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

elysia2003

Need to pop out and get a few bits and bobs today - so I'm going to write out a list of stuff needed for the chilli jam too - I jus hope I've got enough jars now. :cool:

I was sure DD2 went back to school on Monday - I got a text message yesterday saying they must have changed the day. It's now tomorrow. :eek: I have a busy day today labelling all DD and Neices clothes that I was going to do over the weekend. I can't believe it - last year they had nearly 8 weeks off school and this year it's not quite 6. I'm not complaining though. :rotfl:

rufusdog52

Morning Ladies.

We have been having such a declutter mostly from the loft. Another car load went to the dump, not much left up there now except the christmas stuff and things that are not ours (OH has habit of looking after everyone elses junk).

I have finished the three football bears now, knitted them tops and shorts and a stripey scarf each. I bought a couple of Barbie dolls from Ebay last night for Grand daugther. I have loads of odd bits of wool and some pretty fabric scraps so will try to make lots of clothes for them. Will probs get a new doll for her as well to go with it but I can use the second hand ones to try stuff on to make sure it all fits.

Need to look out for little bits and pieces for the nieces to go with their presents, will probs see something nice around town that isnt too dear as there are four of them to buy for and they usually get the same things but may be different colours. They have all got those clutch bags I made from recycled paper though so have something already, just need little bits and pieces to make it look more.

susan42

Hi Jenny, welcome to our slice of mse, challenges not compulsory but have helped me get organised.

Mary i`m loving the sound of those draws

fedupand skint, thxs for the heads up on spices, i`m calling in to Mr T could do with some of those

Elysia, all the schools went back here as well something to do with the disruption of the snow. Playing catch up i think. DS went into college tuesday. 31st August.

Rufusdog - have you piccy of football teddies, i`d like to something similar.

Went into lidl monday they had sewing machine £60 put it in trolley, took it out of trolley, really wanted it but thought material would be more and cant justify cost....yesterday had a big black bag of material given...now all sewing machines gone

On a positive note thought i`d organise my mobile phone contracts (me and OH) phoned 3 , they gave me fantastic deal, 900 minutes, unlimited texts, 1G internet , new nokia touch phones (which I love) all for £10 each including vat. So I saved £10 a month (on two) and got loads. Just by saying can you do me a good deal as I`ve other networks to consider

mad_abbe

does anyone have a nice red tomato chutney recipie, have made green. needs t be quick as the kids hate the smell.

supa-girl

Hi everyone!

Mary - wish my neighbour would make me some drawers! They sound fab!

Susan - what a shame about the sewing machines.....do you know if they'll be getting anymore in?

Rufusdog - you sound so organised, WAY ahead of me

Elysia - I thought mine were back Monday but found out a couple of weeks ago it was actually this Thursday. It's been a really short holiday this year hasn't it.

.....sorry if I have missed anyone, feeling a bit frazzled today!! It has been a busy but good day. FINALLY got the rest of the uniforms - cutting it fine as they are back at school tomorrow :eek:. Just need to label them, but have one of those pens so will just write on the labels, won't take long. Hopefully finances will allow me to sort them earlier next year!

Have been to Matalan and got a few bits and pieces for xmas. Got some PJ's for DS1 which were reduced from £10 to £2.50 and a dressing gown for DD1 reduced from £8 to £1.50 Also got 2 pack of hats and gloves for £2 so will put 1 of each into my "winter weather" toddler gift hampers. They had lots of bargains but couldn't really look as DD2 was in one of "those" moods and against my better judgement I didn't have the buggy for her :embarasse

Just got time for a quick tidy up while the older ones are watching (fighting about ) the TV and the babies are napping then it's off to the hairdresser for the back to school haircuts.

SG

cdsmiler

Afternoon all,

Welcome to any newbies!!!

Ok guys, what could I do for table gifts for New Years eve? I did pots of gold last year, and gave snowman poop to the same people really too. Any thoughts?

Clare x

kms26

cdsmiler wrote: »

Afternoon all,

Welcome to any newbies!!!

Ok guys, what could I do for table gifts for New Years eve? I did pots of gold last year, and gave snowman poop to the same people really too. Any thoughts?

Clare x

What about mini hangover hampers? Maybe put them in What ever you use for pots of gold and include some painkillers, eyemask? do not disturb sign :cool: hmm will think what could be included but i thought it sounded good at first

erm

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).

Well, that'll teach me to be on holiday for a week! I come back and have a challenge to do. Mind you, it's come at a really good time. I'm moving house at the end of Sept, so it's the perfect time for me to de-clutter everywhere and do one final car boot or put some stuff on ebay.

Hope everyone is well x

mummyslittleboy

Hi All

Loving this thread and some of the homemade ones to do you mind if I join although am not very organised for xmas yet and really need to start.

kms26 wrote: »

What about mini hangover hampers? Maybe put them in What ever you use for pots of gold and include some painkillers, eyemask? do not disturb sign :cool: hmm will think what could be included but i thought it sounded good at first

Maybe you could also put in a hair of the dog in something like a miniture bottle of something and write a list of traditional hangover cures.

cdsmiler

Hmmm, they're not quite the right people to do that for - one of them will be my 90 year old Nan! lol And she likes a glass of wine dont get me wrong, but I think she's a bit past drinking that much now. lol

Thank you though, I really appreciate the idea!!

Clare x