Organised Christmas 2008.. The countdown has begun!

sarahf191979

Afternoon All

Pinkladymel - We was only away a week, but with being Ill and starting the decorating everytime I have sat down to post a message I have been called away BOO :mad:

Everyone seems to be doing really well, Well done all!!

:eek: I feel so dis organised at the mo, but My new flooring is down now and looks great, just got to put everything away in my kitchen now, on a plus note my new Chest Freezer arrived this morning while I was at school, fortunately FIL was here to take delivery, So everything is going ok in the kitchen (For NOW.............:rotfl: )

Still not got my new tree though, hope its here soon, it will make me feel all christmassy :j

Take Care Everyone

Sarah
x

[Deleted User]

I know this doesn't quite go with this thread but I'm in a major hurry and want to read the organised link so thought I'd dump this here as I can't find the original page I was reading
...

I'm really shocked at how people seem to think they have to spend lots and how it's boring to be organised. Well I'm not shocked but it does make my blood boil... And for anyone that says 'boring old ...' or 'old bat', I'm 25 next week!

My mum's a teacher so has always been 'born organised' (check out Flylady.net for that terminology - has some good money saving ideas as well!) and although I'm not as good as she, I try to be as good as can be. Just to set the picture, I'm due to get married in 2010...

I had a very comfortable childhood but my parents did try to let me know the value of money. Unfortunately, I'm currently more in debt than I've ever been, due to an overdraft, loan from my parents for my car and to my fiance for holiday money (he has said I don't have to pay him back but I want to on principle) plus one credit card. I was made redundant in February of this year so one of the first hit by the recession and whilst I've temped enough to pay the mortgage, things haven't been easy but I've just got a new job that involves paid overtime so my aim is to hopefully pay off my overdraft, etc (things that I pay interest on) and I've already forewarned my fiance that I won't see him much during November and December.

I bought some cheap presents (Poundland) in February that I am giving at Christmas but the biggest thing that's helped me is making presents (and believe me, I'm no great artist). Hopefully no one I know is going to read this because it'll spoil the surprise but I scanned all my photos in the summer and then had the idea of making photo albums. I even bought folders and paper to keep the costs down of the album so I've spent several months sorting through the photos, working out what should go where. I've stuck them all down (pritt stick bought from poundland) and am now writing captions next to them. As my fiance said, my mum will appreciate the time and effort, plus the outcome in this present and will be happier knowing I've not spent a fortune, than if I'd bought her a £100 watch because then she'd know I would be more in debt. I've also done a similar thing for friends. The cheaper presents I bought in Poundland will be stocking fillers (we do stockings for each other every year and my parents are visiting this year so I'm buying for 3 people) and we always say £5 or under per present with a max of 10. So some of them are 10p bags of sweets and I've also been creative with the stocking fillers as some are freebie samplers that I'll never use. My parents would much rather I use my initiative then end up spending £50 on stockings for each of them and be in debt for longer as a result. I bought wrapping paper in the sale but if I hadn't I'd decorate brown paper to keep things cheaper. Someone I worked with's mother had told them off because she only bought her stepdad a £10 gift voucher and her mum said that it 'wasn't good enough'. I find that absolutely appalling, partly because I'm lucky enough that my parents are incredibly understanding and would never say that but also because she's effectively expecting her daughter to get into debt in order to buy a 'decent' christmas present for someone she's only related to as a result of her mother meeting them.

I also bought '3 for 2' Christmas cards a few weeks ago, again from Poundland, so have written them all and will post them and presents for people living further away tomorrow because I can go to the Post Office easily and then I know it's all done, prior to the busy season starting.

So people may find it weird that at nearly 25 with my birthday a week away and friends ready to party that I'm not going out every night but I've never been able to bury my head in the sand and I would worry and stress far more if I get myself more in debt and I'd rather have everything done now so that when I'm able to do overtime I can work hard to hopefully pay off some debt. What's more, I did my first shift yesterday and really enjoyed working with the new people I work with so I'm hoping that my new job will be as fun as work can be and in the process I'll be able to have a great Christmas. Then I can start 2009 a little less in debt and have more fun as a result.

Rant over, lol!

So have a fantastic Christmas everybody and remember that it's actually meant to be about family, friends and enjoying company, not how much you can spend on your kids in one present! Love and hugs T

Beki

hmmm a nice bit of spammage methinks?

RoxieW

oh dear - i just put my xmas cd on. i'm blaming u beki and the decoration thread - made me want my own bit of xmassyness

pinkladymel

Roxie I did a huge post to you earlier and apparentely It didnt post! YAY!

I am not sad about you talking about your pregnancy, infact I am over joyed for you I can't wait until all the people pregnant here have their babies and post their lickle bragging photographs so I can coo over them!! You are so lovely and everything you said really strikes a few chords with how I have felt. xx


Antonia.. WOW what a post..

If there is anyone who knows the true value of christmas, from a non-religious celebration point of view, I would say you can rely on me. When I was little my mom and dad used to work long hours and from family past (I wont go into it) I was raised in a very poor family. I remember my favouritest toy I ever received was a dolly. I am pretty sure it was a poundshop jobby but I loved her because I had never had anything really before. Now that I am older I realise that because we had no money we did a lot of special things and we was so close as a family. I remember one month there was no money left and we was all doing a treasure hunt to find money around the house (like pennies down the sofa) so mom could buy some bread to feed us.

Now I am 25 and I have grown with one big flaw which is too soft a heart but I would say for a family with nothing I didn't do too bad. My excitement.. my absolute thrill is to find bargains and make something from nothing. I LOVE to get freebies and cheap things and just make things for charity and spread the love to those that have nothing.

When people talk about ice skating, going for walks in the park, running about shopping with kids.. I can't do any of those. My husband is in a wheelchair and we always end up moving ten steps away from each other to get by anywhere.

But I love my family, I am greatful for everything I have and despite the fact that christmas is one of the hardest times economically for a family, it holds my happiest moments. That is why everyone I know calls me mrs christmas

jamtart6

:spam::spam::spam::spam::spam::spam::spam::spam:

Anyone for spam?! I have reported both posts

pinkladymel

Oh yeh i forgot to add on my big rant..

BALLS to december 1st

Im putting my TREE my CD and my FILMS on NOW!!

show you the pics later

Lots of love

Pinkladymel

MIA

jamtart6

RoxieW wrote: »

oh dear - i just put my xmas cd on. i'm blaming u beki and the decoration thread - made me want my own bit of xmassyness

I have just unearthed my Christmas shower gel and liquid soap it is cinammony and mulled winey and lovely

RoxieW

pinkladymel wrote: »

Roxie I did a huge post to you earlier and apparentely It didnt post! YAY!

I am not sad about you talking about your pregnancy, infact I am over joyed for you I can't wait until all the people pregnant here have their babies and post their lickle bragging photographs so I can coo over them!! You are so lovely and everything you said really strikes a few chords with how I have felt. xx


Antonia.. WOW what a post..

If there is anyone who knows the true value of christmas, from a non-religious celebration point of view, I would say you can rely on me. When I was little my mom and dad used to work long hours and from family past (I wont go into it) I was raised in a very poor family. I remember my favouritest toy I ever received was a dolly. I am pretty sure it was a poundshop jobby but I loved her because I had never had anything really before. Now that I am older I realise that because we had no money we did a lot of special things and we was so close as a family. I remember one month there was no money left and we was all doing a treasure hunt to find money around the house (like pennies down the sofa) so mom could buy some bread to feed us.

Now I am 25 and I have grown with one big flaw which is too soft a heart but I would say for a family with nothing I didn't do too bad. My excitement.. my absolute thrill is to find bargains and make something from nothing. I LOVE to get freebies and cheap things and just make things for charity and spread the love to those that have nothing.

When people talk about ice skating, going for walks in the park, running about shopping with kids.. I can't do any of those. My husband is in a wheelchair and we always end up moving ten steps away from each other to get by anywhere.

But I love my family, I am greatful for everything I have and despite the fact that christmas is one of the hardest times economically for a family, it holds my happiest moments. That is why everyone I know calls me mrs christmas

oh god mel - you've brought tears to my eyes there!

i'm another one with too soft a heart but i had a poor childhood in every sense of the word (i know, woe is me!) so should be bitter and twisted really! I do think I spoil my kids, living through them if you get what I mean but i try to spoil them with time, affection, trips out and not just material things. I try to ensure that they're grateful and aware of children less fortunate through various charity bits we do together

My dad had his leg amputated last year and is in a wheelchair so thats made me realise how difficult it can be. For example, he came down to visit and neither of us realised that he wouldnt be able to get into my house! I'm pregnant with SPD (pelvis problem) and he's not a light bloke so I couldnt help him, and OH was at work. How bad did I feel with my dad stuck out on the driveway! It was raining too So I know how easy it is to take simple things for granted and I'll be trying not to in future.

was actually just going to post my own soppy post but you bet me to it! was just thinking, singing along to the xmas tunes with a smile on my face, how much happier I feel then a few weeks ago. I suffer depression and was going through one of my low times and I really feel like this thread has pulled me out of it - keeping me motivated to do the things I need to do and having a giggle with you ladies. OH goes mad when I say I've had xmas tunes on but so what, the festive period makes me happy So :beer: to all on this thread! One thing though - what ever and we going to do after xmas!!!!! :eek:

jamtart6

Oh you guys RoxieW hopefully we have all helped each other out and pulled each other up! I LOVE my 30mins a day on xmas tasks (usually turns into 2 hours) never have I been so organised for Christmas - thanks to you all and pinkladymel for starting the thread After xmas...we will have EASTER and birthdays!!