (all 400 of them :pac: ) are Dunnes bought.

Did you have a look here?

https://www.dunnesstores.com/c/make-christmas/christmas-gifting/gift-boxes-bags-and-wrap

26-10-2020 4:15pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Did you have a look here?

https://www.dunnesstores.com/c/make-christmas/christmas-gifting/gift-boxes-bags-and-wrap

Actually now that I've looked myself, it appears they removed stuff or sold out since I last looked!

Here's a link to home store

https://www.homestoreandmore.ie/gift-wrap-accessories

PTH2009 · 26-10-2020 4:49pm

Fuming watching back old winterval videos on YouTube

Fecking virus and it cancelling everything. Loved Winterval

freshpopcorn · 26-10-2020 5:02pm

Does anybody know how Lidl and Aldi are fixed for their non food special buys?

Sheep Shagger · 26-10-2020 7:09pm

freshpopcorn wrote: »

Does anybody know how Lidl and Aldi are fixed for their non food special buys?

The middle aisle in both are operating as normal

26-10-2020 7:09pm

freshpopcorn wrote: »

Does anybody know how Lidl and Aldi are fixed for their non food special buys?

They're still advertising their special buys for this week coming, so I assume they'll keep going ahead.

freshpopcorn · 26-10-2020 7:18pm

Sheep Shagger wrote: »

The middle aisle in both are operating as normal

[Deleted User] wrote: »

They're still advertising their special buys for this week coming, so I assume they'll keep going ahead.

My one was operating as normal Yesterday. I can see Tesco and Dunnes kicking up a fuss tough about certain things.

Batgurl · 26-10-2020 7:46pm

Sunrise_Sunset wrote: »

If any fellow boardsies were to spot a table top Xmas tree, preferably with LED lights, please let me know. Would love them for my kids rooms and maybe kitchen too. Budget 20-30 euros. TIA

I spotted some ideal ones on Jysk online.

https://jysk.ie/christmas/christmas-trees

Last lockdown, delivery was a nightmare with them but hopefully they’ve got their act together now.

freshpopcorn · 26-10-2020 7:51pm

Batgurl wrote: »

I spotted some ideal ones on Jysk online.

https://jysk.ie/christmas/christmas-trees

Last lockdown, delivery was a nightmare with them but hopefully they’ve got their act together now.

I wanted a few bits with them but they don’t offer delivery on some of their Christmas items!

matchthis · 26-10-2020 8:22pm

Posy wrote: »

Couldn't find that much in my local Dunnes this year. Although, all my Christmas ribbons (all 400 of them :pac: ) are Dunnes bought.

Yeah they’re normally have vintage style tree decorations, just a few baubles so far

Loughc · 26-10-2020 9:50pm

https://www.facebook.com/183904114108/posts/10157726460044109/?vh=e&d=n

Mystery Egg · 26-10-2020 10:27pm

kitten_k wrote: »

Which one is that?

Maynooth

freshpopcorn · 27-10-2020 5:13am

We're into the fifties!
In the fifties we experience Halloween, First of November and Christmas ads!

TRS30 · 27-10-2020 10:58am

Had what felt like a real Christmas weekend. Lots of time at home, decorations up (Halloween, not Christmas yet!), kids in their onesies, playing games, watching movies, eating treats. Really made me long for the real thing. Not too long now

Hope everyone had a nice long weekend.

SarahLil · 27-10-2020 12:46pm

Lovely long weekend here... off today but have to deal with life admin.. bills, appointments etc

Abit of news for you all I am expecting my first baby early March we have passed the halfway point now still so hard to believe and doesn't seem real but we are delighted and excited living in our own little bubble at home

otnomart · 27-10-2020 12:50pm

SarahLil wrote: »

Abit of news for you all I am expecting my first baby early March we have passed the halfway point now still so hard to believe and doesn't seem real but we are delighted and excited living in our own little bubble at home

Congrats Sarah !
Great news !
You will have your own little Elf soon enough and Christmas 2021 will be absolutely magic !

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas Off Topic Chat

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