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

mary-op

mum2one - relief - a lot of the challenge doesn't affect me what with no kids

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.

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

This lot does......in a way.
Cleaning - my gem of a young girl to take care of that thank goodness and wardrobe was done beginning of the year:j

Lists..........oh how many I've got............lol But all the stuff to do/make is getting smaller and smaller and as for cooking -well thats OH's dept as I'm not safe to be let loose near an oven.............lol:j

First christmas catalogue.........Studio cards I got in July:j

Crafts for kids..........I'm sure I can think of some but Holby City beckons for now............:j

mum2one

mary-op wrote: »

mum2one - relief - a lot of the challenge doesn't affect me what with no kids


This lot does......in a way.
Cleaning - my gem of a young girl to take care of that thank goodness and wardrobe was done beginning of the year:j

Lists..........oh how many I've got............lol But all the stuff to do/make is getting smaller and smaller and as for cooking -well thats OH's dept as I'm not safe to be let loose near an oven.............lol:j

First christmas catalogue.........Studio cards I got in July:j

Crafts for kids..........I'm sure I can think of some but Holby City beckons for now............:j

Thats not fair, haven't had my Studio book!!, missing Holby City, thou can't compalin, having a pint, got my bingo ticket ready and Miss Hoodie on dance floor, she doesn't sit still, shes like a hawk, she goes on "her walks", shes looking at the bottom of machines for any 2ps left or any sweets, since last Wed, shes made £2 in loose change, and avergaes about 5 sets of sweets, so bless her she saving them up to give to the park mascot on her last ngt.

Do intend to be back for 9pm..... CSI triology...... get to droole over the bloke from CSI Miami and then drool over Las Vegas!!. Off to your 98p shop 2mor. xx

NickyBo_2

mum2one wrote: »

Santas Challenge – AugustBack 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.



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!

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

Thanks for all the lovely new challenges (and to Miss Hoodie too) :j

School uniform - do new clothes for me count? I know it's not technically a school unifom, but I do need new clothes for school . I don't tend to wear my 'normal' clothes for school as I usually get covered in more paint, mud, glue than the kids do! I'm off to Primark tomorrow to restock my school wardrobe, very exciting!


Batteries - great idea. I keep meaning to stock up on batteries and I always forget. I will DEFINITELY do this next time I'm in Tesco.

Crafting items - I'm sure I know loads and of course my mind has gone blank! I'll have a think ......

cdsmiler

Toffeeapple - love your personalised ideas, especially the stool! Making a note for that for the future!

Anglea wrote: »

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.

Brill, thanks Angela.

turn3r wrote: »

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!!

Oooooo nice idea. Will think on that one. We're aiming to buy a special decoration each year, so might tie in with that. Not sure....

mum2one wrote: »

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

Well that's solved that problem then! Sorted!! hehe

Challenge...

Well, can't do the back to school stuff! lol

Batteries - I shall make a note of the things Bethan's going to be getting (from us and mainly family!!) and stock up on the right types of batteries!

Me Me Me - got that planned for a week Friday funnily enough! Hubbys out, once DD's in bed, out comes the yummy food, icecream, and geek that I am I'll be playing a computer game (Monkey Island!)!! Don't get a chance normally.

Already working on my lists.

I SAW A CHRISTMAS CATALOGUE!!!! Came through my door last week - Studio!! lol (But think Mary saw her's first!)

Oh, the wardrobes - I shall change the challenge a bit and have it that I actually RETURN my clothes to the wardrobe. We had new wardrobes about 2 or 3 months ago and I STILL haven't returned most of my clothes! lol

mum2one - thank YOU. You AND Miss Hoodie!!

Clare x

elysia2003

:j:j:j Woo Hoo - easy challenge. :j:j:j

Wardrobe's done - yesterday!!!! Took everything out. Checked them for stains, tears and checked if DD had grown out of hers. Washed and ironed and back in wardrobe! How's that? I must have read your mind. Cut off all the buttons before hand too ( I kept thinking of Mary and her button necklaces.:rotfl: )

Have sorted out another Christmas present today and collected one that I ordered a couple of days ago. I'm on a roll.

Christmas cards are being started - I've now made two. Will only make them for close family though - everyone else gets the ones I bought from Studio about two years ago. I hate writing cards and leave it to the last minute - then I say it's too late and don't bother *blushes*

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Being crafty - like I said DD now has a bunkbed style bed. She keeps losing the remote control to the TV down the side of the mattress now she hasn't got a bedside table, so I've ordered some material off ebay to make a pocket/pouch thing and I will velcro it to the rails. She can keep her book and remote control. tissues etc in there and not lose them!

Pips_Mum

Ive only had a quick look at Challenges as Ive been up since 5am and flagging a little now.

Pips 18 months and did have an Advent calendar last year but didnt get the point of it and didnt really understand the concept of opening the doors BUT was well pleased with the piece of chocolate each day!

NickyBo_2

My son has had an advent calendar every year, even his first christmas when he was 4 weeks old, he didn't have chocolate though! I know for the first few years he didn't have a clue what it was and I mainly did it for me! It was nice to be able to include him in the excitement, even if he didn't understand it

susan42

I agree, advent calender a must and i think if you make one you should put funsize maltesers in and share....lol xx

mary well done on finishing scrap books, i went to kanban but no card that you like but i`ve got some more i think is nice so please pm you address to me, i dont keep addressess on pc (security mad) and i hadnt made a note of it. I have loads if any one else wants some xmas toppers/card to make. I`ll share some out.

Miss hoodie well done on your dancing, if you want some craft bits get your mum to pm me and i`ll post some out, you can make some xmas cards for them then, i wont tell whats on them...

mum2one, ty for the challenges, excellent, i wont be parting with my wardrobe, i have 3 and theres 3 different size clothes in them. After xmas - large, heading for summer - medium, wearing summer - smaller, and then the climb back upto xmas....:rotfl::rotfl:

toffeeapple, i love the personalised flannel and apron...they expensive but great if you make your own...:T:T

Elysia you were quick on those challenges wasnt you...
put us all to shame...i defrosted freezer....:o


And i`m still doing vistaprint via topcashback so the whole world is having personalised things, they have there xmas cards oin there.Ad if you place a basic order via TCB they then email you with free items which includes 10 free xmas cards, fab quality. with envelopes.;)

SugarSpun

Santas Challenge – August

I think I'm pretty ahead of the game on this one

Back to school.

Doesn't affect us yet, thankfully.

Car Boots

The Germans don't really do them and Flohmarkt season is already over. Every neighbourhood in my city has a weekend where you can have flea market sales in your apartment building's courtyard. I'm collecting a box of stuff to put on ebay in time for our next trip to the UK.

Cleaning Challenge

I did a wardrobe clearout recently :j

Batteries

We only use reusables and the wee beastie isn't getting any toys that need them. But I'll recycle our old ones.

Me Me Me

This I can totally get with Toblerone and a couple of downloaded movies await!

Lists / Notebooks
Use this month for finishing the lists - thoughts
· Christmas cards Done
· Presents Done
· Accessories – tape, scissors, ribbon, cello wrap, paper – start buying these now, so spread the expense Need tape but that's it - and only to wrap for shipping since everything's already wrapped
· Cooking – Plan a few freezer meals – get the recipies ready Need to do this. Husband does most of the cooking but I make the requests. Roast chicken with all the good stuff for us this year!
· Christmas Cake – Making your own, list the ingredients, check your tins, how many cakes have you got to do? I don't think I'm making Christmas cake but I'm going to make Christmas muffins/snowman soup for the bake sale I put my name down for.
· 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 I'm going to start the list today!

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

Not me, Christmas is regulated here :rotfl:

Crafting Items

The sewing machine and I are getting acquainted but I'm not expecting marvels!

Thank you mum2one and Miss Hoodie for the challenge :A

supa-girl

mum2one wrote: »

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).

ooh, this is a BIG challenge for me!! :eek: Best get cracking!
School uniform - still need to get footwear for DS2. Waiting for a lump sum of money to go into my account tomorrow and have planned a trip to a nearby discount shopping centre, where you can pick up clarks and so on for about £12. Wouldn't normally leave it so late, but finances must this year

Have been discussing doing a carboot with my best mate, so will pin her down for a date - have a LOT to get shot of, hopefully make a bit of cash for my offset Christmas....

Wardrobes is also a biggie, with 7 people in the house! All the kids seem to have shot up over the summer, so I need to have a good sort through. I usually pass my kids stuff onto friends and they pass theirs onto me. Have a bag full off stuff for DS3 someone gave me the other day so I need to have a look through that. My wardrobe is horrific!!! I still have maternity stuff in there and my youngest (and last!!! ) is almost one! There is lots I don't/won't wear so I might start with mine - get the worst done first as they say!

Batteries - could do with some more rechargeables - all the ones we have are in use and the kids tend to "borrow" the ones from the tv remote which drives me mad!

Me me me sounds great. I have agreed with my girlfriends that on the day the kids go back we will go to the coffee shop with the little ones and have a long coffee/catchup. Many of them have all their kids at school which means my 2 youngest get passed round the table and I get to drink a coffee while it's still hot - a rare treat!

I have also copied down the list into my notebook as extra fopod to thought.....well I had better get cracking, it's going to be a busy month!!!!!

Thanks for this challenge, with so much on my to do list, it's really good to have a focus

SG