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

jtb2412

Hi everyone and Happy New Year !!!!

I hope 2010 is wonderful for everyone xxxx

I went to Mr S for a food shop this morning (thought it would be quieter on NYD and it was :j).

While I was there I popped to the 'christmas pressie' aisle and they had all their gifts at 75% off :j :T :beer: It would have been very rude of me not to buy any :rolleyes::p so I have 16 presents bought for various Xmas/birthdays - original cost was £115.50 and I paid £38.50 :j:j:j:j:j.

Be having dinner shortly so afterwards I'm going to fill in my spreadsheet and allocate pressies.

Right dinner is ready ! Yum ! TTFN xxx

mrsow

Sugarhunny1 wrote: »

Hi Everyone,

Its that time of year again where I try and get lots of bargains but I used to forget what I had bought until another kind MSE'r (I don't have her user id, sorry Joyce!) sent me a spreadsheet.

I have a spreadsheet that is password protected that I received from a fellow MSE'r last year that is perfect for recording anything to do with presents. It has columns for presents bought/needed/costs/savings and has tabs at the bottom for individuals. This can obviously be tailored to your individual needs.

If ANYONE would like a copy then I'm more than happy to send it on. I have found it an absolute godsend this year. Please PM me with an email address as i will have to send it as an attachment but please be assured it is bug free!!!

Sugar xxx

:j Thanks very much this is fab i'm just beginning to fill it in now.


Im going to spend the rest of the afternoon filling in my spreadsheet and working out who we are buying for this year as I cant go out as it wont stop snowing :mad: weve never had rid of it yet!! :snow_laug

Spendless

stilernin wrote: »

I have always put bargains away for future gifts but it has been a bit haphazzard. There are a few things that are in my 'treasure chest' of gifts in waiting that have been waiting rather too long. This year I am going to be much more organised. I had this happen as well, but my MIL does a family bag for extended family members, so I added the 'bits' to hers to get rid of the smaller items I had which didn't make a full present up iyswim and was no good for a stocking filler for my immediate family.

Cany you guys explain how you value your gifts. That is to say, do you buy gifts to the monetary value that you would have spent, which makes it look as if you have spent more, or do you stick to a gift that has a ORP (original retail price) of what you would have spent, therefore saving actual money? Usually if I get a bargain I just stick to that rather than buying upto the amount I'd usually spend,so saving money.

when buying to put away for the future, what doesn't keep so well? I bought some pot pourri in M&S the other day for next Christmas but felt I should buy the spray to pep it up, just in case the pot pourri had lost it's scent by next Christmas. How about toileteries, have you had any disasters?

I'm off to set up a spreadsheet and notebook.........

I've bought toiletries before and not had any reported problems- the use by date is usually from when you first open the top.

helen_jelly

I've also been to MrS today and bought some bits but there wasn't much left, my spend was £14.46 and the original cost would of been £38.46 so I'm pleased. Pressies were for Ex OH [kiddies Dad], DH, DD and DS. Bought more whoopsied food aswell so all in all a good trip and it was very quiet in there so that made it even better lol

Thank you for the spreadsheet Sugarhunny1 - I'm going to do it next week when all are back at school/work and I can sit in peace to do it.

Helen x

junior_j

I too had a sort out from what I got from Christmas , there is 1 present i know i will not used which is they cute novelty monkey bed socks. They are lovely but i hate wearing socks in bed and have many ., many pairs of slippers. I am sure my friend will much appreciate them come her birthday

Going to Sainburies today , wonder what i will find ( probz not a lot now!) x

jediteacher

Hi Sugarhunny1,

I'm new to this thread and would love a copy of the spreadsheet if that ok? I tried mailing you but your inbox is full.

I've been writing everything down on a notebook and keep losing it!

Many thanks

jediteacher


I've also got my A4 folder put together with dividers for each month. So far I've noted down everyone's birthday, anniversary or other special occassion for each month that I usually send a card and present for. January and August are my busiest months. Also going to keep a track of any spends in this folder. Thanks guys for all the ideas.

mrsow

jediteacher wrote: »

I've also got my A4 folder put together with dividers for each month. So far I've noted down everyone's birthday, anniversary or other special occassion for each month that I usually send a card and present for. January and August are my busiest months. Also going to keep a track of any spends in this folder. Thanks guys for all the ideas.

Thats what I still havent done silly me!!! Will go and find a file and begin ........ Im very bored today so am having an organising session.

Its still snowing and OH is watching his top gear dvds he got for Christmas :rolleyes:

craftoholic

I am currently sitting writing dates that I can remember of the top of my head into my diary. Brought my Grandad the David Attenborough planet earth box set for his birthday only £9.48 off Amazon with my NUS discount, has a RRP of over £30!! Although it only really cost me about £4.50 as my mom will give me half back so it is off my younger brother too (i'm 16, he's 11) I'm going to put it in a hamper of some sort. :j

Also my friend is 18 on the 16th, have got her some chocs and some bits that were reduced in the sale. May make her something aswell but unsure as to what - she already had a pot of gold for christmas!

My budget for all present/wrapping/card buying this year is £200 :eek: so i'm going to have to be organised and bargain savvy if i'm to achieve that!

wotnext

I went to Sainsburys today and bought so much stuff! Have managed to get enough to prepare 6 hampers for next Christmas, as well as having a few gifts left over to give out should my kids be invited to parties.

Am absolutely delighted that I now have so much to work with for my first year of hamper giving. I can now start crafting and making.

I paid £37 for stuff that should have cost £100. :money:

Sugarhunny1

hi everyone,

Thanks everyone for saying how good the spreadsheet is! I, of course, cant take ANY credit for it as I didnt set it up but I know Joyce didn't mind me passing it on a few years ago to fellow MSEr's.

My in box is now half empty if anyone else would like a copy!

Unfortunately I don't have a Sainbury's near me so cant pop out and get any bargains. I have to go into town and ASDA tomorrow so if i'm lucky I might pick up a bargain or two!

Sugar xxx