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

toffeeapple

mary-op wrote: »

Hello all :j

Think that might be about it apart from 3 yr old grandson and I've not a clue there :eek:

My 3 year old nephew is really into things with his name on. Loves having his 'own stuff'.

What about a towel or flannel with his name sewn on it http://www.letterbox.co.uk/27809-10916XXX-LBPERSONALISED/personalised-presents/gingham-initial-flannel-
or an easier option, a patch sewn on it with a car on it, or something.

This year I have bought a load of paints , crayons, stamper pens and paper and am giving it to him in a box alongside an apron I've made him with his name on to do his painting in. Got idea from here http://www.letterbox.co.uk/27809-11178XXX-LBPERSONALISEDMEALTIME/personalised-presents/mealtime/named-apron

I have also made my 3 year old nephew a stool with his name on. Found an old stool we had in garage so painted it blue. Painted on a pirate and his name, then varnished it, he has it next to his bed and loves it.

Personalising items is great for children for slightly more unusual names, I know I can never find the usual pens, caps, hairbands with my daughters name on, so have to make her them myself!

Hope that gives you an idea?

Anglea

Hi all

Clare, I was trying to think back to when mine were young and had advent calendars - no idea, about 2 or 3? I had the traditional window paper types to begin with then a hand made one in later years - it was a collage made from felt with a canvas backing, with small squares of felt along the bottom to put in gifts. No idea what happened to it, lost in the loft I think. Totally forgotten about until this very moment - how strange.

I think they are easy to make once everything is cut up in advance and can be glued or sewn into place.

I've seen an interesting one in the Panduru catalogue where you make a load of numbered santa hats in felt and hang them up on a garland, with a gift inside.

mary-op

Angela - thanks for those ideas..............like the box of paints/crayons stuff and the stool........if I can find one cheap enough. Haven't got one kicking about the house.
What size box did you use to put it all in ? I've got one of those little tool box type boxes with compartments in that will be ok for crayons and pencils, stuff like that and I made him a ''cooking set''' for his birthday and got a wipe-clean apron then so he could use that maybe. Good site that, thanks...........loads of ideas there.

supa-girl

mary-op wrote: »

Think that might be about it apart from 3 yr old grandson and I've not a clue there :eek:

I find a baking set goes down well with this age. I made one for my 3 year old niece last year - handmade apron, cookie ingredients (layered in a cheap mixing bowl) , rolling pin and cookie cutter set and a bright label with the cooking instructions on it. It was a real hit

SG

Savvybunny2009

Evening all, well done everyone for getting so organised, lots of great ideas floating around

Have I missed the challenges yet, had a quick look and can't see them. Have they been posted anywhere yet do we know?

Eager to get organised, lots to be done and only four months to go

mary-op

supa-girl Thanks but I did a baking set for his 3rd birthday in June.........got a little chefs hat from the freebie board, was going to make an apron from a tea towel but found one in Poundland then just filled a box with packets of instant whip type mixes, muffin mix, spoons and whisks, pastry cutters etc.
He often helps his mum (or tries to........lol) in the kitchen so it was ideal.

turn3r

cdsmiler wrote: »

Well here's the rest!

Toffeeapple – are they the flannel reindeers you made?? They’re lovely!

Mum2one – congrats to Miss Hoodie for her dancing!

Elysia – argh! What a day with the furniture and carpet!!

Beachlou – love those origami stars!


Wanted to ask you lovely ladies (and our one token gent!) your thoughts on an advent calendar for DD? SHe'll be 1 on the 17th December. Do I bother this year or make more of it next year (or the year after?!)? And if I do bother, what type? What have you all done for your children?

Clare x

Hi Clare
Last year my mum found an advent calender in the shape of a tree made out of fabric and then there was a decoration for the tree for everyday which stuck on with velcro (hope that makes sense). I think it would be easy enough to make yourself and my daughter who was one at the time loved it!!

mum2one

cdsmiler wrote: »

Well here's the rest!

Toffeeapple – are they the flannel reindeers you made?? They’re lovely!

Mum2one – congrats to Miss Hoodie for her dancing!

Elysia – argh! What a day with the furniture and carpet!!

Beachlou – love those origami stars!

Hope everyone's doing well. I'm really jealous of those of you doing crafty stuff - I just haven't got the time (or SPACE!) to do anything like that this year - managed to do cross stitch cards last year before DD was born, but they didn't take up too much space and now I'm knackered in the evenings. Maybe I should just be more proactive.... lol Would love to so more sewing stuff - you know, PROPER sewing like making things out of material! lol I made some cusion covers and my mum quided me in making curtains a few years ago, but nithing since. Need a sewing machine too really. lol

Wanted to ask you lovely ladies (and our one token gent!) your thoughts on an advent calendar for DD? SHe'll be 1 on the 17th December. Do I bother this year or make more of it next year (or the year after?!)? And if I do bother, what type? What have you all done for your children?

Clare x

You must have an advent calender, even if you have to help Bethan eat the chocs......!! xx

mum2one

Santas Challenge – August
Don’t worry as usual its a pick and mix, so have fun. As we still have 2 weeks or so of school holidays, will try to be gentle. Miss Hoodie did come up with a lot of ideas!!! But we’ve narrowed the list down!
Back to school.
School uniforms – hopefully were nearly all sorted, but don’t forget to name tag the items, would say sew in 2, as the most obvious the back of neck in jumpers, sweatshirts etc this one gets pulled out.
School Bag – Do we need a new school bag, pump bag, pumps, even worth getting the next size as well– name everywhere.
Younger children – if any start nursery, reception, 1st year, accidents can happen, what we did with Miss Hoodie, was put a spare pair of pants, in a pencil case in her bag. Schools do have spares, but sometimes a bit of famaliar items help.
Swimming with school – Anyone whos starting swimming with schools, my top tip is buy the next size swimsuit, tend to be by Xmas/Feb or the growth spurt, the only swimwear available, is the lovely sports shops!!

Car Boots
Nows the time to get the last minute items ready for selling, most schools will have at least 1 car boot in Sept – they try to cash in on gd weather. Better still double up and share the cost......

Cleaning Challenge
Its not that bad!! Miss Hoodie has suggested wardrobes........ think really its a hint to say I need to go shopping!!! The task is what doesn’t fit, the other part (according to the posh stylists on TV), if it hasn’t been wore for a year, you won’t wear it. I find that adult clothes go anytime on ebay, but childrens summer clothes, espically swimwear goes a lot better Feb time than Sept.........

Christmas Lists
Hopefully were all sorted with the christmas lists and budgets, but with our families, if they want the must have toy / gadget etc, nows the time to start price hunting, and buying if necessary, (don’t forget double up vouchers Tesco), Argos clearance – can link into your local stores clearance.
I still have nightmares from a couple of years ago, when Miss Hoodie, 2 weeks b4 xmas decided she wanted the “Mummy I can swim doll”, for love nor money, it was a nightmare, I had about 10 argos stores on notification via text if stock came in, I ended up going to Chester (1hr away) got the doll home, she saw the bag and her words were “I hope thats not for me, its ugly”..... lucky ebay to the rescue, there were people charging stupid prices and buyers paying. I just added train fare on.
Batteries – Its rare for items to come with batteries, start checking now and keep a mixture of batteries ready! Nothing worse than tears and tantrums due to no batteries.
Me Me Me- We ladies and gentleman, spend the year being organised, now its our time to look for a treat, whether its long soak in bath, bottle of wine, box of chocs, - once the schools go back, have your treat and let us know. Next months challenge Miss Hoodie has already started!

Lists / Notebooks
Use this month for finishing the lists - thoughts
· Christmas cards
· Presents
· Accessories – tape, scissors, ribbon, cello wrap, paper – start buying these now, so spread the expense
· Cooking – Plan a few freezer meals – get the recipies ready
· Christmas Cake – Making your own, list the ingredients, check your tins, how many cakes have you got to do?
· Food list – Any extras needed, certain items, packet Brandy sauce grab when you see, they sell out, do the list and spread out over the coming weeks

FUN CHALLENGE
Whos going to be the first to spot an Xmas catalogue

Crafting Items
Are there any simple ideas that you could share, that we could do with the children, get them involved

I’ve tried to be gentle this month, as with this being last challenge before new school year, have tried to split between school and get the lists ready.....Won’t make this month too hard, as we have the wardrobe.
Don’t forget ladies and gentleman, have that treat – we deserve it......

Just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone for making this a sussessful thread, i’ve picked a few ideas, got a list of what I want to try, and everytime I see a box I think What would Mary do with that.
Have fun, xx
(Ps –Miss Hoodie left the craft bag in the hallway..... so my wonderful winners from last challenge, apologies, but when get home ur have a little surprise).

fedupandskint

Well I think I'm quite up to date on this challenge for this month!

I'll tackle my wardrobe this weekend and sort out what I won't wear again then and start ebaying again as haven't bothered for most of this year

Have a couple of items for sale on another site so will list them on ebay when I restart again

Foodwise - have compiled a list of thing to buy for all the baking that needs doing later in the year

I'll print off the challenge and start ticking off what needs doing!