Old style Preparations for Christmas 2010!!

purpleheather2810

Bronnie wrote: »

Yay! Me too. My birthday is in mid November and I never do anything for Christmas until after that. Wish someone would start a campaign to put Christmas back to where it belongs......and that's most definitely NOT in August!

PS don't get upset folks, I know some people need to and enjoy starting early; just my personal feelings on the matter. :pChristmas planning and giving has just got tooo big I reckon.

I have both my dd's birthdays at the end of October - it feels wrong to do too much Christmas stuff before that. Then the first weekend in November I will probably make my Christmas cake and that marks the beginning of the Christmas preparations! Before October I will only really buy bits and pieces if I see them, in sales etc, and if I do any homemade stuff for presents I will have to do that before.

knithappens

juliethemuse wrote: »

i have got approx £100 in my penny jar, and i think hampers are a great idea, only thing is , i have kids, age 23, 21, 18 and 17, they always give me a huge list of expensive requests, like ipads, iphones, designer clothes and jewellery, i mean , do they think i'm a millionairess? i always start getting worried near xmas, which is ridiculous what does everyone else do about this? this isnt what christmas is all about surely

They are now old enough to just get token presents, we have a rule one you hit 16 then we no longer buy for other kids inthe family, our own children cut off is 16 for big gifts, then it is smaller token gift.

SDG31000

I am actually a bit more organised than normal this year, as I brought lots of presents in the Boots 75% off sale, along with a number of rolls of wrapping paper. They are all in a huge box in the attic and at some point I really should go and see what is in it as I can't remember any more lol.
I have a stacker box of jars that I should really think about filling with jams and chutneys. The problem with that is that I have no idea who to give them to. My family won't eat them and my parents in law are both diabetic. Oh well, I'm sure they will find a home somewhere. I might make some flavoured vodka as well, if I can find some suitable bottles.
I think once my monsters are back at school I will feel more in a mood to get prepared, but I'm another person who curses retailers who start selling Christmas products in August.

Lindy_-_Loo

kymbogs wrote: »

I shall bear that in mind though I'm thinking of something quite a bit smaller, maybe more of a shoe box lol!

Im using shoe boxes wrapped in christmas paper x

Lindy_-_Loo

gailey wrote: »

I have an idea for my cousins 7year old twin boys but need some input as running out of things to put in it.

They come from weathy family and have tonnes of toys so always struggle to buy for boys who appear to have everything.

Anyway mum said they totally injto enid blyton famous five books.

Was thinking

trying to find every famous five/secret seven book.
old fashioned small suitcase maybe from carboot
few cans ginger beer.
couple of torches
maybe the book called dangerous games for boys.

idea was a set for twins to share a sort of enid blyton/adventure set as seems really different.

Anything else anyone suggest been a while since I read famous five used to love them too. All my mind can think of is they always ate potted ham and ginger beer.

They've got torches in poundland, different styles.

I never read those, I preferred Nancy Drew!

poundland had spy kits, bioculars and stuff if you wanted to follow the solving things line?

gailey_2

Lindy_-_Loo wrote: »

They've got torches in poundland, different styles.

I never read those, I preferred Nancy Drew!

poundland had spy kits, bioculars and stuff if you wanted to follow the solving things line?

Thanks ever so much just need to workout where nearest poundland might we have poundstretcher here and few other cheapy shops.

Think adventure set good but struggling to think of much apart from books with famous five theme I think from memory they maye have owned binoculars.

They had lots of picnics so could try a picnic set I suppose.

CLARABEL

What a great idea to do the adventure case!! Not a Blyton fan, but i would imagine that the kit should have..


Mint humbugs
pencils
chalks
safety pins
a ball of string
elastic bands
plasters?!
maginfying glass
empty plastic jar for bugs etc to be caught and examined?!

i'm trying not to be too practical, so no blankets, plastic ponchos etc for rain!!!

HTH
Clara:)

kippers

Well i'm glad i'm not the only one who prepares early.

I bought my turkey from aldi back at easter and i have a xmas pud from the after xmas 2009 sales. We save each month for xmas and i normally buy presents throughout the year...but my neices and nephews are all older now so i'm going to give them a gift card each (i will buy them in Dec). I have been making loads of jams and pickles etc to put in a hamper for the adults. I don't buy until nearer the time for my DD's as they tend to change their minds and as per usual me and my DH have to go without as we can't afford to save for us as well as everyone else...but we always have a fab xmas anyway

katholicos

I was buying presents for this Christmas before last Christmas in the pre-Christmas sales. I don't buy for many people anymore and everyone has pressies that were less than half price supplemented by home made gifts. I've got the christmas cards, special ones and all the ones for friends and acquaintences, gift wrap, cellophane etc. The only one i haven;t bought for is my son and that i because he doesn't really appreciate anything other than money...he'll have to have wht i can scrape together and it won't look as much as what his sister has, but then i can buy her heavily discounted Body Shop products etc o it always looks like i spend more on her, but i don't. I've already made marmalade and jams and chutney for Christmas and i shall be making lots more preserves too. I'll also do some crafting and give cards to charityies to sell (I've loads of cardmaking stuff that i've gathered or had bought for me over the years).

It isn;t just about having to be prepared, for me...it's about wanting to be prepared...I am quite a disorganised person in some ways and my health problems mean that i am quite forgetful so this way i know what i have done, what i am doing and what i have still to do.

And above all it is enjoyable and i find it fulfilling. If i see a something throughout the year that seems an ideal present for a loved one i buy it even if it is from a charity shop, and i put it up for birthdays/Christmas etc.

juliethemuse

well i think i'm going to have to set a budget for each one and stick to it, my 17 year old DD isnt too bad, she likes things like craft stuff and perfume, but the boys are terrible! for instance last year i bought youngest son a pair of Armani jeans for almost £100, and i dont think he's hardly ever worn them, this year I'M NOT DOING IT!!