Lets get started for Christmas 2011

frugalbrunette

Hi everyone. I'm really worried about next Christmas. I've begun crocheting (just learning) as a way to make a hat, glove and scarf set for my sister. Hopefully if I can perfect my stitches and with the right needle and wool I can make something that looks like it's walked out of a high street store for a fraction of the price.

I also saw Kirtsys Homemade Home crocheting a hamper box out of garden twine so that's also in the pipeline for my mother in law.

I need to plan and be resourceful for the coming year.

Edited to say I'm going to make some toffee for my mum and a scarf. Other than that I'm stuck.

sarah*a

So far I have bought
:all wrap, tags and cards for next year
:couple of red decs - still need red/green tinsel and a red or green tree topper (found green baubles in 99p shop )
:15 and half out of 18 family xmas gifts
:More or less finished DD's - if Boots do have a 75% sale (and if there is anything worth getting :rotfl:) I might pick a couple of extra bits but don't really need to. She'll also get some topshop vouchers from shopandscan/consumer pulse etc as I daren't even attempt to buy her clothes anymore :rotfl:
:half done for OH - am at a loss now for more for ideas so will wait for the summer sales now

plus 15 and half out of 18 family birthday gifts


updated bits in bold

Had a good wander around town over the week and picked up some bits in the La Senza sale for DD and in the M&S Final Reductions for OH - still hanging on for the Boots 75% sale :rotfl: but did pick up Ted Baker smellies 'just in case'

Even got myself a couple of bits and gave them to OH to put away - fingers crossed he doesn't lose them - he's still looking for a hairbrush he 'hid' last year :rotfl:

Wendy5704

Had quite a productive day today. Picked up my Boots order in town and had a little wander as I was on my own for a change. Went into Wilkies and bought a 5 year garden planner for 25p and a garden set for 75p for a colleagues birthday. Also managed to pick up some bath salts in a nice box for 25p each and a girls animal cookie cutter set for 60p ish. Nipped to Asda for a loaf of bread and found some necklaces reduced to 50p so got a couple to go away. Got some decent DVDs in Poundland for my dad's & brothers movie hamper and the 99p store were selling of a pack of 2 silver glitter pillow gift box for 50p so picked some of them up for my handmade jewellery. Just waiting for the Boots 75% sale if it happens. There are a few things I would like to get but Im not really bothered if I dont get them.

LJM

sounds really productive wendy

Wendy5704

It cetainly was. Hopefully It will continue.

Tomorrow I am going to have a sort out and fully list everything I have and who it is for. I usually try to do this as I go along but havent done if for the last week or so. Also going to try and keep each persons presents together as last year I just put them anywhere and then when I tried to find some it was a nightmare. Must be better organised this year.

Think I might try a sock monkey but I am not very creative and not sure how I will manage it. I know my nieces would love it and they look great.

pollys

Tesco were selling the Lynx Gift sets containing shower gel and body spray for £1.66 today although it still said £3.33 on the shelf. Hope this helps someone.

Pollys

nickynoo08

Sam-mumof4 wrote: »

They was in b&m hun in the household stuff, rugs/pillows and stuff. They're lined x

Thanks hun i'll have a look in ours when i'm next in town

Pixie_Fairydust

Sarah*a - I got my red tree topper in Sainsbury's its a lovely big glittery star and was quite reasonable.

Thanks for the heads up on the Lynx gift sets (sorry forgot who posted it) they are always good to put by for pressies through the year with teenagers who always announce an invite to a party at the last minute!

I am going to order some cards/wrap from the paperchase website, they had some good offers.

Am really cross with myself, I did say I would put a £1 away each day, but that hasn't happened, will try and start after pay day.

Has anyone got any good (easy) recipes for chutney? I fancy having a go this year for pressies for the men in my life, I never know what to get the guys.

wammy77

Pixie_Fairydust wrote: »

Sarah*a - I got my red tree topper in Sainsbury's its a lovely big glittery star and was quite reasonable.

Thanks for the heads up on the Lynx gift sets (sorry forgot who posted it) they are always good to put by for pressies through the year with teenagers who always announce an invite to a party at the last minute!

I am going to order some cards/wrap from the paperchase website, they had some good offers.

Am really cross with myself, I did say I would put a £1 away each day, but that hasn't happened, will try and start after pay day.

Has anyone got any good (easy) recipes for chutney? I fancy having a go this year for pressies for the men in my life, I never know what to get the guys.

I get a lot of my chutney recipes from good food online:

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/content/recipes/favourites/pickles-jams-and-chutneys/

The apple and mango one is yummy, the presserved lemons are good too

They even have one that takes less than 20 minutes to make [EMAIL="http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/2643/spicy-blackberry-chutney"]Spicy Blackberry Chutney[/EMAIL]

wammy77

linky for gift recipes: http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/content/recipes/occasions/edible-gift/