Over the top advent calendars

I'm not much of a tea drinker, but that does sound lovely and makes me want to look into what kind of calendars are available next Christmas. I wouldn't buy an expensive one like the M&S one (expensive to me), but I would consider paying more than I would for the traditional chocolate ones. Sometimes in the run up to Christmas I struggle to get into the mood and a good Advent calendar does make a difference to me.

I treat myself to the Jacqui Lawson calendar every year, Wilma, and send it to the DGS too. They love the tree/snowman/cake etc decorating, and we often find ourselves doing that whatever the time of year when they're visiting. - we still have a desktop, and they like the bigger screen. For me, it's the bauble smash (sweets this year) - great for getting rid of any pent up frustration!

annsixty and Maw, enjoy your M&S nativity indulgence. I bought one last year for one of my daughters, who had been through a particularly tough year. I felt guilty because I'd usually buy for all not just one but it was a real treat, she loved it and the others understood totally why she'd been given something extra.
My toddler grandchildren have advent calendars for the first time this year. Much hilarity as they chant "only one window" whilst doing all they can to open more.
The disparity between those of us who can have treats at this special time of year and those who will struggle to keep warm and feed themselves is something that seems worse every year. It's a time of year that heightens emotions, put simply.

I just refuse to feel any guilt, my Christmas will be like any weekend, a roast dinner with a few extras.
No present from H and no family here.
I have given our WFA to charity and my not having the calendar would make no difference to the "have nots".

annsixty, my comment about the have nots wasn't aimed at anyone, especially not at you. It's no help to anyone to martyr ourselves because others are less fortunate.

I am so sorry Iam my comment wasn't in reply to yours either, I hope very sincerely I have not offended you.
I was just feeling rather touchy that it may be thought I was extravagant and selfish, I really am not.

I will stop digging the hole now.
I think in spite of my protestations a vestige of guilt is there.

If it makes you feel any better annsixty, I bought myself some very expensive perfume - I knew no-one else would buy it and I never treat myself normally.

annsixty, of course you haven't offended me. This is like the 3 Yorkshireman sketch in which they all competed to have had the toughest childhood - neither of us meant to offend the other, so that's sorted.
I indulged myself in a pair of very expensive socks and a pair of not so very expensive tights yesterday. They weren't on the essential item list but I decided to treat myself, after all, I haven't had an advent calendar.

If you can’t be “treated” sometimes you have to treat yourself and at our age there should be no guilt attached
DD1 bought me my M&S calendar and I am just letting myself enjoy it.
Heaven knows I went without often enough in the past to put the children first, not that I EVER begrudged them.
I have further treated myself to a new pair of Hunter wellies as I realised that my old pair have no tread to speak of as I slithered my way up to the churchyard on our walkies on Monday and yesterday .
Yes I could have bought cheaper ones, but the last pair were bought over 20 years ago and these (as my Dad used to say) “will see me out” ? ? (Plus they are SHINY navy blue)

Today's treat is priceless. It promises to " resurface " the skin. Well the best of luck with that. I wonder if they send a tarmacadam firm in.

Another one here loving the M&S Advent Calendar. It's such a treat to open another little box each morning - and like annsixty, my skin is as smooth as a baby's bottom now!
And before anyone says Advent is not about treating ourselves blah blah blah, I do also give to a number of charities at this time, and am doing a reverse advent calendar for the local food bank and taking lots of food to the local cats and dogs shelter. Just because we treat ourselves, it doesn't necessarily mean that we are selfish and uncharitable

My hairdresser was telling me about the Boots Advent calendar and so far she's only had one thing she won't use herself. She listed what she'd had and I would have loved them too. Maybe it is a bit of a an extravagance, but it sounds like a great way to try samples of things and get full size goodies too, especially if you buy that brand anyway.

It certainly sounds like these calendars are a great success and after all, aren't they just a grown up version of the calendars that children love because there's chocolate behind each door? Years ago they didn't exist either. There's always something new.

It's part of life that you have to accept that you can't afford to buy something and it could be anything. I admit I am towards the 'can't afford' end of line, but nobody on here is flaunting their affluence, so I'm not going to begrudge how others spend their money. Why do we play the lottery if it's not to be able to afford what you fancy?

Last year I was of the opinion that the gift calenders were 'just not right' etc .. this year my daughter bought me the L'occitane calender and Oh I am just loving it...when there is a lot going on in your life,stress etc..it's just so lovely to open up a little box each day and have a beautiful treat?

[gasp] I didn't know there was a L'Occitane calendar .....

Have you seen the price?

farview, I so enjoyed your post about your change of mind about gift calendars. I had a similar road to Damascus moment when I actually went to a baby shower, rather than simply taking on a slightly superior, disapproving attitude towards them.
Wilma, yes that' one of the joys of life isn't it, that there is always something new (to enjoy)

MawBroon, hunters wellies are a real treat and a joy. I've had one pair, courtesy of TKMaximus, so half price. Worth every penny. I look longingly at the Hunters wellies with warm inners. Currently, I'm wearing my walking boots much of the time. Warm, practical and snow proof.

Hunter wellies now made in China. I bought a pair two years ago which have developed holes in both uppers. Hunter now provide a two year warranty but didn’t when I bought mine, and hence no refund, Hunter not interested

As for L’Occitane - it was a lovely brand but is now tested on animals in China.

Bah humbug.

and it's sold out annsixty !

Really? I didn't know that nightowl - why would they start doing that?

I don't have an advent calendar but while I was shopping on line for other people, I treated myself to Liz Earle fragrance 100, taking a chance, as it's quite a recent addition to the range but I love it and it's become quite a favourite.

Jalima China requires animal testing on all makeup and skin care products. This means that brands that stopped testing (some many years ago like Avon), are testing again. You can buy products here that were not originally tested on animals, but if any of those products are to be sold in China, then they will tested before hand. I've stopped buying so many brands I like.

Because Jalima, like many big cosmetic companies, L’Occitane saw the profits to be made from the huge and expanding market in China and decided their cruelty free credentials were dispensable. All cosmetic products sold in China must, by law, be tested on animals even when they have been sold safely elsewhere in the world for ever. Some companies decided not to enter the Chinese market because they felt that ethics were more important than profits. They’re the ones that continue to get my custom.

www.google.co.uk/amp/www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-4776682/amp/The-big-beauty-brands-tested-animals.html

Sorry wilma crossed posts.

Night owl - how awful, a big step back for animal rights.

Thanks for the link nightowl. Those companies won’t get my cash in future.