Organised Christmas 2008.. The countdown has begun!

shelovestobuystuff

pinkladymel wrote: »

Just to let you all know:

:santa2:9 weeks 6 days to go!

Have you completed your gift lists and made sure you have checked the top selling toys list this year? I know it isn't important but it wouldn't be Christmas if my children didn't get what was the star item on their list. Having them all wrapped at my moms makes me feel a little calmer inside without the last minute rush of finding sold out items.

Heres a link to a thread on the top toys for this year.Theres loads of them but dont feel any pressure to buy any.I will be buying DD the cupcake maker only from the list and will parcel it up along with a mummies little helper apron and some pretty cupcake design tins I bought from au naturale.
It will at least give you all pre warning of what is likely to sell out early and let you see whats the in thing this year.
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1224073

pinkladymel

I just referred to the top ten lists so that people can check the items against their childrens wishlists and see what is likely to sell out. I think it would be ridiculous to buy things just because they are top ten but parents do that don't they...

I like your cupcake idea. I have seen that cupcake maker in the Boots 3 for 2 and it looked lovely.

I luckily managed to scrape together the money to get my daughters biggest wish a Dream Town Rose Petal Cottage in the Boots 3 for 2 last month before it sold out. Now I need to get Logans Thomas the Tank Tumblin' Bridge and I will be totally relaxed as these are all they want.

shelovestobuystuff

Challenge for this week
Write a list of ten things you would like to (and realistically could) complete by friday next week. Copy that list into this thread so that we can all see what you have commited to complete. Pressure!

Now set yourself a reward. A christmas reward. Perhaps a night in making cards with a christmas movie, Maybe a hot chocolate with whipped cream at Starbucks.

My list for the week includes a few spruce up the house items and some more fun chores too.
1/repair the front door(a bit of panelling fell of weeks ago)
2/tidy the hall shoe store
3/patch up that torn piece of wallpaper in the kitchen and paint it(bloomin dogs tried to eat it)
4/find a disney enchanted costume for DD xmas pressie
5/go to IKEA to browse the xmas stock
6/take DD to BHS xmas shop for inspiration and to play with the musical elvis teddies
7/get another few free wallpaper samples from B&Q to use as luxury gift wrap
8/find a treasure chest gift or storage box for DD.s pirate pressies
9/check out best buy for chocolate coins
10/choose the paint colour for the front porch

Once I have done all that I will treat myself to a copy of "singin in the rain".I love musicals.

pinkladymel

I think that is a really good point, some fun chores!! I think that is a really do-able list and has give me some thought for what I would like to include on mine.

I have seen the chocolate coins 99p a bag and three for two in boots. If I remember correctly though Poundland had 2 bags for a pound.

Have you seen this?
http://www.play.com/Music/CD/4-/3438048/Singing-In-The-Rain-Original-Soundtrack/Product.html

pinkladymel

I have just gone posting mad now.. Had to just say I was laughing so much at the "bloomin dogs" and the "pressing Elvis". Whenever I go to BHS I have to press every single thing so they are all going off and everyone starts staring. I just walk away casually and stare as if to say "what nutter did that?".

ahhhh Christmas

jamtart6

1. Have report 1 completed

2. Have report 2 completed

3. Write christmas card list

4. Make a final decision on a 'home made gift' for my mum, dad, OH and grandad - I always make one thing but not sure what to do this year - answers on a postcard!

5. Sort the photos for my friends photo calender (but only make it when a discount code appears )

6. Locate a website that lets me make a slim calender with my own photos - DONE thanks to Baybee1984's help (Will either use pixum or tesco photos)

7. Have a search for the cheapest Nintendo DS - see if can beat price of £85 (if anyone sees any please let me know! - don't need games, just the console ) £85 still the best this week, will keep checking until mid-November

8.Think of some more things to put in Wine hamper for Mum (have bought some mini bottles and christmas bottle stoppers..)

9. Browse threads to get an idea of what to buy Grandad

10. Interrogate OH on some ideas ("but its only October, Xmas is ages away" is the usual answer!!)

11. Count my 'spare change' tin DONE! Over £300 totally shocked and happy - think I can aford my £40 dress now (which is actually only £32 as I found a 20% discount code!)

Reward: Allowing myself to buy a £40 dress with money I've put in my spare change tin. It is a huge amount for me to spend but a good investment as will be used for Xmas parties and much much more - gutted the dress didn't fit but I have £40 more in my pocket I suppose

shelovestobuystuff

I have a £5 off voucher code for play.com I had forgotten about.I got it from quidco for being a member of the MSE quidclan.I will see if they have the DVD too.Thanks.

shelovestobuystuff

pinkladymel wrote: »

I have just gone posting mad now.. Had to just say I was laughing so much at the "bloomin dogs" and the "pressing Elvis". Whenever I go to BHS I have to press every single thing so they are all going off and everyone starts staring. I just walk away casually and stare as if to say "what nutter did that?".

ahhhh Christmas

Dont you have a little dance too.I must admit that if I am on my own I only go as far as a head bob or foot tap but when I have a kid with me its all the excuse I need to have a proper boogie.Some people do look at us as if they think we have just been let out for the weekend but most smile, and you can tell they wish they had the nerve to do it too.
Love the street musicians at christmas time too and we just have to dance to them.Last christmas DD and I were walking down the main street when I noticed her face light up as we heard the sound of a classical violinist whafting toward us.I just nodded to her to let her know she was allowed and off she went.I was so intent on watching her dance that I was surprised when the music ended and a round of applause erupted,she had an audience and took a big theatrical bow.It was great fun.

pinkladymel

My list for this week:
1. Finish finally tidying my bedroom
2. Make 5 christmas cards
3. Make my photobook on Photobox
4. Collect and do all the washing up from around the house
5. Clean the car out inside
6. Take the kids for a car wash (for the car obviously)
7. Buy some old fashioned sweets (and get myself some too obviously)
8. Book the Thomas tickets
9. Get thomas and the tumblin bridge
10. Wrap up any presents left to get.

My reward:
Some Galaxy Mistletoe kisses and a hot chocolate

pinkladymel

shelovestobuystuff wrote: »

Dont you have a little dance too..

Oh yes you have got to dance like a lunatic with the kids.. Not just any old dancing though.. full bum wiggling crazy dancing. Infact.. if there is one of those hip shaking santas I am finding myself hip shaking before I know it.

Your daughter sounds so cute and I love the street musicians too. You must have felt really proud of her