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

mum2one

mary-op wrote: »

Hello all :j
mum2one - wow !!! what an insurance quote !!!!
Nearly fell off my chair till I re-read your post.............lol:rotfl:

Not done much today (whats new?) except do the last 'pint of socks' and with the remaining pairs of white socks did a sock snowman -all the socks rolled up inside bar one and turned the ribbed ankle part over at the top to make a sort of ski hat.......bit of ribbon for a scarf and that was that. Both those will do for our lad -also doing him a retro sweet box but need him out of the way for that so he doesn't follow me to the sweet shop...............lol:rotfl:
Finished off my peg magnet tea towel holders.........had to re-do one as it fell off the rubber tile sample I'd stuck it on........:mad:
Couple of birthday cards done then had visit from neighbours daughter with mountain or worries............then soc.worker called........OH came home to what seemed like a houseful and couldn't see the kitchen table for paper...........lol:rotfl:
Rang my friend to wish her happy birthday..........she was thrilled with her pressies, all so cheap
scarf - one I'd got and never worn
gloves with applique I did on them......gloves 50p
handwarmer -50p
Lavendar bag I made from fabric samples and lavendar out the garden - free
Cappacino in a sachet - one out of my box
Paper cup from service station with flannel and soap in -£2
Notebook I covered -2op
Wooden kitchen sign from charity shop -50p
Mixed spices in a wall hanger from charity shop-50p
Bottle of hugs.....empty bottle full of cute pictures with hugs written on them for whan she needs a hug - freebie
Pamper pot - twiglet tub covered and full of free samples
Bookmark I made
Little angel in a box -box was old vic vapour rub box I covered and pot angel inside with a verse
Popped a stationary set in as well -think that cost £1 and some covered coathangers that were 50p

Not bad I thought and I put the whole lot in a pretty bag I'd had for ages and never used...........she was so thrilled. Nice when someone appreciates it all.

Love the sound of the angel in the box,
As for saying not done much, I needed a sit down just reading what you've done, u put us all to shame xx

mum2one

clelmt wrote: »

hi newbie here,
not sure if this has been asked as i have not have time to search the treads.
i found a thread awhile back about making individual christmas cakes
i have my fruit seeping that would normally use but wanted to try them in the baked beans tin as mentioned.

my question is how long would i cook them for this way and what gas mark.

many thanks

The individual xmas cakes good idea, we do a couple small ones for the eldery neighbours, by themselves, big cake get wasted.

Use any christmas cake recipie, Gas cooker spot on (useless with elec conversions!!), say Gas Mark 2 for 1 hour, then turn down to Gas 1 for 3 hrs, but check after 2 hrs - (skewer, knitting needle, even knife to see if there cooked - if it comes out sticky still needs cooking, if you find the top of the cake cooked, cover with foil, (stop it burning)

Sounds daft but the small baked bean tins take as long as a big cake, weird...... xx

Anglea

Hi all

So there is 3 of us so far with the musical ears, anyone else? Elysia I also hear the high pitched tones at times, but mostly it's doorbells

Welcome back Gemmy.

I spent a few hours tonight sorting decorations, never realised I had so much stuff. Still needs a few more days on it.

mum2one

Can't believe how brilliantly were doing, the threads flying, thank you all.

Elysia - £15 for 2 bags of candyfloss, I'd of needed mouth to mouth with that price, but glad you all had a good time.

Fedupandskint - Wow, thats a brilliant sale of the chutneys, you make sure you treat yourself, you've worked hard.

Tq - Massive congratulations on dd, how heavy was she, what have you called her, how are you.

juliejim - hope the book turns up soon, penny to a pound, it will be in the daftest of places.

Charlies-mum - Big hi, and welcome to the friendliest thread on here, (ok I'm bias), theres a great bunch of ladies and 1 gentleman so jump on in.

esmer - sorry they never got u man from santa, guess we'll have to try again this year

Nickybo- Welcome back, glad the house move got sorted, and hopefully your settled in for your 1st xmas - new home. We'll soon have you back on track.

Pink-flop - Love the idea of ELF mischief, sounds very interesting!!

Susan - Brilliant news about the craft fair, can just imagine hubby puckered up for a kiss. You make sure you treat yourself. xx

Mary - You make me feel tired just reading your posts, never mind everything you do, hope your ears are feeling better now.

Sugarspun - Being as your so organised, you can come and wrap mine!!

Gemmy - A big hi. Well done on getting OH involved. My poor father would run a mile if he saw xmas paper and tape, his excuse would be I'll look after Bailey!!

A big hi to anyone I have missed xx

We've had a productive day... had brilliant lunch, steak and all the trimmings, dd had chicken tikka masalla, but decided she prefered the diane sauce from my steak!!! I got spolied, my friend had been down to London with work, and sneaked a visit to Harrods, she brought me a jar of Harrods Strawberry Jam, so thats going up for xmas!!

Been very productive this afternoon, made 100 mince pies, and a rhubarb pie, so left the mess for dad to clean up!!

Bailey has a new trick, he jumped up as though he was scratching my back, then proceeded to grab the string of my apron and undone it, he then went and sat by his treats cupboard........ he has everyone wrapped round his little finger.

Got another order 2day from Vistaprint, had a calender done for uncle and aunt, my aunt came with me last yr on the Orient Express, so did have the pictures of our day, then some of Miss Hoodie. Thats a present sorted.

The plan 2mor, is price up and photo some of the jewellery, doing a craft fair nxt weekend.

In the week, as well as studing;) very exicting sports course:cool:, is Christmas card list, got 6 lots of 10 freebies coming from Vistaprint, they should be here soon. Then last weekend of month, start the wrapping, want it all done by 30th November. Then all have left to do is couple extra food bits for xmas, some drink...... and few nick nacks for Miss Hoodie.

Good news - found some packet Brandy Sauce mix in Morrisons - brought 6...... xx

mum2one

Just a quickie, if anyone wants to take part in the secret santa, that hasn't already pm'ed me, just pop a quick reminder and the questions again.

If I extend it to Tuesday, 16th Nov, then Claire and I, can get you paired up etc by the weekend. xx


Like last year – keep it at £10 spend, Argos (pretty much central to everyone), choose 3 items, return the numbers to me and I’ll then send them to your partner, - you then pass them and £10 to a friend and they get the final choice.

The Questions….

1. What is your favourite hobby?
2. What is your guilty pleasure?
3. What would your worst present be?
4. What was the most thoughtful item you ever received?
5. do you wear earrings?
6. If you were on a desert island – what 3 things would you take.
7. if you had to describe yourself in maximum 5 words, what would they be.

if I was filling the questions - use my mother for an example

1. Hobby - (moaning, grunting in her sleep), she loves knitting

2. Guilty Pleasure - Chocolate

3. Worst - bubblebath - as she can't get in the bath

4. Thoughtful - Picture from their 40th wedding anniversary, in 40th wedding frame, Miss Hoodie was only 3 mths!

5. Yes - prefer sleeper style earrings, or creole style

6. Toilet, Miss Hoodie, Bailey

7. heart of gold, careing, individual

xx

SugarSpun

mum2one wrote: »

Sugarspun - Being as your so organised, you can come and wrap mine!!

I LOVE wrapping but think I am too far away. I'm tempted to wrap and label next year's now so I get as much of a surprise as everyone else :rotfl:

Although disaster, I had to emergency restart my computer just now and don't think I saved my spreadsheet :eek:

esmer

clelmt wrote: »

hi newbie here,
not sure if this has been asked as i have not have time to search the treads.
i found a thread awhile back about making individual christmas cakes
i have my fruit seeping that would normally use but wanted to try them in the baked beans tin as mentioned.

my question is how long would i cook them for this way and what gas mark.

many thanks

Welcome

here is the post. I think its #10

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=279810&highlight=individual+christmas+cakes

esmer

I feel overwhelmed on where to start on my making!!! I keep on adding to my list and not doing anything. I sit down at night and I'm Shattered, single mum to one and working nearly full time is so tiring. I want to leave my chocolate makes to closer to the time, but then if I temper the chocolates it will be fine again with bath bombs, its just getting the time. If I do it when DD is here she wants to get in the middle of it all.

Today, Im going up to mum and dads to decorate the table and room for my cousins 21st and dd wants to make cakes for nursery teddybear picnic on Monday

So I need to get organised and stop buying stuff and actually make it

Thanks for listening.

pinkflop

Ahhh, Esmer big hugs for you

I know how hard it can be - I am a single mum to a 6 (7 next month) year old. I also work - be it only 3 days a week, but I know how hard it is getting everything done! I have time in the eve as DS goes to bed at 7pm, but by that time I am so shattered it is hard to get enthusiasm for anything! I am also doing an NVQ3 for work. Doing the work is not hard, it's just time it needs - which I am always in short supply of! I am sure you will get everything done, and we can motivate one another!!!!!

Today I will aim to get my wrapping and cards finished - I did start yesterday but we had to go out for a birthday party (DS friend - he has a busier social life than me!!!) so I abandoned the wrapping then I started card writing but my DS wanted to use the laptop (where my list is stored) so I was trying to do it from memory (not good).

We have rememberance sunday parade this morning with Beavers then for the first time ever I will do a roast at lunchtime (always have it in the eve) then the idea is to bake scones for tea! I want to tidy the house too as back to work in the morning. Let's see how much I actually get done!!!! lol!!

fedupandskint

Hugs to everyone who is struggling with time and feeling overwhelmed

I certainly do with this masters course I thought was such a great idea. Luckily I bought so much early on I've nearly done so the wrapping and card writing and making will have to wait until Dec

I'm getting the last few gifts before the end of Nov to ease that pressure off a bit more

Really need to free up some freezer space sharpish otherwise the Christmas Meat Selection will have no where to go unless I buy another freezer! Really must stop filling it up with food from the supermarket and stick to a meal plan for the next 4 weeks.

Today I've taken out a mystery chicken carcass I forgot was in there for stock making and discovered more stock, bolognaise sauce, chapatis, wraps and jacket potatoes in there. Next need to venture in the bottom drawer and see whats in there!

At least I've taken out a pack of pastry today to make a chicken pie with and use up some leftover chicken and veg.

Most other Christmas preps are going to have to wait until assignment deadline day passes in 2 weeks - arrrrggghhh!!!