My best present to myself

I have just bought OH two smallish things (for Christmas) which I'll benefit from. One is a blood pressure monitor, the other a set of lovely, delicate gin balloon glasses.

I have also got into the very bad habit of browsing Amazon, and invariably I'll buy myself a book for my Kindle or a piece of hand-crafted jewellery. I am worth it - but all these little treats to myself add up!

And yes, we had someone come and clean the range cooker too about a year ago. It took most of Saturday but as OH said, that's what we worked for all our lives - the luxury of paying someone to do the grotty jobs.

I have the oven cleaned by a firm once a year usually about April, what a difference it makes and worth every penny.

I’ve used oven cleaning companies in the past with great success. Only drawback (if it is!) is that I don’t want to use the oven again, it looks far too pristine.

Last summer, I decided to do it myself with products from Lakeland. Took for ever and I felt quite exhausted and in need of a restorative glass or two.

Back to professionals next time.

I love Ovenu maw. I treat myself once year and was just thinking it's due!

Cushion floor------now there's an idea. A piece for my kitchen would be the ideal gift to me with me doing the fitting of it------on Christmas Eve. I'm going to measure it now as I'll get it on Monday morning when I do my " fresh " shopping at M&S being as the carpet shop is near there.

Oh, now I was thinking about getting some dye today, and maybe giving myself a bit of a haircut.

I don't know why, because I'm useless with hair..

Hair dye

I bought myself cushion floor for the kitchen, and 'treated' myself to an evening of laying it myself.

Someone once told me that her best Christmas,present ever - with relatives arriving to stay and the whole house needing a good blitz - was just that. Her dh paid for a team to come and clean absolutely everything, inc. windows, carpets, oven, etc. IIRC even the inside of kitchen cupboards, too.

Which reminds me, mine could certainly do with it, but there's no way I'm doing it before Christmas now, and luckily nobody who's coming to stay is the type to tut-tut anyway.

That didn't come from Sahara though. House of Bruar. A visit there is a treat in itself!

MawBroon I just discovered Sahara. There's an actusl shop. I loved everything in it and bought a comfy but smart dress. My favourite thing I bought to wear is a beautiful dinner jacket made in gorgeous pashmina fabric. In a range of blues. It's a real treat.

I bought a robot mower last year. My DH hates gardening and when my son sent me the ad telling me it was greatly reduced on Black Friday I couldn't resist. So last summer we set it up, sat on the garden chairs and watch it work its magic. My lawn has never looked so good. Of course he, Charlie, is tucked away in the garage for the winter.

I bought some lovely skincare products from l'Occitane. We don't buy each other presents so I justify buying something for myself.

EllanVannin I really recommend getting something in the house, garden or for your person done to lift your spirits.
Ofcourse it isn't vital but every time you look at it you'll smile.

JudiDrench it was done by a local man who was properly trained. He quoted almost half what the big companies charge and we are really pleased with the result. He did it in situ. I hope you find an equally good experience. I've never had such a comfortable bath and now I'm not ashamed of it any more and it's easy to clean.
The taps are dated 1938 so it's not antique yet but hopefully will see us out.

I'm the last person to think about myself at this time of the year so I haven't thought about treating myself to anything.

More fool me I suppose but the thought of spending on myself doesn't bode too well. Apart from the fact that I don't need anything I'd be wasting money.

Maybe next year I'll pay for someone to give my place a good " bottoming "-----something which I now find my energy depleted for such a thorough cleansing. That would give me the greatest lift/pleasure.

Grammaretto, I am really interested to know more about the bath re-enamelling! I have an old cast iron bath which the bathroom was partially built around so to remove the bath would be expensive. Did you have the bath removed?
I looked at different firms but reviews were mixed.
My present to myself, I do hope.

MawBroon that's my kind of best present too.
Last year I had my old settee reupholstered and the year before my old bath reenamelled. Both were very worthwhile and in both cases it would have been cheaper to buy a new one.
This year I had hoped for another similar treat by having shutters fitted to make the room cosier but the builder has gone quiet.