Christmas 09 Let's Get Organised!!

sammy_kaye18

foxy219 wrote: »

Have to be thrifty this month and be careful what else we buy, are both seriously overdrawn and need to dip into rainy day account to clear at least one of the overdrafts, times are tough - but I keep smiling my way through, with the help of all you MSE'ers of course xx

Know the feeling foxy

Boyfriend has been on sick leave last month which left him practically skint this month to the point I've had to give him petrol money but ill be taking that back in his next pay packet so should be ok so hoping to get Ben's camera then for him.

Have gotten most the family done but need to really start saving up to see if I can get people finished - I seem to do lots of little bits for lots of people but haven't actually concerntrated on one present getting finished yet so need to finish final touches on some gifts now I think so I can start checking people off the list.

I want to get two more 'morning gorgeous' mugs and make more hot chocolate sets too for my best friends for Christmas and was over in morrisons with mother in law the other day and looking at all the bits and pieces so will pop back over there nearer to Xmas for bits and bobs although did buy my boyfriends advent calender already when i last went - its a top gear stig calender - and could guarantee there wouldn't be one there if i went over there next time.

PRINCESS - was wondering where you'd gotten to this morning - god luck and hope your little princess arrives safe and sound

Kazzabell29

cheesy*wotsit wrote: »

Im not a crafter so has anyone seen a site/shop that's selling cheap xmas cards, wrapping, etc yet?

Had barney with OH... I asked for half of the cost of niece's xmas prezzy and he said its September, not Xmas yet so no you can't. I explained that he knew I was like this (Xmas early every year) and wouldn't he prefer little bills as he went along rather than 1 big bill at Xmas? To put it politely, he told me to take it back because he wasn't doing it this early (he's not, I am!) and stormed out. :-( With being a temp, I'm on random weekly pay and haven't got as big a money buffer as I used to have. Am I being unreasonable?

My OH wakes up on xmas morning and thinks that Santa really has been:rolleyes:!!!

little_miss_moneysaver_3

kingshir wrote: »

Brilliant addition to the 'tea lovers' hamper! :T

Yes, I marzipan and ice it exactly the same way and as to the brandy, I use the Sainsbury own brand stuff at approx £6.50 a bottle. It seems a waste to use expensive stuff!

Great am going to Asda later so will get a bottle of cheap stuff. Might have a go at making one later, watch this space!!!

Thanks Kingshir!!!

ragz_2

princesswoo wrote: »

If anyone has a THORNTONS outlet centre near them or an outlet centre with a thorntons they do chocolate coins for 35p a bag i remember getting about 10 bags a few weeks back, dates go to feb 2010 i think.

I am now disappearing for a week or so to have my daughter, she's not due to be born till thursday afternoon (c-section) but i'll be too busy tommorrow getting the last few bits ready to pop on. I'll get DF to pop on and give you all an update as soon as he can. Catch you soon ladies - hope i dont miss any good bargains in the meantime.

Good luck hope all goes well.

ragz_2

fedupandskint wrote: »

Also I want to put together a food hamper for OH and try for a stir fry theme (minus the wok as has a nice one already) but I am struggling to think of things to go in apart from sweet chilli sauce that I am going to make myself from a nigella recipe any ideas?

Expensive-looking bottles of various soy sauces/fish sauce (try Lidl!)
Chopsticks
Apron
Dried chillies
Nice looking bottles of oil eg walnut, groundnut, sesame etc

That's all I can think of for now, HTH x

jellybean08

kingshir wrote: »

Hi Janey

I always make mine in September and then I 'feed' it with brandy every couple of weeks up to Xmas. (feed - poke the bottom of the cake with a toothpick and pour a capful of brandy in, leave to soak in and wrap up again in greaseproof and keep in an airtight container)

Also I don't use a traditional fruit cake recipe, I use something called a Boiled Fruit Cake one. It isn't boiled I hasten to add, but all the ingredients, except flour and eggs, are put in a saucepan and simmer for 20mins for so and then when cool the flour and eggs are added. It really is foolproof and make a very moist, delicious cake. It is also very adaptable and you can use only the dried fruits you prefer ( I use chopped dates, prunes, cherries and sultanas and no nuts or orange peel). I can post the basic recipe tomorrow if anyone wants it. My only other tip is make 2, one to eat now so you know if you like it!

Hello everyone,

I'd love the recipe kingshir-might have a go at making my own cake this year!

I've been hanging around for ages reading the board and love it. I'm not quite as organised as you ladies as i'll have to wait till next pay day to start but i am getting some great ideas! ooh i did buy all my make your own xmas card stuff in last years sales though.

Was in tesco today and they had lots of the christmas sweet stuff in-including giant purple quality streets! I resisted though-will save those till nearer the time lol. :A

MummyYummy

Thanks for the resplies reagarding the gift vouchers - I think I will go next week and get them out of the way I bought 2x tins of sweets in Tesco today, 2x chocolate orange and 2x bags of gold coins yaayyyyyy!!!!

Princess - Good luck!!!!!! I had a caesarean with my DS.

I've (hopefully) attached a picture below of my "pamper hampers" for my teenage sisters. I've made 3 of these (identical) so far but I think I need a few more things for them though - any ideas? This is what I have so far:

Shampoo
Conditioner
Nail polish
Nail polish remover
Cotton wool pads
False eyelashes
Shower gel
Some sweeties
Socks
Notepad and pen (not very pampering but handy for school!)
Face mask
Face wipes
Nail files
Deoderant
A mini photo frame (again not pampering but cute and on sale!)

My sisters are 13, 15 and 17. My mum buys them a big make up case each Christmas so no need for that. They don't have a bath (they have their own bathroom which has a shower) so I can't do bath bombs, bubble bath etc.

I am going to add a chocolate slab too. I don't want to spend much more because I also give them some money - just a few things to bulk the boxes out.

Jo xx

PS Sorry if the photo comes out huge!!!

laulau1

fedupandskint wrote: »

Good luck princess and I hope it all goes well for you and your new daughter! Thanks for the Thorntons tips regarding chocolate coins.

If anyone has a poundstretcher near them they are selling large bags of Wherthers for £1 (numerous varieties) useful for pots of gold

Does anyone know where I could buy a reasonable priced men's umbrella that is decent quality?

Also I want to put together a food hamper for OH and try for a stir fry theme (minus the wok as has a nice one already) but I am struggling to think of things to go in apart from sweet chilli sauce that I am going to make myself from a nigella recipe any ideas?

If you are near a B&M they often have lots of different stirfry oils and bottles of stir fry sauces, often for around 19p.

Money_maker

Sammy_Kaye has reminded me, play.com have some really cheap calendars at the moment. The Top Gear one for 2010 is £5 free postage. I also preorderedt a Chickens one for MIL which I had to buy last year at the Calendar shop full price £9.99. Play has them at £5.99 plus a few pennies from Topcashback.
HTH someone.

Christmas cake -will hopefully have ours done later this month. I give my boys (13 & 12) the recipe and ingredients and off they go. My DH gets the unenviable job of marzipan and icing with the boys. Last year they did it whilst I was at work in the evening. The kitchen looked like a bomb had hit it and the air was blue! Secretly though, I think they really enjoy it...

gettingthereslowly

So envious that you are all so organised. I've bought a pair of slippers for SIL and thats it. Really need to get cracking.

I have bought a few thing for my nan to give out though so thats my good deed.

Off to write a list to get going