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

DvB · 11-11-2023 6:07pm

24th for us too.

jellybear · 11-11-2023 9:04pm

Just saw a Christmas tree up while out for a walk. Too early for me, personally. We'll wait till mid December 🙂 My 1 year old is going to have a great time pulling decorations off it and crawling under it so I'm not in any rush to put it up 😆

Posy · 11-11-2023 9:11pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121355835#Comment_121355835

25th for me I think. 🙂

A cup of te · 11-11-2023 9:49pm

Nowadays we'd aim for around 8th Dec but we used to put them up only a few days before Christmas and we leave them up till Jan 6th. That breaks my heart the way people take everything down on St Stephen's Day now and almost brag about it. The shops also seem to start stocking the shelves full of diet stuff the day after as well. I am a nostalgic person anyway but I used to love how everyone seemed to keep the spirit going and the next big thing was New Year's and then there was the January sales and I remember the shops playing Christmas music still even on Jan 5th!

Smell the glove · 11-11-2023 10:14pm

Went to the play off final in tallaght last night between the blues and cork. Thankfully the blues won but I couldn't help but notice two of three Christmas trees/house decorations done around there.

matchthis · 11-11-2023 10:18pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121356576#Comment_121356576

I worked in a retail electronics store before and the last thing we did Christmas Eve, is take down the decorations and put up sale signs. Such a buzz kill going home

Smell the glove · 11-11-2023 10:19pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121356695#Comment_121356695

Oh my god now that sounds horrific.

PTH2009 · 11-11-2023 10:29pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121356672#Comment_121356672

What a night for the Blues

I'll be raising a glass or 2 over the festive period

Heroditas · 11-11-2023 10:40pm

Well this is all a bit bizarre - Boots are using the Smyths Toys music from a few years ago in their Christmas ad this year - I'm Gonna Get There Somehow by Val Doonican! 😅

DvB · 11-11-2023 11:21pm

Well done to our Waterford contingent! Glad ye managed to finally win a playoff. Looking forward to going back to the RSC next year.

SarahLil · 12-11-2023 3:20pm

We are all under the weather here so been in doors most of the weekend I haven’t seen any decorations yet, roast in the oven cooking away with roasties, roasted carrots, cabbage, mash followed by Black Forest with cream probably a hot whisky too

Picked up lovely gifts online kids pjs from H&M, a couple of bits for friends, stocking fillers for my little one she is princess mad at the moment so princess gloves with matching crown, gloves

We enjoyed reading Adams cloud books the weekend (Irish author) we received them as gifts for her 1st Christmas she is really appreciating them now (2.5 years) if anyone is stuck for gift ideas beautiful stories and illustrations (even Santa and Rudolph are in 1 of them)

1 of my friends has everything in and wrapped, I think her Christmas goodies are in too

I have no Christmas goodies in yet I really want to pick up the terrys chocolate mint for my OH stocking I didn’t see them on Dunnes online,

Have a good Sunday guys it seems to have brightened up in north county Dublin it was awful at 7 am this morning I thought that rain was down for the day

BK5 · 12-11-2023 8:00pm

First of the neighbours have their tree up! And it's the same one who has it first up every year, I don't think they get on with next door because there's will def be up by tomorrow evening, happens every year 😄

DvB · 12-11-2023 8:36pm

Got a huge amount of presents boxed off today, feeling the pinch financially though.

PTH2009 · 12-11-2023 9:00pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121359569#Comment_121359569

Same

Going to be a lot of financial pressure this year for lots

BK5 · 12-11-2023 9:10pm

Having to stick 4 new tyre on the car tomorrow, wrong time of the year for that kind of layout.

PTH2009 · 12-11-2023 10:05pm

Is the Banba Toymaster the king of the franchise ?

Why I ask is that I had to order some stuff from the branch because the local Smyths don't do the items

jellybear · 12-11-2023 10:28pm

Saw 2 more trees up this evening so that's 3 so far in my estate.

We cracked in to a box of Tunnocks tea cakes this evening...I've eaten 9...somebody take them away 🤣🤣

On a serious note, stay safe tomorrow all 🤞🏼

DvB · 12-11-2023 10:31pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121359730#Comment_121359730

Had that and new brake pads and disks front and rear last week, sod all change from 2k!! Timing was 'unfortunate' to say the least.

Heroditas · 13-11-2023 12:37am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121360027#Comment_121360027

Duffys are pretty good too

Jude13 · 13-11-2023 6:25am

Puddings cooked and we have both trees ups. Even being a Christmas nut it seems too early however after sitting down with the OH and planning our weekends between now and the big day it was the only weekend free.

End of year parties have kicked off and I have partaken too much, I feel quite rough.

BK5 · 13-11-2023 7:25am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121360204#Comment_121360204

Sweet Jeebus you don't need that at any time! If my old Honda needed 2K spent on it, serious consideration would be going into getting rid of it.

kitten_k · 13-11-2023 10:12am

House deep cleaned yesterday and the decorations will go up on Saturday

DvB · 13-11-2023 10:14am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121361645#Comment_121361645

Good work Kitten_K, we were only saying yesterday that once we both et over this dose we're both struggling with we have the deep clean to look forward to before we decorate, plan was for Friday 24th to decorate which really only leaves us next weekend to get stuck in... not looking forward to that I can tell you!

SarahLil · 13-11-2023 10:38am

@kitten_k fair play good work

Any pics yet @Jude13 ?

I’m like you @DvB we are all a little under the weather at home so doing jobs in dribs and drabs. Another job now added to the list I am going to have to get a handyman to make me a new wooden planter for my front garden storm Debi has just blew it apart

I need to stock up on batteries for all the decorations any recommendations? I bought Duracell last year some I had to bring back to power city they didnt work,

It’s tough going doing the decorations how long does it take most? It ran quite smoothly last year for us I am hoping for the same experience this year 🥴

I hope everyone doing ok throughout the storm x

Home for the day for us

A cup of te · 13-11-2023 10:45am

Ugh, I had to put about 1k into my car (that's worth about 800euro) this year to get it through the nct and I still need 2 new front tyres! It's cheaper than getting a new car though. I've seriously got to get an upgrade next year before the next NCT. My head is done in having to go there every year for the last 6 years!

Re batteries, I actually bought a load from Dealz last year, just the Kodak ones and they were fine but I remember the Tesco own brand seemed to waste quickly. I never had problems with Duracell before and generally I think they last longer

CheerLouth · 13-11-2023 10:56am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121360802#Comment_121360802

Plus one for Duffys here - they are only down the road from us but typically will have things that Smyths don't have. For example, one of the kids has asked for a discontinued Lego set - no sign of it on any of the larger toy shops, Amazon, Lego website etc. Duffys have it TG!

antimatterx · 13-11-2023 11:43am

I thought you were talking about pubs in Malahide 🤣.

Duffys is a pub and down the road from a pub called Fowlers that was formerly called Smyths

CheerLouth · 13-11-2023 12:03pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121362079#Comment_121362079

Lol, I assumed it was toys!

freshpopcorn · 13-11-2023 12:18pm

Even less now!

Jude13 · 13-11-2023 12:50pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121361782#Comment_121361782

None yet, as its work in progress.

I bought Toshiba rechargeable batteries last year and it saved a fortune and reduced waste.

tscul32 · 13-11-2023 3:48pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121362079#Comment_121362079

You can spot the north county residents, I had a hankering for a beer when reading that too.

tscul32 · 13-11-2023 4:05pm

Haven't been able to give Christmas much thought in the last couple of weeks. Getting new floors fitted today and the kitchen floor was levelled last week so the house has been upside down.also had another full day lecture on Saturday and an assignment due at the weekend. Throw in a new job and I'm now panicking that Christmas is only weeks away and all I've done is got the advent calendars and Christmas chair covers. Not a cake baked either, which is unusual for me. I need to get my act together.

SarahLil · 13-11-2023 5:46pm

I am looking for some nice hanging lights for my kitchen doors/window I like the look of these from Aldi this Thursday https://www.aldi.ie/hanging-decoration/p/729749764324500 or can anyone recommend similar

I always leave it too late have been on the look out for a few years

BK5 · 13-11-2023 9:21pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121362079#Comment_121362079

When did it stop being called Smyths?

Lived in Kinsealy over 20 years ago and worked in Malahide almost 30 years ago.

DvB · 13-11-2023 9:54pm

Watching love actually with the family, think we've watched it too many times now though, we're taking turns reading out the script 😀

antimatterx · 13-11-2023 9:56pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121364647#Comment_121364647

For the 10 years I've been drinking it's always been Fowlers, looks like Smyths was sold in 2009.

Some price at €7m, especially for 2009.

https://m.independent.ie/regionals/herald/smyths-pub-sells-for-7m-despite-crisis/27909894.html

Heroditas · 13-11-2023 10:22pm

Hope everyone wasn't too badly affected by the storm and school/transport disruption earlier.

We picked up our ginger biscuits in Ikea the other day. For some reason our 11yo felt we needed two tins of them so I reckon we'll still be wading through them by next Easter.

I'm so badly prepared this year. Feck all Christmas presents bought and feck all idea what I even want, let alone what to get the kids and the better half 😨

Smell the glove · 13-11-2023 10:28pm

Bought the first Christmas present yesterday. This is the start of it now. Need to tick something off the list every week now until mid December when I finish it all off.

BK5 · 13-11-2023 10:44pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121364772#Comment_121364772

14 years ago wow. Never heard it's name had been changed, it was always Smyth's, Duffy's and Gibney's, the big 3 pubs in Malahide.

On other nonsense, I just had my first mince pie of the season 😅

Andrew93 · 14-11-2023 10:36am

Back to reality after Disneyland over the weekend. What a magical place. Really amped up the beginning of the run in for me seeing the place light up for Christmas.

Decorations going up this weekend! Hope everyone had a great weekend and stayed safe yesterday during the storm.

XDivaX · 14-11-2023 12:14pm

Trying to decide whether I should give sitting room a good clean this week before we put up the tree next week....it never stays clean with wee monkeys even the skirting boards will have juice spilled over them! :P

I'm half thinking on putting up our tree early next Thursday while wee monkeys are at schools and in creche to surprise them in the evening but the oldest probably would get annoyed at me for not getting him to help but we will have another wee tree on Friday ;)

CheerLouth · 14-11-2023 12:28pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121366276#Comment_121366276

Story of my life - I keep trying to remember that in a few short years, we won't have lego spilled all over the floor & crumbs all over the settee...but as someone who likes things tidy, it's tough going :P I use the decorations to distract from the mess these days

SCOOP 64 · 14-11-2023 12:53pm

Two sons one late teens one early twenties believe me the crumbs on the sofa don't stop.

SarahLil · 14-11-2023 1:07pm

Trying to keep on top of housework here too I’m thinking I might get the decorations down this Saturday as mid week won’t work for me, the place does still need a clean after the tree goes up, it’s hard work

where is the time going?

@Andrew93 did you buy any Christmas decorations on your trip ?

Loughc · 14-11-2023 1:26pm

Ah lads are we all in agreement to add another month on the countdown to spread the magic out a bit more.... I'm not ready for it to be Christmas soon!!

I'm at the stage of the season where I am fully booked every weekend between now and Christmas.

Andrew93 · 14-11-2023 2:42pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121366481#Comment_121366481

I bought a couple of tree decorations yes. Not much difference to the Disney ones you can pick up in Penny's, but at least we will know they are from Disneyland!

BK5 · 14-11-2023 8:06pm

Yep, busy with stuff for the next 4 weekends. Am going to have to get the tree and decorations done in the evenings during the week. We always give the oven, grill, fridge and freezer a good scrub in the weeks leading up to Christmas also, don't get me wrong they are not walking with dirt the rest of the year 😄

I swept up a heap of leaves on Saturday from the front garden only for the storm to fill it back again by yesterday.

pigtail33 · 14-11-2023 10:34pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121363820#Comment_121363820

I've been looking for something like that for a few years too! They're for my upstairs windows. I'd love a smaller (and cheaper) version of this

https://www.dunnesstores.com/p/paul-costelloe-living-luxury-led-wreath/2295122

Dunnes also have a smaller, battery powered version on a stand, but I love how well lit the wreath is. And I like all my battery lights to be on a timer!

PTH2009 · 14-11-2023 10:38pm

Saw a clip of 'The Strawberry Hall' pub in Dublin and it looks amazing. Sadly in the opposite direction of where i need to be when im up in Dublin next 😔

Winterval starting down here on Friday night, going to be great

freshpopcorn · 14-11-2023 10:43pm

Currently trying to paint the living room.

There's paint in my hair and on my clothes in Supermacs for a break.

Baked a Christmas cake Today.

Nearly the last day of the forties.

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

Comments

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens