The Thrifty Gifty Girls 'n' Guys 2009 (Organised & Money Neutral for All Occasions)

chocolate.orange_2

Right well so far

I have listed all the 'extra' things i had bought this year. Now i just need to assign them to people. I have the oher half of my last year book,which has now been clipped together with a paperclip then i can see where i am up to.

I have a box of craft things pre-made. I made up 5 extra Jar of nothings !!.So they are in a box with flannels etc for reindeers/muffins. I have numbered the box so i know which to grab when i have a spare hour to have a play around. This has been wrote in my book too. So i have a point of refference.

Also i have made a list of things that i have to sell. Dvds. Camcorder. Rebok step x 3 ( dont ask lol) and lots and lots of wedding things including all the wedding parties outfits...everything you could imagine. I figure with just selling these i can make a healthy wadge towards becoming money neutral this year :rotfl:

I plan to hit the charity shops when the kiddies go back to school,well maybe the week after that. But i am going to be a very good choccy orange and only buy what i can actually use, not buy anything because its cheap or just incase.:o

furrypig

Choccy you sound just like me!! Not wanting to buy anything just because it's cheap or just in case that is so me!!!

nickynoo08

I've just started going through my left over gifts and started sorting any un wanted gifts. I reckon i've got enough bits n bobs to put together the majority of my female hampers/gift boxes for both birthdays and xmas.
Bought a few bits in the sales but tbh i dont really need much. The last few years i bought stuff cheap in the sales for the sake of it so this time i went armed with a list of things i would LIKE to get. I only bought them if they were half price or better, i could use my left over vouchers to pay for them and if they were on my list. I didn't do too bad either. Only spent about £20 (£15 in vouchers and £5 cash) and i got most of what i wanted.

scattymam1

yoo hoo where are you all - you haven't all won the lottery have you??!!

I had an idea to make some birthday presents cheaper, I was buying a claires accessories voucher for a friend but I hate just giving gift cards on their own so I always end up getting something else to go with it making a £10 present more like a £20 present so for this birthday I am going to get a box (free) and just get a cheap helium filled balloon (from 50p upwards) and put it in the box so that when they open the box the balloon flies out with the voucher attached to the bottom of the string. It wasn't really my idea mind I seen it somewhere else but it's better than just giving them a card, could maybe empty a bag of £1 shop lollies into the box with some torn up tissue paper too. But that def. makes my pressies cheaper cos like I say I always end up getting something to go with the gift card.

Nicki_Sue

What a fab thread! I did a lot of my xmas shopping this way for Xmas just past, "free" pressies, using vouchers, cash backs etc and it was the best fun I'd had Xmas shopping ever! Will be organised and keeping an eye on here for pointers for more neutral ways to sort birthday and christmas! Quidco, Shop&Scan and the like were godsends!

paddingtondoo

:hello: Hi everyone - hope you all had a great xmas.
Really sorry things went badly plm and hope you're feeling better will certainly add to the xmas memories.

We had a great day although OH has taken control of the wii I'm fed up with seeing Tiger Woods PGA but at least I didn't have to sit through loads of pants telly

Went to Kempton park racing on Boxing day and managed to break even although I can't remember ever being so cold and only spent an hour getting out of the car park at the end .

Had to go back to work today and nipped into the sales everywhere looked like a swarm of locusts had been although got a birthday pressie for niece and an xmas pressie half price paid with points so cost nothing :j.

Don't have any more birthdays until February so will hopefully be a cheap month. Off to Scotland on Wednesday for a few days to see OH's family and maybe have a drink or [STRIKE]twenty[/STRIKE] two and than back to normal

Don't expect I'll get on much before then so Happy New Year to you all!

mum2one

I've been a little bit organised, gone through the bday and xmas list, doing all the necessary chopping, have no birthdays to buy for Jan, but very plzed, as I have got all of Febs already, the worst bit is dont even remember putting them up, must of been when doing the xmas prezzies.

Got a £10 voucher for Halfords, so going to get a xmas prezzies, if they've still got it a screwdriver set for £10.00 one less prezzie.

Going to wait to dd goes back to school then have a day where sort out all the recycled presents, what was left from last yr and the couple of things got in sales b4 xmas.

Then start Open Uni Feb, but aim to get going mid Jan, want to get 2 weeks ahead.

Next plan get a points update, cant believe I've still got £50 Boots vouchers left, thought be sensible and have a look at 75% sale (anyone got an idea when they reduce again), and /or keep them 4 next yr. x

mum2one

paddingtondoo wrote: »

:hello: Hi everyone - hope you all had a great xmas.
Really sorry things went badly plm and hope you're feeling better will certainly add to the xmas memories.

We had a great day although OH has taken control of the wii I'm fed up with seeing Tiger Woods PGA but at least I didn't have to sit through loads of pants telly

Went to Kempton park racing on Boxing day and managed to break even although I can't remember ever being so cold and only spent an hour getting out of the car park at the end .

Had to go back to work today and nipped into the sales everywhere looked like a swarm of locusts had been although got a birthday pressie for niece and an xmas pressie half price paid with points so cost nothing :j.

Don't have any more birthdays until February so will hopefully be a cheap month. Off to Scotland on Wednesday for a few days to see OH's family and maybe have a drink or [strike]twenty[/strike] two and than back to normal

Don't expect I'll get on much before then so Happy New Year to you all!

Have a good hogmany and a drink or 2 for me! xx

chocolate.orange_2

I have only just noticed the Thanks bit

Promise i will be a good orange and click on all from now on

My excuse.... i have deteriorating eyesight and dont wear my glasses :rotfl: I am adamant that i dont really need them just think the optician wanted to make some £ out of me

pinkladymel

Hello Everyone

Well.. I planned for the past three months and then look what happened.. I develop pneumonia! It has been so tiring and I fell to sleep last night with a pair of scissors in my hands but I am getting better gradually.

I am really gutted that I missed out on all of the festivities and happiness again but what can I do. I am going to try and look forward to 09 with positivity as I have got a lot to do on the house.

Sorry that I let you all down last minute but you all appeared to be more than organised and taught me a thing or two Glad you all had a wonderful christmas and your stories have made me smile.

I am usually really up with the sales etc but this year I am just too tired so I am pretty useless.

x