New, New Thirfty Gifty for Christmas and All Ocassions 2011..Santas Challenge...

mary-op

Hello all :j
Well after all the faffing about with OH at hospital, with antibiotics then no antibiotics-op then no op he;s now being discharged today with pain relief. He asked consultant what if the pain really flares up bad again and he was rushed back in he said they'd ''manage'' it and send him home ! Expect that would mean loads of pain relief to knock him out and not a lot else. He reckoned these 'pockets of fluid' would go of their own accord. Well, why wasn't that said in the first place instead of him being there for 2 weeks :mad: Oh well, least he's coming home and hospital are providing transport for him so it saves me the petrol money and car parking. They just better get his medication right this time and send him home with the right stuff -not like before. I've checked with ward sister and she said she'd sort it...............so we'll see.

I must have thought something positive might happen today..........I've sewn up foster daughters baby jacket and done a bit more to sons scarf..............lol:)

elysia - I'm after green, red, brown/beige (mini- gingerbread men) for doing a sort of mixture of stuffed hearts, trees etc. for my 'christmas in a box;. Our Tescos doesn't sell it -only a small store really compared to most.

Hope you're all ok:)

fedupandskint

Items collected from spargos

Coat was £11.99 - found it at £24.99 elsewhere and its a good one for that price alone. just deciding now whether to buy my brother one for the same price while its so low and in stock. Can't really go wrong for £11.99!
My fleece is brill for £4.99 and is ready and waiting for the cold weather later on this year plus can use for walking
Brother's fleece is great too and both are in nice colours. Mine is deep pink and brother's is bright blue

Off to have another look on the website now!

Almost there now for Christmas - on the look out for a hat, scarf and glove set and a then onto the bath salt concoctions!


Oh yes, also picked up a couple of reducd blueberry plants for mum for £3.99 instead of £6.99 and I'll pot them up for her to go with the rest of the gardening hamper and apple tree. Unfortunately the reduced apple tree's had all gone so couldn't get another one but never mind.

mum2one

Hope everyone ok, Mary sorry to hear your still going back and forth with hubby, hope they get him sorted.

Must say been very boring and well behaved!! Shocking at £4 a pint on the club at site so been 2 evenings out, very cheap!! but miss Hoodie being a star, road rage is her new favour of the month, theres a lane almost facing the caravan site, and its a fab short cut to the main road, but the incidents we'vw had..

best - just come out of a corner, and there was this woman with her kid (must been 18mths old), and she was changing his nappy!!

another - white van man, he wouldn't reverse, yet it was easier for him so Miss Hoodie shouts, mum can't reverse... so I turned the engine off... he soon reversed!!

Have been swimming every day, must look shirvelled up!! and shes been on the playpark, shes had a good time. Bailey so funny, if anyone walks past the caravan he jumps up to the window and paws like mad...

Escaping to a cottage 2mor, its internet blackspot... help.... last time had to go to Morrisons as was getting withdrawal symptoms!

Poor dad, his exhaust has gone on his car!! so got to get that fixed....

Been mse was given free childs ticket to Shaldon zoo, then on way out offered a return ticket for £1 each.. so she took dad.

xx

mum2one

Santas Challenge - August - (apologies for being early - due to being away)

School Uniforms
Hopefully everyone who needs to be is sorted, don't forget the name tags, and pencils, paper etc.

Birthday Presents.
Hopefully were all sorted with bday presents, but for anyone at school, have an emergency present or 2 ready, incase of those surprise birthday invites.

Vistaprint
Sure there be offering calenders and christmas cards on the freebies, may be worth starting a list of items that you want and spread it out over the next couple of months, as I find by Nov it goes mad,

Hampers
if anyone is doing hampers, gift packageing, as well as deciding whats going in them, but also what your going to put it in, do you need to buy containers, can you recycle a shoe box.

Wrappings
following on from the packeging items, but do you need to buy any wrapping, cello, ribbon etc.
I personally buy cello, ribbon from an ebay seller - his shop - nickschicks - I like the fact that they combine postage, and have a max postage limit.

Postage
if your posting any parcels / cards abroad, check the international dates (apologies haven't got any to hand) be on royal mail site.

Stamps
Sounds daft but don't forget that Superdrug does the books of stamps, sometimes may be quicker than queueing at Post Office, - another tip is look for small sub post offices as some people tend to use main ones and forget about little ones.

Vouchers / cashback
If you have any vouchers or cashback that need to be ordered from sites and need for xmas, try to order asap, as some places can take longer to process.
(from experience - I'm waiting for Love to shop vouchers back from April!)
If there sent as cheques allow for clearance.

Sales
We're slowly seeing the end of the summer sales, and bargains coming in for winter, some shops are clearing out last years cards and wrapping paper at cheaper prices, soon be Christmas catalogues coming on, so if you see any shout...
Don't forget to keep checking Argos clearance, as you can go into individual stores and see whats local to you.

Christmas Lists
Have a run through the list, check budgets, see if chops can be made if necessary, and the main thing that if you have anything already purchased, make sure you know where it is, does it need batteries..

The big clean....
Your all be very pleased to know, Miss Hoodie has had no imput into this Santas challenge as its not on the 24th.... so she doesn't want to suggest a cleaning job... thou sure she will make up for it next month!!

Take care everyone, and will pop in soon xx

elysia2003

Thanks Mum2one - I thought you'd be on your way home shortly. We miss you. Glad everyone is well. You take care xxx

susan42

mum2one - thank you for the challenges, we wasnt expecting any with you being away. Thats dedication for you...glad you having good time and lol at miss hoodie....x

mary - i `m glad OH at home but i hope he`s well enough to be there and they sure have messed him about

fedup and skint - those sure are good prices for things.

Elysia - ty for the heads up on the game, i dont think i`ll be buying a 3ds, even though i love my gadjets, when i went to cinema to watch 3d film had to keep my eyes closed as i felt so ill

Went to Leeds yesterdy for a day out . Really enjoyed it. Went in the Bench shop to get DS some trainers and a bag for uni, only go in once a year as i think their things are expensive. But as its for his birthday....I had a bench reward card from last year and chose some trainers reduced to £20 from £70 and a Bag reduced from £24 to £12. When I went to pay and handed over my reward card I had £2 to pay as bench had added a bonus and awarded me a money off voucher:T:T:T

I then went to market got a 1000 insults block thing 30p BN and a penholder for a cricket lover in a lovely box for 30p....They were both brand new and if i could have carried some more I would have.

I didnt get anything else as I`m saving to buy the new SD software, but was pleased with what I got

elysia2003

Mary - if I'd seen your message before I left, I could have popped into Hobbycraft for you. I'm not up there until next week again now. If I'm passing how many do you want of each? I think they are 49p for an A4 sheet size and 75p if you want some with sparkles/glitter on.

SugarSpun

Thanks mum2one, how exciting! I do love a challenge

School Uniforms
Not for us, not yet, although I am going to use this as a reminder to sort out a kindergarten place for the monster child.

Birthday Presents.
All sorted and I have a stash of emergency gifts

Vistaprint
I really want an A0 sized wall calendar, I'll be keeping an eye out for one of those. But we've started using an online planner that seems to be more used and useful than the wall one so maybe it's not necessary.

Hampers

I've some hampers on my list for next year and have some cute wicker boxes €3 for all 5 :money:

Wrappings

I was horrified when packing my craft and Christmas stuff, I have *loads* of paper.

Postage
:T thank you - I need to remember this for birthday gifts too, my nephews and niece have birthdays coming up.

Stamps
:T:T will start this later today when I stop at the PO.

Vouchers / cashback
I'm trying to get my Bingoport points out of BP, they cancelled my account for "abuse" of the forums, although they never responded when I asked them why, but I am trying to win enough for a voucher.

Sales
My standard tip is Halfcost, free del over a £10 spend at the moment and they had some nice stuff.

Christmas Lists
All done except the food shopping, and all money neutral. All in time for moving!

The big clean....
And a month I really need one too

Hope it was a lovely trip mum2one

fedupandskint

Sounds a great holiday mum2one - enjoy away!

This months challenge is half done and the next one I'm well on with

Writing down the costs of what have bought from Christmas
Scouring the grabbit and Argos for bargains - have bought some and recorded the prices in my book to tot up the totals
Have plenty of cards and wrap, should have enough ribbons and bows and cello bought in last years sales
Saw a couple of nice baskets yesterday to put pamper hampers in but haven't decided yet as may already have enough upstairs

May pop up to Argos later on today to collect a couple of reservations if I can be bothered after lots of gardening, otherwise I''ll go tomorrow and tonight make a list of what else I need for Christmas.

rufusdog52

Morning all

The photo prints came from Artscow this morning which is really quick. I am pleased with them, will order another 100 next month, I will put a reminder on my phone to order them after the 15th as thats when I get my next free ones.

As for this months challenge, lots in there to get on with.

mum2one wrote: »

Santas Challenge - August - (apologies for being early - due to being away)

School Uniforms
Hopefully everyone who needs to be is sorted, don't forget the name tags, and pencils, paper etc.

I haven't got away with this even though YD has left school and going to college this year, she still needs a uniform as she is doing child care. I have to order this on her enrolment day 1st September. I have put the money by but I am hoping OH might go halves with me but I am not holding my breathe. Its £40, plus I have to pay for her police check to be done which is £50.

Birthday Presents.
Hopefully were all sorted with bday presents, but for anyone at school, have an emergency present or 2 ready, incase of those surprise birthday invites.

I have two more birthdays not sorted this year yet one is eldest grandson, but I think he would prefer the money this year. The other is ED's as its her 30th. Not sure what to get her yet, probably some jewellery. Also have wedding that I havent sorted yet but I will probably give them a voucher as they have been living together for a while so they dont need normal wedding gifts. Another thing is Son & GF are expecting beginning of December but think I will give them a voucher too as they seem to have everything already. Her family are quite wealthy and as its their first grandchild they are spoiling them.

Vistaprint
Sure there be offering calenders and christmas cards on the freebies, may be worth starting a list of items that you want and spread it out over the next couple of months, as I find by Nov it goes mad,

I have not got anything else to order from Vista for this year I dont think, I need to order some prints from Artscow though.

Hampers
if anyone is doing hampers, gift packageing, as well as deciding whats going in them, but also what your going to put it in, do you need to buy containers, can you recycle a shoe box.

I am doing a hamper for my ED, I have a nice basket which is a fair size. I have already got a nice towel to go in the bottom and a few toiletries and a make up box to go in it. I was going to give her the make up box for her birthday but remembered it's a special one this year so she is having something else instead.

Wrappings
following on from the packeging items, but do you need to buy any wrapping, cello, ribbon etc.
I personally buy cello, ribbon from an ebay seller - his shop - nickschicks - I like the fact that they combine postage, and have a max postage limit.

Postage
if your posting any parcels / cards abroad, check the international dates (apologies haven't got any to hand) be on royal mail site.

Dont have to do this.

Stamps
Sounds daft but don't forget that Superdrug does the books of stamps, sometimes may be quicker than queueing at Post Office, - another tip is look for small sub post offices as some people tend to use main ones and forget about little ones.

I have already started to buy 6 second class stamps each time I go to the Post Office, I have two lots already, I will have to count up how many I will need.

Vouchers / cashback
If you have any vouchers or cashback that need to be ordered from sites and need for xmas, try to order asap, as some places can take longer to process.
(from experience - I'm waiting for Love to shop vouchers back from April!)
If there sent as cheques allow for clearance.

I am waiting for vouchers, mostly Amazon ones as I am saving up for three presents I want to get for Christmas. I need £210 approx and I have £130 so far, once I have enough I will start to get other vouchers instead where possible.


Sales
We're slowly seeing the end of the summer sales, and bargains coming in for winter, some shops are clearing out last years cards and wrapping paper at cheaper prices, soon be Christmas catalogues coming on, so if you see any shout...
Don't forget to keep checking Argos clearance, as you can go into individual stores and see whats local to you.


I have been looking out for t shirts in the sales but we only really have New Look and Peacocks in our town (I want mens ones) and I havent seen any at a good saving as of yet. I would buy some for my son for next year's birthday if I do find some.
Christmas Lists
Have a run through the list, check budgets, see if chops can be made if necessary, and the main thing that if you have anything already purchased, make sure you know where it is, does it need batteries..

My list is up to date.

The big clean....
Your all be very pleased to know, Miss Hoodie has had no imput into this Santas challenge as its not on the 24th.... so she doesn't want to suggest a cleaning job... thou sure she will make up for it next month!!

That's nice xx