A new 'tougher' thread... and so it continues

prepareathome

I totally agree with you about the gift it should not be for show. I don't know if maybe you could do this on your pc, I made certificates for my Great Niece and Nephew when they were Christened as I didn't have much money and to my family how much you spend is important. I found some templates on the internet and printed them out, I could fill in the names and dates online in nice fancy writing and then found cheap frames ( well actually took a piece of paper the same size to charity shops and tried it against pictures in frames they had, and got two lovely frames far cheaper with the pictures far cheaper than if I had bought just the frames brand new. My Niece, their mum was very pleased and has them hanging on the wall as its not something most people think of so it could not be compared to anything else people bought. If not a simple cross would be nice or rosiery beads if they are suitable, you can buy reasonably price things like that for children's holy communions. I would stick with the religious theme as that is what it is rather than anything else.

I used to buy bras with the bone but they always dug into me so no more, look around you can buy reasonable ones that will fit you that support you ok and I am ahem rather big on top.

http://www.hooverwebdesign.com/free-printables/printable-certificates/Printable-Christening-Certificates.pdf That is a link to just one certificate you can print out but there are more out there, sorry cannot remember the site I used, was 3 years ago.

Could you possibly dye something to make it seem as if you are wearing something new or maybe add a colourful scarf to the outfit, charity shops always seem to have plenty, the right colour can dress up an outfit and make it look stunning. I keep quite a few scarfs to do this and worn the same dress on a few occasions for family just adding different scarf, broach, long chains, things like that. Have a look online for ideas.

Keep your chin up. If on the day you walk in and act as if you are wearing the most expensive outfit in the place it will show through and people will think you are. Hugs

fuddle

That is such a good idea! I have got some printer ink as I'm doing DH some certificate IOU's (make cup of tea etc, actually any ideas what I could write on those would be great, coming up blank with interesting or humorous things) It's part of his gift for Christmas - should be a laugh and he likes to make my life a misery at the most inappropriate times.

Sorry I digress. It is a lovely suggestion and one that could be really well received. I am worried that the little baby will end up with 250 chirstening money boxes so I doubt anyone will think of it. Thank you

My outfit is a black jumper dress (bought from George last year) pulled in at the waist (I have a bit of a one:rotfl:) with a thin tan belt (pinched from and blouse/cardi all in one I have) My boots are knee length tan colour and they are ancient but still look in pretty good condition. Skin colour tights that I have already. I do have a pink scarf (my mum brought it back from Portugal for me )and a long pink Next tweed like wool coat - bought from ebay in the summer for £5 plus postage. The lining is torn by the arm socket but no one will know. So really, although I haven't got the fancy new dress I will look ok and appropriately dressed for a winter occasion. I would feel self-conscious in a fancy new dress anyway. I don't know why I'm bleating on!:o

Hardup_Hester

PolkaDots, sorry to hear you aren't eligible, but I've worked since I was 15 & when I had a period out of work at 52 I also wasn't able to claim anything, it seems to be the way it is unfortunately.
Fuddle, can you get hold of a photo of the baby? last time I needed a christening gift, I printed off a picture of the child & put it in a frame from the £shop, everyone commented on what a nice gift it was.
Hester

prepareathome

The outfit sounds perfect. You can always sew the lining if you are concerned it might be seen, only take a few mins, just make sure the thread matches and no one would ever know.

I think you are worrying about nothing, but I totally understand, its not the big things I worry about, like not enough money to pay bills, but how I will look in not new clothes at a posh function.

I will try and think of some ideas to put on your OHs certificates, they are a great idea.

prepareathome

PolkaDotsAndLace how they work out whether you are entitled or not is beyond me as I actually received Incapacity benefit yet worked a year less than a friend who was given the lower benefit ( cannot remember what was called now) , the one I applied for and told no you have paid in enough for IB. Only difference was most of my working life I had earned more than her so paid more in NI contributions, but by time I found out I could claim I had not worked for 10 years and we just lived on hubby's wages. It does make a difference having your own income, even if its a benefit. That is what I dread if I don't get ESA and I know that is unlikely and if I lose that chances are they will decide I do not need my DLA then I will again be living off hubby and although our incomes are pooled, neither of us every keeping any of what we get - all goes into a joint account, I do like to feel I am bringing something in, don't feel quite such a waste of space.

I would also check if you are entitled to Working Tax Credit, couples with no children are entitled to it, a lot of people don't realise that, we get just £5.82 a week but its still better than none. Be worth a call to them, no harm in putting a claim, at worst you will be no better off if they say no.

Good Luck

Kimsmum

Fuddle once again Thank you for starting up this thread have missed it. Have been reading not posting as I had a cold that has now turn to the flu and feel yuk.

I also have a christening to go to in the new year, the same family had one last year for another child and it was all show.All catered for at a hotel must have cost a fortune I know they dont have.Now the same for this baby.
I bought a lovely certifate off ebay for £2 and bought a cheap frame, so I am doing the same for this one.

I am not sleeping well at all keep going over in my head what needs to be paid and if we have enough money to cover them.
Getting lots of ideas on here on how to keep the food bill down so thats working. There is only the OH and me, hes retired, I dont work at the moment but do odd jobs here and there.

prepareathome

The four of us posting here must all be worrying but says me who has been up its not going to help making ourselves ill through lack of sleep is.

I am just hoping my new budget works and when bills are due we do have the money if not we will be in debt again and I can cut down on grocery bill as that is the key to success for me, for the moment anyway. Someone commented on my SOA and said I should get rid of the car as we cannot really afford it, but no car I am housebound and hubby would be without a job, as morning runs means him leaving before the buses start, before the car he used to get taxis when he could not get them to give him afternoon runs, but now if he was to say that he would most likely find he is first on the redundancy list, he has to be as flexible as possible. As I get DLA that actually pays all the cars bills, but of course is not put aside for the purpose and that is something I am going to have to start doing. I have to make sure I do and not rely on it for anything else. I think I might do another SOA and not include my DLA or the car so I can see what I have by keeping it separate.

redlady_1

I am curious. There seem to be quite a few (my friend included) who are not eligible for benefits, JSA mainly. Please can someone explain to me how these people who choose benefits as a lifestlye manage to get what they do? It just seems bizarre that people who really need help get none and then you have the people who get so much.

I just don't get it.

Kimsmum

I know what you mean Prepareathome
I do go to bed and then wake up in the early hours then get up because I toss and turn then wake the OH up.
We still have debt and I trying my best to get rid of it as quick as I can. But still cant help worring.

Hardup_Hester

We also run a car, the first bus from here is at 6 & that's too late for hubby as it gets to the train station at 6:30 & hubby's train leaves at 6:15, also we have a set bus fare of £4.20 however far you are going, so that adds £8.40 to every trip to work or Tesco's for us both. We also cannot get to the nearest shops or the library or the Dr's unless we catch 2 buses!