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

elysia2003

Morning all. I was up before 6.30 today - why do you get up earlier on a day you can have a lie in?

I made two batches of Marmalade Thursday night, for my hampers, and have enough to last the whole year too! The first lot I made plain and the second lot I added quite a big (very big) glug of whisky to it. That batch tastes nicest to me, more of a mellow flavour - the other one tastes sour like it's got grapefruit or lemon in it. Not that I'm complaining - it's just tangy!

I didn't have a 10 pint saucepan like the recipe suggested, so I had to borrow Mum's old (very old) pressure cooker. Stepdad was saying keep it, we've got another one. I know, I bought it two years ago and it's still in the wrapping paper! :eek: I thought I'd get Mum a smaller one, now she doesn't have to cook for all us lot, only Mum, SD and Sis left at home now.

Plan for today - get Christmas cards done. Start wrapping next week but it all has to be done before 17th (I think - is that Friday?) as that's when the kids break up.

rufusdog52

I have finished the blouse for youngest daughter, pic on my blog. Havent any more sewing to do now until buttons arrive, not sure if we will have post today or not as although the snow is going its very slushy out there and very deep. OH has got into work though this morning. I have put some pics of our snow on my blog plus a pic of our Chrismtas tree.

OH got the rest of the presents down from the loft yesterday, and they are now wrapped up and bagged ready to give out. There is one missing, I bought youngest daughter a new bra a few months ago and he put that in the loft but says he cant find it up there now so she might not get that one. Only other things to come down now are a towel cake for eldest daughter and the toiletry baskets for eldest grandsons.

All the Christmas cards that needed posting are posted.

Off to keep warm. Rufus xx

diddly74

Right Guys

I need your help

My Mother in Law is coming to us for the first time for Christmas Day (usually she goes to my Husband's sisters for Christmas) We get along great and I have no worries about Christmas lunch etc. I know she will help if needed - last time she came to eat she ended up one side of the kitchen making biscuits with my youngest to keep her occupied while I did the dinner.

But my problem is I am stuck for Christmas present ideas. I have never made up a hamper but would have a go if I could think of a theme. So if I tell you about her maybe you can throw some ideas at me.

She likes sewing (recently been making large quilted bedthrows), gardening (plans to grow her own veg next year), cooking (although she doesn't have a cooker does it all in a microwave, steamer or an halogen oven thingy - very resourceful)

She likes books and Meerkats, dogs, clothes, a bargain!!, fancy glass - tho I already have bought a fish and a turtle paperweight. Knitting

She is not into smellies, she has plenty of jewellery, she has a tv but no dvd player.

Looking at my list I can already see some ideas - but I bet you creative and imaginative lot can come up with some really humdingers!!!

junior_j

diddly74 wrote: »

Right Guys

I need your help

My Mother in Law is coming to us for the first time for Christmas Day (usually she goes to my Husband's sisters for Christmas) We get along great and I have no worries about Christmas lunch etc. I know she will help if needed - last time she came to eat she ended up one side of the kitchen making biscuits with my youngest to keep her occupied while I did the dinner.

But my problem is I am stuck for Christmas present ideas. I have never made up a hamper but would have a go if I could think of a theme. So if I tell you about her maybe you can throw some ideas at me.

She likes sewing (recently been making large quilted bedthrows), gardening (plans to grow her own veg next year), cooking (although she doesn't have a cooker does it all in a microwave, steamer or an halogen oven thingy - very resourceful)

She likes books and Meerkats, dogs, clothes, a bargain!!, fancy glass - tho I already have bought a fish and a turtle paperweight. Knitting

She is not into smellies, she has plenty of jewellery, she has a tv but no dvd player.

Looking at my list I can already see some ideas - but I bet you creative and imaginative lot can come up with some really humdingers!!!

Hiya I can think of dvd player and a dvd you think she will like? A gardening book like growing your own veg or tips for a gardener ect. On play.com you can"adopt a meerkat " You could do a hamper with a new book she will like a nice cup with her favorite hot drink making stuff or alcohol and a glass and maybe a little Xmas teddy and jammas or a nice top to bulk the bottom out..

Oh a cookery hamper? New cook book , wooden spoon , novelty apron , funky chopping board (they have them on offer in robert dyers) and maybe the making of a good looking recipe from the book?

Im not being very creative this morning sorry xx

I slept total 16 hours between now and yesterday evening.. that's a world record for me.. xx

Ddraig

Hi Junior.Hope your friend Mollie is on the mend.

Mumtoone, Thankyou so much for your support aswell as others.This thread with my virtual friends is a nice haven for me.

Rufus have you got the hang of Toluna yet?Feel free to keep asking anything you need to.

Hello to everyone else.Im still bunged up and feeling rubbish.

Hopefully looks like the snow is going away.But we would be crazy to think this is the last of it.So I want to make sure my dry store cupboards are stocked.

junior_j

Thanks Ddraig she is starting to take steps with the help of a PT and frame.

I have just wrote out a list of things i have got and think i need to get for Xmas. I have brought a little more then first thought so am a bit more relieved although the bank balance keeps getting smaller and smaller.. x

rufusdog52

Ddraig wrote: »

Hi Junior.Hope your friend Mollie is on the mend.

Mumtoone, Thankyou so much for your support aswell as others.This thread with my virtual friends is a nice haven for me.

Rufus have you got the hang of Toluna yet?Feel free to keep asking anything you need to.

Hello to everyone else.Im still bunged up and feeling rubbish.

Hopefully looks like the snow is going away.But we would be crazy to think this is the last of it.So I want to make sure my dry store cupboards are stocked.

Just about Ddraig, thanks for helping me. i havent got round to doing any of my own stuff on there yet though xx

elysia2003

Diddley - there's a lovely book by Carol Klein, called grow your own veg. It's aimed a beginners and for people with a plant pot or an allotment. I would buy that if going with a gardening theme. You really need to decide what you're doing before we can be of any proper help.

Suggestions are - Movie night in hamper - Cheap DVD player, DVD. Have you got a camcorder? Make a DVD of the grandkids playing in the snow - she can keep it forever and will treasure it. Box of Microwave popcorn, bottle of wine etc.

Gardening hamper - book, apron, gloves (she probably has tools but howabout some posh labels, or twine? M&S has some bits on 3 for 2.

She likes sewing a knitting - how about a subscription to a monthly mag - presents all year! Hurray. Go through quidco and get cashback. There's some good deals around at the moment.

If you do decide - we can be a bit more specific, but I hope that helps.

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JJ your suggestion of adopting a Meercat was brilliant. You got there before me. LOL

DDraig - I don't do the opinions etc. I hardly ever answer them either - do you earn much with them? I just stick to surveys and polls where you get so many points (quick and easy).

Have a nice afternoon everyone - I'm off to play Disney Monopoly with DD's - we could be here a while (I hate monopoly it takes too long) have no patience. LOL

junior_j

Righto finally dressed and off to the shops with ideas in mind! Going to start wrapping presents this week too. Did i mention I am going to Londons Camden town tomorrow with the girls from work? Very excited about this! Plus going out with family and friends tonight too X

scattymam1

diddly - I would go with the gardening hamper, one if those grow your own veg books, some gardening gloves,gardeners hand cream, some tools - u can get pink or flowery tools - I know home bargains had them in and then u could get a selection of those grow your own packs - the pound shop and home bargains had them in - not sure if they still do but somewhere will have them - maybe wilkinsons, oh and some alcohol if she's that way inclined for after she's done all the hard work :-)