OS Christmas Support thread & timetable

[Loadsabob]

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 - they've given me some great starting points! (insert Santa smiley!)

If you have joined us from the book:-





Welcome

Pull up a nice comfy chair, have a drink of your choice
beside you, and be prepared for a long and interesting
read. Many new visitors frequently find that they have
all spent hours browsing the fascinating posts and help
that is to be found here on Moneysaving Old Style.

If you'd like to read more on all sorts of subjects then do
please click on the link below:-

Money Saving Old Style




Please scroll down for more on Christmas

(Board Guides are asked not to merge these threads in order to preserve links from the book)

[Galtizz]

Thanks for starting this thread Loadsabob, you've given me the inspiration I needed to make a start .

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:

[apprentice tycoon]

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

[xxbutterflygirlxx]

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]

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!!!!

[rchddap1]

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)

[Nelski]

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]

Originally Posted by Nelski

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

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.

[Lillibet]

Hi Everyone

Excellent thread Loadsabob , 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

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 ) 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?

[Rage in Eden]

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...... ). 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:

[Galtizz]

What have you made so far Queenie?

Can you give me some ideas to copy, errm I mean, inspiration

[Bargainloverbec]

Hurrah! I'm glad I'm not the only one who starts on next Christmas as soon as the last one is over. Christmas cards and wrapping paper bought in January sales (now where did I put it?). I have been knitting scarves for friends' presents, very quick with fluffy wool and big needles and relaxing to do in the evenings.

Other ideas for home made presents if anyone is interested:

Buy a pot/tub for the garden, fill with compost and plant bulbs - cover with cling film and tie a ribbon round it - when the bulbs come out in spring they will get a lovely surprise!

Cushions - a good way to use up scraps of material and dead easy to make they are literally 2 squares sewn together. Lavender bags are also really quick and easy to make but need to be done a bit nearer Christmas so the smell doesn't fade.

Last year I collated all my favourite poems, typed them up and made them into a nice book for my sister. It cost literally a couple of pounds to do but she really appreciated the thought.

I'll let you know if I think of any more - I'm getting quite excited about Christmas now!!

[Loadsabob]

Wow - everyone's doing really well!

I'd forgotton to mention cards and wrapping. I think I have this sorted. Last year I bought several packs of multi-coloured tissue paper, and plain raffia-type twine. This can then be used for birthdays, too. And it seemed to me cheaper than giftwrap. I make tags from last year's cards, and I have loads to choose from to go with every colour of tissue! I also bought little silvery star stickers last year, to make the pressies look even more festive. I thought they looked lovely and quite uncommercial.

And I have loads of cards donated to me by colleagues last year. Any I can't use, I put in the recycling, but this means I get such a range of images to use in my cards this year (I use the fronts, mounted on re-claimed grey cardboard). I leave the making of them til November, as it's something I find gets me in the festive spirit, with Christmas music playing in the background.

I have LOADS of jars collected, so some marmalade is going to have to be among my pressies I think!

Lillibet, sounds as though you have a lot done already, which should stand you in good stead for when Spud arrives!

rchddap1 - there's no such thing as TOO organised where Christmas is concerned, surely?!!!

My Mum collects Asda Christmas stamps, I'll have to make sure she knows when best to use them!

[rchddap1]

My family are always telling me that I'm far too organised where Xmas is concerned...hence the worry about me being too organised.. I however have always thought that they are a bit strange for not trying to sort somethings out earlier.

I do like the tissue paper and twine idea. I will have be on the look out.

[Loadsabob]

Originally Posted by rchddap1

I do like the tissue paper and twine idea. I will have be on the look out.

For some of the pressies I scrunched the tissue up first, and smoothed it out a bit to wrap; I found that made it look even more "rustic", if you know what I mean? Gave it a nice texture.

[nicki]

Don't forget to keep your eye out on QVC July 25th as they start having their Christmas stuff days, also if you are into cardmaking I know that there are some rubber stamps in the clearance section on the QVC UK website

I'm planning on starting Xmas cards and shopping over the summer holidays. We're at my IL's for Christmas day this year so no big roast/pudding for me to make BUT I have to make a Christmas Cake which I usually do at the same time as my mum so we can share the ingrediants and keep the costs down.

I'm also partake in another website (www.organizedchristmas.com) where they plan for Christmas all year around As thats too much for me to cope with I visit there from October onwards when they start a "Christmas Countdown". With it being an American based site, they have everything organised in time for Thanksgiving which gives me a few weeks free time to relax, plan the packing for when we're going away, and pick up any really last minute gifts. I've been doing it since Christmas 2001 and I actually get teased when I start talking about Christmas in September. BUT this year my Nana actually asked me a few weeks back "Have you started getting ready for Christmas yet?" so I wasn't the first to mention the C word this year

There is also a Holiday Grand Plan at www.Organizedhome.com which starts in September where you deep clean a room a week so the whole house is decluttered and "sparkling" intime for Christmas. I do that as well, but since I have fewer rooms I can allocate a week here and there for Ebay things or spend two weeks on a particular room

I'm saving money on an Asda Christmas Savings Card that I used last year and putting my PIN money on it £5 at a time. I'm off to look for preserving things on ebay to get an idea of their price and some ideas for gifts for DD

[MATH]

AAAAARRRRHHHHHHH

You lot are sooooo scary.

Stop it...Stop it...Stop it...

La la la la la la la. I'm not listening.

Have they stopped yet?

[Rage in Eden]

Nicki: I love buying early on QVC - especially the bits and bobs of jewellry you can get.

Can i revise my presents bought list to 4 - the book man has just been in work and I now have OH's aunties presents - £5 each for one of those birthday books with cards!!! sorted

[eyeopener]

We save £20.00 a month to one of those high street shopping voucher things. Saving till Oct. so thats £200. also saving tesco clubcard vouchers. The plan being that we don't spend anything more than this.

For years i've fought against Crimbo in July but then I was always skint in January, Febuary.....................

[Loadsabob]

Originally Posted by eyeopener

For years i've fought against Crimbo in July but then I was always skint in January, Febuary.....................

I know what you mean, but what I object to is the commercial nature of all the early Christmas things in stores. It feels different to me when it's old style - starting to think ahead and get organised from now on means to me that I have more time to actually enjoy the season when it arrives, rather than running around trying to find things I've forgotten, or relying on the post for last minute things that should have been ordered long before! What a lovely thought that I won't have that this year!