Presents to myself

For my eightieth last year I got some money as a present not huge sum about £30 plus so I decided to treat myself to some Avon make up instead of my normal Rimmel for a Christmas present to me. However not being able to see the colours, none were really what I expected and of course you can’t take them back once opened to see if they are right 🙄..
So it’s back to Rimmel for me 🤣🤣🤣

I bought myself several presents for Christmas this year and make no excuses, I , like others, have gone through times where children and bills had to come first.
Now, I don’t go on holiday anymore , seldom go out for days etc.
I do go out for meals a couple of times a month, and just occasionally buy new clothes but this is not often.
I bought perfume, a beauty advent calendar, a nice night cream and a new electric toothbrush.
Yes, I am lucky I can afford it but it was not always so.

Just treated myself to a new Babyliss hairdryer and diffuser for my birthday.

I feel a bit bad as my old hairdryer is still going strong but is the wrong shape for any of the diffusers I can find. I decided to manage without one for the last ten years but bit the bullet while they had it on offer.

Exhausted01

When I'm older and possibly on my own my plan is to buy myself a present every month ( nothing outrageously expensive ) and wrap it up and put it away. Then on christmas day I will have 12 presents to open and the ones I bought earlier in the year I will have forgotten about so they will be a surprise

This is the loveliest of ideas, I'm in!

When I'm older and possibly on my own my plan is to buy myself a present every month ( nothing outrageously expensive ) and wrap it up and put it away. Then on christmas day I will have 12 presents to open and the ones I bought earlier in the year I will have forgotten about so they will be a surprise

Good for you Karmalady,you deserve it! I've just won a second hand ukulele on ebay, that's my treat to myself.

Good for you * Karmalady*, we all need a bit of self care, regardless of our circumstances.
Would love to know what your hefty appliance is 🤔 ?

the appliance came to mind after lusting after one and I thought `why not?

This resonates with me - why not, indeed?

The pass was not my last present, I look on it as a charitable donation to cathedral upkeep anyway

I am expecting my big present to arrive today, just for me and just so I can go back to making sourdough, which I have done almost all my life. This appliance will take the effort away from my hands and yes is a considered purchase.

My kmix just does not have the oomph to knead more than a couple of minutes and anyway it breaks and tears the gluten strands. Kmix is now in my small utility room and is neat under a dust cover, sitting there ready to use for cakes and grating until it gives up, which it will do.

I have cleared a good kitchen space for the new hefty appliance, haven`t had to stuff anything anywhere to make room, thanks to slow de-cluttering over the past year

I did not have to hunt for a special present, the appliance came to mind after lusting after one and I thought `why not?`

I buy all my presents for myself during the year, that book, that scent, soaps, art materials etc. I give them to my DH and he whisks them away and gives them to me for birthday and Christmas. He does the same. We are both delighted when we open our gifts, don't have the bother of having to be disappointed or choose something hoping to get it right. The we get the pleasure in using what we bought for ourselves.

Last present, just for me, is a lifetime pass to a beautiful cathedral and several acres of gorgeous gardens, also it is a charitable donation. I like the idea of having another bolt hole besides my allotment plus it opens the door to various events and other gardens. I will be able to soak up ancient vibes

Romola

The last present my DH gave me was Chanel Allure eau de parfum. It's getting low, but can I really spend £90 on another bottle?
Does anyone know a good "dupe"?

The trouble with dupes is - if you are lucky, they might smell the same, but the scent doesn’t last as long as the real thing. Dupes are false economy.
So, go on…..treat yourself to the real thing, and don’t feel guilty!

I'm sorry to hear that about your dil but that's a lovely gift for her karmalady I'm sure she'll enjoy each of the 12 days of opening. I missed out on the last calendar so was determined to have one this year. When I saw Andrea had announced the release date I was on the webpage with my finger hovering at the exact moment

NanKate thank you for that book idea, I do like to get myself a book and that one by MM seems just perfect. It will be a page a day for me too. I have ordered it

Rosie51 I too am a fan of BTPD, so much so that I had 2 years of her monthly box sub and once had her advent calendar. She is now based in Poundbury and we looked at buying a house there, we didn`t but who knows if she had set up there before we looked!!

There we go Rosie51, I just secured one for my precious dil in Scotland, I heard this week that she has a nasty illness, which will get worse over time and one for me too. I was not in time for the last two years and yes it was a superb calendar, no hesitation this year. She is a new sewist and it will make her forget her troubles for a while

My late husband always bought me something special at Christmas. This year I am going to buy myself a new iPad as mine is 8 years old and is becoming a bit "laggy". However I am now hooked on cruises so they are usually my treats now.

"But it will be mine, all mine! And not sharing either........."🤣 love that.

...I'd actually rather have small all the year round treats than splash out on an expensive holiday, they come and go....

Oreo

The good thing about buying yourself a present is that you always get what you want.😄

Absolutely, and not just Christmas.

My treat to self for winter are number of really pretty all over big fleeces to keep me warm and my they feel good. I mean, having two would be "ordinary" but having 5 to choose from is a "treat". I don't have a lot of money but I usually always buy the "taste the difference" type option and 2 days ago bought a cardi much much more than I'd usually spend as it was such a pretty boxy red one.

all the year round treats - brunch at a posh ish cafe ..why not...😊

One of these Christmas's I WILL definitely treat myself to half a wheel of Stilton. It's a traditional Yuletide cheese, isn't it, and I shall probably make myself sick scoffing it but I'll cross that bridge when/if I come to it.

But it will be mine, all mine! And not sharing either.........

I buy the 3 for 2 from Boots but always give the 3rd item to myself, so no one feels 'slighted' thinking that they got a free present.

I've reached the stage of life where I have most things I need and am trying to get rid of 'stuff' not get more. My kids know this so usually suggest something to do together. Last year it was my 70th so we had a weekend away in an AirBnB on the coast, a meal out in a pub and a picnic on the Sunday before driving home to our respective homes.
At Christmas I did actually request 'stuff ' as there were a couple of gadgets I wanted and couldn't afford to buy for myself. Last weekend was my 71st birthday and I got a phone call apologising for the fact that my card would be late and saying to think of something I'd like to do when I visit next month for my grandson's birthday. If I could afford to I would treat myself but at the moment I'm just content that I can just about afford the things I need even if the luxury treats are currently beyond my budget. Besides I get pleasure out of tying to come up with a good treat for my grandchildren. Seeing them really enjoy something is treat enough for me.
Last year I made a nativity scene with 24 felt characters that velcroed onto a background. I packed it into an empty advent calender box that had contained toiletries - it even still smelt nice - and added a few chocolate treats too. I couldn't believe how excited and emotional I got on December 1st when I got a picture of them sitting by the board with the first piece attached. I'd expected to spend Christmas with them and be there to see them open the last few boxes but caught covid and had to spend Christmas alone. Missing those last few days of box opening was the thing I missed most. Hopefully they will open it all again this year and I'll get to share the excitement, but the surprise element won't be the same this time! I hope they enjoy it again each year as I put hours of work into making it.

The Mister has always admitted insecurity with buying gift, so for years has had me pick something out and ask for the shop to set it aside, so he actually does go to town and purchase something, wrap it and tuck it under the tree.

For my birthday I usually plan a trip to visit DD, so I treat myself to something then. As a child I hated a November birthday as being too boring, but as an adult, it is boot, handbag or jumper season. I have no issues finding something for myself!

I've always told the kids that nice smellies (bath or candles) and chocs are a treat without spending too much.

Sorry didn't mean to sound either grumpy or insensitive. It was a genuine question.

I'm not sure, one of the reasons I struggle with Christmas.

Overthinking probably.

Lallylou

I think that is wonderful! We all need to cheer ourselves up and there is nothing like bath shower and perfume. Much more fun than Advent calendars 🙂 xx

My advent calendar from Beyond the Pink Door will absolutely be fun with 12 very carefully selected gifts from small or independent companies. Some may be sewing related others definitely won't be, but all will be good quality. My Hotel Chocolat calendar will satisfy my sweet tooth.

I agree it's lovely for grans to treat themselves to an indulgent gift, whether in memory of a deceased or ill partner or not.

I don't buy myself presents but have a wish list if anyone wants an idea.
I never say no to wine and chocs.

I like to know what others want too. My DGD was 8 recently and I didn't know what to give her. I asked her mum and spent a happy half hour in Hobbycraft buying a rather adult collection of watercolour paints, paper and brushes.
I told her I expect to see the results.

I also have a spinning wheel and agree it's very satisfying to spin and then knit with "your own" wool.
So many things to enjoy.
You always come across as very organised Karmalady