DFW @ Christmas ?

jessicamb

*zippy* wrote:

Thats really sweet QueenB it brought back fond memories of when mine were younger.

Interesting alot of you make pressies, I gave the grandparents a framed photo of kids last year and SIL once gave me a lovely basket of bulbs she had made herself, what sort of things do you all make?

Not one for the boys but I like to make toiletry hampers for my mum/grandma. I think the boxes that they sell in the shops - bath/body lotions etc always contain things that people dont really like (in my family anyway) so I look out for bits that I know they will like and add them together and put them in a nice box picked up from somewhere with some tissue paper.

I used to get the dogs expensive toys and now they get a pack of tennis balls which they think are much more fun and are 'allowed' to play with the scrap wrapping paper in the garden when the presents are opened.

Photos are always good for grandparents, especially if you can get a nice frame - we did one for my grandma once where everybody get dressed up and posed rather than just a 'normal' picture.

I'm thinking of making them each a stocking this year though and filling with little bits and bobs.

dlb

We do `tree presents` after xmas dinner.
We all have to get one pressie and pay no more than £5 on it, it has to be as silly/funny as possible, and small enough to put inside the tree.

Each person is told who they are buying for ie mums buying for child no 2, ect so everyone only spends a fiver.

Its lots of fun as we open them all one by one.
I LOVE XMAS!!!!!!!!!!

halloweenqueen_2

I'm asking for vouchers this year - Mr HQ loves prezzie opening so it will be a challenge - I do my shopping late but I'm sick of seeing stuff reduced after xmas. Will be getting a mixture of vouchers and prezzies for kids. I like the boots/asda/tesco style cards you can put money on to I think my kids would like them!

rescuethemall

This Christmas we're a bit happier as that all our immediate family (including my OH's family) now know our situation, so wont expect a fabulous pressie this year (as we usually put them on the John Lewis store card, but dont have that no more!).

One tip I use from my mum is to keep all the presents which you recieve over the year, and that any that you dont want, simply 're-use' and send out as Christmas presents ... obviously try not to send it back to the person who gave it to you mind! :rotfl:

lizzie12_2

Some of you hace a real creative flair, some great ideas.

The adults are having vouchers this year - what I bought last year were half price in the sale, so this way they can get more for their money.

I have seen a thread somewhere about making your own vouchers up as gifts, canna find it now!!
Think they may come in handy, offering to babysit one evening or help with washing and ironing, time is more valuable and spread through the year.

Anwen_2

http://www.flylady.net/pages/ClutterFreeGiftsW.asp

A couple of years ago Flylady (a site which offers help and so on for decluttering and un-messing the home) collected 'clutter free Christmas' ideas for gifts, the above is for women, but there were lots of different sections. Some of the ideas aren't especially DFW (vouchers) but some would be great for DFW.

zippygeorgeandben

This is what I am going to do for xmas...I'm fed up of year after year spending more than I should and (this may sound selfish now) not getting the same value back in return! I buy couples that I know presents for each of them which prob cost between 15 and 20 pounds. In return they buy me a joint present which probably costs the same. The fact that they all earn a hell of a lot more than me doesn't help also.

After speaking to my mum, I have told her I am going to give each couple £15 or £20 in Marks' vouchers and they can spend them how they wish. I should save about £100 doing this!
Keep smiling everybody, you only live once
Benji
x

Batgirl

I am hoping for a relatively free xmas this year. I have3 saved Pigsback points for arcadia vouchers for MIL & SIL got amazon vouchers from RPoints for FIL saved nectar points from american express CC to get Argos vouchers for Mum & Step dad & Step brother. Also trying to save for more argos vouchers for my own 2 boys, but last year they got so much from other people they didn't really need pressies from us so Im spending much less on them this year. If anyone wants ony info about rpoints, or pigsback then just pm me and I will fill you in, or if you want a referal I will be very happy to refer you.

Good luck everyone with xmas, now really is the right time to start !!!!

Batgirl

lizzie12_2

Yes please Batgirl, you can count me in. That would be great.

Thanks.

Batgirl

No problem Lizzie I have Pm you all the details you need, anyone else want them and just Pm me and i'll let you know.

Batgirl