Preparing for Christmas 2011

Possession

May I join you all? It's going to have to be a frugal Xmas for us this year. It was last year too, but by the time was made redundant I'd already got lots of pressies as I'm a fairly savvy bargain hunter. We started our own business, but new start up and all that means zero money coming in and this year no christmas present cushion to fall back on. I have a few bits and pieces for my children, got all their stocking fillers in the Hawkins Bazaar sale after Xmas at silly prices, so that's good. DS has already told me what he'd really like, a lego Star Wars MTT set, but since its a set they no longer make which goes for £140ish on ebay he's going to have to be disappointed there I'm afraid. My problem really is DH's side of the family who are all lovely but all have quite a lot of money. I'm debating with myself whether a hamper of homemade goodies like fudge, jam etc will be appreciated or not. It might if its presented well enough. Our business is a catering one and I have my previous job too so I have very little spare time and that's why I'm having to think about it so early. Anyway, I shall put my thinking cap on for further christmassy ideas, and looking forward to reading all of yours!

CH27

I'm going to buy some cheap bottles & fill them with olive oil, insert garlic different types of herbs & make fancy labels.
Several of my friends like to cook so they will make ideal gifts.

midnightraven3

CH27 you need to be very careful with infused oils, botulism is common from people making them in the wrong way
The unsafe way is to put anything in the oil that contains any trace of water or moisture. That would include garlic, lemon peel, fresh peppers, fresh herbs and spices.

i apologize if i am preaching to the choir, but i just thought i would mention it

PS good luck finding cheap bottles, its a problem that has cropped up on MSE time & time again and as far as i know hasnt been resolved yet sadly

CH27

midnightraven3 wrote: »

CH27 you need to be very careful with infused oils, botulism is common from people making them in the wrong way
The unsafe way is to put anything in the oil that contains any trace of water or moisture. That would include garlic, lemon peel, fresh peppers, fresh herbs and spices.

i apologize if i am preaching to the choir, but i just thought i would mention it

PS good luck finding cheap bottles, its a problem that has cropped up on MSE time & time again and as far as i know hasnt been resolved yet sadly

:eek:
I'm so glad I posted.
I'd have poisoned everyone:rotfl:

Thankyou.

Sally42

I'm well underway with my pressie buying, but haven't got much nice wrapping paper (the sales were a poor source this year!) ~ any ideas where I can pick up any at this time o the year? (I make some of it, but my aged nan isn't too keen on that kind of thing!)

Dani85

Im jumping on board. Christmas mad as you can see by the signature. I will be starting very shortly. Only think I have is all the wrapping and tags which I got in the sales.

sammy_kaye18

Just wanted to add that wilkinsons today were selling off there packaging stock

cd postage boxes were 7p
dvd boxes were 10p
wine bottle boxes - ie polystyrene boxes with wine bottle inserts were 25p

so Ive had two wine bottles and 2 dvd ones. They are plain white so I figure I can paint them or add stickers too them

going to use the wine ones for my step mother/father and the two dvd ones for my two nieces whos gifts have now changed.

gift list is now looking as such

XMAS IDEAS

2 nieces -- christmas dvd,selection box and pyjamas - £20 max

dad and jackie -- the homemade couples treat hamper - £20

a big basket from poundstretcher that Ive seen, lined with straw/shredded tissue paper?

- the local farmers market here sell some fab preserves/honeys/pickles/chutneys so will get a selection of those nearer to Xmas to add to them.

- infused oils that they sell

- farmers market cheeses

- was thinking a bottle of homemade plonk but they both like white/red wine so may see if I can find a local seller again on the farmers market for an after a day in the garden tipple.


nan + grandad - comfy bag each - £20
for grandad
pjs
shortbread
cd of kids

for nan
nightie
gloves/hat/scarf set
home decorated diary/pen


step brother and sister -- Pots of Gold - £25?
- gold coins
- whethers originals
- chocolate eclairs
- gold scratch card each
- £10 gift card. - Jess - New Look
- James - Gamestation

2 cousins -- selection box - £5

Hoping all this will come to about £90 but then that is all my side done and sorted so I can focus on my two kids and boyfriend

candie_gill

been shopping today and picked up a vtech smile console for my little ones main xmas present, got a big stash for him already so pleased

Claire_Bear

Managed to pick up a couple of more stocking filler bits yesterday when I was in Newcastle for my new job training. Only had about 20 mins to look around the shops but could have bought so much so think I'm going to save up a few pennies and go and do a big Christmas shop there around September maybe, will the shops all have their Christmas stuff out by then or would it be better to wait a bit longer?

Anyway, I bought -
Doctor Who micro figure for OHs DS, will probs buy another too next time £1.99
Small tin of sweets shaped like a mushroom from Mario £2.99 for OH
Mario Power-Up energy drink £1.99 for OH
Link (Legend of Zelda) candy Pez dispenser type thing £1.99 for OH

All from Forbidden Planet. You can tell I live with a complete geek

youngmummy

have brought a present for LO but thats it so far, need to get everythink else still all the way down to tags and wrapping paper