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

rufusdog52

Susan42, I would like some cellophane too please, I have a few bits that need wrapping with it but have run out. Sounds lovely what you got xx

Anglea

Hi all

Welcome to all the new members, I'm sure you'll feel like part of a family straight away.

Legendmum -the question about the bin men. I've not heard of anyone giving them presents however, there is a woman in the next road and she used to feel sorry for them walking around all day, so every week the bin lorry used to park up outside her house and she would make them a cup of tea and biscuits, they'd all be sitting around in her garage.

So that is another idea I suppose if you have the nerve - get them a cup of tea one week.

piglet27

Thank you everyone you've been great, love ALL the ideas on here, now just need to make sure I don't go overboard!

Toothfairy - you've managed to get well sorted, how did you manage such little costs?

Would love to be money neutral for next christmas, i am a making a start to it this year as i use topcashback and started selling on ebay recently. Any tips to improve on this would be great. Can I start taking up the challenges too, how do I get started pls?

I'm not sure if this counts but I also do mystery shopping via retaileyes.co.uk, so as well as getting money off/reinbursed for items i also get a fee for writing report. Recently got camping stove for one assignment (cost £8.19 and i was reinbursed £10 - great!) , going to my bro for xmas as he's back packing start of next year will help to keep his costs down, so can't be a bad thing.

mum2one

piglet27 wrote: »

Hi all,
Please can I join?
I have two gorgeous children, one girl and one boy, this is the first christmas without their daddy (we separated) so am hoping to make it extra special!
Have been following thread for last week and finally worked up courage to post. You are all sooo organised, I finally made a small start today so feel like i'm kind of worthy. lol
Love the xmas eve hamper idea, never heard of it before, but am now real excited extends the festivities even more making kids even more excitable, Is that a good thing?????

Hi Piglet
Welcome to the thread, hope we haven't kept you too busy with all the reading, sorry about the circumstances,
A small start, is a big start, your well on the way, its weird I've never done an xmas eve hamper, but always brought Miss Hoodie (daughters nickname), a new pr of pjs.
Everyone on here is so lovely, I always think of them as friends I haven't met yet, any questions or anything fire away, as people are briliiant at different ideas,
Xx

mum2one

rufusd!!!2 wrote: »

Sorry to hear about your Grandad xx

I had similar thing with Vistaprint, decided to order some more freebie bits, went all the way through and it was saying pp was going to be £2.99, then at checkout went to pay by Paypal and it came up saying pp was now £4.96. I dont think the things I was ordering were worth paying that for really so didnt bother. Had email from them this morning saying I had left items in my basket so thought I would go on a see if the pp was still the same and they had added prices for everything except the free pen. All the other items were supposed to be free (only ordered 4 items, some note cards, headed note paper, xmas cards and the pen). Have deleted them all from the basket and left it. I am sure last time I ordered free stuff I only paid £2.99 pp.

What Vista print do sneakliy (although it is on there worded posh), they charge un upload fee for photos etc, I guess its to cover some of their costs, if its a big calender, are good value for money, got to do some freebie ordering, but like you say make the p+p as cheap as pos. xx

mum2one

Legendmum wrote: »

Very random question but what do I get the bin men??? They are absolutely great with DS who waves out the window every Thursday morning and they all wave and beep and make an effort! Think there are 4 of them so do I get 4 presents? A tin of chocs or some beer? Thoughts are welcome!

Beer would go down very well, one of ex's was a bin man, and he anything they get is a bonus, - bar one company that gave them a crate of sparkling water. Even if you got 4 cans between them, and 10 people did that, they had a nice collection xx

mum2one

nic2075 wrote: »

Hi, do you mind if I join in? Im trying to be a lot more organised this year. Ive been lurking here for a few weeks and its spurred me into action.

I have DD(5) and DS (3) and im expecting number 3 in April. So I want to get stuff early so I can start putting money by for new bubs.

So far Ive bought DS a Buzz lightyear, the £20 from Disney store one., some books and I picked up a Bucket o Soldiers (from Toy story) for £7, usually £12 in Asda as the outside plastic was damaged slightly.

Ive got a stash under my bed from the Boots sale that I use for my 2 BIL's and my SIL.

Most of my shopping is on paper at the moment, which is a lot more organised than usual.

Im also going to dig out our Christmas elf (Elvis Mc Tumshie) who arrived last year on 1st of Dec and got up to all sorts of mischief but really helped getting the kids to behave. So am getting more organised this year so we can have more ideas and different activities for the kids to do in Dec.

I did xmas eve hampers last year with pj's, popcorn, dvd, raindeer food, magic Santa key and a plate from poundland for leaving a mince pie for Santa. Going to do the same this year.

sorry that was quite long. Im just excited to be allowed to talk about Christmas as I get shot down if I mention it at home lol

Hi nic welcome to the thread, love the sound of the xmas elf, love the bargains, and the xmas eve hamper, sweet popcorm for me (only joking xx)

You sound really organised, and def agree the stash from Boots, went into out local Boots, quiete weird seeing the 3 4 2 xmas items coming out, looked a few nice things. xx

tub28

Legendmum wrote: »

Very random question but what do I get the bin men??? They are absolutely great with DS who waves out the window every Thursday morning and they all wave and beep and make an effort! Think there are 4 of them so do I get 4 presents? A tin of chocs or some beer? Thoughts are welcome!

I usually give them cash, then it all goes into a pot to be shared out at the end of the day

Susan, I would be really grateful for some of the cellophane if you have any to spare.

turn3r

Everyone sounds so super organised. Keep reading thread and mean to post but get so easily sidetracked with everyones ideas and links!! I have written my list ready to hit the shops when we get back to UK! All excited about Christmas now just hope the shops are all Christmassy at begining of October!! Are they all getting their Christmas stock in??

lizalloareds

Susan i would be grateful for some cello if you have any left

thanks