New Thrifty Gifty - Organised for Christmas and all ocassions 2010- Santas Challenges

fedupandskint

I start thinking about Christmas in July and start making some lists for presents then keep an eye out in the sales for them

Then start thinking about what I'll be making and make some lists of what I need to spread the costs along the weeks instead of in one big go

I had to train myself really over the last couple of years to do this and its clicked into place now!

Plus all the buying card just after Christmas and any decorations to use the following year takes the pressure off later on. I can't stand trawling around the shops on a busy weekend buying rubbish for the sake of it thats why I like to give some thought to what I want to buy and get it earlier rather than fight through the crowds.

Started planning the menu too!

mary-op

Maybe there's hope for me yet..............I seem to have ever growing lists......stuff to buy and stuff to make...............really must organise my brain so I start something and finish it before I go on to something else. Self discipline is what I lack I think.
Mind you we had a bit of a year last year one way and the other and this ones been a bit up and down (or am I making excuses......;))

Anglea

Hi all

Fedup - do you have lots of spare room to store all the cookery items in advance? I wouldn't know where to put mine.

Re cheap food. My greengrocer has a stand of cake making ingredients cheaper than the supermarket and I bought some a few years back - never again, didn't taste right at all.

Although I use Julian Graves for most things but I prefer walnuts and mixed fruit from the supermarket. Mind you, our supermarket has virtually empty shelves now as it's being taken over next week.

So I hope you can try out your cheaper dry fruit before using it for a special dish just in case it turns out like the ones I bought - and disliked.

sarahf191979

mary-op wrote: »

Hello all :j

sarah - you're starting to panic my with your countdown....................:eek:

Sorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry Mary but its exciting LOL;)

elysia2003

sarahf191979 wrote: »

Sorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry Mary but its exciting LOL;)

LOL. DD2 asks evry morning 'Is is Christmas yet?' She knows full well that it's not. Just a case of wishful thinking I suppose.

We had our new bed delivered the other week, and although it's for storage, it's still empty - was going to put the bedding in it. I had a brainwave yesterday, I'm going to wrap all the christmas presents a bit at a time and put them in there.

I made my first Christmas card yesterday!

OT - sister has a moving date for Wednesday, so I need to hurry with hamper. Thanks for the suggestions Mum2one.

mum2one

Miss Hoodie has made her choices from the July challenge-

Storecupboard / Freezer challenge - cdsmiller - who was going to try the lemon pud recipie,

Best present under £2 - "fedupandskint" for her brilliant bargain on the Bird boxes from Sainsburys

ALSO HAVE THREE SPECIAL AWARDS - SANTAS SURPRISE - all been choosen by Miss Hoodie

1ST SANTAS SURPRISE - MARY - For all the wonderful ideas she has given us, and long may they continue...... what mary can't do with a box isn't worth knowing.

2nd - SANTAS SURPRISE - ELYSIA2003 - For rescueing Santas Challenge as I'd posted it on the other thread!!

3rd -SANTAS SURPRISE - Sarah - shes an star and keeps us going with her xmas countdowns and congratulations on the new jobs.

The prizes are all surprises, but are all lovely, vary from 1st class stamps, decoupage papers and some handmade jewellery, if you could pm me with a name and and address to send to, once the item has been posted, delete the pms....

Thanking you all, without everyone this thread would have been a disaster, and Miss Hoodie and I, both think the Santas surprise challenges and santas surprise presents, so were going to do another in Jan to start the new thread xx

elysia2003

Ahh, bless your cotton socks, both yours and Miss Hoodies. I got worried when I saw the long post, with lots of colours - I thought there was a challenge coming! :eek:

I don't need a present - I only copied and pasted it over. I was just the first to notice.

I hope you both had a lovely holiday (with no accidents) and are all ready for the run up to Christmas.

mary-op

Hello all :j

mum2one - oh eck.......I'm so excited..........lol:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: I don't win anything......:T
Please don't worry about sending a prize though......honest, a few ideas about what to do with tubs and boxes is nothing......but thankyou all the same and thank little miss hoodie:T

Well, disorganised as ever........just when I think I've finished a scrapbook for my son I find a blank page.........then remember thats the page I'm putting all the birth/marriage certs on from grandma and grandad.............so, had to copy them, make little envelopes to put them in and decorate the page.............now I think thats one finally finished !! (I think............lol):rotfl:

sarah - it'll be more exciting when I'm not having a panic on about what still needs to be done...........lol:rotfl:

foxy219

I too am saving the jam jars and the like for jams and chutneys, I have checked out Anglea's link to the edible Xmas gifts and will definitely be doing a few hampers.
I want to put a retro food jar together for our best friends, they really like black jacks and refresher chews. Any ideas on the best place to buy - possibly as a pick and mix. I am going to get them the jar with the lid attached so that they can refill it over and over
I have bought quite a few presents already - got my cards ready for writing, but can't believe Mary-op has hers written already, that really is prepared! We are buying DS a tv for his bedroom, we won some vouchers a while ago for Currys so will be using those, but I don't want to get it too early just in case there is a problem and it is out of warranty. My oh wants an Ipod, I have about £90 in shopandscan to convert but don't know which type of ipod to go for as want to get him the docking station for his birthday which is only a few days after Christmas.
I've got an exam on Wednesday, been really stressing about it, did a mock test today and did really badly! Doesn't bode well does it!

elysia2003

Foxy - Black jacks and refreshers you can buy in Asda. Sometimes they are like the chewy bar, and sometimes you can get them in packet (like chewits). You can get them quite easily from corner shops too. The the local ones around here sell them.

Also don't stress about your exam, you'll make it worse. Just try your best - you'll be fine, we know you can do it. :j