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

stiltwalker

Hadn't even looked at the challenge and have started to gut the saved clothes upstairs to ebay. Found out before Christmas that we are having a blue bundle of fun this time so can now sort out all DD's old stuff which we had been saving "in case" and sell the pink stuff to buy blue. At 22 months she's a bit small to help though!

Just ordered a Made in 1981 T-shirt free from vista for little brov's 30th in the summer, I'm going to make him an 80's hamper but can never get it to track through cashback, never mind, still jolly cheap.

List of all birthday's done last night while internet was playing silly beggars so all organised.

Had lots of treats last 2 weeks as OH had a fortnight off work and we chicken sat at my parents for a week and had a couple of lunches out then lunch out last Tuesday with OH and DD for my birthday in our fave Italian restaurant and my mum is taking me and DD out for late birthday lunch tomorrow - fattening treats but hey I'm eating for two!

Have only just done the freezer before christmas and wipe out fridge every week as I do my shopping list (I ran a tearoom for years it's habit!) so will bow out of those bits (Yay). Hope everyone else has fun. X

kelda_shelton

Yay! Santa's Challenge.. I hadnt realised it was quite 24th already though! Whoops! Will have a look over it tomorrow and start thinking about them..

No start on any handmade things so far but I got a lot of nice things in the boots sale for birthdays/mothers day/Christmas presents so quite chuffed at that. Also doing well with my weight loss - 4lbs since i started on 10th! I have 30,320 in toluna so far. Decided I would concetrate on ONE survey place so I can get the voucher quicker.

I have bought some crafty bits and pieces so will get started in Feb i think!

MY tothfairy - so sorry to hear about you MIL. Thinking of you.

tracey_h_2

Fortune wrote: »

My oh is 40th too this year!! Perhaps we could share ideas???

I have none so far hun!! He is so difficult to buy for. He wanted a party at first then changed his mind. Then it was a holiday then he changed his mind again!! GRRRRR!! Men!!
LOL!

Txx

mum2one

Fortune wrote: »

Jan and Feb birthdays all done. Cards written and alol wrapped. Need to do March now. Big Month for me 6 birthdays!! and my DH is one o them. And he is 40!! Deep Joy!! LOL. Mothers day done. Just need cards.

Hugs to all who need.

Txx

My oh is 40th too this year!! Perhaps we could share ideas???[/QUOTE]

Think there were some power cuts in 1970 - we've got 2 40s birthday, March not sure of other month, my best mate is 40 5 days for me, then in March as well our neigbour facing us, he's going to be 40, then in May hos g/g will be 30 xx

mum2one

tracey_h wrote: »

I have none so far hun!! He is so difficult to buy for. He wanted a party at first then changed his mind. Then it was a holiday then he changed his mind again!! GRRRRR!! Men!!
LOL!

Txx

I wanted to go to Las Vegas, and Grand Canyon - but taking Miss Hoodie to Dom Rep.

The night bday, were just going to the pub with Miss Hoodie, mum and dad, and mums brother and his wife. Planning an indian meal night out with 2 friends.
I wanted a party, but when you add all the costs involved, bar a few friends be more family then friends,

We should have the what we're doing, what we want xx

kelda_shelton

EASY

As Dec's challenge was on early and involved a start on being organised for this yr, I've just pulled a few pointers incase we have missed any.

Have the lists ready for Birthday, xmas, and other ocassions such as Valentines Day, Mothers Day (2nd April), Fathers Day (usually June time), Easter - we're finishing the christmas sweets and cakes and the supermarkets are selling the eggs already! and have budgets set for them.

Hopefully as well as sale items we have been able to creatively recylce some items!

Find a safe hiding place for any presents brought, and make sure you have a spare list of where everything is, and who's been brought what.

Sales - Most of been and whats left what necessary be the best, but keep an eye out something may jump out, the other reason I mention Sales is Argos have changed the catalogue at the weekend, and this usually means any sale items are reduced further and new items added. (Generally theres an option to check what store you want - clearance section - generally I have found it to be 90% reliable).

All the above I’ve done so I felt very good but then remembered it was the easy pile!! Hee! In our new house there is a cupbaird under the stairs that is about as tall as me length wise but height wise its only up to my waist so that’s become the present store!!

VistaPrint - don't forget that Quidco give £2.50 back, if you have freebies or £5 for full price, not sure if its a once a month like topcashback, and like tcb you can have more than one quidco account per household.
(a little tip if you want to order christmas cards throughout the year - at the mo there chargeable, but tonight I went through history, as I wanted same design, put it in basket and it came up as zero!!)

I’m not very creative with Vistaprint so going to wait until I know exactly if I actually need anything before starting ordering random stuff. I got lots of xmas cards cheap in BHS just after Christmas so I won’t need Christmas cards, and I don’t have any kiddies to need thankyou cards or birthday invites etc. Actually… I may think about little business cards if I’m going to be good with the crafting though. Anyone have any links to free business cards??


Medium
Not quite the feet up moment, but still trying to be gentle.

Ladies we deserve a treat, we've pulled off Christmas, we've hit the sales, we've been bashed, battered, pushed and shoved...so treat time. Whether thats half an hour in the bath with a book, or take the remote off the kids for the night and you watch what you want on TV. Or even a takeaway.... would say a lovely meal out, but we are mse girls so a takeaway is pushing the boat out.

I think I can manage this one!!


For those with children, we have half term coming up, the perfect opportunity for them to help tidy and gut their rooms. If you have anything summery kept incase it fits, I find Feb time generally good for summer stuff, whether its 99p for a tshirt - but people start planning hols around them so if they can pick up a bargain - win win all the way round

No kiddies to look after so I don’t need to do this!


For those without children, time to gut your bedroom or a room of your choice.
I'm thinking car boot season will be starting generally from March, so there may be hidden items that you put up for when you need them... (hence when I tidyed the kitchen cupboards, I found 3 fondue sets!!) so if we can get a head start, with items, - one step ahead of the competation.

I actually filled two bags for the charity shop of clothes last night from my bedroom so that’s a start. My study/craft room need a tidy though - its just full of sh*t from Christmas and receipts and blls etc now filed in the filing cabinet etx so that’s a plan for this weekend or next weekend.

Younger children, try and have some activities ready whether its a dressing up box, through to a box of crayons and a notepad.

No kiddies to look after so I don’t need to do this!


HARD BIT
Those who are luckly enough to have a frost free freezer - you get a break....
We're hitting the kitchen / utility / freezer with a vengance, hopefully theres space from all the extras we used at Christmas, so nows the time to get it cleaned and organised.

The same goes for the fridge, and anywhere food is stored, your not gutting every cupboard, (I'm not that cruel - thou it was on Miss Hoodies list along with freezers, fridge, cupboard, bedrooms, bathroom - you get the picture!!) just concentrating on the food.
For a bit of fun, make this element into a mini challenge, the person who makes the oddest meal out of items in the house, will win a prize, Miss Hoodie will choose the meal...


I’ll get on to this over the next few weeks! The fact we have no food and I can’t get to the supermarket util the weekend means that an odd meal might be made anyway!!!


FUN
Challenge yourself to do something that you may have done before andmaybe never finished, or do something new - my challenge is trying to make a make-up bag, and a beach bag out of an old dress - it's not going to be perfect.... but it be fun... just got to get mum to do the sewing machine...
Again there be a prize from Miss Hoodie for the best.

I’ll have to have a think about this one!!

rufusdog52

mum2one wrote: »

EASY

As Dec's challenge was on early and involved a start on being organised for this yr, I've just pulled a few pointers incase we have missed any.

Have the lists ready for Birthday, xmas, and other ocassions such as Valentines Day, Mothers Day (2nd April), Fathers Day (usually June time), Easter - we're finishing the christmas sweets and cakes and the supermarkets are selling the eggs already! and have budgets set for them.

I have my list ready and started on, I have added it to my spread sheet on the third page. Next birthdays to get for are March so have a few weeks to find something nice. Grandson asked me to make him a hoody when he saw mine the other day so might look out for some fabric and make him one.

Hopefully as well as sale items we have been able to creatively recylce some items!

Didnt have any gifts to recycle this year as most people bought chocoates or biscuits that kind of thing, and OH's bro who usually buys me toiletries which I recycle bought me some perfume this year so I am using it myself. Got all the wrap, giftbags, cards etc in the sales for next Chrismtas though.

Find a safe hiding place for any presents brought, and make sure you have a spare list of where everything is, and who's been brought what.

I keep all my gifts on top of my wardrobe in boxes but havent any to put up there yet - tell a lie I have a couple of bits from Vista to go in the box.

VistaPrint - don't forget that Quidco give £2.50 back, if you have freebies or £5 for full price, not sure if its a once a month like topcashback, and like tcb you can have more than one quidco account per household.

I have done three orders already this year and two have tracked via TCB so £10.10 to come back on them. Still need to do one for other neice and half an order for first niece, then four mugs and not sure what else yet.


Medium
Not quite the feet up moment, but still trying to be gentle.

Ladies we deserve a treat, we've pulled off Christmas, we've hit the sales, we've been bashed, battered, pushed and shoved...so treat time. Whether thats half an hour in the bath with a book, or take the remote off the kids for the night and you watch what you want on TV. Or even a takeaway.... would say a lovely meal out, but we are mse girls so a takeaway is pushing the boat out.

I would love an hour in the bath but cant get in or out any more due to my dodgy arms and legs so have to make do with a shower and its not the same. OH got me fish and chips last night ( very unusual) and then went to bed early so I managed to have a nice evening catching up on my tv I wanted to watch.

For those with children, we have half term coming up, the perfect opportunity for them to help tidy and gut their rooms. If you have anything summery kept incase it fits, I find Feb time generally good for summer stuff, whether its 99p for a tshirt - but people start planning hols around them so if they can pick up a bargain - win win all the way round

Daughters room in not too bad, she has to do it most days or not allowed out.

For those without children, time to gut your bedroom or a room of your choice.
I'm thinking car boot season will be starting generally from March, so there may be hidden items that you put up for when you need them... (hence when I tidyed the kitchen cupboards, I found 3 fondue sets!!) so if we can get a head start, with items, - one step ahead of the competation.

My bedroom isnt too bad either lol, my OH does most of the tidying up and is always at it so the rooms dont really get in a mess.

HARD BIT
Those who are luckly enough to have a frost free freezer - you get a break....
We're hitting the kitchen / utility / freezer with a vengance, hopefully theres space from all the extras we used at Christmas, so nows the time to get it cleaned and organised.

Freezers both do need a bit of a defrost as a bit of ice around the top (chest freezers) but they are full right up and never seem to go down but will have a go at them and see what I can do.

The same goes for the fridge, and anywhere food is stored, your not gutting every cupboard, (I'm not that cruel - thou it was on Miss Hoodies list along with freezers, fridge, cupboard, bedrooms, bathroom - you get the picture!!) just concentrating on the food.

We meal plan when we do our shop but always have lots left over at end of month which we carry over for the next month so wont need so much shopping this time around.

For a bit of fun, make this element into a mini challenge, the person who makes the oddest meal out of items in the house, will win a prize, Miss Hoodie will choose the meal...

FUN
Challenge yourself to do something that you may have done before andmaybe never finished, or do something new - my challenge is trying to make a make-up bag, and a beach bag out of an old dress - it's not going to be perfect.... but it be fun... just got to get mum to do the sewing machine...
Again there be a prize from Miss Hoodie for the best.

Hmm this one is hard as not a lot I start to do and then dont finish it even though it sometimes takes me a long time to do it. I did make my hoody which was something I havent done before does this count? I will be thinking of other things I can try out.

Hopefully we have not thrown you to hard into the deep end, - remember its a pick and mix, - do what you fancy, if the children are old enough, get them to help.

Good luck to one and all xxx

Thanks for the challenges, Rufus xx

mary-op

Hello all :j

mum2one -can't do the challenges at the minute......too much going on as you understand.

age concern lady came today (stupid me getting days mixed up!) Got loads of leaflets about handymen, cleaners/springcleaners/laundry.......all comes at a price but worth it if I need it.
occupational therapist called this morning and measured all up for stairs rails, rails on the landing, raised toilet seat............then I had to show her how I get in and out of bed (deep embarassment at very untidy bedroom!) and she's sorting out a support for me in bed and a rail so I can pull myself up. Also checked about stairlift and shower over the bath but that all depends on whether council think we've got too much in savings. I'd prefer shower and loo downstairs but she said if council agree to a stair lift and shower over the bath I'll have to go with what they say. If I end up having to pay myself then I'll have shower and extra loo downstairs. Wore me out walking up and downstairs ...........lol Forgot to ask about a gate at the top of the stairs (always afraid I'll fall on the way to the loo) and wheelchair so I'll ring later about those. Expect I'll have to buy a wheelchair -can get one on loan from red cross for set period of 2 weeks but really I just want to get out of the house when I feel like it.
So, things are moving in the right direction I think.
Also had appt come through for bone scan for next Tuesday.
Felt quite positive about it all
Did another little knitting thing off the 'handmade presents' thread -thats two now...........one more to do and thats three little pressies done.

Birthday and Christmas card lists are up to date -stay the same every year really and I've made cards for birthdays up to March so not bad going.........for me at the minute anyway.

Hope you're all ok:)

cdsmiler

susan42 wrote: »

cdsmiler, that happened to me and i stripped it down and still didnt work so i emailed the firm that made it and told them that it was making all sorts of funny noises. I told them i knew nothing about it as i wasnt very technically minded and there was important things on that couldnt be replaced. They told me to send it to them and they saved my data and replaced with a new one and no bill. I did lay it on abit mind about relatives that had passed away, the music not as important as the memories. etc etc

Hi susan - thanks for that - how did you strip it down?

mum2one - hope Miss Hoodie's ok!! Big hugs to her! I hate bullys....cowards the lot of them! Good on her for answering back!

tootoo - welcome!

esmer - looking forward to the sticky toffee cupcake recipe!! lol Can't see it on your blog, but it might just be my computer playing up....

mary - keep at it. That was good advice - keep doing something crafty each day, even if it's just a small thing! Glad the age concern lady appeared!! Sounds like it was a productive visit!

susan - congrats for your DS!! That's fab having so many offers! Wish I had the £20 a week food offer when I was in Uni!

elysia - VERY belated Happy Birthday to Elysia (your 8 year old, not your alter ego on here! lol)!!

Real Toothfairy/Milla - thinking of you hun. xxx

stlitwalker - congrats on your blue bundle!!

Uh oh, Santa's challenge!! lol Will post seperately for that!

Clare x

cdsmiler

mum2one wrote: »

Good morning ladies as its the 24th, that can only mean one thing..Santas Challenge, feels such a lot time since the last one, would say do you want the good news or the bad news???

Good News - Miss Hoodie is in bed

Bad News - Miss Hoodie has been preparing her contributions for the last week, when I looked earlier she was on the 4th side of an A4 paper!!!

We've comprismed to make the challenge easy, medium, hard and fun!

---

Ladies, welcome to the challenge, as always treat it like a pick and mix, but hopefully there be something for everyone, break you all in gently...

EASY

As Dec's challenge was on early and involved a start on being organised for this yr, I've just pulled a few pointers incase we have missed any.

Have the lists ready for Birthday, xmas, and other ocassions such as Valentines Day, Mothers Day (2nd April), Fathers Day (usually June time), Easter - we're finishing the christmas sweets and cakes and the supermarkets are selling the eggs already! and have
budgets set for them.
Lists created! Never done lists for birthdays and special occasions before - just Christmas!


Hopefully as well as sale items we have been able to creatively recylce some items!
Need to have a proper look through (our recieved presents are STILL not put away!! lol) but have some bits ready!


Find a safe hiding place for any presents brought, and make sure you have a spare list of where everything is, and who's been brought what.
Yes, must list what I have got!


Sales - Most of been and whats left what necessary be the best, but keep an eye out something may jump out, the other reason I mention Sales is Argos have changed the catalogue at the weekend, and this usually means any sale items are reduced further and new items added. (Generally theres an option to check what store you want - clearance section - generally I have found it to be 90% reliable).

VistaPrint - don't forget that Quidco give £2.50 back, if you have freebies or £5 for full price, not sure if its a once a month like topcashback, and like tcb you can have more than one quidco account per household.
(a little tip if you want to order christmas cards throughout the year - at the mo there chargeable, but tonight I went through history, as I wanted same design, put it in basket and it came up as zero!!)



Medium
Not quite the feet up moment, but still trying to be gentle.

Ladies we deserve a treat, we've pulled off Christmas, we've hit the sales, we've been bashed, battered, pushed and shoved...so treat time. Whether thats half an hour in the bath with a book, or take the remote off the kids for the night and you watch what you want on TV. Or even a takeaway.... would say a lovely meal out, but we are mse girls so a takeaway is pushing the boat out.
Got an evening to myself this Friday - hubby out, DD will be asleep, and I can have a bit of a pamper, a meal I like, and TV on!


For those with children, we have half term coming up, the perfect opportunity for them to help tidy and gut their rooms. If you have anything summery kept incase it fits, I find Feb time generally good for summer stuff, whether its 99p for a tshirt - but people start planning hols around them so if they can pick up a bargain - win win all the way round
She's too young to do it herself, but I want to give her a room a bit of a sort out!


For those without children, time to gut your bedroom or a room of your choice.
Our bedroom needs a sort out too. Going to combine a tidy up with a sort through of things I might ebay...

I'm thinking car boot season will be starting generally from March, so there may be hidden items that you put up for when you need them... (hence when I tidyed the kitchen cupboards, I found 3 fondue sets!!) so if we can get a head start, with items, - one step ahead of the competation.
Blimey. Not long now. Must find out where they are happening!


Younger children, try and have some activities ready whether its a dressing up box, through to a box of crayons and a notepad.


HARD BIT
Those who are luckly enough to have a frost free freezer - you get a break....
We're hitting the kitchen / utility / freezer with a vengance, hopefully theres space from all the extras we used at Christmas, so nows the time to get it cleaned and organised.

The same goes for the fridge, and anywhere food is stored, your not gutting every cupboard, (I'm not that cruel - thou it was on Miss Hoodies list along with freezers, fridge, cupboard, bedrooms, bathroom - you get the picture!!) just concentrating on the food.
MUST sort out one cupboard - it's a bit like jenga in there at the moment!! lol

For a bit of fun, make this element into a mini challenge, the person who makes the oddest meal out of items in the house, will win a prize, Miss Hoodie will choose the meal...



FUN
Challenge yourself to do something that you may have done before andmaybe never finished, or do something new - my challenge is trying to make a make-up bag, and a beach bag out of an old dress - it's not going to be perfect.... but it be fun... just got to get mum to do the sewing machine...
Again there be a prize from Miss Hoodie for the best.
Hmmm. Will have a think!



Hopefully we have not thrown you to hard into the deep end, - remember its a pick and mix, - do what you fancy, if the children are old enough, get them to help.

Good luck to one and all xxx

Thanks both!!!!

Clare x