How much is enough -Xmas presents for a GC?

We used to love and see the seals off the coast at Stewkey (Stiffkey in Norfolk)

Woocestershire is great too.

Everyone in England says 'it's a very interesting genrE' - in French the final 'e' is just not pronounced- it really makes all my students laugh- they love using it and always just have to giggle and wink.

Not forgetting Cholmondely and Marjoribanks (Chumley and Marchbanks!)

Until I moved from Scotland as a teenager, I'd never heard of these strange places and their pronunciations and Alea I didn't know about the two you mentioned! I only know about Mr Cholmondley Warner from a comedy show!

A French tutor did once say I had the most English French accent he had ever heard

Yes, I think I do as well (just had to say it out loud to test the theory)

(although 'stress' is perhaps not the right way to describe it...)

I do!

Don't get the "genre" though Gj whoever stresses the final E??

Featheringstonehaugh = Fanshaw!
Wymondham = Windham!

Sir Thomas was Beecham as in Beecham's Pills. All those pronunciations of French names go all the way back to the Conquest. Has it really taken 1000 years to aglicise them, or did it happen quickly?

Connie Beauchamp on Holby/Casualty!

I really thought she was Mrs Beecham.

Beauchamp College too (Beecham - well I worked for Beecham).

Beaulieu (no "e") pronounced " "Bewley", like "Beaver" Castle.

Beaulieue - a great place ;) I couldn't believe how the British pronounce it when I first heard of it. Like Belvoir Castle or Street, lol, or cul-de-sac, or genrE, etc, etc,

petra, same here with our GC- they seem ot have everything and more. This year we will buy a bean bag each for their bedroom - the only thing we can imagine they could do with! And for adult kids, it will be silly and fun- lots of goodies they love from here- and-made chocolate, Thomy mustard and mayonnaise, local absinthe and champagne- made into a hamper.

I realise there's the most wanted gift every year, but those Elf on the Shelf toys seem more of a rip off than most. It's great when children are young enough to appreciate an unofficial version of something!

Those official Elf on the Shelf toys are a ridiculous price! Hand knitted ones will I'm sure be much loved over the years Maggiemaybe

I bought all of our DGCs an elf from IKEA a few years ago. They cost just a fiver and are much jollier. Such pleasure they have given on the run up to Christmas!

Last year we had to stop buying 'big' presents. The 2 DGC have everything.
So, we buy something small ( not toothpaste ) and they have a day out.
Last year it was The Harry Potter experience and this year we are going to Beaulie (sp) motor museum. They are both car mad.

KittyBoo - take your presents with you. They will have plenty for Christmas Day and frankly at that age they are not going to miss having your present on the day itself. Also this way you get to see the joy on their faces (hopefully).

I don't quite know what to do about buying Xmas presents for my two grandchildren, aged 2.5 and 1.5 , as they live abroad.
It's their first Xmas away although I'm going to visit early January. I wish I could see them to give them their present, whatever it is..

I'm having flashbacks now to the Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles trauma back in the 80s.

But by then the things will be sold out everywhere but on a site shipping from America at twice the price.

Oh, I'll probably still be buying them, once the handmade project fails miserably.

Crikey! I'm not surprised you don't buy 'em at that price