The Thrifty Gifty Girls 'n' Guys 2009 (Organised & Money Neutral for All Occasions)

scattymam1 · 25 January 2009 at 10:37AM

mum2one - you are so organised

Happy Rudolph day everyone:santa2: :snow_laug :xmassmile :snow_grin

I miss christmas...

I have my money neutral diary all sorted - I've made my lists - just have to get a big container to keep the presents in so they don't get bumped or dusty, I'll put my sale bargain christmas cards in there as well when I find a box...

My money neutral so far is I have £10 Argos voucher, £35 amazon vouchers about £15 @tesco used my boots points to get sis-in law's christmas present, have loads of coke points mounting up and my surveys are going really well.

Jan Birthdays and Feb Birthdays are all money neutral so far - working on march, april and may now...have to start ebaying as I have dd's birthday in may and I'm thinking Magic show - maybe!!

Need to come up with a money neutral valentines - gonna get dd to make her dad loads of stuff to make up for the fact I'm not spending much/anything and I'm going to make a romantic meal in - will save us a bit there too.

I want to be hugely pregnant next christmas so my plan is to just buy everyone purses and put vouchers/gift cards in them, therefore less space taken up, less lugging around, (will have to find some bargain purses and wallets so watching half cost for them) less wrapping up to do and less paper used. Will still go big for the kids though. Will make a few pressies too again and dd will be even more into doing that by next year too hopefully.

rufusdog52 · 25 January 2009 at 11:12AM

Morning everyone, Hope everyones feeling well today.

I have a book ready with list in, have bought enough wrapping paper. Have saved my cards to make new cards for this year. Will print out tags from the computer.

Heres my list for the year. Sorry its not just Christmas but want to keep it all together
Valentines - already have a card, knitting a teddy bear from a kit I was given so free
March - Grandson 2s birthday - Bakugan toy which came through post dont knwo where from!
May - Sons birthday - dont know yet
June - Daughter 2s camping trip to be paid - £100 owing £60 paid all from daily click sites
Fathers day - usually just send a card which I will make
July - daughter 2s birthday - dont know yet
August - OH 30th - scrapbook bought and started, want 30 presents so far have ten
Grandaughters birthday - dont know yet, would like to knit her something
September - Dads birthday - dont know yet
November - Daughter 1s birthday - knitted cardigan, had the wool given free just need a pattern
Grandon 1s birthday - dont know yet
Christmas - OH - dont know yet
Son - dont know yet
Girlfriend - dont know yet
Daughter 1 - dont know yet
Boyfirend - dont know yet
Daughter 2 - probably a basket with make up etc
Grandson 1 - dont know yet
Grandson 2 - dont know yet
Grandson 3 - dont know yet
Grandaughter - 3 cardigans, 1 finished, have the wool for other two bought from daily click money and soem from Ciao surveys.
4 nieces presents - knitted dolls, all finished
Other child relatives - selection boxes

Theres a few green ones showing up which I am pleased about.

paddingtondoo · 25 January 2009 at 12:13PM

Hangs head in shame - haven't really done much for xmas - unless you count sorting out everyone's clothes and filling a wheely bin liner of things to either ebay or take to charity shop to aid with money neutral.

In my defence have been in shock as after 2 1/2 years we are getting wardrobes next week :j and DD (OH's) announced she is probably getting married in August (she's only 19 and her OH has not made himself very popular - long story)

I have OH's birthday next month and have only spent £18.50 of real cash and have stuff worth about £80 - notebook is in bag and have to do ironing if I leave my chair

.

DD's is at the beginning of March and have finally managed to get the Wii fit she wanted - couldn't find one in stock on a deal so got it in a bundle with Lego Batman - now need to sort out some serious cash earning to pay for it.

My mum always has books for mothers day that I get from the charity shop read and pass on - would like to wrap them nicely rather than just sticking them in a bag

Have all pressie's sorted until August at seriously reduced prices - got a cars stand up jigsaw from WH Smith for £3.44 instead of £14.98

have decided on some homemade gifts for Easter and xmas mostly from leftover wool but need to add another 15 hours in the day to get it all done.

Am off to do the ironing and then go to the tip - what an exciting life I lead :rotfl:

snickers0607 · 25 January 2009 at 12:55PM

I am so excited today - I have the freedom of my home to talk about Christmas - OH (Bah Hum Bug in disguise!) has agreed not to tut once today whilst i witter on about christmas and what presents I have bought so far!

I have my notebook with lots of lists about Christmas, birthdays, easter, valentines etc. I have all my ebay stuff ready to put on over the next few weeks which will then go towards making my spend cost neutral. I have signed up to surveys and have made a bit of money and have been introduced to Greasypalm and am so far up to £60.00 (still waiting for some to be validated though).

I have all my wrapping papper, tags, tissue and will start wrapping next week.

Sorry to waffle on - can you tell how excited I am :rotfl: !!!!!

Cant wait to read what you have been up to, and of course pinch all your ideas.

:rudolf: :xmastree:

pinkladymel · 25 January 2009 at 1:16PM

Hello All
Happy Rudolph Day!!

I am currentely sitting camera in hand but missing some batteries and as soon as I receive those batteries I shall be completing a full Rudolph update for you all

I just wanted to say it is so heartwarming to see people wishing a 'merry rudolph day' and being excited. It is so special to meet people who love Christmas as much as me.

I have had a bad weekend as me and OH had an argument over something big and I am feeling really hurt and trying to patch my heart. I sound like a sad idiot now. Everything is ok now but just waiting for time to heal.

scattymam, I really hope you can get pregnant in time it would be so beautiful to share your pregnancy!:) I don't recommend having a baby on December 22nd LOL I remember sitting all alone in the hospital watching everybody celebrating on TV it was miserable!! I was wondering, could you present money inside the purses but in an interesting way? Perhaps pop a lottery ticket in as well? The reason why I thought this was that a lot of places went shockingly bust this christmas and I would hate you to buy gift vouchers that were no good.

Paddingtondoo, My gosh woman. I thought i'd had it bad but you must be ready to murder your daughter

I know she is your princess and you want to protect her but hey.. you only live once, right... and what harm can a marriage do. At least she is not emigrating or anything. I'm not making this sound any better am I.. oops sorry!!

Ok I was going to type a message to everyone but I will be here all day and I need to go and find missing batteries!! BRB!!

Clairealo · 25 January 2009 at 1:25PM

HO HO HO Merry Rudolph day everyone!

Im starting to get excited for christmas all ready thanks to u lot ha ha Im really excitd this year as me and OH get married on the 12th of December which gives me even more of an incentive to get my butt into gear and get more organised!

Wow u lot put me to share you are all so well prepared i havent done anything towards christmas yet but i guess thats coz ive been so busy getting wedding things planned. Gunna get started A.S.A.P tho...

x x x

paddingtondoo · 25 January 2009 at 2:11PM

big hugs plm OH and I quite have major falling outs and it's always me that feels hurt and upset it's taken 5 years for me to get him to apologise.

She's OH's daughter fortunately so she has her own mother to murder her (might work out well for OH:o) can't believe I just said that :rotfl:. I'm wondering how I'm going to pin a happy smile on for the day as I have one of those faces that shows exactly how I'm feeling. I agree that it's her life so her choice but the rest of them don't seem to agree with me so I'm keeping schtum.

I have also had a row with my best friend over her daughters wedding as only I have been invited - I know she's pushed for space but she never even thought about mentioning it to me until I got the invite - I wouldn't mind but when we got married in August her and her daughter came (her OH didn't want to) and we paid for their rooms for 2 nights as well - that maybe came out all wrong but she discussed not inviting partners etc with people at work and has had plenty of opportunities to speak to me. What makes it worse is the wedding is 2 days after DD's birthday and have had to tell her she can't have her party on that day and as we often go to each other's houses she assumes she's coming - Nightmare to explain to 8 year old :eek:.

Sorry for running on but it's really wound me up and OH just doesn't get it :rotfl:.

On a better note have just swapped DD a cd storage unit for a set of drawers so I now have somewhere to keep my scrapbooking stuff. Am off to order the x cut guillotine as I have offered to make invites in a moment of madness

sylphraven · 25 January 2009 at 2:28PM

Hi all, MERRY RUDOLPH DAY!!!!!
Have got all my jobs done today, except washing & thats an on going job throughout the day. Have given LO his first real hair cut, he's had little bits trimmed before, but this was a couple of inches off. He watched his big bro have the clippers put through his hair, then when big bro moved off the chair he jumped on & "errr, errrd" towards the clippers. He wouldnt let me use the scissors so I put the longest attachment (3cm) on & started at the back incase he didnt like it, he hardly moved! I'm so proud of him as he was so good with them. OH isnt too sure, he says he looks like a little boy now not a baby, it had to be done though as once it gets too long he develops my curls which knots easily. Looks like a lovely little trim, I was a tad concerned using clippers it would be too short/severe but it isnt.

I have so far bought about 50% of pressies needed & put them in my notepad, page for everyone/occassion all in the sales so am very chuffed. I've got all the wrapping paper I need. Have enough cards x2 for DS1s class, & have spent yesterday making a few as well.

I've got a huge pile of clothes in my bedroom to put on ebay, a bit at a time, got to wash, dry & iron them first. I've been such an ostritch over them! I didnt realise there was so many in the roof, ranging from size 6 to 12. But I'm now being strict, if it doesnt fit now it probably never will & if I do go down a size I'll just have to go shopping, lol.

I've nearly got enough points with ipoints for a £10 voucher, about £15 on boots card, 371 points on pigsback (need 1150 for boots voucher), £7.25p on onepoll, £150 cash back on a catalogue, & £83.58 on quidco. I've also joined homepage friends, I find the search facility really bad, but I type it in there then cut & paste into my google toolbar

If you want any info on any of the cashback/point sites mentioned anywhere in the thread just ask, someone will be able to help, also, if you've decided to join one of them help your fellow savers by PMing someone to see if they can refer you, wont cost you anything but will help them.

For next rudolph day I want to have got rid of 1/2 the clothes, sellable ones on ebay, the rest in the recycling tub. Also to get all the receipts & work out how much I've spent so far, & write it down - gives me something to aim for.

In honour of Rudolph day I am cooking a roast & spending the afternoon making cards :T

You dont sound like an idiot at all PLM, I hope your weekend is brighter from now on.

Oh dear, paddingtondoo, I'm sure with time your daughter will see her b/f for what you see him as.

Everyones lists are fab! & for those who haven't started, that can be your mission for the next rudolph day

candyblue · 25 January 2009 at 3:32PM

This is what I have done so far

Sorted out the gift cupboard
Made my gift notebook
Listed all birthdays
Made all birthday cards for the year
Jan birtthdays have been money neutral
Have bought all of my gift wrap and tags - money neutral
Got lots of new baubles - money neutral
Have about 30 gifts all money neutral

I think that will keep me going for a while lol!

pinkladymel · 25 January 2009 at 3:45PM

:xmastree: :santa2: Rudolph Club - 1/12:santa2: :xmastree:

Hello ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the first ever Rudolph club

I would like to send a huge hug (and possibly a cheeky snowball) to all our friends old and new. Those that have been with us for 5 months now (wow - practically furniture!) and newcomers who invigorate us every day :A

Your challenges for this month:
We all have someone we love. It may be a pet, a sibling (yeh right) or a child. You could suprise an elderly neighbour (no lapdancing) or of course.. your partner :j (if you are [strike]un[/strike]fortunate enough to have one).

Your challenge is to create a valentines gift to make someone feel loved on valentines day. Make someones day. You don't have to be amazingly crafty.. you could write a letter of thanks or bake some cakes.

Deadline: Pictures to be shown here 12th February. Lets share the love

Make pancakes or some other culinary delight!
Don't forget to get your goodies in for Shrove tuesday (Feb 24th) whilst the offers start trickling into the supermarkets over the forthcoming month. Every year they sell out and people are in a mad panic for Jif Lemons! We want to see your pancake pictures!!

Mothers Day (march 22nd) - Show some intuition
If you have a mother to celebrate then please remember mothers day! But here at thrifty gifty.. we don't do normal.. OH NO! You need to produce something that shows that extra bit of care. Perhaps a phone call, a poem in a card, a home made gift, a dinner cooked.. Share your ideas here and be organised in time for the day.

Not all of us have a someone to share this day with so I would like those of you to make it special for yourself. Do something that bit special for you. Buy a nice box of chocolate, perhaps a candlelit bath, take a day trip out. Your choice!

Again.. Pics!!!

What have I been up to this month?
Well I have been so busy that I hardly had time to partake in my favourite past time - BARGAIN HUNTING! I had the most ridiculous cupboard that was bursting open with rubbish and have now tidied it out and organised the best I can (look away now Shev):

I have also got a huge roll of christmas cellophane to pop in the bottom with all of my reduced wrapping paper (when I get it out of the car..:o ) Managed to grab some really fancy stuff for 1.25 for 4 metallic rolls from Boots that will do for birthday presents throughout the year.

My cupboard is split in two halves:

This is the top and contains all of the boxed items and the majority of the presents that are good to go. These are presents that I didn't want, My boots bargains and overflow from last year.

Next to this mountain I have a blue storage tub full of all my Boots glitches/stupidly cheap reductions/0 spend with voucher products that I collect throughout the year. I also find lots of brilliant things in home bargains such as 10p candles and 15p foot pumices that go in there too:

(Basically.. anything good to go for pamper hampers!!)

I always have a bag of bows and tons of tags/shop bought cards/sellotape rolls etc. This year I have put them all into this wicker basket so that I can dig in no matter what the occasion and get wrapping without having to search around. There is also a pair of scissors and a pen in there. This is where I keep my organising book so I can write things in as I wrap.

The bottom of the cupboard is looking pretty bare at the moment but I like to keep it like that to pop hampers and things in when theyre done. I know it looks very scruffy but there are a few gardening hampers unwrapped that are under the piles LOL:

I have put all of my nappy cake/baby hampers into the breastfeeding pad box and make a note of what there is. This storage tub is where I keep all of the smaller or odd shaped presents. There are also a few in there from 08 that are still to be picked up!

I am trying to make cards throughout the year in a hope that I may be able to sell a few for christmas or just be organised and not be rushing about making cards at night throughout december! I never wanted to make cards without the christmas spirit before but I have actually really enjoyed it!

Well that is enough of my ramblings for one post! I hope you enjoyed seeing the chaos I have been trying to tame this month. Don't forget the challenge if you choose to accept it and I shall see you 25th Feb.. it goes so fast (but not fast enough for me;) )!!

P.S - Don't forget there are still christmas bargains to be had. Look out for chocolates with a good expiry date. These are perfect for Easter gifts!

The Thrifty Gifty Girls 'n' Guys 2009 (Organised & Money Neutral for All Occasions)

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