Good morning Ilona great video! A very merry Christmas to and the cats. I will be having a very 'traditional' one,despite the fact it could be hot,but we try to eliminate mindless waste. We only give gifts to small children,and I prefer to give books. Any plate leftovers I collect up and are sent home for grandsons chooks to eat.
Happy Christmas Ilona, like you I don't get the whole lonely at Christmas. It's just another day and I wish for everyone to be happy in their own skin and be content. My day will spent snuggled up on the sofa with my doggy reading a good book and eating homemade soup. Peopke shouldn't feel pressurised into having the kind of Christmas the TV adverts want to make you think you should have as they are trying to sell you a shed let ad of stuff you don't need or want. Whatever your Christmas just be true to yourself and be happy xx
All I want for Christmas is a roof over my head, which I have, a door which I can open and go out, if I want to, food to eat, and my pussy cats. Sorted, and simple.
Great video Ilona. I don't have any family so Christmas isn't of great significance to me nowadays. I spend Xmas Day with friends but will be otherwise on my own all week. I do buy myself some food treats as I love Christmas food, and will probably go out walking etc and spend time on hobbies. I do envy people who have lots of family activities etc but I just get on with things and make the best of it. I don't hate Christmas or have a downer on it, it's just not a big event in my life any more. I do feel for anyone who is lonely and depressed over Christmas, it is all hyped up to such a ridiculous degree these days and it can be a very difficult time of year for a lot of people.
I love your videos Ilona!And I love seeing your great bargains as well.Ive still got quite a bit of food left so I think that I can stretch it out until next week and do a small shop then just to see me up until I do my Christmas shop.I have to get a bit more food and goodies in then because I will have about 12 people here for Christmas day and others visiting Christmas eve and Boxing day.It will be the one week of the year when my shopping bill will shoot sky high compared to what it usually is!.But I will still plan it all so that like last year there will be no waste...because I hate waste!!!,lol.I have already bought 4 boxes of mince pies,because they were on offer at Aldi for 59p,dated until Jan 13th.But they are the only Christmas things that I have bought so far.xx
I have a quiet Christmas now Ilona.I still find I'm getting stressed as I have a bit more to do such as writing cards,buying just small things,and then a few trimmings which are less than they used to be,I try to make 3 wreaths and 5 small posies or plant arrangements for graves.I do feel stressed and panicky when I go in the supermarket for usual stuff.I did smile at the poundland self checkout the other day when Santa chatted to me.I will buy a few treats but,like you I'm not tempted by anything Christmassy.I did buy crisps,the fancy ones and pop on offer and a couple of cakes and Xmassy biscuits.I daren't buy nuts yet as I go munch crazy if I do.I find it too difficult to find time and energy in my day for Christmas even though I don't have a traditional family one x
I know that stressed and panicky feeling Flis.About 3 or 4 years ago at christmas I was in the supermarket,surrounded by people just throwing stuff in to their trollys,not considering any prices or thought to what they were buying,maybe they were paying by card to pay it off later...all Id got was money in my purse and not to sure how far I could make it stretch...and I started crying!.Not a little bit..just big tears streaming down my face with nothing I could do to stop it!.I had to phone my husband to come and get me...it had all got to much.I make sure now that will never happen again!!,xx
Thank you Ilona for some sensible talk about Christmas. For the first time I am spending Christmas Day alone with two dogs. I am fine with this. It is other people’s reaction that makes me feel sad. They feel sorry for me. I don’t really want to make them feel better by making up a pretend story to suit them. But they look hurt. I also don’t want them asking me to dinner because they feel bad. What a dilemma. One day it’s ridiculous. Ilona have a great day peace and calm.xx
Quite agree with you Elaine. When I meet people around the village I am often asked what am I doing for Christmas. They look surprised when I say, nothing at all. I don't want invitations because I don't want them feeling sorry for me. I hope everyone has a nice Christmas day, however they choose to spend it. It's just one day. Enjoy your doggy day, and I will cuddle my cats. xxx
Your videos always inspire me Ilona. My husband lost his job recently and I am juggling finances, we are managing on my 15 hour part time salary and my state pension at the moment. I see it as a challenge and welcome all your huge resource of advice on your blog to save the pennies. And like you we won't (and normally don't anyway) be spending silly money on Christmas friperies. Good health and happiness are more important!
I agree with the comments here; why get yourself in a tizz over one day of the year? I host a small christmas lunch on the day itself as it suits me having pets. Last year we all mutually agreed that it would not be turkey with all the trimmings as so much food was wasted so we had steak, chips and peas with a lemon cheesecake. Easy cooking for me and no leftovers. Boxing Day is nothing special and I prefer to stay at home for lunch, I will venture out to meet friends and family for a drink but nothing else. Perfect.
Steak and chips sounds very nice. Our family has got into a steak meal on Christmas Eve for the family too. Plus we have already had turkey in November for Thanksgiving.
I was in a garden centre earlier today looking for a gift and I couldn't believe how expensive things were.I bought a pack of cyclamen which I shall use as the centre for little arrangements with greenery from the garden for family graves.I also try my best to make 3 wreaths or possibly posies.When I paid for the plants a man alongside me at the tills paid £78 for a Xmas tree with no roots and it wasn't even particularly tall-it may have been a specialty tree,but even so.This year,the same as last I shall bring indoors a branch from the tree and arrange it with ties into a tree like shape,place it into a pot and trim it x
Great video, common sense as always, as I've mentioned before, it is hubby's birthday is on Christmas Day so as a family we do celebrate, normal food is replaced with Christmas food and just presents exchanged between myself, hubby, son and son's partner, everyone else gets christmas cards and over the years, many have mentioned "great, not to worry about buying presents! " As for any extra spending, this is covered by paying our council tax on 10 months instead of 12 months so for three weeks in January, all February and March, we know there is money there if needed, if not then it is saved for 'emergencies' ....Merry Christmas to you and the cats x
Nice video Ilona. Agree with you Christmas is too commercialized. Have a lovely peaceful Christmas with those lovely fur babies. Love Liz Amy and Benny.xxx
Good morning Ilona great video! A very merry Christmas to and the cats. I will be having a very 'traditional' one,despite the fact it could be hot,but we try to eliminate mindless waste. We only give gifts to small children,and I prefer to give books. Any plate leftovers I collect up and are sent home for grandsons chooks to eat.
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas Ilona, like you I don't get the whole lonely at Christmas. It's just another day and I wish for everyone to be happy in their own skin and be content. My day will spent snuggled up on the sofa with my doggy reading a good book and eating homemade soup. Peopke shouldn't feel pressurised into having the kind of Christmas the TV adverts want to make you think you should have as they are trying to sell you a shed let ad of stuff you don't need or want. Whatever your Christmas just be true to yourself and be happy xx
ReplyDeleteAll I want for Christmas is a roof over my head, which I have, a door which I can open and go out, if I want to, food to eat, and my pussy cats. Sorted, and simple.
DeleteIlona you are great. You are the best. Greetings from Portugal.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Maria. xxx
DeleteGreat video Ilona. I don't have any family so Christmas isn't of great significance to me nowadays. I spend Xmas Day with friends but will be otherwise on my own all week. I do buy myself some food treats as I love Christmas food, and will probably go out walking etc and spend time on hobbies. I do envy people who have lots of family activities etc but I just get on with things and make the best of it.
ReplyDeleteI don't hate Christmas or have a downer on it, it's just not a big event in my life any more. I do feel for anyone who is lonely and depressed over Christmas, it is all hyped up to such a ridiculous degree these days and it can be a very difficult time of year for a lot of people.
I love your videos Ilona!And I love seeing your great bargains as well.Ive still got quite a bit of food left so I think that I can stretch it out until next week and do a small shop then just to see me up until I do my Christmas shop.I have to get a bit more food and goodies in then because I will have about 12 people here for Christmas day and others visiting Christmas eve and Boxing day.It will be the one week of the year when my shopping bill will shoot sky high compared to what it usually is!.But I will still plan it all so that like last year there will be no waste...because I hate waste!!!,lol.I have already bought 4 boxes of mince pies,because they were on offer at Aldi for 59p,dated until Jan 13th.But they are the only Christmas things that I have bought so far.xx
ReplyDeleteI have a quiet Christmas now Ilona.I still find I'm getting stressed as I have a bit more to do such as writing cards,buying just small things,and then a few trimmings which are less than they used to be,I try to make 3 wreaths and 5 small posies or plant arrangements for graves.I do feel stressed and panicky when I go in the supermarket for usual stuff.I did smile at the poundland self checkout the other day when Santa chatted to me.I will buy a few treats but,like you I'm not tempted by anything Christmassy.I did buy crisps,the fancy ones and pop on offer and a couple of cakes and Xmassy biscuits.I daren't buy nuts yet as I go munch crazy if I do.I find it too difficult to find time and energy in my day for Christmas even though I don't have a traditional family one x
ReplyDeleteI know that stressed and panicky feeling Flis.About 3 or 4 years ago at christmas I was in the supermarket,surrounded by people just throwing stuff in to their trollys,not considering any prices or thought to what they were buying,maybe they were paying by card to pay it off later...all Id got was money in my purse and not to sure how far I could make it stretch...and I started crying!.Not a little bit..just big tears streaming down my face with nothing I could do to stop it!.I had to phone my husband to come and get me...it had all got to much.I make sure now that will never happen again!!,xx
DeleteThank you Ilona for some sensible talk about Christmas. For the first time I am spending Christmas Day alone with two dogs. I am fine with this. It is other people’s reaction that makes me feel sad. They feel sorry for me. I don’t really want to make them feel better by making up a pretend story to suit them. But they look hurt. I also don’t want them asking me to dinner because they feel bad. What a dilemma. One day it’s ridiculous. Ilona have a great day peace and calm.xx
ReplyDeleteQuite agree with you Elaine. When I meet people around the village I am often asked what am I doing for Christmas. They look surprised when I say, nothing at all. I don't want invitations because I don't want them feeling sorry for me. I hope everyone has a nice Christmas day, however they choose to spend it. It's just one day. Enjoy your doggy day, and I will cuddle my cats. xxx
DeleteWell, they probably don’t feel sorry for you but like you in general. They might like to have you there in a ‘the more- the merrier’ kind of spirit.
DeleteYour videos always inspire me Ilona. My husband lost his job recently and I am juggling finances, we are managing on my 15 hour part time salary and my state pension at the moment. I see it as a challenge and welcome all your huge resource of advice on your blog to save the pennies. And like you we won't (and normally don't anyway) be spending silly money on Christmas friperies. Good health and happiness are more important!
ReplyDeleteI agree with the comments here; why get yourself in a tizz over one day of the year? I host a small christmas lunch on the day itself as it suits me having pets. Last year we all mutually agreed that it would not be turkey with all the trimmings as so much food was wasted so we had steak, chips and peas with a lemon cheesecake. Easy cooking for me and no leftovers. Boxing Day is nothing special and I prefer to stay at home for lunch, I will venture out to meet friends and family for a drink but nothing else. Perfect.
ReplyDeleteSteak and chips sounds very nice. Our family has got into a steak meal on Christmas Eve for the family too. Plus we have already had turkey in November for Thanksgiving.
DeleteLovely.
ReplyDeleteI was in a garden centre earlier today looking for a gift and I couldn't believe how expensive things were.I bought a pack of cyclamen which I shall use as the centre for little arrangements with greenery from the garden for family graves.I also try my best to make 3 wreaths or possibly posies.When I paid for the plants a man alongside me at the tills paid £78 for a Xmas tree with no roots and it wasn't even particularly tall-it may have been a specialty tree,but even so.This year,the same as last I shall bring indoors a branch from the tree and arrange it with ties into a tree like shape,place it into a pot and trim it x
ReplyDeleteGreat video, common sense as always, as I've mentioned before, it is hubby's birthday is on Christmas Day so as a family we do celebrate, normal food is replaced with Christmas food and just presents exchanged between myself, hubby, son and son's partner, everyone else gets christmas cards and over the years, many have mentioned "great, not to worry about buying presents! "
ReplyDeleteAs for any extra spending, this is covered by paying our council tax on 10 months instead of 12 months so for three weeks in January, all February and March, we know there is money there if needed, if not then it is saved for 'emergencies' ....Merry Christmas to you and the cats x
Nice video Ilona. Agree with you Christmas is too commercialized. Have a lovely peaceful Christmas with those lovely fur babies. Love Liz Amy and Benny.xxx
ReplyDeleteFull of common sense as always! Love reading your blog .. all best wishes from Karen in Vienna. x
ReplyDelete