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

piglet27

SANTA’S CHALLENGE

THE CLEANING CHALLENGE


Done kitchen cupboards last month except one, all baby bits in, ds finally outgrown. Thats next on list then upstairs to kids rooms, eek!


CHRISTMAS GOODIES – Food
Chutney, jam, tea loaf and shortbread sorted just got raspberry vodka and fruity christmas biscotti to do mid november.

CHRISTMAS CARDS
Spread the list and start writing them, try for 2nd class stamps and save the pennies.. Dd bought hers and started writting two a night (5 in april) so spreading them out. I have to sort out people in my street and then making for close family so need to get my but into gear, only made 2 so far.

VISTA PRINT
Got to sort winter style photo of kids then can put calendars together, see what else takes my fancy.

UNWANTED / GROWN OUT OF
Def need to do this, got to sort shed out so outside stuff that's to babyish can go on ebay.

MAKING PRESENTS/ CRAFTING
Set yourself a list of what you need to do…DONE….and set a finishing date Knew I was missing something, great idea, will keep me to schedule.


FOOD
use orange juice for alcohol free version. Thank you for that tip, was just going to leave as is but that sounds even better.

CHRISTMAS PUDDINGS
Sorted, as soon as they were in shops.

TURKEY OR XMAS MEAT
That aldi one sounds good just to have in, mum sorts out turkey and has fresh crown ordered

STUFFING
Have used same stuffing for few years now and love it so will stick to that.

FOOD LIST
Sorted this after last months challenge, but now expecting 5 more boxing day, inc 2 vegetarians so needs tweaking!

FOOD FOR THE FREEZER
Need to make Mousakka for xmas eve night then can cook from frozen, also going to make all party nibbles for boxing day and 2 casseroles, beef and chicken for run up.

CARS
de-icer, windscreen scraper on list to get tomorrow!

WRAPPING PRESENTS
Will start this in two weeks once xmas music playing and hot choc flowing!

mrsow

SANTA’S CHALLENGE – OCTOBER

THE CLEANING CHALLENGE
Kitchen cleaned from top to bottom as Ive had a clearout of alot of junk I dont use

CHRISTMAS GOODIES – Food
At parents Xmas day so dont need much and wont buy much as we are both on diet, however I did order mint and orange matchmakers with my tesco shopping last week

HAVE THAT CHAT
Just me OH mam and dad, but need to sort out Xmas party for 19th December

WRAPPING
Ive got everything I need apart from the motivation to wrap!

CHRISTMAS CARDS
Top of my to do list aswell as finish making my special ones

CHRISTMAS ORDERING
Two preorders due next week then that should be the end of my ordering

MAKING PRESENTS/ CRAFTING
Set yourself a list of what you need to do…….and set a finishing date. - Great advice just need to take it lol
FOOD
3 christmas cakes made ready for dad to ice in December.
FOOD FOR THE FREEZER
Planning one day this week making some mince based dished for the freezer, need to remember to write the point value on for diet



WRAPPING PRESENTS
Hate this part must start this week
Thanks again for the challenge mum2one and miss hoodie

Off for a quick look on the grabbit board then off to bed, the clock change totally messes my head up
xx

rufusdog52

Esmer Your moneky is really cute, looks like a baby monkey. Well done. I made sock monkeys two years ago for my Grandchildren and two of the boys are still taking them to bed with them even now bless. One of them is so battered, he is forever coming here for mending (last time wrapped up in Grandson's coat so no one could see what he was carrying lol, he's 11 nearly and still wont go to bed without his monkey).

Ddraig

Goodmorning my MSER's.

Well done on the sock monkey Esmer.

Getting closer arrgghh 1ST NOVEMBER TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kids got a teacher training day today.Go back tomorrow.
My doggies will be getting an extra warm bed this week.Got the old cot down.Need new matress,been ordered.For baby.But the foam inside the cover is fine to make a dog cushion out of.

Got what should be my last presents apart from sweets yesterday.

Off to do some ironing.Yay ,so excited,lol.

findingmyfeet

MORNING EVERYONE- decided to join in with the santa challenge if that’s ok , heres my list huge as you can see but by the end it will hopefully look brill.
Santas challenge
SANTA’S CHALLENGE – OCTOBER
FROM MISS HOODIE – THE CLEANING CHALLENGE
Can we all double check the kitchen cupboards and draws……. Chuck anything out that we have held on to just in case it will come in handy…. TO DO

Any outdoor space – NONE BUT GARDEN NEEDS A GOOD TIDY N WEED FOR WINTER
HAVE THAT CHAT
I know its one of those how long can I put it off for, but have the chat – so you can plan the Christmas shopping and whether you need a table big enough for 20!! DONE THERE WILL BE 10 FOR CHRISTMAS LUNCH AT MY HOUSE THIS YEAR.

WRAPPING
Time to check the Christmas supplies, do I need wrapping paper, cello, tissue paper etc – hampers – what am I going to line them with, have I got enough baskets / shoe boxes. NEED TO SORT THIS WEEK WHAT I HAVE AND WHAT I NEED TO GET.

CHRISTMAS CARDS
Spread the list and start writing them, try for 2nd class stamps and save the pennies……CARDS BOUGHT NEED TO WRITE OUT BY END OF NOVEMBER AND POST OVERSEAS ONES.

CHRISTMAS ORDERING
If your ordering anything on line – double check the delievery dates, and look for special offers – discounts etc – Also get a witness when you open the box, just incase anything is broken – you have back up ALREADY PREORDERED THINGS SO DONE UNLESS I HAVE MISSED ANYTHING.

UNWANTED / GROWN OUT OF
Now is the time to sell those items, bikes, games etc, see if your paper does free adds, - as people be looking for those items. HALF WAY THRIOUGH THIS , ALL FINISHED WITH THINGS ARE HANDED DOWN TO MY BROTHER AND HIS KIDS.

MAKING PRESENTS/ CRAFTING
Set yourself a list of what you need to do…….and set a finishing date. tWO CROSS STITCH CARDS TO FINISH BUT MAY BE LAST MINUTE.

FOOD
Nows the time of year for the Christmas cake, so add a shaky hand of drink, and don’t forget to lace it – use orange juice for alcohol free version. CAKE TO BAKE IN THE NEXT WEEK OR TWO AND MINCE PIES FOR FREEZER STOCK. DAMSON GIN TO DECANT INTO BOTTLES FOR CHRISTMAS AND MAY MAKE CHILLI jAM.

CHRISTMAS PUDDINGS
ALREADY BOUGHT ,MUMS CONTRIBUTION LUNCH

TURKEY OR XMAS MEAT
PORK LOIN IN FREEZER READY AND WAITING, TURKEY CROWN ON ORDER, OTHER MEAT TO GET AS I SEE IT.

STUFFING -BASIC STUFFING HERE, WILL MAKE AND FREEZE THIS MONTH

FOOD LIST
Do the food list, and can be split over the next 2 months. -DONE, ALREADY BUYING TINS/DRIED ETC EVERY WEEK AND PUTTING IN SPARE ROOM FOR NOW, STILL LOADS TO CROSS OFF THOUGH. CHRISTMAS WEEK I WILL ONLY NEED FRESH FRUIT ETC.

FOOD FOR THE FREEZER- USING UP ANYTHING I CAN TO GIVE ME EXTRA SPACE FOR THE GOODIES AND WILL DO BATCH COOKING TO GIVE ME HASSLE FREE DINNERS OVER THE FESTIVE PERIOD

CARS- ALLOCATED TO HUBBY
WRAPPING PRESENTS-HAVE MY MAMMOTH WRAPPING SESSION MID DECEMBER- CHRISTMASSY FILM ON , CHOCCIES AND FIRE BURNING. TAKE ALL AFTERNOON AND ENJOY EVERY MINUTE.

MEDICATION
Check your medication, and maybe mid Nov onwards order ready for Christmas, everyone be doing it from Mid December – get in there 1st…WILL ORDER AT END OF NOVEMBER

LADIES
HAIRCUT BOOKED AND PAMPERING STUFF ALREADY BOUGHT


i think im going to be very busy.......wanted to paint the living room too!!!:(

SugarSpun

SANTA’S CHALLENGE – OCTOBER
I'm updating with my progress - thanks again mum2one and Miss Hoodie, these are so good for organising us

FROM MISS HOODIE – THE CLEANING CHALLENGE
Can we all double check the kitchen cupboards and draws……. Chuck anything out that we have held on to just in case it will come in handy…
That's on my list for today; I'm putting my husband on the case since almost all the kitchen stuff is his.

HAVE THAT CHAT
Nobody else is invited, just the three of us for Christmas :cool: :money:

WRAPPING
We have enough for next year's too, plus cards and ribbon :rotfl: We can probably manage birthday gifts too with the neutral paper I got last year from Ikea (25p/3-roll pack) :eek:

CHRISTMAS CARDS
Written!! Except for my BIL and SIL's two cards, and I'm not sure about sending them actual Christmas cards because their family's Jewish. I'm waiting for a friend to get back to me about a family photo session and when he does I'll print a few pictures and put those into nice family-updatey sorts of cards

CHRISTMAS ORDERING
All done, although I may add an extra bag to my Easyjet flight to the UK at the end of the month to add in some more goodies. Maybe I'll make a list of things we'd like.

UNWANTED / GROWN OUT OF
All the baby's outgrown stuff is either uploaded to Turbo Lister awaiting two weeks before we head to the UK so I can post from there, awaiting listing on the local classifieds, or boxed for the hypothetical next baby. Husband is going to go through his clothes, I've gone through mine and we're going to sort the kitchen today.

MAKING PRESENTS/ CRAFTING
There may or may not be a Christmas charity fair locally and if there is I'm going to make lots of snowman soup. I'm not buying the hot chocolate mix or marshmallows yet though.

FOOD
Broken cake is still being fed, when time comes to ice it I'll either Macguyver it with marzipan or crumble it into vanilla ice cream for Christmas pudding ice cream. Nomnomnom.

CHRISTMAS PUDDINGS
Bought.

TURKEY OR XMAS MEAT
We're planning chicken.

STUFFING
Paxo!!

FOOD LIST
Done! We have everything except the fresh stuff now and the list is made.

FOOD FOR THE FREEZER
Operation: Clearout is in full operation.

WRAPPING PRESENTS
Done :j I'll do the baby's stuff last minute so it can all be set up/out of the boxes.

MEDICATION
There's a note in my diary for the end of November to remind the Husband to take care of his

LADIES
My hairdresser appears to be AWOL so I'm having a think. It's not urgent yet.

fed08

WRAPPING PRESENTS-HAVE MY MAMMOTH WRAPPING SESSION MID DECEMBER- CHRISTMASSY FILM ON , CHOCCIES AND FIRE BURNING. TAKE ALL AFTERNOON AND ENJOY EVERY MINUTE.

Me too! Along with trimming the tree this is my favourite bit of Christmas! Well done you on being so organised :T

I'm not making many gifts this year, family don't really appreciate the effort, they'd rather have dvd's!!!

Kids will make snowman soup and sweeties for school staff I think, anyone seen any nice cheap Christmassy mugs this year?

Tempted to make some nice gin for friends too, haven't got a clue where to start though, if anyone has any tried and tested recipes I would be very grateful?!!

Off out with dogs now, its a beautiful morning, kids back at school, will clean the kitchen later and write lots of updated lists!!! :wave:

fed08

FOOD
Broken cake is still being fed, when time comes to ice it I'll either Macguyver it with marzipan or crumble it into vanilla ice cream for Christmas pudding ice cream. Nomnomnom.

Mmmmmmm, Christmas pud ice cream, that sounds delicious Sugarspun!

findingmyfeet

fedup08- ihad loads of damsons in the garden and didnt want to waste them. i was told to wash and stone them approx 700grams worth add dark brown sugar (think it was around 300g) and 2 70cl bottles of gin. its split between 3 kilner jars at present and have to shake it once a week . i was told you can use gin or vodka and use a range of different fruits. this is my first attempt so we will see what happens!!!! i was told to wait ten to twelve weeks for it to mature, which on christmas eve will be available for testing...........................i do have 10 for christmas lunch though so might be best not to try too much. dont know if they can be amde any other way or different times etc.

fed08

Thanks findingmyfeet! My friend has a damson tree but its probably too late for them now

Might try another fruit, and do vodka too, mmmmm!:beer: