DFD:A Tantalisingly Terrific Thread 4 a Super-Saving,Cracking Christmas! All Welcome

september09

Hello Everybody and Welcome to the Christmas Grotto! :santa2:

I thought I'd start this on the diaries thread as it will be pretty long running and lots of things seem to be moved lately so it seems reasonable.

Anyway the point of it is:

Lots of us I know LOVE christmas but it can be a very expensive and very stressful time of year.

As today is only 12 weeks from Christmas Eve, I thought it an appropriate time to start up a thread so that we can all post our thoughts, ideas, stresses and worries about Christmas, and also post any great Money Saving tips and ideas that we have to help lighten the load a little!

The more the merrier as I know lots of people would appreciate help in the run up to the 'big day' whether it be on homemade food, presents, decor, or just bargains that you find that others may have an interest in, all is welcome.

So pull up a chair and feel free to add your input.

Seasons Greetings (if a little early)


September x

september09

So, I've already started thinking about how I'm going to budget for christmas.

I don't know if many more people are a fan of this, but I have started doing little hampers for people, that have personal gifts in them. I find these go down quite well as people tend to appreciate the thought that has gone into them.

I usually put into mine little freebies, samples, free gifts etc. Cheap but lovely toiletries and smellies and sometimes some little indulgent sweeties/cakes or the like. This year I would love to go one better and put in some homemade goodies! Now Im not a very good craftswoman, and I'm not a very skilled cook so I may need some help on this!

Has anyone got any ideas they can suggest? What do you do for your hampers?

:rudolf::snow_laug:xmassmile:snow_grin

september09

A lady at my work has taken a whole day off for Christmas shopping today - keener than me!

I've added a poll at the top just for fun to see when most DFW's start theirs.

SarahNeedle1872

I've started my Christmas shopping already... in fact some of it I did after Christmas last year... mainly stuff for DS. I have probably got just under half done, all women, so just have the men to buy for, plus a couple more bits for the women, but only small bits.

I have been putting away £20pm for prezzies since last christmas and using that money as I have been buying presents... I have about £8 left! I tend to just look out for things throughout the year - well I say I 'tend to' what I mean is I did last year and have done this year! But in the main, I start thinking about it in Sept time... I find it's a much cheaper way of doing things rather than leave it all to the last minute and spending more than you wanted to/can afford

Sx

*Jellie*

I tend to buy all year round!

I'm a hamper fan too! Still working out what I'm putting in mine as I'm trying to mainly use things I've bought through the year. Problem at the moment is finding space to start sorting it all out.

Some of my best pressies have been the ones I made for people. For major birthdays for my mum and dad I bought photo frames and spent ages scanning in photos for them.

I love the home-made truffles my brother makes sometimes.

I'll pop back in with more ideas as they surface!

savingholmes

Hi September - I don't know if you have found the special occasions board but they started planning xmas on about boxing day. Lots of good ideas on there for things to make, low costs pressies, hampers etc.

Anyway have fun.... I have about half my pressies sorted!

Katy83

I am terrible with Christmas - I get really bah humbug up till about a week before hand when I feel guilty and end up panic buying expensive presents for everybody.

I WILL be different this year though...I've at least started to write a list so I've got an idea of what I want to buy people.

Pippilongstocking

I started early in the year - and went crazy when boots had their 75% off thing going on - must find that stuff in the attic.

I look out in charity shops for lots of sealed cosmetic gift packs (sneaky but good for the pressie box or using to make up peedie hampers) also keep those freebies that you get sometimes and have 2 No7 cosmetic gift bags stashed for xmas

I also pop something small in - even if its just a bag of sweets everytime I shop

I was naughty and used some vouchers from some people staying to buy the BOGOF tins of sweet - which made my vouchers go further

Will be using clubcard deals for a magazine subby and a few other treats as well

I only do christmas once every two years, (my kids go to dads year about) so I tend to try and make sure I get lots of little things throughout the year to spoil thier stockings

september09

Sarah - I like the idea of putting away money each month and also keeping an eye out all year round. I think I will do this next year as it would definatly ease some of the stress!
I think that men are harder to buy for sometimes, maybe why you have mostly men's presents left to get. I just struggle, I find there's more choice for women generally.

Jellie - Mmmm hm truffles sound delicious. I find it hard filling the spaces in my hampers, and how to spruce up the look of them!! :rolleyes: I like them to look sparkly and not dull. Im thinking lots of ribbon?

SavingHolmes - I didnt know that, I will take a look. The reason I started one here is cos I spend like, my whole life on this particular board, lol, Im obsessed! Hehe. Its a good way to keep myself all together or I forget and get lost. May have a look for inspiration.
:T

Thanks for your comments. :A

september09

Katy - Im the complete opposite to Bah Humbug, but I too panic buy - I always think I don't have enough and I think people will think ''oh is that it'' and then I end up way overspending. Im determined to be different this year too! Maybe we can inspire each other.

Fayjmck - Thats a great idea - Boots No7 free gifts, as I do buy their cosmetics! Will have to do that next year (this year Ive pledged not to buy any new toiletries or make up till mine all run out).
I'm now going to be trawling charity shops for gift boxes on the run up to december! Thanks. Ooh new ideas.

missymoo81

hey hun thought I'd come and have a looksie. I do most of my christmas shopping last two weeks before christmas, a lot is reduced then, and there are a lot of three for twos x