I've made a start - but not sure how to go on....

LittleEmms

Great ideas guys Thankyou!:T

I like the idea of homemade chocolates too! Gonna have a nose around the hamper section today (didn't want to do whilst at work yesterday!)

I also got a letter in the post today saying the Council are looking at my banding!! Woohoo - so that is a bonus!!! I have only made a start - but its all good!!!

bargainbetty

It's worth looking in your cupboards too. I've 'recycled' a few gifts this year.... books I couldn't bring myself to read (oh please SIL, just give me the book tokens) perfume and soap gift sets that I didn't open, and a picture frame that was very cute, but not to my general taste. All you need to do is remember who got them for you!!

LittleEmms

Thanks Betty - that's a great shout. Just the softer side of me donated a lot of stuff to an old peoples home fete back in September. My 'adopted' mum (i'm not really adopted, but she's the closest thing I have to a proper mum)... she works there as an activities co-ordinator. And being i have a small house with no storage - it was an ideal moment.

However that's a great idea for this year - if I get stuff I don't like, I might keep a list of who got me what.. so I can do that for birthdays or even next christmas!!;)

Burlesque_Babe

this is a fab site for homemade hampers - use poundstretcher, lidl, wilkinsons etc for the contents

http://www.scrapbook.com/forums/showtopic.php?tid/1204913/

dancingfairy

Definitely shop around. For example look out for books that are reduced in WHsmiths and then use the 5 pounds off if you spend 20 sort of thing.
3 for 2 in boots and then extra bonus points - that sort of thing. Pay for it using a cashback credit card/points credit card - eg tesco/nectar/amazon etc or using gift vouchers you have collected during the year for doing clicks/surveys that sort of thing/ or you have been given and hadn't spent etc.
Careful shopping around is required. Oh and don't forget to get out there on the 27th December /early Jan and start stocking up on cards/wrapping paper and any other bargains for birthdays throughout the year - or even things for next christmas - you'll save a fortune. Lol
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LittleEmms

Thanks BurlesqueBabe and Dancing Fairy.

My problem in the past has been I hate shopping and more so crowds. I'm somehow become invisible and people literally shunt me out of the way:( (this actually happened in a sandwich shop the other week - before my LBM I'd like to add!!:o )

I need to be more assertive and walk with a purpose and hit the sales with more of an attitude and since my LBM this will happen. I have just a right as any to be in those shops, I just can't handle people's rudeness and attitudes. I can't believe today that someone in America was killed in a stampede at a Wallmart sale... what's the world coming too??

This might sound a bit wimpy - but I actually have quite a bad back and genetic disorder which means I dislocate, pull muscles and bruise easily, so any shunt of any sort tends to do me a little more harm than most. It doesn't help I'm tiny!!! But that's not to say I'm not invisible!!! Maybe I should wear a high vis jacket when shopping

I've only just found this website (am enlightened!) so will definitely be a lot more prepared next year!!!

Thanks again! :T

LittleEmms

Burlesque Babe - That list of hamper ideas is awesome!! And what a personal thoughtful gift for the person you choose to give it to!!