Lets get started for Christmas 2011

jemtom

hi all the x-mas people out there, normally i am on here well before this but seems to have gone so fast. my ds birthday is out of the way now to crack on with christmas i cut down lots last year and this year is even tighter so should have started much earlier. so far i know i am making some nail packs, nail varniush, nail files, varnish remover, nail grow things ect. so far have that down for my ds nana and his godmother. and thats about it, do have a couple of things in my box but not very much. so seen as there is nothing on telly its time to get craking. not looked through the thread yet as i kept up with the 1st few pages then seemed to stop so i am hoping you lovely ladies have plenty of ideas!
Jemmax

Kitchenbunny

I need to get back into doing this. I think I'll rejoin - I know I started off the year with the best of intentions, but stuff got in the way. So, back to knuckling down for the big event.

Create a spreadsheet to show:

Who to buy for?
What to buy for them?
Who to send cards to?
Addresses for those cards I need to post?
How many cards I have now?
Any gifts I already have?
Any Christmas decorations that need replacing?
Wrapping Paper & Tags - sorted?
Food & Drink?
Extras?

In each category I can get thoroughly organised so as not to forget anyone, budget accordingly and aim to have a lovely relaxed Christmas. For me, the organising is almost as much fun as the event! Mummymandy - I love the idea of that Advent calendar - what a cracking idea! It's very tempting to have a go at something similar, but I daren't take on another crafting project as I've got a few on the go as it is and I'm one for starting things for not great at finishing them off. Whoops. Have you thought of the magazines with very low priced cosmetic or H&B samples on the front? I remember this month's Glamour magazine had a free BeneFit product in a miniature size - something like that could be great for the 24th.

Will report back when spreadsheet created and I know where I stand so far. Hope you don't mind me rejoining!

KB xx

candie_gill

Kitchenbunny wrote: »

I need to get back into doing this. I think I'll rejoin - I know I started off the year with the best of intentions, but stuff got in the way. So, back to knuckling down for the big event.

Create a spreadsheet to show:

Who to buy for?
What to buy for them?
Who to send cards to?
Addresses for those cards I need to post?
How many cards I have now?
Any gifts I already have?
Any Christmas decorations that need replacing?
Wrapping Paper & Tags - sorted?
Food & Drink?
Extras?

In each category I can get thoroughly organised so as not to forget anyone, budget accordingly and aim to have a lovely relaxed Christmas. For me, the organising is almost as much fun as the event! Mummymandy - I love the idea of that Advent calendar - what a cracking idea! It's very tempting to have a go at something similar, but I daren't take on another crafting project as I've got a few on the go as it is and I'm one for starting things for not great at finishing them off. Whoops. Have you thought of the magazines with very low priced cosmetic or H&B samples on the front? I remember this month's Glamour magazine had a free BeneFit product in a miniature size - something like that could be great for the 24th.

Will report back when spreadsheet created and I know where I stand so far. Hope you don't mind me rejoining!

KB xx

I bought a notebook from poundshop, it has about 8 diff sections with tabs on and each one has those headings on. Wrote everything down in it, even my preperations for winter 2011 so i remember what cough cold and flu remedies, tissues etc i already have in.

FestiveTrace

MummyMandy, just lurrrving your advent calendar idea! I might do one for the special people in my life, give them all out of 1st Dec, and it takes some of the pressure off. Could fill some with individual quality street/ferero rocher choclates, face pack sachets, avon perfume testers, key rings,in fact why not save the odds and sods from christmas crackers that people leave on the table, for next year's, you know, tiny bottle openers, foldable scissors, tiny address books etc. Some of the crackers from pound shops can have surprising little things in them! :j

I have also put together a powerpoint presentation called "Tracy's Christmas", i've printed all the pages in colour and decorated them with my crafting goodies - glitter etc. then slipped em into a photo album and decorated the front. it takes me through card lists, present list, ordering the turkey, get stuff for christmas eve buffet, and all of that. i use a write on wipe off pen every year and never forget a thing. it was really fun to make as well. Already can't wait for christmas 11 xxx:T

Kitchenbunny

Getting there now - been to the sweetshop today and bought a load of sweeties. The office was enjoying the retro trip down memory lane at the different sweets I bought. I've bought 2 pencil cases - one a red fabric tube which I'll jazz up with glitter glue and sparkles, and the other clear plastic which will house a couple of photos. Altogether, I spent about £10 and that's gone into the wardrobe ready for Christmas. I'll put them all together when I've sorted the photos etc out. I can't wait!! Forgot to say that the sweeties will be split into about 4 presents, so that's 4 personalised retro sweetie hampers

KB xx

jemtom

for those of you doing the advent calendars have you thought about checking in the baskets at charity shops they always have odds and ends in them and if you can get any sealed cosmetics they will only be cheap. also ask your avon reps for some samples (i seem to always have perfume ones lying around would send some out if anyone needs any just pm me) also you can get lipstick foundation anew creams ect always worth asking them im sure they wouldn't mind. how are people going to make their advent calenders? would like to make some could i just use a piece of material and sew on the pockets? any help appreciated xx

Queen.Bess

Hi everyone!

Back on the bandwagon and raring to go for Christmas! Need to get myself organised and get back to doing my patchwork cushions! I know who I'm making them for, just need to stop idling in front of the tv of an evening and do some sewing!

Loving the idea of the cosmetics advent calendars and thanks Kitchenbunny for the spreadsheet columns! Have already got underway with that and will be populating over the next few months!

This year, for the first time, I am putting £10 a month away in the Credit Union Christmas club, which I will get out at the end of November and be able to spend in December. However, if I'm organised, when I get the money I will have already planned what to buy for whom and from where!

Excellent stuff! Take care everyone! QBx

murie

Can I join in too? I have been collecting things towards this Christmas- I make advent calendars for DS,DD,OH,sis , Mom and DS's girlfirend so I need to collect LOADS!
Last year I took advantage of the freebie section and everyone (except DD who was 14!) had a few cans of sminoff and coke in thiers! I also included airwick candles that I had collected during the year (again via prinatble coupons), mascara's that I "won" in Rimmel or Maybelline comps, and for OH and DS some free Baileys and Whisky samples that I wrote off for! Its amazing what you can get with a little bit of effort!

This yr so far I have a mini magalite torch for hubby (subscribed to computer shopper for £1 for 6 issues), 5 garnier 7 day moisturisers (again subscription to Glamour mag- £6 for 6 copies- they also do lovely cover gifts like Benefit and Nails inc!). I brought 3 packs of 5 socks from Primark for £1 each -so thats 15 individual pressies! (Shame the mens seem quite boring by comparison to the ladies advent pressies!)
I also intend to make little christmas planner notebooks for the ladies- I made one for DD and myself last year and they were beautiful! Just cover them in Christmassy paper and embelishments. I paid 79p for little hardback spiral books from Wilkinsons>
I pad out the advent calendars with packs of sweeties,hot choc sachets with marshmallows (wrapped in a cellophane bag and tied with curling ribbon). I always try to make sure that the pressie for the 24th is extra special so I look out for the glitches that appear on grabbit now board- last year everyone had a Molton Brown sample with a scrunchy. I used the MB products themselves as main christmas pressies.

The only problem with doing so many advent calendars is WRAPPING them all- I HATE IT!!!! lol!

candie_gill

Awww the advent calenders are a fab idea! Im moving onto buying for my OH now, as got tons for my LO and i will get the rest of his november time when there are more offers.

Claire_Bear

I'm currently making an advent calender for OH, it's 24 little felt and fabric stockings which will be pegged up onto a length of ribbon. I'm already having fun looking out for little mini gifts to put inside them Got a couple more presents sorted, a Wolverine hoodie for OH which was £8 in the Sports Direct sale, also found a rare computer game for him at £25 in a computer shop but took it back for a refund as I found I could get it much cheaper on eBay Thought of a few more ideas for people too so have written them in my notebook