Christmas 09 Let's Get Organised!!

wannabepennypincher

Thanks JulieJim for the transformers tip!

Managed to win a bid of about 26 wicker bowls for a fiver(inc delivery) off ebay which I'm pretty chuffed with as those will be my hampers just need to get the wrapping for it.

This week the plans are to pick up anything I'll need for my cooking marathon equipment wise and make my nephews birthday cake. Oh and clear some space in my freezer so I can put in freezable goodies that are to be thawed closer to the day.

jemtom

not really done anything christmasy for past few days havent really had the money but this week i am going to get cracking on my aunties and uncles hamper, would like that to be finished then can get started on my mum and dads birthday and christmas presents, going to do my brothers hamper this week to just got to wrap the box up and get the sweets closer to the time.
juliejim - yes im in crewe not very far away from you.

chickywiggle

mummyyummy - what about a nice bowl of lavender pot-porrie (sp) and some lavender drawer inners for Gran-in-law??

just a quickie e-bay search has this: http://shop.ebay.co.uk/i.html?_nkw=lavender+pot+pourri&_sacat=0&_trksid=p3286.m270.l1313&_odkw=lavender+pot&_osacat=0

cyclingyorkie

or what about a lavender pillow? Lavender is very relaxing and calming.

Maybe lavender bags for drawers/cupboards?

LittleAnna

Lavender Yankee candle -smell lasts for ages and last year boots had a make up and wash bag with a pretty lavender pattern,Lloyds the chemist also had lots of lavender things,little mirror etc.Guess who's Mum also likes it?

Claire_Bear

Haha I'm making a lavender basket for my grandma too, although it all be smellies in mine so I can't help you there. Unless you make some lavender scones/cookies to go in there too?

I've just done a bit of calculating, and done a 'fake' shop on Mr T's website to get an idea of prices for things, and decided I'm going to need about £150-200 in total for presents and materials for crafty things which isn't too bad. I know what I'm getting for pretty much everyone now apart from a couple of people, but I've just budgeted in a price for them, depending on what they want I might be able to find it for under budget anyway I finished my OH's Newcastle sock monkey last night, just need to get some buttons for his eyes now and I can pack him away in the present box

On another note, does anyone know what I should start making Chilli vodka? From what I've read, it gets stronger for the longer you leave the chillis in, and while I want it hot I don't want it to be 'blows your head off' hot.

pennypinchingpenguin

pennypinchingpenguin wrote: »

thanks, i wonder if i can just set up a new paypal account? i doubt it. i have to change my card as well but its the same bank account so probably not.......

Miraculously remembered my password today! At least i can pay for stuff now!:j
being really good though - deleted a lot of my watch list as impractical. was thinking of making office stationary mini hampers for staff i volunteer for and found a few good ideas - in particular paperclip houses (little house shaped containers with roof as lid - festive colours red and green) for paperclips etc but lot is for 36 which is far too much for me. it starts at 99p with £3.45 postage and has 7 days left if anyone is interested in that.

so anyway here's my xmas to do list......

mum - sanctuary set £0 (free wys £10 on sanctuary)
- angel candle holder £3 (saved £7 from charity shop)
- other up to value £17
brother - up to value £20
sister 1 - 2x earrings £4.50 (saved £10)
- purse £0 (£3 re gift)
- other to value of £15.50
b.i.l - gift to value £10
sister 2 - mr messy t-shirt £5 (saved £6.99)
- go to jail t-shirt £7 (saved £5)
- other to value £8
b.i.l - gift to value of £10
dad - gift to value of £10
stepmother - sanctuary set £7.50 (saved £2.25)
aunt 1 - sanctuary set £7.50 (saved £2.25)
- scarf £0.80 (saved £4.20 - from charity shop)
- angel ornament £1.50 (saved £1.50)
aunt 2 - sanctuary set £5
- bag £0 (saved £15 - regift)
uncle1 - gift to value £5
cousin1 - gift to value £10
cousin2 - sunkissed makeup set £0 (saved£5 - regift)
baby - to value £5
cousin3 - nail set £0 (saved £8 - regift)
2 kids - to value £10
uncle2 - to value £5
nana - to value £15
gran - 2 bird ornaments £6 (saved £14 - from charity shop)
friend - scarf £1 (saved £3 - from charity shop)

total spend - £48.80
total saved - £97.19

i also have two large yankee candle jars i bought again from the charity shop for £1 each - have no idea how much they are usually but i know yankee candles are expensive for even the tiniest so im guessing they would normally be £10+ each maybe? they will be filled with sweets - not sure for who yet though - maybe in work as i split my time with two seperate offices......

pennypinchingpenguin

hi Clare Bear,

i got 10ml bottles of lavender for £1.01 in tesco last week at health and beauty reduced section also on 342 - might still be worth a look......

they had tea tree too so i swiped them as well as i add some to my moisturiser!

Money_maker

Lavender oil may be okay for the bath. Thats what the midwives recommended when I was stitched up (ouch!) after childbirth.

cyclingyorkie

picked up a ped egg in pink with my Boots points - to go in DD2's pink hamper - I love getting something for nothing!