Preparing for winter III

tugrin

Oh God _ Christmas presents - NO cash even for the Charity Shop lark - what on earth can I make for a 24 year old boy ansd a 22 year old girl - I got the boy a free tie from TE lewin today (thanks to Martin for that) - but that it so far. Young adults are so difficult anyway and there has to be SOMETHING under the tre on Xmas morning - HELLLLLLLLLLLLLLP!

^!£$&

tugrin wrote: »

Oh God _ Christmas presents - NO cash even for the Charity Shop lark - what on earth can I make for a 24 year old boy ansd a 22 year old girl - I got the boy a free tie from TE lewin today (thanks to Martin for that) - but that it so far. Young adults are so difficult anyway and there has to be SOMETHING under the tre on Xmas morning - HELLLLLLLLLLLLLLP!

retro sweets
itune gift card
amazon gift voucher
beer, wine

greenbee

Do you have a photo album or scrapbook tugrin? Can you create some kind of memory book? And do you have any fabric and/or sewing skills? Cushion covers, or a make-up bag, or a laundry bag (old pillowcase with pretty bits appliqued on it, or embroidered and a drawstring round the top) or shoe bags for putting shoes in inside suitcases. An old picture frame could be tarted up and a nice family photo put in it, or an illustration taken out of a battered old children's book.

Look round and see what you've got that can be repurposed. If you have spares a bundle or candles tied with a pretty ribbon would be nice. And if you have some old tins and enough ingredients, you could make them a tin of biscuits each.

I bet you can come up with a lot more than you thought... And if you do get creative, you might be able to sort your bedroom out too!

tugrin

Bless you both - some great ideas - my trouble is that I have nothing in my head at the moment from being at home for so long. Getting back to school is scary and I think it has made be blanker than ever BUT these ideas are fab and Greenbee, combining it with sort out my gloomroom is an inspired thought. Massive hugs!

Cat501

aw tugrin:( those are great ideas from greenbee, and I know you want to give them stuff at Christmas, but if your situation is that dire explain it to them, they're old enough to understand! I don't know if they live at home or not, or how much you already do for them, but you could do vouchers for stuff like doing their ironing one day....:)....or say you will buy them something when you're in a position to ....I had to do that with mine one year....

I'll be taking on board some of those ideas though

prepareathome

Well although I made the draughter excluder weeks ago I had not stuffed it so walked past the front door just before and ohhhhh the cold draught, so that was it, had bought a pair of cheap pillows 2 for £3 so opened up one and stuffed it then sewing machine out to sew up end and its now by front door - although as hubby has just gone it will not be stopping the draught until I go downstairs and put it in its place. While I was at it thought will get that door curtain up and of course I cannot find it, got it out weeks ago and gave it a quick wash to freshen it up and where have I put it, your guess is as good as mine, bet it under the pile of dads stuff now all at one side of the study, did check when moving things for anything I might need but didn't see it but that doesn't mean it wasn't there. Ho hum, mmmmmm might pick up a couple of cheap fleeces ( Mr M garage, might be in the store not been in do them for £2.99 cheapest I have found that are not see through) then sew them together to make it long enough to hang over door as cannot think of anything else I have in to do it.

greenbee

I posted a pair of curtains to my mum today, so by Christmas they will be lined and interlined

Eenymeeny

Feeling the cold tonight and it was so nice to just go to the cupboard and get out one of the bargain fleeces that I bought at Ikea last year. Settled now with a mug of tea in my thermal mug (also bought last year) and my microwave heated wheatbag thingy. Champion!:)
Just wanted to encourage people who feel like they've spent a lot this year on winter preparation. Once you've bought them you'll reap the benefit in comfort and reduced bills hopefully for years.
Stay warm everyone:A

toottifrootti

Tugrin huge hugs and try not to stress - you have loads of skills that you can use I am sure - the others have given great ideas - to expand on them - what about IOUs for a favourite home cooked meal - can you bake their fav chocolate cake or biscuits - make some food for their freezer - a girlie nite of pampering like painting her toes and a DVD - something similar for your son - just you and him - a dvd , cards, a bottle of wine when you can afford it - home made popcorn - IOUs for housework, ironing, etc (just a little at a time dont over do it)

At Valentine's day you can pick up a 'cheque' book which is basically the same idea and you fill in the details of what you want to give - could you run something off on the PC?
can you make them a draught excluder/cushion or something for their home?

What about the the Christmas Board - they have thrifty ideas.

You could go on line and search the year they were born and print off some things that happened and famous people sayings and arrange them in a poster or something.

You can go on line and get 365 quotes of the day and put them in a jar with the instructions that they pull one a day out.

google free homemade gifts for christmas, gifts from the kitchen, etc etc

what about making up a cd of their fav tunes

A food parcel of soem of their fav things if you can manage

I am sure your children will understand your position and if you put some thought into what you do for them it will be all the more special.

(((hugs)))
toots x

rinabean

tugrin - are you a good cook? I've seen them selling fancy food subscription services as gifts, like flavoured olive oils and wine clubs and adopted beehives and all the rest. You could do a little homemade version - "a monthly subscription to tugrin's biscuits" or something. Jams and chutneys, cakes, sweets, whatever you know how to make! The "subscription" and the first month's goodies can go under the tree.