Favourite gifts?

I received four separate Waterstones vouchers! My family know I love to read so they all had the same idea. Hubby got me a dressing gown and a Scholl thing for taking hard skin off my feet. (How romantic!) We bought our three year old GD a kids tablet and it was a big hit. The baby got a table which she can just about stand at, there are musical things to press. She loves it. Her brother got a large turtle toy off us. Again a big hit as it was the one thing he really wanted. DH got about 20 bottles of wine from various work contacts, We won't be buying wine for a long time.

Now, Waterstones here I come!

The unexpected and early arrival of my new granddaughter, born at 8.50 pm on Christmas Day, weight 5lbs. All other Christmas presents remain unopened under the tree!

Well done, Falconbird, for such a positive attitude, brought a lump to my throat and will, I'm sure,
give heart to others.

DH upgraded me to a Kindle Paperwhite, which I love, especially kind as he hasn't really embraced Kindle yet. DGS1 inherited my other Kindle.

New pair of walking boots from DH & Muck Boots from my DD. All set up for this lousy wet weather. And lots of small bits - some useful & some edible.
But a new granddaughter EllenMay! That takes some beating.

Congratulations on the birth of your new granddaughter EllenMay. As Christmas presents go, that one takes some beating!

Btw my son was born weighing slightly less than 5lb. He was quite early (apparently) and was tiny but perfect. He is now a strapping 35 year old father of 3 so don't worry too much about her being small.

Thank you Gillybob. All previous babies in our family have been well over 8lbs so I am finding this tiny baby slightly daunting!

A very large and multistemmed creamy white orchid, beautiful.?

I had some lovely presents but what topped them all was a handmade Christmas card from my 8 year old (step) grandson and his new baby brother addressed to 'Grany and Granddad'. I have loved him since he was 4 years old and have longed to become his 'Grany'. I cry every time I look at it!

Congratulations on the new baby Ellen.

All our other babies have been large [both DC and DGC] but DGS2 was barely over 4lbs. Apart from being scared to break him, we had the opportunity to go to M/Care and buy a whole new, tiny wardrobe with trains, cars etc.

Congratulations ellenmay on the arrival of new baby no present can top that??

This year family excelled themselves. I think there had been a lot of liaising!
Wifi headphones, Jo Malone shower gel to go with the perfume and body cream I already have, a onesie so soft it has the added bonus that my grandson loves to cuddle up, cashmere cardigan and more. Best of all, a lovely day playing with 3 year olds's many board and construction games and walking in the local park admiring the mountains. Sorry that daughter and partner couldn't join us but happy to hear about their fun day with friends.

DD2's MIL managed to find our favourite lemon tea mix that has been out of stock in local shops for ages. This was a very welcome and unexpected gift.
DGS1 aged 4 chose presents and I got a tiny storage chest for my important things while DH got a bat with the ball on elastic because he is a boy!

EllenMay - best present of all!

Congratulations EllenMay a wonderful christmas present.

We had been staying at DD & SIL's house looking after their girls as DD had been admitted to the maternity unit last Tuesday. As some of you know from my previous post DGD3 was born on Christmas eve.
My DS & his partner arrived there on Christmas Eve just after DD & new baby came home.

My very best present ever, was the fact that we were all there together, sharing the wonder of the little one's first 48 hours in the world. It was truly a privilege and very, very special for all of us.

We came home to our own house last night leaving them all to coorie in and get to know the new baby.

DD gave me a Fitbit & DS gave me a poetry book. I think they each see me differently

My best presents were handmade snowman and candle holder from 2 of my grandchildren.

My husband painted me a lovely picture and after spending the day on our own, we spoke on Skype to our two sons and their families in different parts of the world for almost an hour.

Hi falcongran,
There is definately life on your own. I got a beautiful rescue west highland terrier in August. She had been a breeding bitch so spent a lot of time shut in a shed with a concrete run. She is learning the joys of running in grass and playing with her toys, a new skill for her. I have spoken to so many other dog owners I can't be lonely. A small companion is a joy when you are on your own.

16-year-old DGD (who had withdrawn from us a couple of years ago when her parents' marriage failed) sent us a present of wine and chocolates. I'm just so glad I didn't give up on sending wee texts now and again - even though they were never answered.
So happy!

My favourite was a set of 'mummy pig' jamas and matching slippers.

That's lovely Marelli Shows it's always worth keeping the door open.

I love old crates...the S.O. found this one for me

DH said lets not bother with pressies this year. Being in a 'bah humbug' mood I agreed.

It turned out that all the family including OH had clubbed together to get me a personalised car number plate. I was thrilled and even more thrilled that they had guessed that this overweight, untrendy pensioner grannie coveted one. (I never ever hinted that I wanted one). Why I wanted one I do not know, totally out of character.

When I am herding the grandkids into the car seats and getting hot and bothered or battling with the shopping bags I shall just look at it and chuckle with the sheer silliness and frivolity of it.

One happy lady for two reasons, one the present and two my lovely family.

This is such a lovely, warm-hearted thread. Tegan, I'm very impressed by your old crate !

A pair of Dublin stable boots - knee high waterproof leather, nice looking and hard wearing, from DH.
However, the ankle fitting is tight (no zip so as to keep them waterproof), I can get them on in my bare feet but not with socks on. Any suggestions for stretching the leather around the ankle?

Wear pop socks or other thin socks or tights and consult a cobbler! They sound far too precious to try any method other than a professional one! Can the manufacturer suggest something?