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

jellybear

First tub of Celebrations has been opened here this evening. I make no apologies, it has been a ROUGH few weeks in our house so we deserve it 😁

Posy

Yeah ya do!! 😁

Hope things are going better for you all now. 😘

freshpopcorn

100 days to go, can't believe it to be honest.

Loughc

7 days until Autumn ehhhhh 👀👀👀

TRS30

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117897993#Comment_117897993

I can hear the mumbling over keyboards around the country as I type :D

TRS30

Just noticed we are approaching the 1 year anniversary of this version of the thread. Over 6K posts in less than a year and probably closer to 6.5K by the actual anniversary.

Only seems the other day we were coming up with names to call it (good man DvB).

DvB

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117898042#Comment_117898042

At the rate we're posting it wont be long before we need a new one! Or do we in this new forum? Is there a thread limit?

TRS30

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117898085#Comment_117898085

I know it was 10K in other forums, could be different since the migration I guess.

We could hit that before the big day (at a push).

DvB

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117898310#Comment_117898310

I'm still hopeful we can make up the 4k posts we need to beat last years effort, I know its a big ask, but if we get a reasonably normal build up you never know...

TRS30

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117898466#Comment_117898466

If things take off like they did last year in Oct/Nov time (remember there use to be 12+ bold threads every morning) then we have a chance. I guess with things being more open COVID wise, we could see less posts as people are hopefully out doing Christmas stuff.

It's a win/win, if get the posts great, if not then it's because people are out enjoying themselves 😀

L1011

Lego Santas Visit set ordered on pre-release there. I've got the last few years ones dismantled and bagged up individually but I broke up some of the older ones which means I've got to rebuild them from my parts wall which could take... a while so I'd better start soon actually.

jellybear

Have started my Christmas shopping and ordered a few more bits this morning 😊 Went with some personalised decorations from The Crafty Giraffe.

Trying to think of what Santa might bring our little boy. He'll be 2yrs 4 months so trying to figure out what he might be into. It's all about Thomas the Tank Engine these days!!😁

DvB

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117898612#Comment_117898612

yep. the single biggest impact on my posting will be workload. Traditionally I get to peab build up at the end of November, LLTS, Christmas FM launch and 'bam' my workload to close out the year goes off the charts & I barely get time to think until I take my holidays... this year is already looking like every other in our quarterly look ahead so I need to try & stop every now & again & enjoy the here & now of the build up or it'll go by in a big blur...

Andrew93

Hi all,

New to this thread been lurking in the shadows for a few weeks.

Began my Christmas shopping for my little one this morning (her first Christmas). The excitement is already too much for me :D

TRS30

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117898644#Comment_117898644

Thankfully the area I work in doesn't have year end deadlines so don't get the spike in work. My wife use to so well aware of it's like.

On the flip side, a mate's company shutdown completely for two weeks over Christmas so they have to take the time (think they get a couple of free days off).

jellybear

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117898660#Comment_117898660

Awh the first Christmas is so lovely!! It'll be our boy's third Christmas and honestly the time goes so quick!! Having a little one brings the magic of Christmas back to our house and my family home for sure. Enjoy the shopping 😁

TRS30

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117898660#Comment_117898660

Welcome.

You can never start the Christmas shopping too early 😁

Loughc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117898085#Comment_117898085

There is no thread limit on the new boards. 😄

TRS30

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117899056#Comment_117899056

The thread name will live forever 😂

DvB

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117899056#Comment_117899056

wow! we're gonna need a proper search function so, some threads could get mahoosive!!

On that note, I really miss the old see all my posts & in what forums that we had on the old site, it was so handy for looking back.

Caranica

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117898042#Comment_117898042

Remember the voting when people said they wanted Covid to be a distant memory and that's why we shouldn't mention it in a thread title!! Little did we know...

TRS30

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117899529#Comment_117899529

We were all so innocent back then!

DvB

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117899529#Comment_117899529

Still want it banished as much as possible. Its cast a cloud over far too much of our lives as it is... last thing I want in this happy place is threads with covid in their names... hear enough of that elsewhere unfortunately.

TRS30

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117899889#Comment_117899889

Don't mention the 'C' word is different for us to most other people 😂

Aisling(",)

This is my first Christmas with my boyfriend in our own house. I'm usually a very prepared person with presents anyway but I'm after realising we're going to have to buy everything to decorate !

We've got a Christmas tree my parents bought last year and don't want and a festive hand towel....a long way to go :P

I'm not going to stress out though a few baubles ,a wreath and maybe some garden lights will do us. I know its stuff that builds up over time. Its a bit mad , I had these great big Deck the Halls/National lampoons ideas but have to reign it back in now I can see the price of things!

I saw a few others are stopping buying themselves things now.It's a great idea!I think I'll make a little list of gift idea for me soon.

Aisling(",)

Oh and at least our families are happy to welcome us home on Christmas day so we've not even to consider Christmas cooking!

tscul32

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117898633#Comment_117898633

We got balance bikes for ours at that age, great Christmas pressies.

jellybear

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117900098#Comment_117900098

Oh great idea!! Will get looking at them now 😁 Any excuse for a bit Christmas present research!

freshpopcorn

Half ways through September. We've the third quarter of the year nearly complete and we're into the nighties' and double digits!

TRS30

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117902046#Comment_117902046

Happy 99 days guys.

I know we keep saying it however will fly in from here!!

DvB

DOUBLE DIGIT DAY!!!!

it's all downhill now folks!!

SarahLil

Happy Friday Elves I don't know where the week has went? Double digits I almost feel like I am loosing my breath when I think about it.. half excitement... half panic

I just went onto Boots there I am looking to get a few bits but the sanctuary spa gifts sets aren't online yet they only have 2, I notice from their site there is a tab for Irish Gifts which is good

Welcome Andrew congratulations on your little one, Happy Shopping I am sure it will be a Christmas like no other

our first Christmas too with our little one she will be 9 months, I am sure I won't be able to resist picking up First Christmas this..First Christmas that

Aisling congrats on your new home, when I got our house I started using the Dunnes Stores saving stamps my first Christmas, I got baubles, fairy lights, door wreath etc for the house it was quite handy I had the stamps to pay for it with. Penneys is handy too I got nice battery operated lights for my front windows and lots of the battery lights to toss around in vases and the stairs and above kitchen presses. I found too because my family and pals know I love Christmas so much they picked me up stuff too as part of my present, dont worry Aisling you will get there

I know it won't be for everyone but I do want to take my little one to Santa just for the photo First Christmas and all that, any suggestions please Elves, Arnotts, Brown Thomas she will only be 9 months then? thanks guys

jellybear

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117902773#Comment_117902773

We brought our little boy to Blanchardstown as our neighbours had been to Arnotts and the wait to see Santa was a few hours 🙈 As it was just the photo we wanted, it was perfect! We went early one weekday morning and were straight in. Photo and little present were lovely 😊

SarahLil

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117902808#Comment_117902808

Thanks Jellybear, I never thought of Blanchardstown, I was only thinking Arnotts or BT because I remember someone say you went and got a slot time so you could potter around and go back then at your assigned slot,

thats brilliant Blanchardstown is 10 minutes away plus free parking!! hopefully Santa is coming to Blanchardstown

SarahLil

Chocolate orange fans, Dairymilk have Dairymilk Orange its quite nice I can confirm...large bars in Dunnes Stores at the moment

TRS30

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117902773#Comment_117902773

We have been to Arnotts every year with our Elves apart from last year. We go in super early (8am) on a Friday and I queue up while OH takes kids to breakfast. Usually get a spot around 10am so look around decorations, toys first and get lots of pictures. Head to Disney store after and then home for lunch.

The Santas are brilliant and we got the same one 3 years in a row. Have the 6 pictures in a frame on the wall so will have to get a bigger frame after this year (assuming they are doing Santa!)

SarahLil

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117902874#Comment_117902874

Brilliant TRS30, thats a great idea about the frame

you guys are great thanks so much for coming back to me

TRS30

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117902907#Comment_117902907

No worries. Santa visits (we do one Christmas Island with extended family as well) are one of my favorite parts of the build up.

DvB

Just a heads up, the Disney store in the blanch sc is closing on 23rd Sept. Just in spending another fortune there and were chatting to the staff who are gutted, they're all so Disney passionate it's sad that they're going... Grafton Street staying open though.

TRS30

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117903389#Comment_117903389

Wow, surprised to hear that. Did they say why? Always seemed to be busy when i was there.

Caranica

I was over in the centre last night but it was closed 😭 Closed at 7 despite the centre being open until 9, even on a Thursday night

DvB

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117903484#Comment_117903484

Rent has gone up in.the centre allegedly. That and a drop in trade I suspect sealed the deal. Disappointed as I loved it.

TRS30

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117903958#Comment_117903958

Rent's going up is obviously a sign of things improving.

Not being able to pop down to the one in town on my lunch break is one of the few things I miss about going to the office.

freshpopcorn

Lego Santa's house!

https://www.lego.com/en-gb/product/santa-s-visit-10293?icmp=HP-SHMBL-Standard-NO_MBL_10293_LEGO_Santas_Visit_Product_HP-PR-NO

pigtail33

Dunnes have been slowly adding a few more bits of Christmas stock to their website. I got two lovely Garlands there last year, and when I went to get more, they were out of stock online. I am hoping they make a reappearance this year. I don't have any tinsel on my tree, so these were ideal 'fillers'. I'm checking the website multiple times a day!!!

Last year, the website just couldn't keep up with the demand at all. Probably mainly down to people not able to make it in store

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117902870#Comment_117902870

They also do Giant Buttons of this, big bags only though.

SarahLil

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117904673#Comment_117904673

Pigtails33 I thought I was the only one that does that …checking sites for something a couple of times a day 😂 I will keep an eye out for you

SarahLil

Morning everyone

Foggy one where I am I hope the sun makes an appearance I have a mountain of washing to get through and based on forecasts earlier in the week I thought today was to be a good day weather wise

loads of nice bits appearing on Insta people sharing Christmas at the Range and BM or is it B&M? Gorgeous bits

Just seen too Marks and Spencer Ireland not doing Christmas food to order someone shared it on Instagram I think with the current climate they can’t commit

RentDayBlues

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117904532#Comment_117904532

Thank you for posting this! Ordered last night , we’ll do it on Christmas Eve as a family

Posy

Oh, that sounds like a lovely Christmas eve. 😁