Christmas 2024

[badjak]

I got 1 pair of shoes (somewhere) and 2 pair of flops
And a blue little backpack for papers, money keys etc
And shorts with a minimum of 5 pockets so I can leave the backpack behind

 

[Lullabelle]

It's a status thing for some.

I do have to say though, I have a couple of fairly expensive handbags, a small one and a cross body messenger type bag. My DD had a fit for the larger bag years ago, so I floated her a loan for half of it and the other half was part of her Christmas present. Her husband would have had a cow if she spent that much for a bag. I really liked both of the bags as well and got the smaller one for myself, then thought about it for a few days and got the larger one too. They are classic looking bags so have never gone out of style and, even though it's been 10+ years they still look nearly brand new. There is something to be said for quality materials and workmanship. I'll also say I haven't bought another handbag since.

As far as shoes, I've only had one pair of very expensive shoes. They were purchased back when I was in my mid 20s. They were black 5 inch stilettos. Have to say, they were quite comfortable, especially being stilettos, and they lasted longer than I was able to keep wearing them. They were a size 5 and my foot spread out as I got older enough that at 5.5 to 6 I just couldn't comfortably wear them.

It is showing off wealth.
We have a colleague who claims to spend a lot on designer tops...he thinks it makes him above everyone else, he has worn a couple to work..they were hideously ugly, the boss berated him for wearing cheap rubbish in the office when he should be smart. He was not happy about his clothes being referred to as cheap...he needed knocking down a few pegs.

 

[Lullabelle]

Shopping is done...we are now ready, just need to get to Tuesday around 11am then we are completely finished

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

I might clock off around 3pm on Tuesday...

 

[Windigo]

Spent all day in the kitchen so far for the Christmas dinner tomorrow ( a gift to my vegetarian friend who's birthday was yesterday).
Some olives for nibbling.
Our starter will be onion chutney puff pastry tart with goats cheese and basil .
Main will be roast vegetable lasagne with bell pepper sauce and feta topped with bechamel and mozzarella .
Dessert will be red wine poached pears, vanilla custard and cinnamon bread.

I finished pre-baking the lasagna and I have made the pears and the chutney. Assembly coming tomorrow.

The veg for the lasagna

Big lasagna & small lasagna

 

[TastyReuben]

Spent all day in the kitchen so far for the Christmas dinner tomorrow

Haha, here’s how on edge I am: I read that and my first thought was, “CRAAAAAP!!! It’s Christmas tomorrow and I forgot to do my prep work!!!”

 

[SandwichShortOfAPicnic]

I do like a nice bag and nice shoes and I can tell the difference between a cheap bag and an expensive one most of the time.
I do not like designer goods that have the name splashed across them, I find it painfully ostentatious and have not bought things I’ve liked because of it. It’s just too showy and in the UK it tends to be worn or used by the sort of people I have no interest in knowing, the sorts who like playing one upmanship games.

Being a walking advert for a particular brand seems silly to me.

When it comes down to it I love quality items. I get joy from using them, nicely made, well finished using good materials is a pleasure. I’m particularly partial to everyday items that have been designed well and work well as a result. Things you know you’ll still be using in 10 years time.

I’m not a snob about it, I’m just as likely to use a biro as a Mont Blanc pen but one brings me much more joy than the other.

 

[SandwichShortOfAPicnic]

Well get this for super stupid.

I usually have Christmas all taped up by the first week of December but this years been stressful so all I’d done was put in a couple of food orders using the enormous premade Christmas list saved on the supermarkets website, fully intending to thin it down to what I actually want to order later.

Well later has come and gone and that editing cut off time passed last night.
I have hundred and hundreds and hundreds of pounds worth of shopping coming from two different supermarkets Oops.

 

[TastyReuben]

Being a walking advert for a particular brand seems silly to me.

I’m like that, even with everyday things, and it’s hard to buy things without some sort of branding.

MrsT gets aggravated with me because she’ll see a nice shirt, but it’ll have a little logo or name stitched on it, and I won’t wear it. I don’t even like the little red tag on the back pocket of my Levi’s.

 

[SandwichShortOfAPicnic]

I’m like that, even with everyday things, and it’s hard to buy things without some sort of branding.

MrsT gets aggravated with me because she’ll see a nice shirt, but it’ll have a little logo or name stitched on it, and I won’t wear it. I don’t even like the little red tag on the back pocket of my Levi’s.

I can handle tiny labels but I don’t like them either.
If it’s an accessible brand that everyone uses and it’s written very small (like Levi) I overlook it but if it’s gucci or the like then nope, as far as I’m concerned it’s made itself ugly!

 

[Windigo]

Haha, here’s how on edge I am: I read that and my first thought was, “CRAAAAAP!!! It’s Christmas tomorrow and I forgot to do my prep work!!!”

Aww poor you , asking too much of yourself maybe?

I finished all my prep, am now relaxing on the couch. More pics tomorrow

Also I am making a dinner for two on Christmas too, it will be salmon bombes for starter, main will be roast Poussin with garlic, thyme & lemon rub, roast potatoes, sprouts and carrots , and dessert will be eton mess with raspberries, vanilla custard & meringues.