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

DvB

Great to hear so many had a great day, we ended up having a few drinks into the wee hours with lots of stories from the grandparents, a great way to finish what was a lovely day.

Bit of packing to do today before we head to Athlone tomorrow to meet the rest of my inlaws but that can wait, will get washed and get out for a nice long walk, otherwise this food baby is going nowhere!

Have a great St. Stephens Day everyone!

PTH2009

Hahaha true though

Loughc

Christmas dinner number 2 done and dusted and it was even nicer than yesterday.

Leftover sambos for tonight after the wee man goes to bed.

Posy

I usually prefer Stephens Day dinner, tbh!

It gives you a chance to make right any mistakes made on Christmas day- eg. today I will try not to incinerate the parsnips. 😂

Sheep Shagger

Yesterday's leftovers with feet up and the Leinster v Munster game on TV tonight.....bliss.

Gonna give this try in the airfryer in a bit too.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0uBLR6IEYH/?igshid=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng==

Cork Lass

I really enjoyed yesterday. It was just the 4 of us and was very relaxed. Dinner was lovely and delicious sandwiches were had for tea and late evening snacks. Harry Potter on all day, my girls are in their twenties but still love gods old Harry. Went for a swim this morning and it was just fantastic, cold but brilliant. Just going to get dinner of leftovers ready now. Enjoy the rest of the day everyone.

Heroditas

Currently have the kids and their cousins playing a board game on the living room floor as I try and keep my eyes open before dinner. Made some homemade sausage rolls for lunch and made a pig of myself with the sweets while they were all brought to the playground. Also set up the Switch but they're never going to get near it - the online shop is lethal. €1.50 for all the Sonic games? Don't mind if I do... 😅

A definite highlight was seeing my brother in the flesh on Christmas Day for the first time in 32 years as he called in with my mother on the way down to visit my sister for dinner. 32 years. Can't believe it's been that long

Princess Calla

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121536765#Comment_121536765

I got the Playmobil zoo a few years ago. It was such a disaster, the pieces are absolutely tiny, for no apparent reason (baby hedgehog that was about .5 cm came in two bits, why?). I won't buy another thing from the range.

Lego on the other hand, their tiny pieces make sense and are more than welcome in the house

DvB

Just getting dinner ready now. My bloody sinuses are back playing havoc with me today though, looks like I'll be smothering for the rest of the Christmas holidays. Typical, but kind of sums up 2023 for me.

Looking forward to dinner mind, and I.can have pudding, whipped cream and custard for dessert because Christmas calories don't count

....

Right?

gidget

Had a nice quiet day yesterday, got soaked when I went out to walk my dog when the torrential rain started, while I was halfway around our route & hopped straight back into my comfy PJ's as soon as I got home for the rest of the day doing the usual eating & tv watching.

Unfortuntely, Christmas dinner no.2 today didn't taste as nice as yesterday due to a strong rhubarb scented candle someone gifted me that was lighting in the kitchen, which unfortunately consumed the dinner to the point I could taste it while eating the roast potatoes. Lesson learned for the future anyways.

Oh and just spotted an advert on Virgin Media for Christmas 2024 for one of those savings ads saying "Start preparing for Christmas 2024 today" ha! 😝

Bluebell woods

Home alone today, however I had a gorgeous day yesterday

freshpopcorn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121537695#Comment_121537695

Hopefully these guys don't call around!

Loughc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121537676#Comment_121537676

Christmas calories do not count!

jellybear

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121537792#Comment_121537792

Phew...thank goodness for that!🤣

Posy

They better not count! 😂

Like calories consumed during the work day don't count either, because you work them off. So grazing on sweets/leftover chocolates from 9-5 is really making you both slimmer and fitter.

SarahLil

We had a lovely day Christmas Day, we had to wake our little one at 8 am, seeing what Santa left through her eyes was magical, we had breakfast at home and visited the in-laws, my mam managed to come to us for most of the day and OMG did it do her the world of good I couldn’t believe how well she looked it really gave her a lift she had a great day

Today we visited my cousins for breakfast we had a great morning, all the kids playing, they were out in the fresh air too then back home with my mam again for the same as yesterday

Little one asleep already I am having a Prosecco I will certainly be having some more turkey and ham shortly along with a few other goodies

Enjoy everyone x

Loughc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121538253#Comment_121538253

Delighted your mam did so well Sarah that’s great to hear.

BK5

Lovely dinner again yesterday, really happy that everything turned out well. I tend to focus on something negative with the Christmas dinners if I don't get them just right. Called into next door last night for a drink and had a nice night with them, they only moved in this year and are a really lovely couple and they love Christmas as well.

Have to call into work now for a couple of hours which is a pain and then we are heading down to my parents house to meet up with all my clan.

Hope everyone else has a great day.

Loughc

Just doing a bit of a tidy up in the house then we are heading out for lunch. First time leaving the house since the 22nd, excluding dog and toddler walks haha

I love the time between Christmas and new years. Everything so calm and relaxed.

DvB

We're heading to Athlone for a couple of days, no more cooking and cleaning for a bit, looking forward to having my dinner handed to me and real pints!

Smell the glove

Doing nothing here myself now today. Was out on Christmas eve for pints and yesterday then for a right session so the body needs a break. Just had a turkey ham and stuffing sandwich with some mayo and am now awaiting the darts to start so I can absolutely pig out on tunnocks tea cakes and various other delicious things 😁

DvB

Without thinking got up on the weighing scales today.... oh dear!

🫣

funnights74

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121540405#Comment_121540405

😄😄😄 I'm avoiding mine until the new year.

Loughc

i love this as it’s so true!

Smell the glove

Actually ended up going out to Homestore & More as I forgot I had to pick a housewarming present. My god it's depressing, no Christmas music, a tiny little section of Christmas stuff on sale and the whole area cleared out.

Loughc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121541013#Comment_121541013

Yeah retail really grinds my gears the way they move on from Christmas so quickly. I remember growing up you’d see Christmas decorations in shops until the 6th of Jan and even beyond that.

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121541353#Comment_121541353

Got to get the easter egg aisle stocked, unfortunately.

Heroditas

I'll tell you what's depressing - the poxy weather. I've had the living room light on all day every day since the weekend. Pouring rain again earlier and gale-force winds. I think the last time it was this bad was back in 2015 when Elf #2 was nearly 12 months old and we were climbing the walls with cabin fever because both elves were under the weather and it was pouring rain constantly.

I've hidden the weighing scales but am staring at an almighty pile of party bags of crisps in the cloakroom and am steeling myself to get stuck into them later while we watch The Holiday (another of our Christmas films we always try to watch).

L1011

The weather has so far at least delayed my NYE plans - not going on a small ferry in this storm so I won't be WFH from a rock in the North Atlantic tomorrow. Still intending to go up Friday. Actually I'd be fine with the ferry but my partner would not!

Island house has previously had zero decorations as I've mentioned before, figuring out a few bits to make it more festive. Christmas scented candles in nice candle holders; got a set of 400 outdoor lights to jam in to the stone wall at the back of the driveway; and a few other hanging decorations that can dangle from shelves in the living room.

There's also a hideous - in a good way - 70s poinsettia design jug and glasses set that is going to have the midnight cocktail made in it. Will go the pub after if we aren't at risk of getting blown in to the ocean on the way.

freshpopcorn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121541013#Comment_121541013

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121541353#Comment_121541353

I always hate when you go to the shops in the days after Christmas and they are poorly stocked, no Christmas stock, storage tubs everywhere and exercise equipment.

Your only hope is their might be a push for New Year's Eve.

SarahLil

Evening Elves lovely lazy day I even managed an afternoon nap we have some party food nibbly bits for dinner I might try get an early night I’ve two Christmassy books there to read I am sure will give me all the Christmas vibes

The shops are shocking removing all evidence of Christmas it really kills my mood

Our TV gave up on us this morning I thought we would struggle without it today especially with the weather but it went really well considering little one happily playing with all her toys, pulling crackers for the sake of it 😂 a few mini discos throughout the day

Andrew93

Great to see I’ve plenty of pages to catch up on tomorrow. Hope everyone had a happy and safe Christmas!

Best wishes to everyone going into 2024!

Smell the glove

Agree totally about years ago the shops having the decorations still up until Jan 6th. But now because it starts earlier they finish it earlier.

New year is always about fitness and health foods almost shaming you for enjoying Christmas.

Then it's onto valentine's day for Feb, onto Paddy's day, Easter is next then it's summer and holidays until we have Halloween and the circle is complete.

As soon as something is over they just move onto the next thing.

I remember last year someone on this board saying the twelve days of Christmas only start and they are removing all traces of it. Spot on.

Loughc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121542107#Comment_121542107

I think that was me I rant about this annually and I’m very passionate about it. It’s one tradition I won’t let die in my household that’s for sure.

freshpopcorn

I was listening to Christmas FM this evening before they signed off and they said the E17 - Stay Another Day and Mariah Carey = ALL I want for Christmas will turn 30 in 2024.

Currently watching The Santa Clause 2 which was released in 2002. When the big man was still calling to me. It's hard to believe it's 21 years ago.

Cork Lass

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121542211#Comment_121542211

Same here, there’s not a hope that we would consider taking down decorations before the 6th. I really miss the long week between Christmas and New Year that we used to have when I was a kid - long time ago 😂.

Posy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121542107#Comment_121542107

It's funny and sad in equal measures- all the TV ads in December are 'Indulge yourself; one more glass of Baileys? Another hot chocolate? Yes please. Mmm, cheeseboards and fine wine. Ooh, a bottle of prosecco and a box of truffles, don't mind if I do!'

And in January all the ads are 'Look what you've done to your body, I hope you're ashamed of yourself, you fat mess.'

Cork Lass

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121542438#Comment_121542438

A guy that I follow on instagram summed it up brilliantly when he said “you don’t get out of shape between Christmas and new year, you get out of shape between new year and Christmas”.

Nothing wrong with a bit of indulgence, the guilt police can feck right off.

Jude13

Popping in to say merry Christmas everyone!

Have a full house with all the in laws, parents and two adult brothers, here for 10 days!

23rd played golf with FIL. Prepped veg and picked up turkey. then we all went for festive pints with the in laws and friends

24th up early, smoked the turkey on the bbq, ham in the oven, roasties etc. brother in law did the starters. Ate far too much. Then Santa had to put barbie dream house together.

25th up at 6am as the youngest is sleeping our room due to all the visitors. Pressies. Then off to a hotel at noon for brunch. Home at 5 for movies and music.

26th sambos and movies.

27th went to Abu Dhabi to play golf with the FIL and pals. Another full Christmas dinner but for breakfast. Pints.

it will take me a year to loose half the weight I’ve put on and the house is still full of goodies.

Hope everyone is doing well. I’m struggling with the house being so full, no chill alone (with direct family) time and people moving things in the house or commenting on things should be done one way or another but hey it’s Christmas

BK5

Your house sounds like Christmas Vacation @Jude13 ha ha.

tscul32

Went out for a long walk with the dog on Stephens morning then came back, stove and tv on and didn't move. Spent yesterday making jigsaws.

Today back to reality and am having tea at a clinic while elf2 has an ingrown toenail removed. Then elf1 needs a lift somewhere and to be collected after. Time to get moving again, but the lazy days were nice.

pigtail33

I feel your pain @Jude13 I have four extras with their dog staying with me and if feels like everything in my house has been rearranged. I just have to take a few extra deep breaths as I know I'll miss them all when they go back on Saturday.

Back to reality for me today though as I'm currently logged into work. I had most of the week before Christmas off, so it'll take me a while to get through all my e-mails before I can start doing any actual work. I'm going to the Panto in The Helix tonight though, so looking forward to that later.

Smell the glove

First purchase of Christmas 2024 made. Was in Tesco and they were selling off the kids Christmas clothes stock so bought this a year up so it would fit the little elf next Christmas 😁

Cork Lass

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121542963#Comment_121542963

That’s really cute. I love the after Christmas bargains.

Heroditas

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121542963#Comment_121542963

Good idea. Mrs H is heading to our local Tesco Extra shortly so I might get her to look out for some bargains in the clothes section.

I have to spend an afternoon working at some point between now and the 3rd to prepare a slide for a slide deck we're reviewing the first day I'm back. I feel soooooo demotivated. I'm considering adopting the ancient Persian method for the work I need to do. They used to make big decisions when they were drunk and then debate the same decision the next day. If the outcome was the same, they all agreed. So I'll do the slides in front of the TV with some wine/beer etc and look at it the next day. If I'm still happy then, it'll do 😅

Smell the glove

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121543332#Comment_121543332

Sounds like a plan 🤣🤣

SCOOP 64

Having lunch in a restaurant glad to hear Christmas songs still playing.

PTH2009

Ooosch.com Christmas draw is tonight

Resigned to the fact that I will win sweet **** all

https://www.ooosch.com/

SarahLil

Love picking up a Christmas bargain any Christmas items in a shop though I am like a magpie

I haven’t been to a shop since Christmas Eve, lazy day number 2 underway here made a cooked breakfast family dropped by for coffee just dropped some dinner to my mam and OH collecting an Indian for us

New TV up and running I left it all in the OH capable hands

A cup of te

Enjoying reading all of your posts. Keeps the Christmas spirit alive for me as I'm back at work since yesterday. On the topic of the shops packing away the Christmas stuff - I went to Tesco last Friday night and thought their Christmas aisle was rather bare. Actually the first part of the aisle where the decorations were was all changed already and back to the way it looks all year with just the special offer stuff there. Was so disappointed. Right up into my 20s you used to hear Christmas music in January and everywhere still had the decorations up. Breaks my heart this thing of erasing all trace of it by the stroke of midnight on Christmas Day. I'll be keeping mine up. I drove around housing estates after work this evening looking at houses that were all lit up and getting ideas for when I have my own house ;-) I am hoping when I get to go out on Saturday that the shops still have Christmas stuff out!

Edit - and this is the first year I saw Easter eggs out two weeks before Christmas! Madness.