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OS Christmas Support thread & timetable

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:eek: Okay - I'm worse than Jingle Bells in Woolworths as soon as the kids have gone back to school...but...bear with me!...

This year I am going to be even more organised than I was last year, thanks to you lot, and your forward-planning influence, ideas and gift-making genius!

So, I thought we could have this thread to add to as and when we each do something towards Christmas. If you've done things already (and I know there are some people who have presents sorted) - well done, you're ahead of me!

But I thought it would serve as a good timetable for people. It's good to know when others are doing things, like making their Christmas cakes and puddings (I always get to the week before and realise I should have done it months ago), or making cards and gifts. Also, what sort of budgets people are working to, food planning etc etc...

There are some great Christmas threads on here from last year, which I've been looking back at, so I was thinking this thread could refer more to things we're actively doing, and new ideas as we find them, rather than re-posting the excellent ideas that are already on OS somewhere.

Today I'm going to make a list of all those I give gifts to, and work out what I'd like to make for them / give them, and start a timetable for making those things. I'll post it here in the form of "Uncle, 60, into art, sailing and F1 - "GIFT", cost, so that we can build up some ideas of what to give those tricky fiends and relatives based on what others here have come up with.

So far I am collecting my Tesco Clubcard vouchers for Christmas. I have £4 (only started with the last lot), and I think there'll be a few bottles of plonk worth by the time we get to December! I have one gift, bought in a cheap bookshop on holiday - a book on making your own cosmetics and beauty products from natural ingredients (great book, I have it). A BIT OS in the long-term! I am also going to start accumulating some biscuit cutters for my Christmas shortbread (first time I'll be giving that as a gift!). Also, going to get the wine making gear sorted out in the next couple of weeks, and put a batch on for Christmas (first time though - scary!). I also have about £20 Boots points to use, and as I don't use anything with chemicals in, am going to pop down there to see if there are any "raw materials" I can get hold of with them.

I find myself looking forward to this thread, even though we haven't technically had Summer yet!

And thanks to all who posted ideas in previous Christmas threads :T - they've given me some great starting points! (insert Santa smiley!)



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Comments

  • Galtizz
    Galtizz Posts: 1,016 Forumite
    :T :T :T :T :j :j :j :T :T :T :T
    Thanks for starting this thread Loadsabob, you've given me the inspiration I needed to make a start :beer: .

    The gift threads from last year can be found in the indexed collections which is a sticky at the top and also in the blue bar at the top of the page looks like this:

    pagetop.gif
    When life hands you a lemon, make sure you ask for tequilla and salt ;)
  • Brilliant idea - I think the sooner we face up to the fact that Chrismas happens every year and it's not sprung on us as a big surprise the better - I think that Galtizz has made a very good point in her Foodie Gifts thread that there is probably something growing in the garden or can be bought more cheaply now that can be turned into a prezzie for later
  • Great idea. I was doing so well saving up for Christmas and then one of my daughters was chosen to compete in the Welsh special games the cost of which was EXACTLY the amount I had saved! I've already got a few bits and bobs stashed away and a list made but really need to start planning as I hate being last minute. I got some great ideas / tips from here last Christmas - don't know what I'd do without MSE now!
  • JAMIEDODGER
    JAMIEDODGER Posts: 4,339 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    i have been saving tesco's vouchers since last november...i signed a form instore and they keep hold of them for you (find having them in my purse they just get spent) so far have £33.00 towards xmas food shop!!!!
    November NSD's - 7
  • rchddap1
    rchddap1 Posts: 5,926 Forumite
    Well, I have the wrapping paper, stringy stuff and cards organised (bought them in the Jan sales). I've also started to collect a few bits and bobs for my step-daughters. OH has his family organised as far as pressies are concerned, and I have my mother sorted. I do have some more people to get things for and I will keep my eyes open during the summer sales.

    Please tell me if I'm being a tad too organised...Personally I hate to rush around doing an impression of a headless chicken so I try to get everything organised as soon as possible (even if that is 6 months before xmas)
    Baby Year 1: Oh dear...on the move

    Lily contracted Strep B Meningitis Dec 2006 :eek: Now seemingly a normal little monster. :beer:
    Love to my two angels that I will never forget.
  • Nelski
    Nelski Posts: 15,197 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Worth mentioning Martins idea with the Asda saving vouchers as well - we can remind everyone the date to go in an maximise the bonus.

    Btw I am usually a run around on "christmas eve person" and my motivation for starting to think now is not so much the money saving aspect although that will be nice but more the additional thought that will be going to all my pressys - no gift sets for me this year!!!
    i love chrimbly!!
  • Queenie
    Queenie Posts: 8,793 Forumite
    Nelski wrote:
    Worth mentioning Martins idea with the Asda saving vouchers as well - we can remind everyone the date to go in an maximise the bonus.

    Funny you should mention that Nelski because I mentioned it yesterday in the PMS challenge too :rotfl:

    It's an excellent article - anyone interested can read it through this link ...

    NEW LOOPHOLE EARN 14% INTEREST SAVING FOR XMAS '05.

    Great thread, Loadsabob.

    I keep a Gift Box where I tuck away things throughout the year, either from sales or things I've made throughout the year. My Christmas/Birthday budget is deducted as an expense each month and paid into a savings account.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    PMS Pot: £57.53 Pigsback Pot: £23.00
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
  • Lillibet_2
    Lillibet_2 Posts: 3,364 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Hi Everyone

    Excellent thread Loadsabob:A , I am usually really on the ball with Xmas but I fear all my planning may go to pot in the next few months with Spuds imminent arrival:p

    So far I have bought about 40-50% of gifts but I need to list them so that I don't double up & waste money, I have saved all my vouchers & loyalty points to buy DVD's & books & things which won't be released until nearer the time.

    Last week I sorted all my gift wrap & cards & accessories & guess what? I have enough to see me through without buying any more this year, I will probably make a few photo cards of Spud for family nearer the time but that is all I need, I even have enough sellotape!

    Next week I am planning on having a go at Queenies Oatmeal scrub soap for a few people & maybe some bathsalts to go with them. I might also start making up flavoured oils & bouquet garni this month.

    We have just decided that for the first time ever we are going to spend Xmas day at home this year, hopefully my parents will come to us (usually the other way round, haven't told them yet:eek: ) so we are going to have all the food & drink costs too which we normally avoid:rolleyes: As I am already saving my Tesco vouchers for gifts I am going to start buying their savings stamps each time I visit, I think if you save £48 they give you £2 free in December or something, not much but every little helps as they say & it will take the sting out of the food cost if we save it up now.

    What is everyone else doing?
    Post Natal Depression is the worst part of giving birth:p

    In England we have Mothering Sunday & Father Christmas, Mothers day & Santa Clause are American merchandising tricks:mad: Demonstrate pride in your heirtage by getting it right please people!
  • Rage_in_Eden
    Rage_in_Eden Posts: 995 Forumite
    ahem, I have cards already and the stuff for making other cards for nice people (as opposed to not-so-nice people who you have to send cards to who get charity ones as I know they wouldn't buy charity cards so I send them those in the hope they feel guilty...... :D ). I have two presents. I have my list and budget already. I have got xstitch patterns ready for a couple of presents. I will be making jam and marmalade soon and am collecting the jar for this - I'm sorry but my need is greater than the reclycling box. I have already told OH what I want and have just over £100 in my christmas fund. i am so sad :rolleyes:
    But I'm going to say this once, and once only, Gene. Stay out of Camberwick Green :D
  • Galtizz
    Galtizz Posts: 1,016 Forumite
    What have you made so far Queenie?

    Can you give me some ideas to copy, errm I mean, inspiration :rotfl:
    When life hands you a lemon, make sure you ask for tequilla and salt ;)
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