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

Band Aid 30 was comparatively a flop; and singles make even less money now than they did ten years ago so I wouldn't have much expectations for it.

The Range has the Halloween stuff out in full now, which likely means the Christmas stuff is on the container ships from China to follow.

Only got about 20% of the way in to building that Lego set until I hit some critical parts needs, so will do a Bricklink order over the weekend for the obvious bits.

Tell you what, can see the difference in the traffic already with schools starting back last week. Even leaving at 6.20am this morning it took me nearly an hour to get to the office, was doing the same journey in 30 minutes 2 weeks ago.

A lot darker this morning too when I woke up… the darker days are on the horizon big time, noticed it at training last thursday how dark it had gotten for 8.15 when we were finishing up. We'll be back training on floodlit astros in a couple of weeks I reckon.

Noticed the autumn TV schedule is starting up soon too, seeing shows coming back now that summer is over & schools are back. Just 3 weeks to the 100 day mark so expecting things to start moving at a fair old lick now.

When all the schools and colleges are back its not unusual for the drive home to take me 2 hours. Albeit on certain days. Can see myself reverting to using the train on those days to be honest.

Seen oasis in 96 when they were at the height of their powers and they were a good watch. Seen them in 00 when they were blown off the stage by Supergrass and seen them headline Witnness in 02 and they were absolute garbage. Gave up after then because they were just trading off past glories. Good that people who weren't around 20 years ago get to see them and best of luck to anyone going but I'd imagine I'll be sitting this one out!

I'm sure tickets for Oasis will sell out instantly but I don't get it. They have a few good hits and I guess the reunion is nostalgic for a certain generation but I think the Gallagher brothers are absolute ignoramuses. I won't be spending my money on tickets.

Hoping for a few Malahide announcements for next summer though. Handy location for me.

Yeah if Coldplay is an indication of demand than its going to be so stressful but ill go in for the battle. Saw both solo but never together. Id be happy if that was my only summer gig of 2025, Mania is going to take a lot out of my bank account

Have seen them live 14 times, was there for the first tivoli gig (still have the purple & orange t-shirt to prove it) and saw them in Manchester too just as live forever was released as a single, safe to say I'll be doing everything I can to see them again this time.

There's no way they'll be as tight as they were in 96 in cork and Loch Lomond but it'll bring me right back to my early 20's and I cant wait, just hope I manage to wangle tickets now.

I wonder how many dads and granddads will end up buying them by mistake on Christmas eve 😉

I think these are going to be big this year!

There's a long story to that.

There's a mad crazy on social media for them at the moment in Selfridges.

It is, they range from €2.00 for small, €3.00 for medium and €4.00 for large.

They are charging 15c for paper bags.

I mainly got the bag for life to bring to Aldi to embarrass my mother.

John Lewis just released their top Christmas toys, and it’s a festive mix of chaos and joy! From LEGO sets destined to scatter across your floor to a wooden deluxe kitchen playset that costs an eye-watering £250, this year’s list is sure to keep you busy. So here are the FULL top toys:

Connetix Magnetic Tiles Rainbow Motion Pack – £45

LEGO Sleigh – £39.99

Barbie Mysteries The Great Horse Chase Ultimate Stable Playset – £69.99

Play-Doh Rainbow Swirl Ice Cream Playset – £20.99

My 1st Record Player – £27.99

Hexbug HEX BOTS Wall Crawler Gecko – £29.99

Melissa & Doug Wooden Vending Machine Toy – £63.99

Bonnie Bear – £32.99

Wooden Deluxe Play Kitchen – £250

Squish-a-Longs 14 Pack – £14.99

Alan Wright, Toys and Books Buyer, says: “We know how important it is to bring people together during the festive period and this factored heavily into our decision-making when pulling together this year’s Top Toys. Whether that’s by building toys together as a family or role-playing with friends, each of the toys encourage social play in a unique way no matter the age.”

And there you have it—John Lewis’s top ten toys for Christmas 2024 which has quite a price range from £14.99 up to £250. 

The sleigh is gorgeous, we got it last year!

It's probably just me but I hate the idea of "domestic" toys for kids. Realistically it's girls that will get the kitchen, the ironing board, the hoover etc. without going on a big rant, it just really irks me. So yeah the kitchen would definitely not be bought.

That was my lad with his LC results and college offer!!😂

Joined the queue straight from the waiting room and 450k ahead of me… there goes any chance of a ticket for me anyway.

**** Oasis and the bandwagoners

Sorry for an offence

Glad I'm not the only one!