Organised Christmas 2008.. The countdown has begun!

pinkladymel

WOW sarah those Adipose look amazing!! I LOVE their little cute faces aww they are wonderful and you are a lovely mommy for making them.

Maria and the imps I think you are a lot like me. You like to keep reading things on here.. keep thinking about all the lovely things you will do.. when in actual fact you are just burying your head in the sand because it is too overwhelming to think about. Last year I stopped doing this and got organised and I can't recommend it enough.

Organizedchristmas.com is all about printing off a planner and following one of the plans. See the first post of this thread about this. Once you have a planner you will feel empowered and less panicked that the whole organisation of christmas is covered.

Now we need to work on the gifts. I can not recommend getting yourself a notepad enough. Just a cheap 24p Tesco job will do. Start making a meal plan and then a shopping list and shop ONLY from the list. Work yourself out a budget every week and you will be amazed how much money you can claw back to spend. Not only that but you will feel so much better knowing it is all sorted out and everything is paid for.

What do your kids like? How about making them a hamper each full of things related to what they like. It could be like a huge treasure chest to them. Infact.. I LOVE sarahs ideas about printing off colouring and things. If you tell me what they like I can start scouting the shops and alert you to all the bargains. There is still 10 weeks and you will be amazed what you can pick up between then and now.

Part of the organized christmas plan is to make a gift list. I think that is a brilliant place to start. Once you have done all of the above.. which is loads of fun sitting with a nice hot drink and all your notepads feeling smug.. you will feel so much better. Pop your gift list and budget on here and we can think of ideas together.


Christmas is a time to be happy and it is JUST ONE DAY. As a mom I know what it means to get it right for your kids but for everyone else..all the other adults in your family.. there is no excuse and you shouldnt have to stress about getting everyone elses christmas right. It is your christmas too.

Wishing you christmas love and lots of power

mel xx (who is 25 but talks like a 70 year old washer woman more by the day)

pinkladymel

You know I spent most of last night playing with this little cube world car that was 3.99 from home bargains (or was it 4.99) It was so much fun haha.

roosterbean

Maria, I agree with Mel, if I had to choose, I would make sure my boys were sorted first, after all xmas is for children and they only believe in Santa for such a short time. However, that doesn't mean you need to put pressure on yourself. My two ticked nearly everything in the Argos but certainly won't be getting all of them! Woollies and Wilkos sell cheap board games based on the more expensive ones. What about buying second-hand toys and cleaning them up - as long as they are in good condition and work, they will be happy. You can always say that you've removed the packing to save all the mess on the big day.

I don't give gifts to all my uncles, aunts, etc, I've got a big family, I buy for their children and they buy for my boys and we leave it at that.

Perhaps you could consider doing the Park vouchers for next xmas or opening a savings account - this has really helped me this year. Also doing hampers can be a cheap alternative as a gift.

Let us know what items you need - I bet some of the very talented people on this thread will source it at its cheapest!!

Have a coffee, make your list and try to put things in perspective. We will get you back in that christmassy mood!!

Rooster xx

katiecoodle

Can't agree more with these posts Maria - whatever you do, don't consider getting a loan for Christmas! Think of the reason we have Christmas - I'm sure Jesus would be mortified if you ended up in debt just because you felt you should do it 'properly'. In my family we're ALL much happier just giving to the kids - it was surprising what a sigh of relief it was all round when it was suggested a few years ago!
And Father Christmas this year has been instructed to give perishable or useful presents to our kids so they don't end up with a load of tat which won't hardly see the light ofday...so I'm expecting bubble baths, sweeties, novelty toothbrushes, socks, flasks, soaps, etc and can't wait until its all been used up! (I may have to help with the sweeties just to make sure you understand?)
If you can turn out some shortbread - then bake some of that & box it up beautifully - thats always a winner & is suitable for couples or families. Don't please think that people will appreciate something because it cost you a lot of money. The best present I ever got was a donation to Oxfam made in my name, I felt soooo good and especially because I understand its sometimes hard to give that kind of present, but the people who gave it to me knew that I'd be pleased with it.
Keep perspective, keep your eye out for bargains (you're on the right site!) and speak to your OH again about cutting out some of the adults on your list - you've got plenty of time to make this a great Christmas & you don't have to spend a fortune I promise.

maria_and_the_imps

i dont have anything i can sell as i always give everything away on freecycle, my husband thinks that at christmas everyone should get presents and he is right they should i just hate struggleing to pay for everything, i need toys ect as presents for my children and nephews and presents for the men of the family all the women are sorted. we have decided not to buy for each other so that will save money. going to sit down adn work out exactly what i have and what i need and how much it is going to cost and hopefully find a way to get the money. i'm doing hampers and making some home made stuff, will get back to you when i feel a litlle bit sorted and have a better idea of what i need, thanks for all your help
maria
xxxxx

Shevs

Maria I think you should sit your husband down and clearly mark out your financial situation, because I know if I was struggling that much my bf would agree with me and only buy for the kids in our family. It is nice for everyone to get a present yes, but you have to remember that Christmas isnt about presents it's about being with the people you love and making memories for the younger ones.

Like everybody else has said if you post what you need on the thread I will happily have a hunt around for you and let you know if I find it on the cheap.
Good luck hunny, we are all hoping it sorts itself out xxxxx

mum2one

Maira, just a thought, but for some adult presents, if they have got children, and u buy for the adults, what about printing some i.o.u. vouchers, for example 5 x i.o.u. baby sitting, that way, they get a present, but more than that they get a nightout together, without haveing to worry about a baby sitter, and you have done a really good dead.

Again, I agree with the other posters, hampers etc, have you got loyalty points anywhere, boots, tesco etc? x

sarahf191979

Afternoon Everyone

Well I have managed to do my joke jar, :j , and I'm just printing 2 Personalised Xmas story books for the kids.

The other 2 book need a bit of work on them yet but will definatley have them finished over the weekend.

Anyway Kettle's just boiled, so gonna have a cup of coffee before I do anymore.

Sarah
x

Shevs

Sarah your so funny with your cuppas, I sit here and giggle at the end of every one of your post's. Have you thought of joining Caffine Addicits Anonimous??? (I dont know if I have spelt any of that right lol) xxxxx

RoxieW

I love this thread and want to join in but can someone help me with where to start? I'd like to get the house in gear - do I just write a list? Can someone tell me what section to start on on the website as there's so much on there I'm just totally lost!