Pass the mince pies- Christmas Chat Thread Part Deux

DvB wrote: »

I still have 24 days to take. Off next week & heading to Mayo for a few days, off that last week in October & taking 2 full weeks at Christmas again this year (wasn't the plan back in January but may as well now) and still have 5 more days to sort out between now & then... the bizarre thing is I'm so busy with work theres no stand out time to fit in another week off.

That happened to me a few years ago. Was into November and was owed 8 days holidays, had to leave 3 of those to cover getting fully paid over the Christmas holidays so for 5 weeks up to Christmas I took Fridays off.
Same as yourself was too busy in work to take a full week but this was great to have 5 short weeks in a row.

I’m doing everything earlier this year. Santa presents will be ordered as soon as the kids are back at school. I’ll put up the decorations in late November and I’ve half a mind to buy my turkey earlier and stick it in the freezer. I’m worried about another lockdown or restrictions messing things up and we can’t cancel Christmas whatever else may happen.

We'll most likely put the tree up the weekend of 27/28th November, though this may change if we are flying home.

We had implemented that all staff had to take as close to 50% of their leave by the end of June or loose them. So I have 12.5 days left till the end of the year. We always have family over for a week in October so it looks like I will only have a week off for Christmas, so I am wondering if its worth the 8 hour flight home (covid hopefully being a thing of the past).

screamer wrote: »

I’m doing everything earlier this year. Santa presents will be ordered as soon as the kids are back at school. I’ll put up the decorations in late November and I’ve half a mind to buy my turkey earlier and stick it in the freezer. I’m worried about another lockdown or restrictions messing things up and we can’t cancel Christmas whatever else may happen.

We have the kids list prepared & will be starting to get them bought as soon as we get paid at the end of August, though to be fair we tend to get them in September every year so its no real change for us, we like to spread the cost of christmas across the 3 or 4 months beforehand & not leave it too close & with a big financial outlay.

Jude13 wrote: »

We'll most likely put the tree up the weekend of 27/28th November, though this may change if we are flying home.

We had implemented that all staff had to take as close to 50% of their leave by the end of June or loose them. So I have 12.5 days left till the end of the year. We always have family over for a week in October so it looks like I will only have a week off for Christmas, so I am wondering if its worth the 8 hour flight home (covid hopefully being a thing of the past).

Yeah, any days we carry over into new leave year (starts July 1st), we have to use those days by December 31st or lose them - I carried over 10 and am taking 5 days in a few weeks, so will have another 5 to use before Christmas....not too shabby! Reckon I'll need them!

Posy wrote: »

LET OPERATION CHRISTMAS 2020 COMMENCE.

I'm definitely going to start buying bits and pieces for the Christmas cakes and puddings soon. The baking aisles were pretty bare in all my local supermarkets during lockdown, and they still aren't fully stocked. I have two of each to make and usually start making them the end of September, so I'm only a few weeks ahead of myself. The earlier they are made, the more whiskey I get to pour over the cakes anyway, so it's no harm!

leahyl wrote: »

Yeah, any days we carry over into new leave year (starts July 1st), we have to use those days by December 31st or lose them - I carried over 10 and am taking 5 days in a few weeks, so will have another 5 to use before Christmas....not too shabby! Reckon I'll need them!

We had a strict use it our loose it. I had 4 days from last year carried over, and 12.5 days (half my annual allowance) to take by 30 June. I only managed to take 10 days so lost 6.5 days. Grrrhhh.

Loughc 'can't wait for Christmas' is bloody brilliant. Listening to the ones back in 2015 at lunch.

Podcast Republic

Jude13 wrote: »

Podcast Republic

Is it not on Spotify? I did a search with that name and a podcast came up - maybe it's a different one?

Jude13 wrote: »

No idea as I don't have spotify. Its by a dude called Tim Babb

I have downloaded:
Episode 2: Aug 2015 - Jingle Bells & Non-traditional Christmas movies
Episode 3: Sept 15 - Real v fake trees and Favorite Christmas TV episodes
Episode 4: Oct 15 - The story of a Christmas carol and best Christmas candles
Episode 7: Jan 16 - the 2016 Jingle Brawl and St. Nicholas trivia.

I have only listened to episode 2 so far.

Yes, it's on spotify, but episodes only go back as far as January 2017

Dealz is opening in my town in next few weeks. Can't wait to see there Christmas stock.(Well it's something to do).

Loughc wrote: »

Yeah it’s an easy listen isn’t it. Spread them out as Tim will grate on you heavily after several episodes back to back :pac:

Yeah, kinda hit the wall after 3 today. WFH tomorrow so will hopefully get another couple in. Easier without the earphones I need to wear in work.

Into August and Covid is still with us, also the weather has been dire.
But one good thing about getting into August and it's the same every year is that the posts start to ramp up on the Christmas threads!

Let's keep it going elves. Tis nearly Autumn now.

TRS30 wrote: »

Summer till the end of the month



......runs away and hides

ooooh, on shaky ground there

So guys last night I decided to send an email to Brown Thomas just to see what they’d say. I was thinking of ye.

Hello,
I know it's early August and there are lots of things going on in the World.
However normally ye open ye're Christmas shop on about the third Thursday in August,
However due to Covid-19 and social distancing this may change this year.
I know some people who are planning visits this year but things really need to be planned now. I'm just wondering, have ye any approx date for the Christmas shop opening?
Sorry for messaging about Christmas in August.
Regards,
Freshpopcorn

I received a reply this morning.


Hi Freshpopcorn,

Thank you for your email.

The Christmas shop opening date has not been confirmed however we are planning on opening late September. Please keep an eye on our social media platforms for further updates.

Should you have any further queries please feel free to contact us on 0818 303062 and we will be happy to help.

Stay safe and well
Kind Regards,
Brown Thomas Customer Service Team