Trying to ignore Christmas, it's very difficult when it is everywhere in your face. Made this video yesterday.
Just think, in a few days time it will be all over, and I can breath a sigh of relief knowing that I have survived. ;o) ilona
Blimey 1.1k subscribers on yooootoooob.
Ceramic Christmas trees
5 hours ago
I enjoyed the video and I loved your jumper
ReplyDeleteIs a lovely day here but I am sorry to say I have a heavy cold. They grandson and his girlfriend and should have been coming to see me on their way to see Scotland -l don't want them to get the germs so they might come on there way home.
I agree people certainly spend a lot of money. I buy lots of little presents e.g. bar of chocolate, bubble bath, puzzle book, charity shop finds all year round etc. and everyone has a little bit of money to treat themselves. There is 7 of them in the immediate family so I spend approx. £250 at the end.
Hazel c uk
Small presents given with love are the best. xxx
DeleteWell said! Oscar looks adorable and very comfortable.
ReplyDeleteYes he is lovely, and settled in nicely. Still goes out a lot, but knows where his bed is and he has to come inside for food.
DeleteThankyou for saying it all for me Ilona. I hate Christmas. I loved it when the kids were young but now its just disgusting. Like you I can't wait for it to end.
ReplyDeleteLove the new Cat.
Briony
x
I wish more people would come clean and say what they really think. There will be lots suffering for months after as they try and pay off their cards. When will they ever learn! Love to you and your pussies.
DeleteWise words Ilona, we are having a cold buffet lunch on Christmas Day with our guests (who all approve and won't be disappointed by the lack of turkey etc), and on Boxing Day are doing exactly the same at the home of friends. This year my total spend for Christmas presents was £50. I loathe as well the week between Christmas and new year, it's such a 'flat' week. Instead of cards we donate to charity (plus of course the postage cost) so we gave to the 'Orangutan Trust' and to Alzheimer's.
ReplyDeleteI love a cold buffet. Yes, I have made my charitable donations. xxx
DeleteIlona if you don't blog again before Christmas wishing you a happy day and best wishes for 2019. It's been a privilege to have been able to see and hear your lifestyle choices and all the tips you tell us about getting off the merry-go-round of total spendthrift nonsense. xx
DeleteAny ideas for a healthy Christmas buffet will be very welcome please! I'm doing a cold buffet for the family on the 27th, and I've just lost my first stone, with more to go, so don't want to undo my good work. Many thanks.
DeleteI am disappointed not to be able to see your Christmas video on my phone at the moment Ilona.I am not really involved with xmas for the past few years.The small amount I do results in a migraine.My day will now be like any other spent with my darling dogs x
ReplyDeletehi ilona mayze heidi and new boy oscar who has settled in with you really well. my two are enjoying their day on their fleece beds eating grooming fighting now and again and sleeping. they do go out for half an hour or so and are full of love. i agree with you christmas is becoming too commercialized the shops are bulging and you feel like simplicity is the answer. my sister coming here on monday we will go somewhere nice for a coffee or whatever. as we are oaps it will be a quiet day with our darling pets and visitors cats. do enjoy the day with those lovely pets of yours and thank you for your good advice to us all during the year. i am so pleased i found your blog. lots of love liz amy and benny.xxxxx
ReplyDeleteI recently read somewhere that the High Street shops are panicking because people aren't spending. Well I say, you shouldn't have ordered so much stock then. Best wishes to you and your pussies.
DeleteYour reply has made me laugh, straight to the point as usual! I was given a gift card on my recent birthday so went into town to have a look in the shop - not intending to spend till boxing day sale-bargains (heehee) - 11.30ish on the last saturday before Christmas and the shop was half-empty. No wonder the retailers are panicking.
DeleteAnd that blooming gorgeous jumper to boot. Love it!
ReplyDeleteYes, it is lovely, given to me by a lovely friend.
DeleteJust seen your video now Ilona on U tube.I do spend a bit over Christmas but a lot less than previous years.During this year I had very large vets bill an d so am being very sensible with money.I've decorated wreaths and potted pansies myself -the tree which I usually buy potted I have instead got some nice branches of fir and bunged them in a pot with lights.Think I've saved about £35. I took something to the dogs home yesterday and still got some left towards my teddy's forthcoming dental fund x
ReplyDeleteVery sensible to keep money aside for animal welfare, vet's fees are very high. I have a grand in the bank for mine. xxx
DeleteWell said as usual Ilona. I saw a article of the BBC programme "The One Show" the other week. A lady borrowed £1500 for Christmas from a credit union. The programme was saying it was a better option than those awful Pay day loans companies but I was still saddened to think it sort of recommended borrowing for Christmas. The lady will have to pay back £2000 over the coming year. What will she do next Christmas? The same again?? How does this teach her children to only spend what you can afford? It's sad that some people think you have to spend so much at Christmas.
ReplyDeleteJacquie x
It is very sad that people don't know they are being taken for a mug when borrowing, and the promise of a lovely Christmas if they spend money they haven't got.
Deletei dont mind christmas for me i see it as a celebration of just joy i dont mind what others are doing or how they see it i see it as a warm hug lol daughter comes around for breakfast with her partner a catch up and my son is flying over the day before n going back day after its a quick flight nothing different i go over to see him over a weekend sometimes and my 14 yr old dog is still here with me another celebration ... im working in the morn day before christmas then 2 days off and work again which im happy about extra money while other girls are away im not full time no turkey or anything the kids arent into that lol heres to good health and happiness :) oh yes very nice top you wearing.
ReplyDeleteThe snazzy jumper was given to my by a lovely friend, who has now returned to her home town in Scotland after living in the village for many years. I often think of her and her husband and hope they are enjoying their new life closer to family.
DeleteAgree Agree Agree that’s how we feel too. The season of greed and ill will to all men is upon us. I used to like the carol services when I was a little girl but I don’t go to those now either. In fact youve reminded me so I might look one up but that’s about it. I’m vegan so no giant slabs of meat and the veg is the same as I eat anyway . I’m going to try and do some walking if the days are fine.
ReplyDeleteBut I agree with you about New Year - Happy New Year to you Illona I hope you do your blog for another year if you feel you want to. Xxxxxxx
I will be blogging for another year, but I have to say that any negative, nitpicking, and lecturing comments will be straight for the bin. Happy New Year to you, glad you are sticking around. xxx
Deletei have tried to stay calm this year and not stress about it all!!.I went into town last week and bought my presents,for 3 grown up grandkids,my daughter,my mam and hubby.Done it all within 3 hours because I had made a list and stuck to it!.I did my food shopping yesterday in just over an hour.I have got 8 people to feed Christmas day but we are having a buffet.I asked them all and this is what they prefered,so at least they can just help them selves to what they want.I will nip to Aldi today to pick up the 4 things that I forgot!.But at least the main is all done.Me and hubby hope to have a slow walk around town Christmas eve,to see the lights and treat ourselves to a milky hot chocolate.I have saved so much again this year...living the frugal way..so money hasnt been a problem.I will be glad when its all over though and life can get back to normal!.I love your video and hope that you,Heidi,Mayze and Oscar have a lovely day.Happy Christmas to you all!,xx
ReplyDeleteInteresting video Ilona. I do "do" Christmas, my children are still young enough for me to get pleasure from their pleasure. But I don't overspend, I feel very sad for people who feel they have to go into debt for Christmas. That is crazy.
ReplyDeleteChristmas has become so commercialised and Americanised. Nowadays there are Christmas Eve boxes, elf on the shelf, the shops are full of tacky, cheap decorations that many people seem to buy for one year, then buy something else for the next year. It's incredibly wasteful and environmentally unfriendly. I'd love to see Christmas as a simple holiday, about family and friends, peace on earth, goodwill to all men etc etc.
I've read about those Christmas Eve boxes, whatever next, ridiculous.
DeleteI saw those..Christmas Eve boxes,in Aldi yesterday!!..I have enough prepping for Christmas day,never mind buying gifts for Christmas eve as well,lol.Just another money making thing that some people think that they have to do!!xx
DeleteI love this video and your attitude to Christmas, and I also agree with a fresh start in 2019 , I already have several interesting targets for travel and at home .
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Ilona and thank you for all the time and effort you give to your blog xx
Materialism is what I dislike. Love Oscar!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this Ilona, I really loved your video. I feel exactly like you about Christmas. I remember last year (I think) you gave cash to nieces/nephews, so we are doing this for our adult children this year, so they can buy things they want/need from their local charity shops - I've taught them well! Can you please tell me if you are doing the 1000 mile walking challenge this year? If so, I am keen to sign up. You emailed me some years ago with advice about weight loss. In September, I almost totally gave up sugar (apart from a little honey in my porridge) and have already lost a stone, but have a few stones still to go. Your blog and your meal ideas inspire me very much. I'm sure Oscar is going to have the best Christmas ever! Many thanks for your wonderful blog. Can't wait to see what adventures you have in 2019. Bring it on! x
ReplyDeleteYes, we will be doing the walking challenge again, I presume you mean next year. Well done on the weight loss. stick at it, Rome wasn't built in a day.
DeleteOh yes, I mean next year! I'm getting ahead of myself, haha! And you are right, Rome wasn't built in a day. Planning to lose a stone every 3 months or so this year, to get back to a normal weight for the first time in 20 years. Not tempted by so-called christmas stuff at all. Happy with fruit & veg etc. The walking challenge is just the motivation I need to get walking.
DeleteMerry Christmas Ilona. The commercial guys want you to jump on the happy clappy roller coaster and spend lots of money on totally unnecessary things that probably arrived here on a container boat from China. Well not me..I have the Christmas I want to have and not the one they think I should. It takes some doing mind there's distractions everywhere and it takes a strong will to walk on by. We will have a lovely Christmas and enjoy the next few days but looking forward to when it's all over and a sparkly new year. Thank you for your blog, your tips, tricks and photos..especially your travel ones. Best wishes to you and your four legged friends ...now they are three xxx
ReplyDeleteHave a Happy Christmas in your own way, Ilona. Must admit it is just a horrible time for some people. We will spend it quietly as usual.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year :). I am glad you are doing the walking challenge again! I wish you all the best for the new year and send thanks for the time and effort you spend on this blog.
ReplyDeleteI love your vid!! My treat for Christmas is Christmas cards - sending & receiving. Postage costs a fortune but i don't care. I save up for it. It's my way of catching-up with friends & family who are scattered far and wide. Foodwise, it's stollen (1/2 price at lidl's, yeh!) and a glass (or 3) of cava (again cheap at lidl's). Otherwise it'll be a 'normal' time for me too. Completely agree that it should be a religious time focussing on Jesus and not all the buying-frenzy that we've made it.
ReplyDeleteOh you do make me laugh! I love your spirit and you do not sound wrong for saying you are bored because I get what you mean. The whole season is centred around consumerism now which is completely of the mark, anyone who truly believes knows this was not the original purpose but the shops just hijacked the whole thing. People moan they can't afford Christmas instead of just being straight with others and saying look we are not doing the whole present giving thing it's just too expensive and stressful but we would love to have you round or something like that. Most people would be relieved and our family of grown ups did it years ago and just bought for the few little ones. I too am looking forward to the new year and longer days. Take care of yourself. x
ReplyDeletegreat video, I agree with you, I'm bah humbug at christmas, which is difficult as hubby's birthday is christmas day! Oscar has settled in nicely , merry christmas to you and the cats, Jo x
ReplyDelete