Thrifty Gifty - Organised for Christmas and all ocassions 2009- Santas Challenges

mum2one

PinkLipgloss wrote: »

mum2one A shed :eek: You must be doing a lot more Christmas shopping than me! :rotfl:

mrsow A friend of mine bought a really large picture frame and made a photo collage of herself/brothers/cousins/parents over the years and gave it to her parents as a present and they totally LOVED it - it has pride of place in their living room. It took a lot of time and effort to put together but it looks fab.

Sit comfortably - you can have my xmas list - 84 people!!

Lucy_Lu_4

mum2one wrote: »

Last yr, we did a family of 3, our budget was £40,(3 sets of us), and I got bargains they would of originally been £100 for £20. So was going to spend the remaining £20.00

Then the reality hit me would I give that family £100 in cash for xmas NO WAY, then once everything was on a spreadsheet with the values it really makes a difference.

Once the spreadsheet up and running, pull a person out, and if you say £30 budget, but u only spent £10 would you really want to give them £20.
Once you've visualised that a few times - it will work.

Another way to think of it is there anything you want, for eg with me, two years ago, the money I saved by doing the spreadsheets etc, I paid for 2weeks all inclusive holiday - just had to find my spending money xx

Thank you mum2one.

That's a great idea, you're right, if I wouldn't give a particular person a certain amount of money in cash then I shouldn't buy them presents coming to that total should I. It's going to be a big habit to break, I so over buy and give people so many presents, it's really bad!

SugarSpun

84 people!!!!!!!

We didn't have that many at our wedding!! You're a brave woman!

98jdougl someone was mean to me somewhere else on the forum, is all. I shouldn't take it personally but the post was really spiteful and it shocked me.

scattymam1

aggghhhhhhh help I think I'm nesting... never happened in my life before, def. didn't happen with my first child. It means I'm getting very organised though so I'm ticking off bits on my OZ grand holiday plan already. I was going to start that in the next two weeks but I might as well start now.

SugarSpun

Scattymam, enjoy it while it lasts!

I'm desperate to nest but too enormous to do anything useful so I'm stuck trying not to buy "useful" things online.

PinkLipgloss

Morning all!

I am up bright and early having just returned from the NEXT sale. I arrived at Falkirk Next (it's the best NEXT store in my area) just before 5am and managed to get loads of bargains (particularly in homewear since I'm moving to a new place on Thursday). Pleased to report that is was very civilized this year. :j Previous years have seen people fighting to get stuff off the rails!

mum2one - I don't know how you do it! Although I have a massive family I have 22 presents to buy (and that's including my husbands family!)

Lipgloss x

scattymam1

my husband was quite impressed (that never happens) - I even glossed windowsills as well as tidying and cleaning!!!

Was very tired last night so went to bed at 9.00, so had a full ten hours sleep, except for a couple of toilet breaks (obviously).

here's my list so I can get it all straight in my head...sorry about the length ( those in red are still to buy)
1. Dad

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no idea yet? lots of little things 30-40 budgeted,
2. mam in law

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fiorelli purse gift set, x catalogue shop vouchers 30pounds ish, framed photo of bairns!
3. dad in law

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30 pounds game vouchers, digital photo keyring 5quid
4. sis in law

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betty boop purse 3.00 and 10 voucher - hmv
5. bro in law

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wallet!! 10 voucher - hmv
6. sis in law

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playboy coin purse -50p, phone sock 1 quid, phone charm thing 50p, voucher 10 pounds either new look or hmv
7. nana - purse, 20/30 catalogue shop vouchers, photo of bairns.
8. uncle - wallet - 10pound hmv vouchers
9. aunty - purse and 10pounds accessorize voucher
10. husband - box set of bond dvds, box set of police academy dvds, aftershave, gadgets, salt and pepper things, selec. box
11. daughter - secret diary, (take a trip to toys r us in october and buy some stuff)
12.baby - just a couple of random toys from dd
13. brother - 20 pounds hmv voucher
14. sis in law - smelly set, 10 voucher - boots
15. niece - ? budget 15 pounds, something from disney shop maybe
16. nephew - budget same
17. aunty - purse
18. cousin - purse with horse on- 2pounds
19. cousin - purse and silk scarf
20. cousins hubby - digital photo keyring
21. friends daughter - hello kitty purse 60p and 10 voucher accessorize
22. other friends daughter - hello kitty purse 60p and 10 voucher hmv!
23. friend - purse 99p, necklace, 10 boots voucher
24. friends hubby - wallet 1pound, 10 hmv voucher
25. friends dd - a few small things budgeting 25 pounds
26. teachers - reindeers again with lush bath bombs in and exra lush shop something


wow looking at this looks like I've got loads left to get...better get cracking on, I do have a lot of the money to cover it in my money neutral but need to get buying and get it put in cupboard.

scattymam1

thanks to sammy kaye on the other thread - I liked the way she did it so I copied the style here and now I feel organised x

mrsow

PinkLipgloss thats a lovely idea, dont know where to start but will definately look into it ......

scattymam1 you really are shaming me now, looking at your list I realise how disorganised I am. You seem to get loads of good bargains.

Its funny how many people are pregnant on here, its the same where I live every1 either is pregnant or has a tiny ickle baby.................. good luck to all of you xx

Really need to sort myself out today I keep putting off organising my file but I will when I get back from town

irishgirl62

Some fantastic ideas here..... here is one a section for receipts?

Last year I bought a wee small box with Xmas designs on it and kept reciepts of xmas presents that had one year guarantee or may need exchanged after xmas in it. It is in with xmas decorations now. so if sons xbox breaks before xmas or Daughters striaghteners I know exactly where the receipts are!