Frugal Living Challenge 2011 - Part 3.

mooomin

KolaKube wrote: »

fresian sounds like youve done well at getting a few bargains tucked away :money:

its still july and youve all got me all christmassy now...!

I need to start making the sodding cards soon I handmake cards for things like birthdays so people now expect that for Christmas. I don't mind, but they do take a while, especially if I want to be happy with them!! My other (non-festive) cards are on my homepage if you want a look.

KolaKube

Edit - not sure why but my last post reposted! Fresian how do i get to your page for a nosy?

mooomin

KolaKube wrote: »

Edit - not sure why but my last post reposted! Fresian how do i get to your page for a nosy?

Click on my name and a drop-down list should appear. Pick "visit flying_fresian's homepage" and that will take you to my blog

SandraScarlett

Christmas Gifts - so how about stocking up on Tom Jones CDs!!!:rotfl:The ideal gift for any age, either gender, and all delivered to your door.

Yes, I too confess I've bought most of my Christmas gifts. :T I took advantage of the various sales, and my mates and I have agreed between us that we all still like to receive gifts, and give them, but we keep our limit to a fiver a head. We all spend too much on family, especially DGC, but that's our choice.

I have about 200 sheets of wrapping paper (thank you Mr Boots , worked out a penny a sheet) enough cards for several years, and in fact, even some gifts for Christmas 2012!

xx

LolaLemon

I have wrapping paper from 3 or 4 years ago, and went a bit mad this year, so now have enough to last at least 10 years, now that is frugal haha, especially as they only cost me 20p a roll , same with cards, enough for next couple of years for sons nursery and school friends .

What got me thinking is that I normally get son to make crimbo cards during the summer rainy days, as being in Scotland, we get a LOT of them haha. Potato stamps with basic crimbo shapes. Best one is Christmas tree, once dried use pens, crayons, and stickers to add decorations and presents under the tree.

I'm aiming to make (again) a load of scarves for people, probably mum, SIS and sons 2 godmothers. I made my own pattern for a baby blanket, but think it would be lovely as a warm scarf, n if this Jan, Feb n march are anything to go by, they will be needed! (Crochet pattern is on my blog, that I think is on my homepage thingy)

So.. how do I go about making favoured vodka? Is it just add stuff n leave it for a few weeks?
My friend makes a Christmas fruit cake, feeds it etc then cuts it into 4 squares, and decorates them as individual cakes. If I had the space I would do that too.


I'm soo jealous of all u who have started, and kolakube, I hope I got u right, who has finished!

redglass_2

tumptyteapot wrote: »

I want a new house! But not until I have cropped my apples from this one :-)

I used this recipe - http://www.waitrose.com/home/recipes/recipe_directory/c/crab_apple_jelly.html

It came out really sweet but I'll store it for a month or two and see what happens, it's great 'cos you don't have to peel the apples. I added mixed spice to mine so I have jars of beautiful clear golden jelly with specks of suspended spice in them.mmmmm
I still have loads more apples to use so if you find any other uses please share!

You can use crab apple jelly recipes with the quinces you get on japonica trees - I've done this for years. With japonica quinces, though, you should cut out the cores as they sometimes harbour minibeasts. The quinces make a nice golden jelly and you can add spices to taste.

Weezl's site has a recipe for apple butter to use on toast. http://cheap-family-recipes.org.uk

LolaLemon, non-Christmassy food sometimes gets very cheap during the festive season. I practically filled my freezer one year with stuff nobody would eat because it wasn't festive. Worth having a look.

tumptyteapot

KolaKube wrote: »

Trumpty - a handmade / 2nd hand xmas sounds lovely but until i can handmake xbox games i dont think id get OH on board...:eek:

I save so much money a) by being single and b) by not having any games consoles :-)

tumptyteapot

flying_fresian wrote: »

I need to start making the sodding cards soon

nothing like a bit of festive spirit :rotfl:

mooomin

tumptyteapot wrote: »

nothing like a bit of festive spirit :rotfl:

I love Christmas, I just get humbuggy when I spend money on ungrateful people

paidinchickens

tumptyteapot wrote: »

I save so much money a) by being single and b) by not having any games consoles :-)

We would have a mutiny on our hands!!!

I am lucky in the fact my family all have the same idea.........if you don't like what you get wrap it up for someone else next year:rotfl: (can't give it back to the same person though)

The boys are difficult. We spend exactly the same amount on all three boys. My daughter her OH and my GD get the same as one of the boys but shared between them. My family spend the same on all three boys. DH parents spend more on his children and my son gets a token something (sometimes) The boys mum and her family does not spend much on her boys and usually gets them something the grew out of years ago. My ex and his family buy my son exactly the same as when I was with my ex. Ex brother in law has no children so he especially spoils DS and Ex spends the same as what I spend. We do talk to decide who is going to get what or if we are going to go halves on a big gift.

The boys do not get much all year round. We are not them sort of parents that take them into town at the weekend just to get them something. They get what they need or have earned. Saying that the do get a lot for birthdays and xmas. We came to the conclusion years ago we can't make other people buy the kids the same but we can make sure we treat them all the same. The youngest always wants what the eldest has got even if he does not know what it is:rotfl: so we have to choose carefully.

Moving in together was difficult as DH had different ideas about xmas than I do. He would take everyone out for a meal with friends xmas eve and I tried it one year but :eek: how stressful!

I have always made the kids go in the bath and they are given a new pair of snuggly pjs (usually novelty ones) we all bring our quilts downstairs and I make hot chocolate with squirty cream. We then (every year without fail) watch National Lampoons christmas vacation :rotfl: They moan "not again" every year but they are in hysterics within minutes............ the kids prefer my way so we stick with it now. Many of our friends turn up as they love it also! At least its cheap:T

DH is back tonight:T:T:T best clean up :rotfl: