Please post all Christmas freebies here

[now a mum&skint]

As my name suggests, Im now a mum and skint. Please post any free offers, or ideas in preparation for Christmas. I know...I know...it's early but Im determined to be organised this year now Im a mum!!!

Free personalised printable Childrens Christmas stories go to www.northpole.com see Santas Secret Village.

I also used my quick read vouchers for some free childrens books too if that helps anyone.

Its not that far away you know...Santas Coming!!!:T :T :T

[Broken hearted]

I am using my pigsback vouchers in Boots to buy presents for the family, so that I have more money to spend on my children.

[loopylass30]

ive gotta admit ive started my shopping already, im saving my points up that i gain on the IPOS online survey things, and im gonna exchange them for argos or boots vouchers.

[Sallys Savings]

I've managed to get lots of different free samples and making a basket for my teenage daughters :)

[Reaper]

Its not that far away you know...Santas Coming!!! No he's not. In fact you can't be any further from last Christmas and next Christmas than the end of June, smack bang in the middle of the year. The Summer solstace (longest day) was just 5 days ago.

I think you're being a little too organised. It's summer! Enjoy it!

[now a mum&skint]

No he's not. In fact you can't be any further from last Christmas and next Christmas than the end of June, smack bang in the middle of the year. The Summer solstace (longest day) was just 5 days ago.

I think you're being a little too organised. It's summer! Enjoy it!

OOOOOh Bah Humbug!!!! Dont be such a scrooge!! hahahahahaha

[tankgirl1]

making gifts is an excellent moneysaving option :beer: i sometimes do cross stitch samplers, but you have to be mega organised, as they take ages!!

i think they have a christmas thread in OS, which is all about organising/moneysaving in advance :)

pigsback/lightspeed etc are ace too for getting vouchers

[tankgirl1]

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=69160OS chrimbo thread

be warned- its a long read :p

[kiera123]

Not strictly free, but I personally like to keep an eye out for when stores such as Empire Stores, La Redoute, Littlewoods are offering good money off discounts. You can pick up presents here and there for little to no money, especially if you manage to time it with a sale. It soon adds up. I've already got a bunch stashed away from Empire Stores' last sale and I don't think I paid more than a few quid for the lot.

[yorkshirepud]

www.norad.co.uk on the left hand side you will see the option to track santa and see where he is now. Great for xmas eve keep the kids happy and truly a freebie. I have over half my xmas shopping done and it's under the bed or boxed up and the rest is coming from boots with points. Well done on being organised.

[Princess Cinderella]

im a student so im always short of money:eek: so this year for my grandmothers i have gone 2 asda and got really nice bamboo photo frames £3.50 each :T and i am going 2 put a photo of my graduation in then and i will then decorate the frame myself. family often appreciate home made presents more than shop bought because it means that you have though about what they would like rather than just buying them something. i also always make cards which again r quite cheap 2 do but people seem 2 really like them.:beer:

[rchddap1]

Early my bottom. Started working on Xmas 2006 as soon as Xmas 2005 was over. Doing things little by little means when it comes to the actual event you spend more time having fun and less time running round doing a good impression of a fly with a blue rear.

[helenstuff]

Are you all doing the world cup predictor game on CDwow? I know nothing about football but you just predict the scores of upcoming games (all dead easy drop-down menus) and I've already accumulated a load of £2 vouchers (you also get £1 or 50p vouchers for being less accurate). They expire end of November so good timing for Christmas. You can only use one per transaction, but if you can combine it with a sale, you may get some real bargains! :)

[loopylass30]

Thansk helenstuff ill give it a go :T

[Logovo69]

Too Early? OMG, I've already got most gifts for Christmas and all the wrappings, tags and cards too! Okay, I may be a boring old f...emale(!!), but I have quite a big family and money is really tight so I take advantage of all the offers as and when.

I keep a look out for clearance sales and special offers and buy some really lovely gifts as I see them, not just for Christmas, but birthdays etc too. I get quality things for a fraction of the price and my family always say I give them such lovely and thoughtful gifts!!

Not free, but I buy lots of quality, pretty, but really cheap wrapping, tags, ribbons and bows from Studio cards http://www.24studio.co.uk who often have lots of bargains.

Homemade and thoughtful gifts like Princess Cinderella suggested are a great idea too!

Well done now a mum&skint for being organised! It makes Christmas so much less stressful and busy mums needs as much help as they can get!

Suzyxx

[Wolverine]

Too Early? OMG, I've already got most gifts for Christmas and all the wrappings, tags and cards too!

That shows a good parent lol but :T but what if/when your kids change their mind about what they want?? I'm a teen and I buy christmas presents for relatives in November, latest you can go b4 the crowds appear...

[code-a-holic]

You can never be too organised for christms!
Me and my husband love christmas - unlike the rest of the family, who dont seem so fussed. probably becasue we are relatively new to organising christmases (3 under 4's so thrown in to big christmases!) Last year i felt very organised and did it on the cheap yet everyone seemed impressed with their gifts. I plan to do better this year. Already have a box full in the attic from the january sales.
One gift idea which went down very well with grannies last year. I found some lovely pine frames with spaces for 3 photos. I bathed the kids and took photos of them while looking clean (no one ever see's them clean and glossy!) Thanks to truprint, the photos were free to be developed and the frames £4 each from the market! And the biggets smiles on my grans i had ever seen!

[rchddap1]

I use to do the same thing when I was younger. And I got accused of being far too organised. However, eventually you learn that there are always certain items that are always appreciated. So if I see them cheap I now buy them early and sling them in a box ready. As you get older you end up with a huge list of people that you need to buy for.

That leaves 2 choices....get stuff when you can throughout the year....or get stressed out in November and December.

[smartiepants]

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: I really can't believe I even started reading this thread:eek: I think I thought it was going to be some kind of joke, Christmas already, Noooooooooooo!!!!!!! not for me.
xxxx
Good job we are all different!! :T

[freebie_junkie]

where can you get free kids books with the £1 quickreads vouchers please? and what are the called/look like? thanks very much :)

[loopylass30]

You cant freebiejunjkie, the quickreads vouchers are for adult books and the vouchers gives you £1 off a certain selection

[freebie_junkie]

I also used my quick read vouchers for some free childrens books too if that helps anyone.

i was just going off what teh op said in their first post.

[loopylass30]

oh well maybe you can then freebie junkie, i know when i applied for some quick read stuff i got an email back saying it was adult titles only, maybe there flexible tho as long as your buying books.

[Logovo69]

what if/when your kids change their mind about what they want??

I guess I'm very lucky with my son (he's 11). He knows we can't afford to buy the latest 'super' toys, and that we have to be sensible with what we can spend. I've always taught him to appreciate not just what he's given, but also the thought behind it. He's always "Chuffed to little mint balls" as my mum use to say! - lol

Hey Martin! I've taught him how to budget his own money and save a little too! If he wants something 'big' he has to save and earn extra money with extra chores. I don't know whether to be proud or embarrassed to say he even understands about how interest works!! Our motto is if you don't have the money, you can't afford it. Save the cash in the bank and earn the interest while you're saving up!

Suzyxx

[cleanyspringy]

its neve to organised to get things for xmas thats what the january sales are for!!

[freebie_junkie]

i got all my wrap, tags and pressies in teh boots 75% off sale but most of teh pressies are now gone on birthdays :)

[redballoon]

http://www.yamaha-motor.co.jp/global/entertainment/papercraft/seasons/10/index.html

free make it yourself paper models with a christmas theme and christmas card.

[TaBunny]

CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!! Oh my god someone's mentioned it already help! (p.s. done ALL my xmas shopping in the Jan sales sneaky eh)

[cookiesncream]

It's never ever ever to early, I have a friend who shops all year around for presents and she even keeps a little book in her handbag all the time so she knows what she's already bought for who. Very clever!! I must try it one year...

[now a mum&skint]

where can you get free kids books with the £1 quickreads vouchers please? and what are the called/look like? thanks very much :)


:A :A

Hi there, I got some yesterday at Tescos in their book section, they only had about 10 left, they're short kids paperback novels of around 100 pages, and will be great to read bedtime stories with, or if the child is a bit older, they will enjoy reading them.
The titles I got are

"The Stone Pilot" - an action packed adventure set in the world of 'The Edge Chronicles'.
"Koyasan" - a spellbinding spooky tale.
"How to Train Your Viking" by the Toothless Dragon. Bulging with good jokes, funny drawings and dramatic scenes, Toothless is the Dragon of Viking Hero Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the 3rd!!!
"The Mum Surprise" - A brand new story about Esmie, star of the award winning The Mum Hunt
I also got The Wizard of Oz for 97p but it wasnt part of the World Book Day promotion and cinderella and little mermaid books fo £1 also, not part of the promo but good prices.

Sorry such a long thread but you did ask hahaha...hope this is what you wanted to know. xxx
Dont know if Tesco will be getting more in or if once they're gone they're gone, you could try 'phoning your local Tesco and ask, I think Asda do them too, does anyone else know?
:beer:

[now a mum&skint]

You cant freebiejunjkie, the quickreads vouchers are for adult books and the vouchers gives you £1 off a certain selection


NOT TRUE AFRAID.....The kids books even say on the cover (printed unfortunately, not a peelable sticker) ...."£1.00 or free in exchange for a £1.00 WBD Book token, or 1.50 euros in Ireland" WBD - World Book Day.

So there freebie, I speak the truth. Honest as always, you have to have a good memory to be liar and my memory's not the best.
Sorry LoopyLass but you're wrong, thanks anyway xxxxxx

H x:rolleyes: :p :p

[cookiesncream]

I didn't think quickreads were the same as WBD :confused:

[now a mum&skint]

I didn't think quickreads were the same as WBD :confused:


I was under the impression that the quick reads were .....just checked my vouchers, it says along the bottom of the back, just before the barcode, World Book Day, Arts Council England, Get On, Esmee GFairbairn Promotions, National Book Tokens, In Association with 'RaW BBC, Adult Learners Week, and (of course) Niace, promoting Adult Learning.

Thought Id got it wrong for a minute, but no it's in association with the aforementioned.:p :T :T

[loopylass30]

there not the same cookiesandcream,

the Quick Reads cost £2.99. However, with a Quick Reads book token you can buy any Quick Reads book for £1.99 (until 31 December 2006).
The tokens are attached to a short, clear leaflet, explaining how they can be used.
Shops will accept tokens printed in black and white as well as colour.

On World Book Day, 2 March 2006, an exciting new initiative from leading publishers, booksellers and writers bringing short, fast paced books by top authors to emergent or infrequent readers, was launched in London by the Prime Minister, Tony Blair.
On 18 May, Quick Reads will be bringing you 12 new titles from authors: Andy McNab, Val McDermid, John Francome, Hunter Davies, Mike Phillips, Courttia Newland, Damien Lewis, Tom Holland, Danny Wallace, Lynn Barrett-Lee, Katherine John, Gareth Roberts/ Dr Who.
These books are being published to coincide with Adult Learners Week. Books are available from major book chains and independent stores, supermarkets, libraries and more. For further info on how to get involved, visit www.quickreads.org.uk (http://www.quickreads.org.uk/) or email quickreads@niace.org.uk (quickreads@niace.org.uk)

still get lots of freebies with this tho, ie pens, pencils rubbers, windows stickers etc

[now a mum&skint]

there not the same cookiesandcream,

the Quick Reads cost £2.99. However, with a Quick Reads book token you can buy any Quick Reads book for £1.99 (until 31 December 2006).
The tokens are attached to a short, clear leaflet, explaining how they can be used.
Shops will accept tokens printed in black and white as well as colour.

On World Book Day, 2 March 2006, an exciting new initiative from leading publishers, booksellers and writers bringing short, fast paced books by top authors to emergent or infrequent readers, was launched in London by the Prime Minister, Tony Blair.
On 18 May, Quick Reads will be bringing you 12 new titles from authors: Andy McNab, Val McDermid, John Francome, Hunter Davies, Mike Phillips, Courttia Newland, Damien Lewis, Tom Holland, Danny Wallace, Lynn Barrett-Lee, Katherine John, Gareth Roberts/ Dr Who.
These books are being published to coincide with Adult Learners Week. Books are available from major book chains and independent stores, supermarkets, libraries and more. For further info on how to get involved, visit www.quickreads.org.uk (http://www.quickreads.org.uk/) or email quickreads@niace.org.uk (quickreads@niace.org.uk)

still get lots of freebies with this tho, ie pens, pencils rubbers, windows stickers etc


As I said, the back of the voucher says....clause 9 of terms & conditions "...Quick Reads is co-ordinated by World Book Day Ltd."

[mistresslenore]

I ordered a Studio catalogue in an effort to get organised for Christmas, I got 3 free christmas cards with my catalogue, and a leaflet to claim a free tin of roses with my order, not the greatest freebie in the world but a start!!

http://www.24studio.co.uk

[Miss-spent]

I'm saving nectar and boots and WH Smith points for Christmas. I also send away for news paper freebies like Mail on Sunday Beach set and Sun gardening set. Avon is great too for cheapy goodies which I am going to put into a (cheap) wicker basket when I find one. Actually I have a small family who, by and large, have all they want. The presents revolve aroung garden, bath time treats, make up and food gifts. The teenagers just give a list of cds/dvds/computer games. I'm desperate for ideas more than anything.

[mad-mum]

http://www.yamaha-motor.co.jp/global/entertainment/papercraft/seasons/10/index.html

free make it yourself paper models with a christmas theme and christmas card.


thanks redballon what a fantastic site, well worth a look as have lots of other makes not just christmas ones.

[Boomdocker]

Similar to Mis-spent (2 posts up) I am saving my Boots advantage points, WHS points and £2 coins. (see siggy) Also have £30 of high street gift vouchers that I have won/received during the year to bolster up the chrimbo spends.

Bought a few bits in the sale and I always surf the shops for bargains throught out the year. No-one need know what you have spent on a pressie, they'll never know it was reduced. ie I got my nan 2 smellies for Sainsburys that should have been £6.50 each paid around £1.50 each, saved a tenner, she'll be happy and Im ten quid the richer!! :j

Happy planning. :santa2: :santa2: :santa2:

[freebie_junkie]

thanks for all the info re. kids books i have two cousins of 6 and 11 and ill see if theres owt for them tomorrow in tesco. thanks again :)

[broomstick27]

I ordered a Studio catalogue in an effort to get organised for Christmas, I got 3 free christmas cards with my catalogue, and a leaflet to claim a free tin of roses with my order, not the greatest freebie in the world but a start!!

http://www.24studio.co.uk

Just a quick word of warning about Studio cards: don't pay over the internet. They do not have internet banking set up (or didn't a couple of years ago anyway) and so payment takes about 6weeks resulting in a red bill and £20 extra cost. To be fair they were very helpful about sorting it out, i just get a bit stressed when i see a red bill!

[BargainJunky]

My shopping for Xmas 06 started on 26th December 05. Have a small cupboard at top of the stairs bursting with presents for Xmas, birthdays, mothers day (I know its gone) etc. Hubby cant understand why we seem to spend more in February than in December. Sometimes go a little mad and overbuy but usually offload my surplus to friends who want to save a little money.

Keep an eye open in Wilkinsons - they reduce lots of their stuff throughout the year to 25% off then 50% off then 75% off and if you are really lucky 99% off but this figure is never advertised (you only get it at the till). Bought my little boy a football last year expecting to pay 50p (75% off) and the cashier asked me for 2p (went back and got another one!!).

Happy shopping.

[deefin]

i also started in the jan sales .. my spare box room is full of stuff .. mostly form the boots 75%off sale . i bought loads of alchohol gift sets ,,( whisky and such doesnt go off) the familys all done and the kids , just hubby to buy for now . im saving boots vouchers , and amazon vouchers from surveys for his presents ,

[now a mum&skint]

Thanks so much everyone for your help and advice...Im doing my best, keep all ideas and tips/freebies coming in, we probably all need eachothers help equally....early Christmas Greetings...(Club?) hahaha xxxxx

[BlueRapture]

Try using pigsback i've been using it for about 4-5 months and have got 3 FREE cd's so far! see MSE's Pigsback thread for more info and good luck! :cool:

[wotnext]

Keep an eye open in Wilkinsons - they reduce lots of their stuff throughout the year to 25% off then 50% off then 75% off and if you are really lucky 99% off but this figure is never advertised (you only get it at the till). Bought my little boy a football last year expecting to pay 50p (75% off) and the cashier asked me for 2p (went back and got another one!!).

Happy shopping.

Wow! Now that's what I call a real bargain!:D

I always buy next years Christmas cards from Boxing Day onwards, when Tescos flog them off cheap. (Plus the shop is vertially empty on Boxing Day). I have all the cards, tags and wrapping paper I need hidden away upstairs in Santa's Secret place.;) I also go to M&S after Christmas, who sell their lovely handmade cards half price (for parents, daughters, sons, grandparents etc). I'm all kitted out. Now all I need are the presents..... the expensive bits.....;) I tend to do most of my shopping in Boots and take advantage of their 3 for 2 presents - brilliant when you've got 3 kids. The points notch up quickly too.

[diddydi]

Gosh I feel so disorganised. Last Xmas I was so late doing my cards that I didn't send any and the year before posted them on Boxing Day. I will def make a better effort this year and with all your good suggestions start buying presents now. Thanks all

[now a mum&skint]

http://www.yamaha-motor.co.jp/global/entertainment/papercraft/seasons/10/index.html

free make it yourself paper models with a christmas theme and christmas card.

Im delighted you sent me this link, loads of rainy days with my wee boy when hes a little older making these for future christmasses etc.,

Your a star, this is the very kind of thing I hoped to find, keep all posts coming in pleeeease and thanks xxxx:T :T :T :A

[now a mum&skint]

Try using pigsback i've been using it for about 4-5 months and have got 3 FREE cd's so far! see MSE's Pigsback thread for more info and good luck! :cool:

my sis and I signed up a few weeks ago, I should be able to get a Boots voucher or something soon....as long as I dont miss any ct's or offers, am following the thread.

How much do I want to win a few thousand points, fingers crossed and thanks again everyone.

hugs x

[now a mum&skint]

Gosh I feel so disorganised. Last Xmas I was so late doing my cards that I didn't send any and the year before posted them on Boxing Day. I will def make a better effort this year and with all your good suggestions start buying presents now. Thanks all

my year last year was the worst yet, this year, I can only improve on last year and redeem myself by getting cards out on time etc.,
Youre not alone xxx :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

[hilary1]

For the first time ever I have finished my Xmas shopping by June except one item ( a cheese board with wine).

When I found this site I decided to become more time efficient and bought mainly from sales, wrapped the pressies and they are all now in boxes in the loft. I dont have young children but older ones are just as expensive and sometimes more difficult to buy for. My grandchildren are all getting a pig from Pigsback with money in aswell to help them to start saving.

Unbelieveably I can walk around the shops and not buy a single thing because I realise now that I really dont need 'things' all the time.:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

[now a mum&skint]

bump up...any more? Thanks for all so far, keep them coming. xxxxx

[now a mum&skint]

Yey!!!! Ive earnt enough piggy points to get my first boots voucher....put by for the Christmas fund xxx
thanks again all.

[greenishfingers]

I have 3 teenage stepkids (plus a 2 year old) who can be quite expensive to buy for. However I try and visit poundland and the 99p stores regularly to see if there's stuff in there. There isn't always, but you can get some real bargains (at the mo I think they have some lego, boots products and Lynx shower gels, and I recently got some friends DVDs) I think there's a thread with details of all the bargains on the grabbit thread! Good luck!

[CathChat]

This is a really good christmas site.


Might be better nearer the time as it has a countdown to christmas

Currently 167 Days, 17 Hours, 1 Minuite and 50 Seconds to Christmas 2006

http://www.operationlettertosanta.com/Pages/site_map.htm

:j

[moosetastic]

i bought a huge box of stuff in the sales last year from boots and next, have dipped into it a couple of times for birthday presents throughout the year but it has saved me a fortune!! I always look at this time of year as well, July sales have lots of bargains to snap up and keep one side till Xmas. With no spare money around though, xmas is gonna be pretty bleak this year, but we will make the most of it! :o

[now a mum&skint]

A Skint Christmas is hard, but as long as you keep your spirits up, It can still be really festive, I hope you have a lovely one this year xxxxx

[lsb1302]

I am applying for loads of the freebie samples and putting them into free makeup bags I get from magazines and keeping them for presents.

[now a mum&skint]

Hi all, Im bumping up this thread to see if anyone has any new info or ideas? Founder of the EARLY Christmas greetings Club!!! HaHaHa
Thanks for everything so far xxx

[now a mum&skint]

P.S have put away my free Gillette razor for part of my Dad's pressie xx

[batfink]

I've had a little look about and found these i do not know they might have alredy been posted.
the first one is for freebies and the second is for stories with your childs name in it
http://www.christmasfreebies.co.uk
http://www.northpole.com/PersonalizedStories/

[deefin]

ive had quite a few bits from swapit shop for my lil girls x mas ,. some great stuff on there ,,

[V Chic Chick]

I thought you guys might like to know that they are doing signs in The Works which are all Christmassey with things like Santa, Rudolf and Snowmen, and say things such as Merry Christmas and Welcome and Snowman this way on.

The large (appx. 60cm) are £1.25 and the small (appx. 40cm) are 75p.

I got a large one, and come Christmas it will go outside the chicken coop along with the fairy lights run off a car battery for the coop decorating contest on another board I go on :T

[lil_me]

I've only bought a couple of things, suprisingly from Boots, managed to get a Micro Scalectrix set for my son for £12.00 instead of £60 :) Have a local Avon rep and been buying small gifts from the sale section in there put away also handy if a birthday sneeks up on my that I have forgot about.

My fave Xmas freebies are my advantage card ones, usually gets a special relative a bottle of perfume, last year I had £70 in points to use :) so even bought myself one.

Fingers crossed this year I'll have my pigsback for vouchers aswell.

A cheap one I do every year is buy one of the kids school photos, scan and print them (some canvas and some glossy depend what relative prefers) and frame to match the decor of the relatives home (usually from Wilkos as they are cheap) all of them look forward to the new photos :)

[ajay22]

i know this is not a freebie but if you go to www.nurseryandtoys.com they are currently having a sale.Lots of little tykes toys at half price and i got a smoby baby mobile push along car for £15.00.i have already bought lots of christmas presents from this site,they really are good value for moneY!!!(apologies if i have posted this in the wrong place.

[jennalicious]

P.S have put away my free Gillette razor for part of my Dad's pressie xx

I have my free Gillette razor put away too and am gonna get some blades to go with it from my Boots vouchers from pigsback. Last year I made my mum and my aunt some garlic and rosemary oil. I got some coloured bottles cheap at the market, slightly bash the garlic and rosemary to release the flavour, pop in the bottle, fill with oil and pop in the cork. Also, little homemade truffles always go down well with my family. I know these aren't exactly free because you have to buy the ingredients but they cost a fraction of what you would pay in the shop. I also keep a couple of small shoe boxes which I decorate and fill with sweets instead of buying selection boxes.

Hope these ideas help.

[now a mum&skint]

Great, thanks for all suggestions, hope you keep them coming folks so we can all have a brilliant moneysaving crimbo!!!! xxxxx

[hels102]

The truffles sound a brilliant idea, how do you go about making them!

[jennalicious]

The truffles sound a brilliant idea, how do you go about making them!

Chocolate Truffles

150g/5oz quality chocolate, preferably 70% or more cocoa solid content
150g/5oz ground almonds
2 tbsp double cream
75g/3oz caster sugar
1 tbsp rum (optional)
cocoa powder, icing sugar or crushed nuts for rolling the truffles

1. Place a saucepan of water on to boil. Break the chocolate into a heat proof bowl which should be big enough to sit and rest on the rim of the saucepan.
2. When the water boils remove the pan from the heat and then set the bowl of chocolate in the pan until the chocolate has melted.
3. Remove the bowl from the pan and stir in the ground almonds, cream, sugar and rum. Mix to a firm paste.
4. Work quickly, preferably with cool hands and roll the paste into small balls and then toss in the cocoa powder, icing sugar or nuts.

This makes about 12 or 15, I put them in little petite four cases and pop them in little boxes. They keep about a week.

[Lola23]

I just love Christmas.

Got paper and cards in, and saving my Boots points (comes in handy for buying pressie for work lucky dip) + should have quite a few points this year.

Nectar points should be building up nicely too which will help with the festive shop.

Having to work Christmas Day this year.....boo hoo.

:cry:

[now a mum&skint]

I agree, Christmas is great....if youre not stressed out like I normally am, am determined to enjoy it this year though.

Jennalicious, thanks so much for the truffle recipe, Im gonna try them out, and start collecting wee jar/gift boxes to put them in xxx excellent post hun xx

[WELSH-DRAGON]

I went out the day after Boxing Day and bought all my cards and wrapping paper in the sales. I also decided that I would have a certain colour scheme for our house this Christmas so purchased some very expensive lilac and purple decorations at bargain prices.

I understand that after Christmas Wilkinsons reduce all their Christmas stock to 10p an item (including trees) so I will be looking out for that as there are apparently lots of bargains to be had in readiness for Christmas 2007.

Welshy x

[deefin]

i got a pink tree with lights from wh smith sale down to 99p from £25 for beccas room

[lynsayjane]

i got a pink tree with lights from wh smith sale down to 99p from £25 for beccas room
for my sins i used to work in wh smith until just over two christmases ago (left in the november). once the sale ends the stuff that doesn't sell becomes whats known as penny stock. it should then be binned. in reality it goes into the staffroom to be picked over. i haven't bought cards or paper in three christmases. last year my bows ran out so i'll have to pick them up this year, but should have plenty cards and wrap for a fourth christmas.

it's a good thing my house comes with huge cupboards over the wardrobes! :rotfl:

[WELSH-DRAGON]

Only 140 days 6 hours and 57 minues until Christmas Day *at time of writing

Anyone got any other freebies etc ? I am buying the toiletries from Tescos at the moment and getting lots using the toiletry money off vouchers and BOGOFs.

Welshy x

[now a mum&skint]

Dont laugh, but Im gonna start writing some of my Christmas cards in a few weeks, Im always rushing around at the last minute, whereas, there's no law that says that Christmas cards cant be written in advance is there? Need to save money and time, all helps to reduce stress......I hope hahhahahahaha xxx

[WELSH-DRAGON]

I do that too now a mum&skint, then the local scouts deliver them locally at only 12p a card so I have them prepared ready to give to them and have no rushing around.

Welshy x

[now a mum&skint]

Hey Welshy, hope you and the kittys are well....Thanks for the tip about the scouts, will need to contact my local scoutleader, my wee boys only 11 months old so it'll be years before he can join and deliver them for me....for free hahahaha... only joking, they need their funds xx

[WELSH-DRAGON]

Hello now a mum&skint, yes my kitty's are doing very well and growing very quickly. Diesel's "sensitivity" problem has been cured by switching his food and he is no longer called "stinky cat" But as I said to the cat's home when told of his problem, you cannot scare me I have 4 children ...........

I put my son's name down for scouts when he was 2 weeks old as the one local scout group has a huge waiting list. It may be worth checking your local scouts out.

I managed to get 16 bottles of bath foam and shower gel today at Tescos for just 88p - top bargain and great for presents for the school teachers.

Welshy x

[bones61]

I managed to get 16 bottles of bath foam and shower gel today at Tescos for just 88p - top bargain and great for presents for the school teachers. :D

how did you mange that Welsh-Dragon? :confused:

[greentomato]

I just love Christmas.

Nectar points should be building up nicely too which will help with the festive shop.



Don't forget that Nectar points are worth twice as much if you get them as Adams vouchers! I always use my Nectar points in Adams, and buy childrens presents in there. Also between 19-25 August there is a promotion on and you get even more Adams vouchers for your Nectar points - Martin has a thread about it somewhere.

[lynsayjane]

bought my second pressie today. a gorgeous suede bag from monsoon for £7.50. will put a purse and bag charm on it and thats my wee cuz sorted. her little sister got a bratz clock out of boots with my first pigsback voucher, will get her a wee sweetie to go with and thats one lot of pressies sorted :D

thanks for the truffles recipe, am gonna try this and had a nearly free idea. going to make a batch the week before xmas, and wrap them in little bunches of three or four with cellophane from the florists (£1 a metre) and tie them onto my parcels just to add a little something extra. i'm one of those that always worry about how the wrapped pressies look, all bows and ribbons etc. this wil be a much cheaper alternative!

[WELSH-DRAGON]

:D

how did you mange that Welsh-Dragon? :confused:

Hello bones61 please see this thread which has full details, basically Tesco have issued vouchers for money off toiletries and they can be combined together so there is alot of money off the final purchase. I haven't been able to get the vouchers but some kind souls sent me some so I used them today.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=237370

Welshy x

[boysmum3]

Great Thread....It is NEVER to early to start planning for Christmas!!!
I love Christmas and started in the Boots sale spending £40 for about £150 worth of pressies - some have been used through year but have quite a few for Christmas - Tesco sales are good too - got a PJ set in a bag for £1.50 - great gift.
We save all year for the (3) kids presents. Last year we moved house and didn't get round to putting money away...OMG we will not make that mistake again!!!!
Santa will be bringing my baby the whole set of Kipper books from Fairy washing powder - just send till receipt - only costs price of a stamp. Just sent for last in set of 4 - thats mine sorted - now starting on another set for a relative. They are priced on back at £3.99 - so great freebie.
I will be making some fabric gift bags (cheap material and ribbon) to put the Avon bargains i have bought in too.
Keep all the ideas coming ( going to make some truffles this week to practice!!!)
:T :T :T :T :T :T

[kal25]

Hi, if you are looking for real cheap prezzies you could try the magazines thread. They always have good deals there, some are £1 for 3 mags and free gifts. You could always keep the mags yourself and keep gifts for xmas prezzie. One year I tried one and got 8 bottles of bubble bath,alright for £1.Just keep an eye for new deals.
I too am collecting pigsback points, nectar points(I have 2097) from mytns.com not from shopping at sainsburys so will use them nearer the time,also joined ipos and saving points for argos/boots vouchers will come in handy for kidsand of course my boots points are being collected too. I always buy my babys follow on milk to keep adding points.
Free things(kind of) I will be making are bath bombs and choc/truffles. I recently broughyt a chocolate melting pot as it makes i easier to make choccies.However I did save money as brought for £21 inc next day delivery.

[lynsayjane]

hey guys, i'm just about to start making a stuffed xmas tree for my mum. it's not a freebie, but it's relatively cheap to make, about a fiver. if you guys want i can post instructions up, i'm doing it without the pattern. all i needed was 20cm of two fabrics and ten cm of the third for the star and some stuffing. so if you have fabrics lying about you may be able to use them up.

anyway heres the link for the pattern i'm 'borrowing' if you do want instructions or that just give me a shout.

http://www.mccallpattern.com/item/M3777.htm?tab=crafts&page=6

[loopylass30]

Oh id like instructions please, just had a look and i like it so id like to give it a try too

thanks
loops

[now a mum&skint]

Me too Lynsayjane, Id love the istructions for as m,any of these items as poss, Do you have the patten and instructions for the Xmas Stockings too?
Thanks for this post xxx

[shaz4paul]

I could REALLY REALLY do with some help guys?!! I have recently had to declare bankrupt. And seriously have next to nothing to spend for christmas. Ive got a big family as well! Its our first wedding anniversary on december 16th too!! so any cheap ideas or freebies would be a fantasic help!

[siren13577]

Hi,

It must be a really trying time for you, sometimes it's the little things that are most telling, like breakfast in bed and the things that are far from the norm but require some thought, that's what I like. How about getting a nice box and searching for some nice samples from the net try:

http://www.kikamoocow.worldonline.co.uk/freebeauty.htm

they seem to have a lot of make up and perfume samples so that would be nice. A nice picture frame with a picture of your wedding day would be touching, try the poundstores for frames. There's a recipe in this thread for truffles and perhaps if you knew a friend or relative who made cards they could make a personalised one for you. Maybe if you have the time you could make a memory book of you and your wife's/partners time together, all things like picture and tickets etc from when you went out and maybe find some meaningful poems, kind of like a scrapbook, again you can get albums cheap in the poundstores. Maybe press some flowers between paper and in a book to put in it. If I can think of something else I'll put it here. In the mean time I hope this helps and keep smiling,

siren
:A

[now a mum&skint]

i second that shaz4paul, keep your chin up, we're all for helping eachother here, I am the most skint ive ever been but with the help of this forum, Christmas might not be as hard as it might have been. I always find people are very understanding about lack of money especially at Christmas, and even a wee daft gift is always appreciated, it is the thought and the spirit of Christmas that counts, Things will pick up for you in years to come and who knows, sometimes a skint christmas can be the best we ever have as far as memories are concerned. Everything will work out, have faith xxx

[bank_of_slate]

I could REALLY REALLY do with some help guys?!! I have recently had to declare bankrupt. And seriously have next to nothing to spend for christmas. Ive got a big family as well! Its our first wedding anniversary on december 16th too!! so any cheap ideas or freebies would be a fantasic help!

Hi, you obviously have a difficult road ahead and will need the support of your family to succeed.

A good idea is for the adults to pick a name each out of a hat and buy one really nice present for that person.
Another idea is to set a limit on presents E.G £10 per head (or less!) It takes the 'competition' out of trying to outdo each other with gifts and also makes you very creative with what you buy!

Also, can you all muck in and do the big Christmas dinner together each contributing an item for the meal? celebrate the whole family coming together like this instead of relying on presents!
...Linda xx

[lynsayjane]

hey guys, since a few of you wanted i'll post up the instructions. i'm planning on doing it tomorrow (monday). it may need to go on the os forum, i dunno, but if i do it there i'll post up the link on here for you guys.

i do have a stocking pattern, tho am not sure how to get it to ya! i could do instructions for it too, but you'd need to draw your own stocking shape...

maybe i should start a lyns' how to thread...feel like i'm on blue peter or summit...and here's one i made earlier! lol

[jessicamb]

Thanks Lyns

I would like to have a go at that too. The tree looks a bit fiddly but I'm sure I could manage a stocking.

If you do get chance to post the destructions could you please make them idiotproof.

Thks

Jess

[now a mum&skint]

Hi, you obviously have a difficult road ahead and will need the support of your family to succeed.

Also, can you all muck in and do the big Christmas dinner together each contributing an item for the meal? celebrate the whole family coming together like this instead of relying on presents!
...Linda xx


I sooooooo agree, what a brilliant idea, Im gonna suggest that too, might take the stress out of the meal a bit for my dad..........who secretly loves escaping to the kitchen on hectic Christmas day!!!! I look forward to going to my parents for his Christmas dinner all year, so I think I should contribute a starter or a pudding, maybe my bro/sis could buy the wine.............and, I think offering to do the dishes afterwards would be the best present my mum and dad could wish for!! hahaha. :T :rotfl:

[now a mum&skint]

If you do get chance to post the destructions could you please make them idiotproof.

Thks

Jess


:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: My request also xxx

[Cerenia]

I've bought a lot of decorations, wrapping paper etc from Woolies - I know the branch near me in Ilford has a massieve clearence outlet - for £15, I had a binbagful of xmas and halloween decorations, trays, bowls etc etc, considering one of the items was a PVC catwoman mask and gloves for £3, £12 for a binbag of decorations was a nice little bargain, my first xmas away from home, and financially dependant as well - can understand how so many people struggle!

As for presents, I do a lot of carboots all through summer - can pick up some lovely things in perfect or new condition cheap, and keep them aside for xmas or birthdays, good for things like cards as well.

[shaz4paul]

Thanks guys. I have sorted a new budget planner, saved a bit from my shopping etc, so i can put some money together for some small pressies. Me and the husband have had a nice talk tonight about christmas. we both know how tight money is and also how stressed out we both are, so we have agreed that this year will be simple. And maybe this way, we will actually realise, we have the most important pressie, we have love! God, am going soppy!! lol

[tee pee]

I have started buying pressies, try Boots. At the moment they have a toy sale on and if you ahve a ad card and get the coupons from the parenting mag there is almost always a coupon to get 200 points for spending £10. I also got some fab toiletries Addiad shower bag thingie for men a/shave and such reduced from £13 to £5. Lovely silver photoframes 1/2 price. afertrshave gift set £6 to £2.50. It is well worth having a look.

ALso if it toys keep a look out in Sainsburys they reduce their ELC stuff quite regular. I got a blow up lion reduced from £6 to £1.50.

[now a mum&skint]

'.....And maybe this way, we will actually realise, we have the most important pressie, we have love!..' (shaz4paul)

AAAhhhh, that's lovely, thats what Christmas is all about really isnt it .xxxxxx I truly hope you have a special Christmas this year xxxx
H x:A

[angieb1606]

ok something i found that might help is in the vouchers and discount section on this forum has discount codes for catalouges that have no min spend i have had some good stuff from places like empire stores and not paid for anything might be able to get some prezzys that way

[angieb1606]

my sister has just done the same thing she is now bankrupt this place is like one big family so call on us if ya need help

[lil_me]

I'm going to be extra careful this year. I had a bag taken last year whilst out shopping and it had over £200 worth of gifts in it and y purse with cards and cash in, a week before xmas this wasn't nice :( Hope whoever did it can live with themselves. This year going to buy online more to stop that happening again :(

Home Bargains have some great deals at the minute if there is one near you!

[bargain babe]

Just discovered this thread - it's brill!

Sorry lil'me bout last xmas - there are some mean scrooges about - hope karma got them!

I too, buy loads in all sales but most have gone on birthdays this year! OH never very impressed with my bargains though!

Home Bargains is a great shop, my fave at the mo - has loads of cheap gift ideas - but if you see something good - best get it then - usually sold out by next visit!

Like the truffles idea - thanks. Have been keeping kids occupied over summer hols by getting them to make biscuits - dirt cheap and yummy - and I suppose if you have spare 10 mins around xmas you could make these and put in pretty basket for a nice gift. Here's the easy peasy guide to make them :-
BISCUITS
2 cups flour (plain or S/r)
1 cup sugar
6 oz marg/butter (or about 1/3 of 250g tub)

Mix ingredients together in a bowl, no need to add anything else, the dough will come together (might need to mix with hands!).

Place little balls of dough onto greased baking tray and flatten down with a fork (to make little circles) They will spread so leave room between each.

bake for about 10-15 mins in oven about 200 degrees.

If they rise you can flatten again with fork, halfway through cooking.

Leave to cool on wire rack and enjoy!

Feel free to add favourites, such as raisins, choc chips and so on at the dough stage.

will keep in airtight container for good few days.

Let the kids make them in these summer hols to try and see what you think - they always go down a treat in our house (and beyond!)

Good luck to everyone this crimbo!

[lynsayjane]

right guys i started an idiots guide to crafts thread on the old style board. it has the xmas tree instructions minus photos at the mo till i get my camera sorted, but hopefuly you'll all understand them!

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=2690159&posted=1#post2690159

i'll see about some stocking instructions soon too, there is a budget version made out of felt, but i'm also thinking of a fancy version in velour or summit and lined...who knows!

like i said on the os thread, if there is anythign takes your fancy but you don't know where to start give me a shout and i'll see what i can do!

[shaz4paul]

Ive decided on the idea of framing my wedding piccys for some people as xmas gifts. My dad has done me some different a4 glossy piccys on the wedding and I found some GORGEOUS silver wooden frames in a pound shop today for £2 (obviously lol) so thats a few more pressies done! Its mostly my mum and dad I want to buy for as they have done so much for me this year, lending me £200 to get a new washing machine,a dn various times they have helped me out with food etc. I just want to get them something nice.

[now a mum&skint]

Ive decided on the idea of framing my wedding piccys for some people as xmas gifts. My dad has done me some different a4 glossy piccys on the wedding and I found some GORGEOUS silver wooden frames in a pound shop today for £2 (obviously lol) so thats a few more pressies done! Its mostly my mum and dad I want to buy for as they have done so much for me this year, lending me £200 to get a new washing machine,a dn various times they have helped me out with food etc. I just want to get them something nice.

Good on ya girlie, keep you chin up. To help say thanks to your parents, why dont you make them a special card and write in it a letter of thanks and appreciation for their unfailing love, help and guidance over the years, and that it will always be remembered and never taken for granted. I gave my mum and dad a card saying those things and more when I moved out of the house and there wasnt a dry eye between them, they loved it. We dont tell our parents we love them enough, I have started to do so more often these days, life can be cruel an short at times, we should take the opportunity now, while we can......carpe diem....seize the (xmas) day xxxxx better than any gift xxx

[Don'tskipit]

My tip for gifts is to get a wicker basket (boot sale or charity shop), crumple up some fancy paper/tissue and put in base of basket, then arrange on top all your freebie samples - shampoos, shower gel, perfume samples etc. Finish off with cling film cover.
You can make it look really nice - and (except for the basket) free!

[Sallys Savings]

I could REALLY REALLY do with some help guys?!! I have recently had to declare bankrupt. And seriously have next to nothing to spend for christmas. Ive got a big family as well! Its our first wedding anniversary on december 16th too!! so any cheap ideas or freebies would be a fantasic help!
I buy lots of my christmas pressies at car boots all for under a couple of pounds each.
Toiltries, ornaments, toys, books........all like new and most of them all boxed too.
I've brought a drinking game with 4 shot glasses in for my nephew for £1.50...a boxed height chart/photo set for £1.25 for my niece, A fabric noahs ark all boxed for my neice for £1, toiltries for my daughters (all under £1 a set and they have two each), aftershave sets for bil, Learn to Drive book and cd for my nephew for 75p, A Leather wallet, and key holder in a box for another nephew £1.50, Boxed Dorling Kingsley learning ladder cd roms for my nephew £1.50, A camera case for my other half 50p, Like new cooking books for my father (all under £2 each), Lilke new gardening book for my sil £1.50 and bits and pieces for my daughters friends (all boxed and new), a beaded and silver photo frame for my sil 75p, Boxed silver necklace (still in argos cat now) for £2.50 for my daughter.
All of the items I have brought would of cost at least £6 new and some up to £24 so I think i've got some great bargains.
Have a go and see what you can find. I'm sure you'll come back with a few bits and pieces which will help your christmas along. :)

Good luck!

[kberry_78]

This is the plan I have £5 to do a christmas shop today ( took coins from husbands pocket when doing the washing). There are quite a few charity shops along the high street and Woolies has just reopened so they are bound to gave goodies. I think I may be able to pick up a few decorations and MAYBE a gift for a child. We shall see how it goes.
By the way does anyone have surplus pine cones as yet? I'm going all out with wreaths and centre pieces this year. Maybe if they are good enough I could sell of give as gifts.


fat chance of me focusing on bargains on New Malden High Street, got a top for myself at the charity shop for £3, maybe I could call it an early christmas prezzie.

[Knelley]

I was in Woolies today and got 2 DVDs for gift baskets for £3 each and a cd of nursery rhymes for a £1 for my friends wee 2 year old:D

Was in Poundshop and picked up Revlon lip gloss for £1 each and Revlon nail polish and eyeshadow for £1 each. I buy all my lipglosses out of here now. They do a Cover Girl that looks white but goes on a lovely glossy colour:D Would really recommend these ones for teenagers.

[dlb]

I have already started doing the freebies wicker baskets for xmas. Just got a beautiful basket with cast iron ivy leafs on it from ebay for 50p!!!!! This will be my best friends daughters basket that i will fill with loads of smellies i have recieved from the freebie boards and also got a grest set of dream books off ebay for her again 50p!! Bargin

[boysmum3]

I'm not the worlds most experienced seamstress but am going to have a go at making some shabby chic wallhangings as gifts - doing one for self as 'practice'!!
squares of cream curtain fabric about 6"x8" with a cut out of offcut fabric heart shape. (rifled through familys fabric stashes - old clothes/duvets etc) The heart fits in middle and i have over sewn edges with a basic straight stitch. Then sew 6/9 of these rectangles together - edge with another patterned fabric and back with cream curtaining and couple of 'tabs' so it can be hung from hooks or could put a pole in???
Not quite done yet but so far my idea is working ...and like i say if i can do it ...any one can!!! This kind of thing is really fashionable at mo so sure they will make great gift for sisters etc.
I suppose the more experienced sewer could put wadding between heart and fabric and sandwiched in middle but i think will look ok without!
Also i got a code from MSE discount/voucher forum and ordered 4 books at £1 each from The Book People and got free postage. Lovely childrens book with a Xmas theme (baby), star wars hardback with films photography (middle son!!), Ruby Wax autobiography (OH), and baby/pregnancy guide book (sis in law!!).
Not sure if im allowed to post code i found here...its on message board though!!

[greenpixey]

[QUOTE=Knelley]I was in Woolies today and got 2 DVDs for gift baskets for £3 each and a cd of nursery rhymes for a £1 for my friends wee 2 year old:D [QUOTE]

Thanks for the tip. I'm going in town tomorrow and will have a look in Woolworth. If I can find any nursery rhyme cd for that price I will be well chuffed. I got three toddlers to find christmas gifts for.

[shaz4paul]

I had a walk into town today (lancaster) to pay my bills!! Had a look round the cheap shops. I was in home bargains and found some lovely packages full of bath salts, and then a cute little wooden spoon for the salts and it was 49p!!!! and some bath fizzer/bombs for 29p. got a few of each, for the women in the family. would be great for people having to buys for the kiddies teachers! And they smell fantastic.. vanilla!

[boysmum3]

I was in Woolies today and got 2 DVDs for gift baskets for £3 each and a cd of nursery rhymes for a £1 for my friends wee 2 year old:D



I picked up Back to the future (the first and quite frankly the best!) for £3 last week my 9 year old will love it...and i can't wait to see again!

[Snow Angel]

http://www.thebookpeople.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/catalog_10001_10001_100

They have an amazing sale on at the moment - books for £1, £2, £3...I got this for my niece for a pressie for Xmas - supposed to retail at £25 :

http://www.thebookpeople.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/productSearch_10001_10001_10119_100___10_SimpleSea rch_2_1_2__basicSearch_

She will LOVE that! Dicounts and vouchers page usually has free P & P for this site. :j

[*Smurfette*]

Hi guys! This is my first post on MSE, so bear with me if i can't get a grip on the smilies. I've got to give a present in a couple of days and have given the Original Source Rose and Geranium Bubble Bath. I've got the same in lavendar and put them together. The good thing is is that they don't look like samples because they got barcodes on them. Also I think the Aussie sample has a barcode as well. Those will make good small presents for not-so-good-friends or an addition to a larger present...

[nicki]

I'll be keeping an eye on this thread. Need some ideas for male pressies mostly. I can't keep baking for them! :rolleyes:

[helenhugs]

fantastic. I'm watching this thread with interest. with 4 children things get expensive enough & thats before buying anyone else presents.
Look forward to hearing more ideas. Saved the fabric tree & stocking details & Hope to make them at some point.
hugs
Helen

[siren13577]

I went to liverpool city centre today and got some pressies from Boots, all the electrical stuff had mostly gone but I bought a black sliding photo frame which holds three photos,reduced from £10 to £2.50, a John Frieda radiant red hair care box with 4 tubes of anti fade shampoo, protective conditioner, colour preserver and super hold hair spray, reduced from £10 to £3.33 then to £2.50, :rotfl: Julian Macdonald floating flower candles reduced to £1.25 and a 'novelty' gift of Gola soap on a rope for the other half, reduced from £3.00 to 50p. Made up!!!
I also checked the product recalls on the website and realised I had a toy mobile phone for my son that they were recalling and took that back, even though had no receipt they put £5 credit on a gift card for me so here are the links for the product recalls:

http://www.boots.com/features/feature.jsp?articleId=1001977
http://www.boots.com/microsites/microsite_info_template.jsp?contentId=4160

Thats all for now but keep checking, even if you didn't buy it you'd get the credit, I took my son's phone to the baby section and she knew what it was straight away.

I then popped in to superdrug to get the 49p batteries mentioned on MSE but couldn't find them but did notice retro style scales for either £2.99 or £3.99, like this:
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/0152020/Trail/C%24cip%3D43106.Kitchen%2Band%2Blaundry%3EC%24cip% 3D43137.Kitchenware%3EC%24cip%3D43141.Kitchen%2Bsc ales.htm

but in cream reduced from £12.99. I also got my uncle a rechargeable torch (he's fixated on torches????) with 1 million candle power down from £9.99 to £3.99 . Popped into my local Card Crazy and got four 6m rolls of christmas wrap for £1.00 and a cute teddy with Special Nannie (from Regency Fine Arts) for 49p, which will be a pressie from my little boy. They also had blue nose bears (I call them blue nose but they have another name) for £1-£1.49 which is a bargain, they had more stuff but can't remember all of it :confused:

In my poundstore I got Revlon Colourstay in Mimosa but they did have it in pinks and reds too, and Olay beauty fluid(classic, pink bottle) for me, as a treat!!! All a pound each, obviously . Also in my 99p store a Hulk Clock, a Marvel official product, 99p but they had girly versions too, I think it was powerpuff girls or something (not up on this because little fella's mad on spiderman etc)

Fancy being crafty and cheap, set of 6 cards with all the embellishments and tips to make your own cards, one lilac and pink, one blue and pink, and one cream and pink, this one with cute shells so a bargain there too. Also they have baking tins etc if you fancy baking for christmas. Also in this store if you bought Arrid aerosol deodorant you got a roll on free. Cars drinking cups here too, and TMNT bubble bath too, I could go on but my wrists are hurting, lol!!!

In my poundstore they had halloween and christmas stuff reduced to 50p. Also environmentally sound and economical too, rechargeable batteries for a £1.00, whch goes with my nice cheap recharger from Tesco (£3.00 with rechargeable batteries, all because it was out of it's box)

My Asda always has reduced goods, which may have had a packet split and had been taped up for cheap, I once got 24 Walkers for 85p and the other day I got Extra Special Buttery Fudge for 20p from £1.98 and not expired till nov 07. This section is at the back of my store so might be there in your. IFor all you compers trying to win a kitchen they had the cif promotional bottles in my 99p store.


Well happy hunting and I hope this helps,

siren :A

[Knelley]

They had other cd's of nursery rhymes for £2 and £3! They were great:D I would've gotten more things but only had £10 on me.

I got Dracula and L.A.Confidential which are great films:D

They had really good titles for the price:D

I'm hoping to get more this weekend....that is if any of you lot keep some for me ;-) :p

[Knelley]

ohhhhh I am thinking I am going to be having a Boots trip tomorrw:O

In out Poundland they had gorgeous Disney baby cups, cutlery sets and plates.......They were all Winnie The Pooh pastel colours and absolutely gorgeous! Actually, I have just talked myself into going back to buy some for when someone has a baby later...hahahahha!

[Knelley]

I'm doing the vodkas and mints and werthers originals for the flavoured vodka shots for gents.

[now a mum&skint]

Im so glad this thread has really taken off, Im getting loads of ideas, not just for Christmas, but for all year round gifts too Thanks so much everyone for contributing, we'll all hopefully have less stress and more enjoyment this year as a resultxx

[deefin]

big silver envelope just arrived containing a gift box with 200ml hydra gel
100ml after shave balm
fusion razor with extra blade
this is gonna make a fabbby pressie ,, one of the best freebies this year

[boysmum3]

big silver envelope just arrived containing a gift box with 200ml hydra gel
100ml after shave balm
fusion razor with extra blade
this is gonna make a fabbby pressie ,, one of the best freebies this year

I applied for this freebie too...really hope it comes! will hide and wrap up for OH from the kids!!!:p

[deefin]

I applied for this freebie too...really hope it comes! will hide and wrap up for OH from the kids!!!:p
unfortunatelly hubby found it ! is using it now ,,

[Knelley]

lol @ Deebin :) Sods law! I am hoping to get this and keep it by as a 'Basket Gift' as I am now calling them!

I went back to Woolies AGAIN.....keep me away from that place! I bought more cd's......ohhhh, I got

Robbie Williams latest cd for £5!!!! - That was for me as I didn't have it yet ;-)

Westlife cd for £3 - Got 2 of these for the 'Couples Night in Baskets'

Double cd - Radio Days -Celebrating The Golden Era of Radio for £3 - For the MIL and FIL basket:)

Iron Giant DVD for £3 - This is GREAT! My boys love it and watch it all the time. If you need to get a wee boy something then get them this :) I got my friends wee boy it who is 8 :)

Kiddies Party Songs cd £1 - for my friends wee toddler.....great:)

Spent £18 but saved a fortune!

[angel_babe]

my local argos (dont know if it applies to all)have board games,and childrens games reduced to about £3,and one of those handheld arcade games for £5.plus i went to primark the other day.they had a little shrug cardigan reduced to a pound and a black pencil skirt with belt for £3.dorothy perkins has a buy one get one free on sale items and new look has jewlery and stuff like that at about £1.
perfect for teens.im getting some for my friends.

[angelcake]

I haven't read this whole thread so am unaware of what may be in it, I don't know if these will be helpful or if someone may have posted already!

I found these in my favourites:

http://www.christmas-cookies.com/

http://www.emailsanta.com/clock.asp

4 Months
128 Days
3090 Hours** (http://www.emailsanta.com/clock.asp#Note)
http://www.emailsanta.com/images/christmas_clock.gif
185366 Minutes
11121927 Seconds
... and still counting down!

Christmas 2006 is on a Monday!
http://www.emailsanta.com/images/gas.gif

[boysmum3]

lol @ Deebin :)

Westlife cd for £3 - Got 2 of these for the 'Couples Night in Baskets'



`!


Loving the idea for couples night in baskets Knelley can you give me ideas of what else you would put into it??? :T

[jennalicious]

A thought came to me at about 1am (yeah I know it's sad;) ) for the girly baskets. Make little drawer fresheners. Use an old net curtain, sew it into little pouches, fill with pot pourri and tie with a ribbon. I'm off to have a nap now, I was up late lol.:rotfl:

[siren13577]

I found these:


http://www.gobazaar.co.uk/promo.asp?viewPage=1

Stuff for a fiver or a tenner, look on the right hand side.

There's cute little lava lamps which use your usb (in blue and pink): £5
also watches for £5 and £10, they look quite nice, do for a stocking filler or perhaps a first watch.

http://www.harrods.com

There is a sale on there, I know Harrods isn't known for it's cheapness but most stuff seems to be reduced, you should be able to get cash back from some websites too.

Also Past Times:
www.past-times.co.uk
some of the stuff has been discontinued and can't be bought or os out of stock but seems to be good anyway for the stuff that is there

Not a sale but they looked yummy:
http://www.muffinthemail.co.uk/index_flash.php?source=&occasion=&whereFrom=:D

Green and cheap:

http://www.naturalcollection.com/natural-shop/stock-clearance.asp
There's some kitchen gadgets like a bread prolonger for £1, some nice soap for £2.00, some lovely ceramic rose door handles for 50p each, in all different colours, they are lovely and you could make a nice change on a chest of drawers.

http://www.coolgiftsforkids.co.uk/acatalog/Sale.html, for kids 1 to 7

http://www.menkind.co.uk/GroupCatalog.asp?GroupID=1793 for the men in your life.
Anyway try http://www.shopsafe.co.uk/
for more stuff.

Hope this helps

siren xx

[smileysaver]

In Debenhams at the moment, there's a jewelry sale, and I managed to get some silver items (a ring, necklace and earrings) for under a fiver each, which is cheap considering it's silver! Plus there's the costume jewelry at £2 a piece!! Found myself a few xmas presents out of there myself!! :T

[kal25]

Hi,I signed up with prezzybox.com and recieved a code for £5 (no minimum spend,it said). They have a few interesting things for kids that you could get without spending anymore (other than p&p) or a little extra. I hope this helps somebody, as I said they have some unique presents.

[moosetastic]

just managed to got 2 chocolate moulds for 71p from ebay!! a christmas tree one and a heart shapped one. Im gonna do little bags of chocolates for my rellies, and maybe sell a few too.

does anyone know of a good place to get the little foil squares to wrap them up in, or the little cellophane bags from cheaply?

[deefin]

I found these:


http://www.gobazaar.co.uk/promo.asp?viewPage=1

Stuff for a fiver or a tenner, look on the right hand side.

There's cute little lava lamps which use your usb (in blue and pink): £5
also watches for £5 and £10, they look quite nice, do for a stocking filler or perhaps a first watch.



they have those little lava lamps in poundland at the moment ..

[deefin]

just managed to got 2 chocolate moulds for 71p from ebay!! a christmas tree one and a heart shapped one. Im gonna do little bags of chocolates for my rellies, and maybe sell a few too.

does anyone know of a good place to get the little foil squares to wrap them up in, or the little cellophane bags from cheaply?

why not ask your local florist if they can spare a few sheets of celophane ,( they are usually very pretty ), just cut out a circle and tie with ribbon ,, so they stand upright put a circle of card in the bottom ..
you could curl the ribon and add a home made gift tag .
thres plenty of paper companys doing free card/paper samples , you can pick up some really pretty stuff .

or reuse the lovely silver bubble envelopes from zed . cut circles out of those for the bottoms .. . im doing some now they look great
can also do this for wedding guests just put sugared almonds in the little packages

[moosetastic]

sounds brilliant deefin, will definately use these ideas x :o

[siren13577]

they have those little lava lamps in poundland at the moment ..
Oh well, guess it's a trip to poundland then, aren't some places a rip off? :beer:

[smilersmurf]

Loving the idea for couples night in baskets Knelley can you give me ideas of what else you would put into it??? :T

you could make massage oil, and put it in a little glass bottle - you can pick them up really cheap from charity shops and car boots.

This is a basic recipe:
Baby Oil
A few drops of essential oil.

Yes, it's that easy!
I have some other recipes if anyone is interested, I can email them.

I'm making homemade alcohol (blackberry brandy, xmas pudding vodka, raspberry vodka...) There are so many free recipes if you google alcoholic fruit recipes. Maybe a small bottle of this could go in the baskets too? How about looking for some books in charity shops, like massage techniques, or games for adults:wink:

This is my first post on this site, just like to add my thanks to everyone!! Hope I've helped a few of you in return!

[sara1980]

wow.....there are some brilliant ideas on here.

We've got 3 kids, 8, 5 & 1 and a 14 yr old stepdaughter. Plus 3 sets of parents (partners mum & dad divorced). A niece & nephew, 2 brothers, and loads of others to buy for.

We also have 4 birthdays in october (all within 10 days of each other) & 3 at the beginning of december. Plus our youngest child will be 2 on 7th Jan... :(

I think I need to get started real quick....

[sara1980]

you could make massage oil, and put it in a little glass bottle - you can pick them up really cheap from charity shops and car boots.

This is a basic recipe:
Baby Oil
A few drops of essential oil.

Yes, it's that easy!
I have some other recipes if anyone is interested, I can email them.

I'm making homemade alcohol (blackberry brandy, xmas pudding vodka, raspberry vodka...) There are so many free recipes if you google alcoholic fruit recipes. Maybe a small bottle of this could go in the baskets too? How about looking for some books in charity shops, like massage techniques, or games for adults:wink:

This is my first post on this site, just like to add my thanks to everyone!! Hope I've helped a few of you in return!


wot other recipes do u have ? could you please email them to me. pm me & i will give u email.... TIA

[boysmum3]

Had a flick through some craft books at library (since becoming a MSE obsessive i no longer buy when i can borrow!!) lots of 'way out of my league ideas about but came across one for galvanised wire hearts that will stand in plant pots.

Basically twisting wire into shape - too lengthy if you PM me with email address i can send a scanned copy of instructions to you.

I bought some wire yesterday £2.49 for 20 metres (homebase - if any one finds cheaper let me know!) heart takes about a metre.

[Princessa]

[QUOTE=smilersmurf]

I'm making homemade alcohol (blackberry brandy, xmas pudding vodka, raspberry vodka...) There are so many free recipes if you google alcoholic fruit recipes. Maybe a small bottle of this could go in the baskets too? How about looking for some books in charity shops, like massage techniques, or games for adults:wink:
QUOTE]

Oh would love to know how to make the flavoured vodkas please!

[sara1980]

i saw a post in another xmas thread on this site...can't remember where tho.

this a copy of the post i have saved it for future reference....

QUOTE..
Buy a bottle of the cheapest vodka you can find and flavour it by putting in sweets or fruit. !
I just made toffee vodka using a packet of Werther's originals (hard ones). !
The vodka disolves the sweets. !
It's really delicious and I don't even like vodka! !
Other good ones to try are Extra Strong Mints, chocolate, pear drops. !
Or for a more culinary treat use lemon grass, chilli's, peppercorn's etc - these are good with bloody mary's (excellent for hangovers!).

liquorice is good for this too, though takes ages to disolve. sadly doesn't work with malteasers.
QUOTE

[Chimera]

http://www.thebookpeople.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/catalog_10001_10001_100

They have an amazing sale on at the moment - books for £1, £2, £3...I got this for my niece for a pressie for Xmas - supposed to retail at £25 :

http://www.thebookpeople.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/productSearch_10001_10001_10119_100___10_SimpleSea rch_2_1_2__basicSearch_

She will LOVE that! Dicounts and vouchers page usually has free P & P for this site. :j

Wow .. didn't know about this site - have been looking for somewhere like this and that book is fab... will be ordering two i think - one for me - one for MIL.. thanks

I used to be a member of county bookstores - but moved and can't seem to find how to join again - used to get sent a catalogue with books for 50p etc.. was fab.. anyone know how to join again (last time i just got it offered in store - this was years ago though!)

[Princessa]

I'm going to put little hampers together for family and friends, but wa wondering if anyone knew where to get any nice boxes/baskets cheap. I don't want to set aside £20 per person, and have to spend £6 on a box or something. I know I could get like a wine box and put wrapping paper over it, but was hoping for something nice that they could keep.

[boysmum3]

I'm going to put little hampers together for family and friends, but wa wondering if anyone knew where to get any nice boxes/baskets cheap. I don't want to set aside £20 per person, and have to spend £6 on a box or something. I know I could get like a wine box and put wrapping paper over it, but was hoping for something nice that they could keep.
Have a look in local charity shops in our Barnados they had lovely baskets big enough for good size hamper for £2.50 - they were new not donated .

[boysmum3]

i saw a post in another xmas thread on this site...can't remember where tho.

this a copy of the post i have saved it for future reference....

QUOTE..
Buy a bottle of the cheapest vodka you can find and flavour it by putting in sweets or fruit. !
I just made toffee vodka using a packet of Werther's originals (hard ones). !
The vodka disolves the sweets. !
It's really delicious and I don't even like vodka! !
Other good ones to try are Extra Strong Mints, chocolate, pear drops. !
Or for a more culinary treat use lemon grass, chilli's, peppercorn's etc - these are good with bloody mary's (excellent for hangovers!).

liquorice is good for this too, though takes ages to disolve. sadly doesn't work with malteasers.
QUOTE

Oh stuff giving it away....:rotfl:
I'm going to make the pear drops one for ME - no sharing!!! May even experiment with Kola Kubes - yum!! Thanks for great post

[artydoll]

A thought came to me at about 1am (yeah I know it's sad;) ) for the girly baskets. Make little drawer fresheners. Use an old net curtain, sew it into little pouches, fill with pot pourri and tie with a ribbon. I'm off to have a nap now, I was up late lol.:rotfl:

How about filling them with dried lavender from your garden,it should be ready to dry now.Just pick it and put in a vase in a cool place for a few days.P S Dont add any water to the vase

[summersnearlyhere]

Hi Princessa - I bought a set of two boxes for less than £2.0 (sorry can't remember exactly how much) at Homebargains. They had different colours and I got blue as I'm doing a male hamper for my nephew who complains about never having any mens shampoo etc. It's called a storage box and it's flat pack. They are very sturdy and I've already half filled it just from one trip at Homebargains and I've only spent £9 on him so far. I'll just wrap the whole box up as one present when I've filled it.

[jennalicious]

liquorice is good for this too, though takes ages to disolve. sadly doesn't work with malteasers.
QUOTE

lmao at the thought of you trying this with maltesers! What flavour were you drinking when you tried that one:rotfl:

But seriously, ty for these ideas! :T :beer:

[Degeneratemoo]

Anyone know any good sites to buy wrapping paper? I've started buying pressies but want to get them wrapped so the family won't know what they are if they are found!

[jennalicious]

Anyone know any good sites to buy wrapping paper? I've started buying pressies but want to get them wrapped so the family won't know what they are if they are found!

Try http://www.24studio.co.uk/ss/index.jsp

I got wrapping paper for 50p a roll from woolies the other day too but that was instore, not online.

[Degeneratemoo]

Apparently that site has a fixed delivery rate of £4.75 per order.

[sara1980]

well, i'm glad I made u laff jennalicious :o

But it wasn't actually me who tried it, it was the op that i copied it from, I would give them credit but i can't remember where I read it !! It was on this forum I know this much.


But on a more serious note there are some really good ideas on this thread...I am gonna sit down later & write down a list of who I need to buy & what to buy for them.
I am gonna get all my crafting stuff back out & start making cards.

I mite even start writing down a food shopping list coz I always go for big xmas shop the day b4 xmas eve but I end up spending over £100 & we're not even at home xmas day or boxing day !! So think I need to take it easy & not buy as much this year ;)

Plus buying all that chocolate doesn't do my diet any good :rolleyes:

[Sallys Savings]

I have brought christmas baubles in the woolworths sale (16 for 50p) to use as gift labels on my baskets.

Just sit the basket on cellphene, gather up and tie with curling ribbon with the bauble looped through. Write on the bauble like a gift label.

It gives a really professional finish :)

[sara1980]

havn't been the local shopping centre for a couple of weeks...mite take a trip up there later & see wots on offer

[Princessa]

thanks guys, will have a look out for baskets. Thanks to smilersmurf for the vodka recipies too, now need to find some minature bottles to put them in as gifts. Anyone know where I can buy these? Without buying them with drink in already... lol

[now a mum&skint]

Hi guys, Thanks again to you all for the posts, am gonna do the vodka and truffles definitely, And, I second that Princessa, would like to know where to get some nice bottles to put the voddy in xxxx

[relynutz]

thanks for all the tips every1, some of the ideas are really good

[Luna69]

Hi
Am relatively new to posting here, but I love this thread, some great ideas.
I have 3 children now and so money will be really tight this year, especially since we have a relatively new business and trying to clear off our large amount of increasing debts.
I make my own cards generally so providing I set to soon enough I usually make all my own cards for Christmas maybe have to buy in an odd box just incase... I've ordered some reduced cards from the studio catalogue my sister has, but only a few packs.

I also try to make my own gifts, the grandparents usually get little mini brag books or scrapbooks with photographs of the kids from throughout the year, they usually go down well.
As it happens we've recently started our own photo gifts to add to the business so at least this year we can do something with that regards photo's of the kids.
My brother usually makes a calendar on the computer of his kids for the grandparents too.

I love doing the basket type thing, but I am hoping this year to decorate some tins ( I kept the large sweet tins from last christmas to alter/decorate), then I will fill them with items, not sure what yet however.

Normally at Christmas we buy the kids presents and the adults (about 9 of us) were all putting £10 each in to a kitty, pulling a name out and just buying for that person totalling £80. But we were having to write lists out of what we would like for the person buying for us, it was getting harder trying to think of things sometimes and the likes of my Gran would look in the argos catalogue, work out items to her total and list them. Basically she could have just gone and got them herself, there wasn't much fun in it and I sometimes like to think of gifts for people even if they are only small, so I'd usually add in a small gift, just so it was something they didn't know they were getting.
This year my SIL has decided it's silly so suggested that we just spend £10 per couple and just by consumables.. drink, chocolates, cake, sweets etc then it's a surprise and whatever it is will no doubt be ate or drank.
While I like the idea of spending £10 a couple on a surprise gift, I'm not too sure about it just all being food or drink, usually at Christmas we need to cut down on that stuff! :rotfl:
So looking for suggestions on what else we could do?

I like the sound of the couples nights in baskets, what would you put in those?
Also I have a friend who's baby is due on Boxing day, so want to do her a post pregnancy relaxation tin or basket, not just toiletries though, any ideas?
Also possibly a new parent basket for both my friend and her partner.

Will keep checking out this thread. :T
Yvonne

[StudentLife]

In my local branch of Poundland (Southend) they have lots of manicure sets/make-up brush sets that come in nice cases, for £1 (obviously!!!)

They would make a great gift for people that you don't know very well but have to buy presents for, or great stocking fillers. I know i always lose my tweezers so they would come in handy for me!!

Also, they often sell full size toblerones (selling for up to £3 elsewhere) and boxes of chocolates (variable brands). People will think you've spent much more than £1!

Keep the ideas coming, it's a great thread. :j

[lynsey78]

Like others im saving my boots points and my pigs back points - which seems to take ages to aquire!... quite often with remainder boots points i treat myself to a little something for all my hard work lol!

Also use codes for la redoute that get sent to me to get money of things, just got a nice ripcurl handbag for my sister in law and only cost me £7 thanks to a discount i had with a recent statement.

I also write reviews on doyoo and ciao and cash my points gained for amazon vouchers... all helps...

wooo hooo i love christmas

[sara1980]

i have also posted this for any pipex customers may come in hamdy for xmas pressie or a treat for yourself....

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=254884

[Kerryc82]

Hi
Am relatively new to posting here, but I love this thread, some great ideas.
I have 3 children now and so money will be really tight this year, especially since we have a relatively new business and trying to clear off our large amount of increasing debts.
I make my own cards generally so providing I set to soon enough I usually make all my own cards for Christmas maybe have to buy in an odd box just incase... I've ordered some reduced cards from the studio catalogue my sister has, but only a few packs.

I also try to make my own gifts, the grandparents usually get little mini brag books or scrapbooks with photographs of the kids from throughout the year, they usually go down well.
As it happens we've recently started our own photo gifts to add to the business so at least this year we can do something with that regards photo's of the kids.
My brother usually makes a calendar on the computer of his kids for the grandparents too.

I love doing the basket type thing, but I am hoping this year to decorate some tins ( I kept the large sweet tins from last christmas to alter/decorate), then I will fill them with items, not sure what yet however.

Normally at Christmas we buy the kids presents and the adults (about 9 of us) were all putting £10 each in to a kitty, pulling a name out and just buying for that person totalling £80. But we were having to write lists out of what we would like for the person buying for us, it was getting harder trying to think of things sometimes and the likes of my Gran would look in the argos catalogue, work out items to her total and list them. Basically she could have just gone and got them herself, there wasn't much fun in it and I sometimes like to think of gifts for people even if they are only small, so I'd usually add in a small gift, just so it was something they didn't know they were getting.
This year my SIL has decided it's silly so suggested that we just spend £10 per couple and just by consumables.. drink, chocolates, cake, sweets etc then it's a surprise and whatever it is will no doubt be ate or drank.
While I like the idea of spending £10 a couple on a surprise gift, I'm not too sure about it just all being food or drink, usually at Christmas we need to cut down on that stuff! :rotfl:
So looking for suggestions on what else we could do?

I like the sound of the couples nights in baskets, what would you put in those?
Also I have a friend who's baby is due on Boxing day, so want to do her a post pregnancy relaxation tin or basket, not just toiletries though, any ideas?
Also possibly a new parent basket for both my friend and her partner.

Will keep checking out this thread. :T
Yvonne
Yvonne, I have done a few baskets for people leaving on maternity - they usually include stuff for the baby i.e. teddies, clothes. I also wait until Boots have 3 for 2s on their brand of baby products, such as cotton wool, baby lotion, talc etc. We put it in a box, wrap it up and put tinsel in it. We would also get the person some bits for themselves (such as a small bottle of their favourite tipple, like gin or something)...and something from Warren James like a silver bangle/earrings. We put some ear plugs in too as a joke present :o)

Saving at christmas in general - I usually buy most wrapping paper and bows in the january sales, have some that I bought in Jan 06.

What I do with old christmas cards too is look through them to see if you can cut out any pictures from them and make them into gift tags (either make a hole in the top corner and tie some cotton through it, or just fold a corner over and celotape it to the present).

[Maysie]

My pet hate is cheapo christmas crackers full of lumps a plastic that drive you barmy when you stand on them!

The last 2 years i have been buying make you own and giving eveyone a personalised cracker. I use the computer and printer to get there name in a fancy font (.my handwriting is terrible). I look out for cute little windup things for the kids and for the adults i used some Free little perfume samples i had been given.

The truffle receipe has given me new ideas for this year though.

Last year Tesco were doing the 6 luxury red and gold make your own sets for £3.17 they came with the cracker,snap and cheesy joke. I am sure there are cheaper ones around but i live in a small town so i don't have much in the way of choice.

nearest poundland is 30miles its not fair lol

[vikki_louise]

I have brought christmas baubles in the woolworths sale (16 for 50p) to use as gift labels on my baskets.

Just sit the basket on cellphene, gather up and tie with curling ribbon with the bauble looped through. Write on the bauble like a gift label.

It gives a really professional finish :)


WOW, i LOVE this idea!

[vikki_louise]

my bargin of the year was from tesco's, i never have much luck in the sales (nor does my mum) how ever on this occasion mum came across a 1p sale. sadly most of the stuff was gone (I suggested mum went back and cleared th shelf), but i got 2 packs of fairy cards- 20 in each and were nice, for yes you guessed it 1p per a pack! for each card and envelope cost a 20th of a penny! Also got some gift tags, weren't anything special but for 1p for 10 they will be fine! Watch out for this sale after xmas

[pinkybubbles]

Also I have a friend who's baby is due on Boxing day, so want to do her a post pregnancy relaxation tin or basket, not just toiletries though, any ideas?
Also possibly a new parent basket for both my friend and her partner.

Will keep checking out this thread. :T
Yvonne
A babysitting voucher- for when they wish to venture out you will babysit !!!

candles- big bottle of bubble bath - great for a night in the bath to relax.

[bones61]

A big thanks to now a mum&skint for starting this post :T :beer:
and thanks to all the other posters :j .
Glad to see we are not the only ones to start early. Quite a few of the things we do anyway but there are lots of really great ideas that we will try.
The best presents take thought and time, not money and there have been so many excellent suggestions. I will be starting the “vodka plus whatever” tests this weekend :eek: (if anything really works great I will let you know)

[angelsam1984]

Best site I have found so far for christmas fillers is www.vipi.co.uk, lots of things for just a couple of quid to suit a variety of tastes

Loads of bratz accessories, hair clips and loads of kids of activities for under £2
Just have to do alot of clicking!

[tee pee]

i don't feel so freaky and suer organised now. Istart buying for xmas in the Jan sales. OH thinks I am barmy but we have so much to buy (v big family and growing at a v fast rate) that I ahve to spread it out.

Alrady bought wrapping paper cards etc from Tesco sale in Jan. Bought for neices/nephews in Boots sale and also have loads points to bu OH pressie

The only expernsive thing I am buying this ye is sat nav so any suggestions on where I will find a cheapish one will be greatly received.

I LOVE MSE

[angelsam1984]

dont know how good it is but if it does the job..........
Or Halfords do a satnav for £100

http://www.vipi.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=852&products_id=54481

Oh and I found this....
Iread the TandC BUT isnt it that the consumer is always to buy the product at the price stated???

http://www.vipi.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=16455

[descartesmum]

I've been doing different market reseach surveys on-line and now I'm letting my points build up so I can use them at amazon.co.uk

[Luna69]

Yvonne, I have done a few baskets for people leaving on maternity - they usually include stuff for the baby i.e. teddies, clothes. I also wait until Boots have 3 for 2s on their brand of baby products, such as cotton wool, baby lotion, talc etc. We put it in a box, wrap it up and put tinsel in it. We would also get the person some bits for themselves (such as a small bottle of their favourite tipple, like gin or something)...and something from Warren James like a silver bangle/earrings. We put some ear plugs in too as a joke present :o)

Saving at christmas in general - I usually buy most wrapping paper and bows in the january sales, have some that I bought in Jan 06.

What I do with old christmas cards too is look through them to see if you can cut out any pictures from them and make them into gift tags (either make a hole in the top corner and tie some cotton through it, or just fold a corner over and celotape it to the present).


Hi

I have made up baby type baskets, but her sister is making one of those, so I thought I'd just make one for her and a new parent one for both of them, obviously I'll be buying a gift for the baby, but as I make things, he/she will get handmade items too. I love basket things of all kinds.. been looking into these recipes in a jar type thing and trying to come up with ideas for those too.

Old cards can also be recycled to make new cards as well as tags. Cut out the pictures you like and re make, if you're crafty just add a few embellishments, or bits of glitter etc to make it more individual, I do that quite a lot at Christmas. I usually keep the nice cards from the year before.

Yvonne

[Luna69]

A babysitting voucher- for when they wish to venture out you will babysit !!!

candles- big bottle of bubble bath - great for a night in the bath to relax.

A babysitting voucher is a great idea, although they do live an hour and a half away from us! But could still be arranged.

Cheers
Yvonne

[Maysie]

i joined the jack daniels website awhile back they keep sending me freebies, i have had a bottle opener, blank cd for listening while drinking ??? lol, drinks mat, and today i had a money clip. Why not join and use the freebies as mens stocking fillers :)

[strawbsuk76]

Have a look in local charity shops in our Barnados they had lovely baskets big enough for good size hamper for £2.50 - they were new not donated .

I was in my local wilkinsons (Burnley) this morning and by chance they had a couple of lovely baskets on the reduced table at 50p each shouldve been £4.99 each always worth a look out.

[Arkwright]

One year my Ex and I were skint and I mean totally skint.

Anyway, she bought some ingredients and some small wicker baskets.

She made chocolates and we gave them to all the family.

They were greatly appreciated cos she spent the time and trouble making something instead of buying everything.

And it doesn't cost much either.

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

[Chimera]

i joined the jack daniels website awhile back they keep sending me freebies, i have had a bottle opener, blank cd for listening while drinking ??? lol, drinks mat, and today i had a money clip. Why not join and use the freebies as mens stocking fillers :)

Could you give me a link on how to join.. I've visited the website and can't find anything!

[Princessa]

Could you give me a link on how to join.. I've visited the website and can't find anything!

You can register here: http://www.jackdaniels.com/register.asp

I registered when someone posted it on the freebie site but I've never had anything. Think it was a different registration form than this one too.

[nicki]

i joined the jack daniels website awhile back they keep sending me freebies, i have had a bottle opener, blank cd for listening while drinking ??? lol, drinks mat, and today i had a money clip. Why not join and use the freebies as mens stocking fillers :)

Thanks for that - my OH loves JD so I'll have to add that to my to-do list for when he's not about ;)

[Chimera]

You can register here: http://www.jackdaniels.com/register.asp

I registered when someone posted it on the freebie site but I've never had anything. Think it was a different registration form than this one too.

Thank You... OH loves JD...

[earthmother]

You also get a JD desk calender nearer Christmas - I've had one the last two years running - very useful.

If you don't know anyone who would appreciate them, the JD stuff does seem to sell well on eBay - I sold 2 card drinks mats and 2 of those plastic stirrer thingies (that you'd put in cocktails and the such) for almost £10 - couldn't believe it (although it was a charity listing, so that maybe bumped the price a bit)


:)

[Luna69]

i joined the jack daniels website awhile back they keep sending me freebies, i have had a bottle opener, blank cd for listening while drinking ??? lol, drinks mat, and today i had a money clip. Why not join and use the freebies as mens stocking fillers :)

We used to get stuff from Guiness too from their site, but not had anything in a while now, may sign up again... had all kinds of things, beermats, inflatable drinks holder, magnets, christmas stocking, etc.
Will look into JD one.. thanks

Yvonne

[Tiff]

No he's not. In fact you can't be any further from last Christmas and next Christmas than the end of June, smack bang in the middle of the year. The Summer solstace (longest day) was just 5 days ago.

I think you're being a little too organised. It's summer! Enjoy it!

First name's not The Grim by any chance? :rotfl:

May I be the first to wish you and everyone else a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Birthday, Happy Valentines Day, Happy Mother's/Father's Day, Happy Easter, Happy Saints Days (too many to list!), Happy Anniversary,
Happy Grandparents Day and for the ones I've forgotten, may every day in 2006-2007 be full of smiles and love and good health.
Was that you being sick Reaper?;)

Now THAT'S what I call a really top, top, top :money: idea!!! :dance: - I just wrote all my Christmas cards here in one go, for free and I can direct family, friends and anyone I know to this site to read it.
Not only that, but I will also say that the MSE site is my gift to them as well! :j They will save thousands £s in various ways, make friends and find freebies too!!! And with all that money saving I'm bound to get at least one great gift ~ shame they can't give the gift of MSE to me!Sometimes I'm just too generous for my own good!:rolleyes:
Phew, these Christmas preparations are exhausting - but I've finished now so I'm going for a couch nap ;) :rotfl:

[spendapennysaveapound]

Hello, does anybody know the cheapest place to get cellophene (for the baskets) and bottles (for the vodka).
IKEA do a set of 4 different sized baskets for £2.49 there not huge but last year i found the biggest 2 perfect to fill with all the freebies I had gotten over the year. My family were please with them.
For my parents I got a large basket put a bottle of wine in the centre and then filled the basket with all different chocolate bars (2 of everything). If you start early enough you can find some great bargains on chocolate from shops like Poundland, Job Lot and Home Bargains.
Only posted on this site a few times before so please be nice if I've made mistakes.

[code-a-holic]

Hello, does anybody know the cheapest place to get cellophene (for the baskets) and bottles (for the vodka).
IKEA do a set of 4 different sized baskets for £2.49 there not huge but last year i found the biggest 2 perfect to fill with all the freebies I had gotten over the year. My family were please with them.
For my parents I got a large basket put a bottle of wine in the centre and then filled the basket with all different chocolate bars (2 of everything). If you start early enough you can find some great bargains on chocolate from shops like Poundland, Job Lot and Home Bargains.
Only posted on this site a few times before so please be nice if I've made mistakes.

Go to a florists!! I paid 20p a metre at my local ( its very wide rolls they have too so you get a good width for your metre!)and they were very happy to sell some to me.

[spendapennysaveapound]

Hi the sizes of the baskets from IKEA for £2.49 are 12x12cm H9cm, 15x15cm H11cm, 20x20cm h14cm, 25x25cm h15cm.
They also have a good size corrugated board box with a lid for .49p 35x25cm h26cm. Its not as nice to look at but you could cover the outside with nice paper, fill with tissue paper and add your products (not as nice as a basket but ideal for 49p if your stuck).

[CathChat]

http://www.lysator.liu.se/~offe/kors/designs.html

Free Christmas Cross Stich Patterns.

:xmassmile

[lightways]

any one found out how to get hold of some free wicker baskets?
or the cheapest? lol

[boysmum3]

any one found out how to get hold of some free wicker baskets?
or the cheapest? lol
You could always try posting a 'Wanted' on Freecycle for baskets...loads of people have then bumming about in back of their cupboards. and after some of the things some chancers ask for on Freecycle..wicker baskets are not a huge want!!!:p

[Kangol Rat]

Could you give me a link on how to join.. I've visited the website and can't find anything!


I joined this also but have never received anything!

[greenpixey]

Can't see it has been mentioned here.... but Tesco (most branches) is having a £1 sale starting sometime this week. I read it on the Daily Bargains thread where black-saturn wrote her boyfriend works there and it is starting this week.
Would be great for stocking fillers.....

Starting 7/9/06 Tesco £1 sale http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=256902

[full-time-mum]

Can't see it has been mentioned here.... but Tesco (most branches) is having a £1 sale starting sometime this week. I read it on the Daily Bargains thread where black-saturn wrote her boyfriend works there and it is starting this week.
Would be great for stocking fillers.....

Starting 7/9/06 Tesco £1 sale http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=256902


Just been in tesco and there are some good bargains in toys if your children are of the right age.
Brought playpit balls (100) @ 2.43
swing ball set @ 3 something
also saw toddlers golf set, snap cards, flower sprinklers, snap cards, inflatable swim boards (about £1), inflatable ball pits (around £5), pop-up tent and tunnel


edit for update...

Inflatable ball pits now reduced to £2-49.

In back to school section:
Nice felt pen set - £1-77
Oil pastels/acrylics/watercolour/oil paints 73p - £1-23
artists pad 75p
toddler write/wipe sets (tell time, alphabet, counting etc) from 64p
coloured biro sets from 24p
animal snap 44p

[kaznelson]

In Tescos £1 sale they have 3 little photo frames in pastel colours

Put your kids/pets photos in and you have 3 lovely little pressies!!

They also have a little toolkit which would make a nice stocking filler

[Ms Notalotofmoney]

I registered when someone posted it on the freebie site but I've never had anything. Think it was a different registration form than this one too.[/QUOTE]

The one with the freebies comes from England but have not got the web address...I know....I tried the same thing with JD website for my JD barmy husband and got nothing but he's contacted the English promotors of JD and apparantly (yet to receive but from good authority of a mate!) you get tonnes of stuff from them.

The Promotors are: - Brown-Forman Beverages, Europe Ltd, Regent Arcade House, 19-25 Argyll Street, London W1F 7TS

Good Luck!

[ruthiejane]

Hello, does anybody know the cheapest place to get cellophene (for the baskets) and bottles (for the vodka).
Hi I was wondering about the bottles too, for flavoured vodkas I'd need some small ones I guess, and also a couple of larger ones for some sloe gin
Ruth

[full-time-mum]

Go to a florists!! I paid 20p a metre at my local ( its very wide rolls they have too so you get a good width for your metre!)and they were very happy to sell some to me.

Even better is a florist wholesaler. I managed to get a card when I was a Body Shop consultant. They took an official order form as proof of my 'business'. Don't know if all wholesalers insist on proof of business. I had to spend £30 the first time but after that no minimum.

All sorts of goodies from baskets, candles, teddies, cellophane, curling ribbon. Some dirt cheap, others no better than other sources but certainly worth a look.

Which area are you, spendapenny...?

[spendapennysaveapound]

Rotherham, South yorkshire

[greenpixey]

Rotherham, South yorkshire

?????????:confused:

[wanting2save]

?????????:confused:


Hi Greenpixey, spendapennysaveapound was replying to full-time-mum....
Nothing to worry about!! :D

[Happy shopper]

Have a look at the aerial photos thread for an inexpensive gift idea:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=22062

Cheers to OPs on that thread!

[sara1980]

Hi I was wondering about the bottles too, for flavoured vodkas I'd need some small ones I guess, and also a couple of larger ones for some sloe gin
Ruth

somebody told to me try au naturale, have never been 2 their store so i don't know wot they stock.

Have tried the website but it seems to be down.:confused: HTH

[full-time-mum]

Rotherham, South yorkshire

You won't want to be coming to northants for cheap cellophane then!:)

[carrieparkinson]

hiya!!!! i live just outside rotherham. my sister bought some of the cellophane from her local florists in goldthorpe.......

[now a mum&skint]

Have a look at the aerial photos thread for an inexpensive gift idea:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=22062

Cheers to OPs on that thread!


Thanks for the post, sadly theres no coverage in my area, but maybe sometime soon there will be? xx

[Phatmouse]

Anyone know when asda start all their BOGOF's on chocolates or if anyone is doing the big tins 2 for whatever yet :D

[spendapennysaveapound]

Anyone know when asda start all their BOGOF's on chocolates or if anyone is doing the big tins 2 for whatever yet :D
Woolworths are selling the 1.3kg tins of Roses and Quality Streets for £5.99 normal price £9.99

[Princessa]

oh my god, went into boots today and they were putting the xmas stuff on the shelves, with the 3 for 2 parcel sticker on. I went to have a look, thinking it was sale stuff, as the last time I was in there they still had xmas stuff in the sale, but this was all priced up. And tesco's had selection boxes in. Wow, get the kids back into school and the stuff all goes on the shelves!

[Madam Ra]

OOH OHH OOH!!!

ALMOST A FREEBIE...

In Klick today I got a minnie mouse photo album for..... 1p!!!!

It was labelled at £2.99, but went through at 1p... now there are loads of things in the sale they discovered that have gone down to 1p, including some batteries (not the usual ones, i think they were the large cylinder ones and 9v rectangle ones) there may be fames and other albums (definately minnie and mickey mouse ones ) on offer too.

These prices are valid also in Max Speilmann (sp?)

Happy to Help!

Well worth a look in if you're passing!!!!

RA!

[LITTLE LISA]

im well organised this year already got all my pressies !!!! he he

[boysmum3]

Been to Woolies today got some pressies to tick off list. Loads of reduced stuff for Xmas in Woolies at 50p or £1 including baubles to write names on parcels as suggested in an earlier post.

I also got the cot musical pull toy mentioned earlier for £3 They had tons of Balamory school bus fix it toys reduced to £6.98 - i bought one even though its suitable from 3years and my youngest is 1!!! OH even told me to buy it to put away for next Christmas - he must be listening to my MSE advice!!!


:T :T First present for Christmas 2007 bought today!!!:T :T

He wouldn't let me buy any more Xmas decs though...bah humbug!

Not reduced but really good value were Chad Valley craft kits - mostly suitable for girls, sewing, beads, windchimes, decorate flip flops! etc - some from age 5 and some age8. £4.99 in good sized box - £2.99 in plastic suitcase type box.

Also (sorry had a sniff of red wine you won't stop me now!!) our WH Smith had some CDs at £1 and £3. One at £3 is radio days 4cd set of old folk type tunes - ideal granny or grandad pressy - I got a Frank Sinatra compliation (sp?) for £1!
And on the vouchers thread there is a link for 350 whsmith clubcard points on a £5 spend.

Ok thats it:D :D :D
goodnight all

[now a mum&skint]

im well organised this year already got all my pressies !!!! he he

I can only say...Well Done. It must reduce the festive stress, I hope to be organised soon...but doubtful xx Thanks all, for the suggestions so far, keep them coming. xxx:T :T

[rls1973]

spendapennysaveapound, in rotherham s.yorks. can you get to nottinghamshire?there is friths wholesalers, they do fantastic array of florist supplies.

[spendapennysaveapound]

spendapennysaveapound, in rotherham s.yorks. can you get to nottinghamshire?there is friths wholesalers, they do fantastic array of florist supplies.
I asked a florist in town on Saturday and they said they will sell me some. Thanks anyway.

[liley9]

been reading this site for ages so i have been looking out for anything i can get to make one of the pamper baskets for my friend for xmas. i told mil about them and on the weekend she came for lunch bringing me two wicker baskets they are lovely.:j also i had a leaflet through from somerfield this morning from this wednesday cadbury choc biscuit collection are buy 1 get 1 free.

[lato161105]

Hi everyone, hope i can do this right never posted a link before, just thought i would pop this free santa letter on for anyone with little ones my ds is 10 this year and already told me not to send him one lol:rotfl: but i can do my grandaughter one it will be her 1st proper xmas this year as she's 1 in november there are 2 links and you can make the envelopes as well

http://www.dltk-cards.com/writingpaper/letter-form.htm
http://www.dltk-cards.com/writingpaper/letter-form2.htm

[fanatabulous87]

somebody told to me try au naturale, have never been 2 their store so i don't know wot they stock.

Have tried the website but it seems to be down.:confused: HTH

hi the au naturale site doesnt really do the shop justice anyway, you really should go to one of their stores, the bigger ones are better, i really enjoy shopping in au naturale they sell really expensive looking things for your home for really reasonable prices, and the quality of everything I have bought from there has been fine, they also have lots of gift things too so i would definatly recommend going in, there are some nice things for kids for christmas too

[wanting2save]

Thats a lovely idea....i will do it for my two daughters!!

P.s Tell your son i was always told if you dont believe in Father christmas he doesnt come.....
I still pretend now but been a few years since he visited? :huh:
heres to hoping!!!:rotfl:

[lato161105]

Told the little horror santa wont come the cheeky monkey said I know its you and dad if santa was real you wouldn't have to take me to get measured up for my bike santa would just know what size dont you just hate arguein with a 9 year old smart alec

[Luna69]

Told the little horror santa wont come the cheeky monkey said I know its you and dad if santa was real you wouldn't have to take me to get measured up for my bike santa would just know what size dont you just hate arguein with a 9 year old smart alec
:rotfl: This made me giggle as it sounds exactly like my nearly 10 year old. Always has an answer for everything.

Yvonne

[zoes]

I jsut been reading up on this thread and i think that it is a GREAT idea to make little baskets for people. I dont know if this will be of any help0 to anyone, but in tesco yesterday i bought a pack of cookie cutters for £1, it was an alphabet set. I thought it would be lovely to make names in gingerbread for christmas, or even words - christmas, love etc, each cutter is approx 1 1/2 - 2 " high, so not the biggest cookies in the world ( but you get hundreds out of one batch of mix!!!)

[Girl least likely to]

I jsut been reading up on this thread and i think that it is a GREAT idea to make little baskets for people. I dont know if this will be of any help0 to anyone, but in tesco yesterday i bought a pack of cookie cutters for £1, it was an alphabet set. I thought it would be lovely to make names in gingerbread for christmas, or even words - christmas, love etc, each cutter is approx 1 1/2 - 2 " high, so not the biggest cookies in the world ( but you get hundreds out of one batch of mix!!!)

Thanks for this tip. I bought some of these cookie cutters too but was just going to put them away for when 13 month old DD is a bit older. I may well put them to use earlier :D

[nicki]

I have some of those type of cookie cutters... I'm thinking a bag of cookies which spell out "Christmas Cheer" and a little tag on the bag (I already have the bags ;) ) saying "Fill yourself with Christmas Cheer" or cookies spelling "Festive Spirit" and similar tag :D

[benedictadams]

Does anyone have a good recipe site for festive cookies (apart from Saint Delia of Norwich)

[irisrose]

Lots of cookies here http://southernfood.about.com/cs/cookierecipes/a/aa121497.htm including ones for Christmas

[rchddap1]

Useful site thanks. Have a small idea in my head of helping out my mum with the Xmas buffet this year by baking a few bits and peices in advance. However, that greatly depends on my new little friend who is due end of November.

[Caggie]

Good site this has ratings and reviews. All Recipes (http://allrecipes.com)

[fanatabulous87]

I think the backets for xmas are a great idea, and in superdrug there is a section with small versions of things such as, shampoo, conditioner, bath foam, shower gel etc. they are for travelling but I think they would make great gifts to add to the baskets or xmas stockings just to fill them out a bit, hope this helps :D

[strawbsuk76]

I think the backets for xmas are a great idea, and in superdrug there is a section with small versions of things such as, shampoo, conditioner, bath foam, shower gel etc. they are for travelling but I think they would make great gifts to add to the baskets or xmas stockings just to fill them out a bit, hope this helps :D


Tesco also sell these travel size bottles. they around 99p. i add a couple a week in my shopping basket dont miss the extra couple of quid and i now have loads for my mum, sis in law and my girls. they are a very good buy for the pamper baskets.

[strawbsuk76]

This is also not a freebie but I thought I would post here too. I was in tesco shopping this morning and in thier £1 sale there was a lill lip shaped lipgloss stacker. It has 16 lill pots of lipgloss mostly shades of pink but with some glitter ones too. I thought these may be useful to someone as stocking fillers. I posted on the grabbit christmas thread too as I wasn't sure where to post.
hope this is usefull to someone.
Strawbs x

[ampersand]

Good site this has ratings and reviews. All Recipes (http://allrecipes.com)

I've just been hooked on this site Caggie - I'm thanking you now, but it could easily turn....
Have already put in a recipe request.
I will blame you now for all the lost hours.........

[sovs]

great thread!:j
i was in tesco today and their selling selection boxes etc already - before haloween:rolleyes:

[Skarabbit]

can anyone find the time to highlight the last 1000002333 posts?

[simone2697]

Not a freebie but - Charlottes web is going to be the big film this xmas.
Get out there and buy the book or anything else related before the shops put the prices up - just when everyone starts buying the kids prezzies!

Simone

[spendapennysaveapound]

There are alot of links for free samples of perfume on this site at the moment these would be nice to pop in any pamper kits you are doing for anyone. Just a thought

[carrieparkinson]

Not a freebie but - Charlottes web is going to be the big film this xmas.
Get out there and buy the book or anything else related before the shops put the prices up - just when everyone starts buying the kids prezzies!

Simone
oh wow!!!!!!!!! its my fave book ever. n dd loves it too!!!!!!!

[deefin]

swapits have brand new pictionary games fpr 600 swapits buy it now .. only 12 left ..

[spendapennysaveapound]

Way back on page 8 BUMP!!!

[Luna69]

Got my free Kipper books from Fairy the other day for DS2 for Christmas. Not sure how long this has left to run, but seems that their stocks are depleting, I tried to get 3 different and they only had 2, so ended up with 2 the same, so will give one to my nephew.

yvonne

[CathChat]

I emailed the purfume shop 2 weeks ago asking for samples and they sent me 7 samples of posh fragrence for both men and women.

Would go lovely if you are making a hamper out of your free samples.

http://www.theperfumeshop.com/main/index.cfm

Hope this helps.

[spendapennysaveapound]

Hi I've just got back from Boots and I have picked up 6 different perfume samples off of the counters. They come in small bottles so I am going to put them inside my Christmas crackers as a suprise gift (no-one will be expecting that).

[boysmum3]

Got my free Kipper books from Fairy the other day for DS2 for Christmas. Not sure how long this has left to run, but seems that their stocks are depleting, I tried to get 3 different and they only had 2, so ended up with 2 the same, so will give one to my nephew.

yvonne

It says Feb on the box but does say books could be substituted. I'm waiting for another 2 to complete 2nd set...hope i get the ones i need!!!

[Luna69]

It says Feb on the box but does say books could be substituted. I'm waiting for another 2 to complete 2nd set...hope i get the ones i need!!!


I tried to get the butterfly one but they didn't have that, I think I got Hiss and 2 of Splosh, not sure if they have the other one or not?
Hope you get yours.

Yvonne

[spendapennysaveapound]

Not a freebie but only £1 - Lovely baskets in Poundland, Meadowhall. Oval shape with a handle on each side ideal for hampers .
Be quick though things in Poundland don't stay in there for very long.

[Luna69]

Not a freebie but only £1 - Lovely baskets in Poundland, Meadowhall. Oval shape with a handle on each side ideal for hampers .
Be quick though things in Poundland don't stay in there for very long.


I must try and get in ours soon to have a look, chances are they'll have nothing when I go, not been able to get out much lately. May be easier now my 2 older kids are at school, so just have a 5 month old at home, want to try and organise what I'm doing for Christmas so I can spread what little money we have right now, out in the run up.

Yvonne