When did we start with this nonsense? Scammers Day. The sheep conned by over inflated prices that they cut on an ocean of tat. I'm staying at home- working this morning- this afternoon a roaring fire, tea, crumpets and vintage Ealing comedy beginning with the Ladykillers. It's a jungle out there.

I have not long finished work. The busy shops were Boots. I wish people would know that all their gift box deals are always cheaper after Christmas even more so in the New Year.

My partner says I am easy to buy; I am happy with new shirts, aftershaves and concert tickets. We buy stuff for each other throughout the year anyway.

Most things people buy at Christmas end up in charity shops or food banks.

Downing Street Cat wrote:
When did we start with this nonsense? Scammers Day. The sheep conned by over inflated prices that they cut on an ocean of tat. I'm staying at home- working this morning- this afternoon a roaring fire, tea, crumpets and vintage Ealing comedy beginning with the Ladykillers. It's a jungle out there.


My attitude entirely DSC.

Yet another American import across to Britain, possibly helped by the rise of Amazon in recent years, it seems to match their stranglehold on the consumer somewhat don't you think.

Green Man wrote:
I have not long finished work. The busy shops were Boots. I wish people would know that all their gift box deals are always cheaper after Christmas even more so in the New Year.

My partner says I am easy to buy; I am happy with new shirts, aftershaves and concert tickets. We buy stuff for each other throughout the year anyway.

Most things people buy at Christmas end up in charity shops or food banks.

I always get socks. And a jumper. A silly wooly hat.

Rich wrote:
Downing Street Cat wrote:
When did we start with this nonsense? Scammers Day. The sheep conned by over inflated prices that they cut on an ocean of tat. I'm staying at home- working this morning- this afternoon a roaring fire, tea, crumpets and vintage Ealing comedy beginning with the Ladykillers. It's a jungle out there.


My attitude entirely DSC.

Yet another American import across to Britain, possibly helped by the rise of Amazon in recent years, it seems to match their stranglehold on the consumer somewhat don't you think. Indeed Rich. When will we start doing Thanksgiving.?

Green Man wrote:
I have not long finished work. The busy shops were Boots. I wish people would know that all their gift box deals are always cheaper after Christmas even more so in the New Year.

My partner says I am easy to buy; I am happy with new shirts, aftershaves and concert tickets. We buy stuff for each other throughout the year anyway.

Most things people buy at Christmas end up in charity shops or food banks.


Boots gift boxes are what I always tell people I consider "the lazy presents" picked up by those who really don't give a damn or want to make any effort, the "Oh that'll do" mentality, but you're still overcharged. It's cheaper to make up a nice unique gift box yourself actually. Why don't people do this. Give Boots the boot.

You mentioned concert tickets. I've bought some as a gift this year, I previously mentioned it to you GM in another thread. But I've now got a terrible feeling something quite extraodinary has happened. The person I've bought the tickets for has been dropping massive hints and I know went to the theatre box office, and I'm almost certain they've bought me for Christmas tickets for the very same show, on the same date, at the same theatre next year, as the ones that I have already got for them. Yet neither of us has ever bought show tickets as gifts for Christmas before. I'm 99% certain this has happenened.

I have seen some clueless morons buying stuff for Thanksgiving to follow a trend on very this septic isle.

When I was in America, I hated being invited Thanksgiving then being served very a undercook turkey. I can imagine the settlers getting bad shits the following day.

I am glad that jumpers don't suit me because I hate jumpers and sweatshirts, I am not keen on sleeves, unless I am suited and booted for an evening night out.
As I have IBS the flare ups and bloating looks horrible in jumpers. I don't mind getting ballcaps from my daughters at Christmas.

I do send my daughters Dollars every year but the exchange rates are shit these days, travel agents only marginally give the better exchange rate. It was hinted I could be going to America to see them within a few weeks.

Green Man wrote:
I have seen some clueless morons buying stuff for Thanksgiving to follow a trend on very this septic isle.

When I was in America, I hated being invited Thanksgiving then being served very a undercook turkey. I can imagine the settlers getting bad shits the following day.

I am glad that jumpers don't suit me because I hate jumpers and sweatshirts, I am not keen on sleeves, unless I am suited and booted for an evening night out.
As I have IBS the flare ups and bloating looks horrible in jumpers. I don't mind getting ballcaps from my daughters at Christmas.

I do send my daughters Dollars every year but the exchange rates are shit these days, travel agents only marginally give the better exchange rate. It was hinted I could be going to America to see them within a few weeks.

I am intrigued.
Why is the turkey always undercooked? Is some moron barbecuing it?

It's just so typically American to effectively get a double Christmas, and two set piece turkey dinners within a month.

What did those poor American turkeys do to deserve that! Except Peach and Blossom this year, pardoned by the Presidential turkey.

Rich wrote:
Green Man wrote:
I have not long finished work. The busy shops were Boots. I wish people would know that all their gift box deals are always cheaper after Christmas even more so in the New Year.

My partner says I am easy to buy; I am happy with new shirts, aftershaves and concert tickets. We buy stuff for each other throughout the year anyway.

Most things people buy at Christmas end up in charity shops or food banks.


Boots gift boxes are what I always tell people I consider "the lazy presents" picked up by those who really don't give a damn or want to make any effort, the "Oh that'll do" mentality, but you're still overcharged. It's cheaper to make up a nice unique gift box yourself actually. Why don't people do this. Give Boots the boot.

You mentioned concert tickets. I've bought some as a gift this year, I previously mentioned it to you GM in another thread. But I've now got a terrible feeling something quite extraodinary has happened. The person I've bought the tickets for has been dropping massive hints and I know went to the theatre box office, and I'm almost certain they've bought me for Christmas tickets for the very same show, on the same date, at the same theatre next year, as the ones that I have already got for them. Yet neither of us has ever bought show tickets as gifts for Christmas before. I'm 99% certain this has happenened.

I have been told the gift sets are expensive to get compared to buying individual items. My partner always gets a Nivea or L'Oreal when they are running out in the New Year, she uses her Boots points, so she gets even cheaper. My partner always tells me to get her stuff after Christmas, when retailers lower their prices and Pandora always does a promo on charms and bracelets that she likes every New Year.

We get each other little stocking fillers but we prefer to save the money and have little breaks away throughout the year.

A friend did buy me the wrong Hank Williams set as an early Christmas present. so I might have to give my copy to a charity shop and keep his.

It's interesting that you both bought tickets for the same show Honey, when it was hinted to you to get them. Only thing you can do about unwanted tickets is to try sell them privately but it is tricky to do so, unless it's a global megastar.

I couldn't get rid of a pair of unwanted Average White Band tickets, as it clashed with hospital visits, I couldn't go and it would have meant more driving.

The theatre said if there was a high demand they would have bought them back.

Another set of tickets I did lose some money on was for The Fizz about 10 years ago.

The B&B cancelled the booking and it was the only B&B in the town they were playing at. The booking was cancelled the day before we were all set to go.

There was no way I was going to do a 130-mile round trip in January. Travelling to a county I don't know but there were a lot of country lanes around the area when we researched the local maps.

My partner wanted to see The Fizz. It was cheap to book them, but it's not the fault of the band but a greedy B&B owner. I don't think it exists anymore.

Some theatres offer insurance for tickets but they are very few and in between. All you need is some evidence and they will refund or exchange it for another show. This will include hotel bookings and hospitals.


In regards of undercook turkeys, some people are just crap at cooking.

Green Man wrote:
Rich wrote:
Green Man wrote:
I have not long finished work. The busy shops were Boots. I wish people would know that all their gift box deals are always cheaper after Christmas even more so in the New Year.

My partner says I am easy to buy; I am happy with new shirts, aftershaves and concert tickets. We buy stuff for each other throughout the year anyway.

Most things people buy at Christmas end up in charity shops or food banks.


Boots gift boxes are what I always tell people I consider "the lazy presents" picked up by those who really don't give a damn or want to make any effort, the "Oh that'll do" mentality, but you're still overcharged. It's cheaper to make up a nice unique gift box yourself actually. Why don't people do this. Give Boots the boot.

You mentioned concert tickets. I've bought some as a gift this year, I previously mentioned it to you GM in another thread. But I've now got a terrible feeling something quite extraodinary has happened. The person I've bought the tickets for has been dropping massive hints and I know went to the theatre box office, and I'm almost certain they've bought me for Christmas tickets for the very same show, on the same date, at the same theatre next year, as the ones that I have already got for them. Yet neither of us has ever bought show tickets as gifts for Christmas before. I'm 99% certain this has happenened.

I have been told the gift sets are expensive to get compared to buying individual items. My partner always gets a Nivea or L'Oreal when they are running out in the New Year, she uses her Boots points, so she gets even cheaper. My partner always tells me to get her stuff after Christmas, when retailers lower their prices and Pandora always does a promo on charms and bracelets that she likes every New Year.

We get each other little stocking fillers but we prefer to save the money and have little breaks away throughout the year.

A friend did buy me the wrong Hank Williams set as an early Christmas present. so I might have to give my copy to a charity shop and keep his.

It's interesting that you both bought tickets for the same show Honey, when it was hinted to you to get them. Only thing you can do about unwanted tickets is to try sell them privately but it is tricky to do so, unless it's a global megastar.

I couldn't get rid of a pair of unwanted Average White Band tickets, as it clashed with hospital visits, I couldn't go and it would have meant more driving.

The theatre said if there was a high demand they would have bought them back.

Another set of tickets I did lose some money on was for The Fizz about 10 years ago.

The B&B cancelled the booking and it was the only B&B in the town they were playing at. The booking was cancelled the day before we were all set to go.

There was no way I was going to do a 130-mile round trip in January. Travelling to a county I don't know but there were a lot of country lanes around the area when we researched the local maps.

My partner wanted to see The Fizz. It was cheap to book them, but it's not the fault of the band but a greedy B&B owner. I don't think it exists anymore.

Some theatres offer insurance for tickets but they are very few and in between. All you need is some evidence and they will refund or exchange it for another show. This will include hotel bookings and hospitals.


In regards of undercook turkeys, some people are just crap at cooking.

It was Rich with the tickets, but my daughter and me have occasionally bought each other the same hat and scarf, or cardigan without knowing.

So question for Rich, what have you booked out of interest? I hope it's something proggy or heavy.

Question for Honey, is it a nice hat and scarf?