Thrify Gifty Santas Challenge 2012

mum2one

Clare - hope you got everything ok from Ikea, and the cinema, what are you off to see, could recommend Frankieweenie....!! ah DD at grandparents, - does that mean our 1st thrifty baby for 2013! xx

mum2one

While Ladies, its that time of the month again, Santas Challenge. As normal its a bit of everything, and as usual treat it like a pick and mix, it seems to be a "mother hen month", so apologies in advance! xx

=Halloween=
We have that time of the year, where the kids come a knocking for sweets or money!, so may be worth either getting some sweets ready, or close the curtains and don't answer the door!!

=Christmas=
Hopefully we're getting somewhere with those Christmas cards, and making a dent in the list, - worth checking incase you need any special cards, - and get them sooner than later, same for bags as well, sure there fly out soon!

=School Half Term=
This seems to be a weird one this year as some schools are off this week, others next week, my betting is once the children go back - parents start thinking of Christmas

=Bonfire Night=
Do I say Bonfire night, or how many nights can we extend it for, arrange any plans have a look for organised events, sometimes cheaper to get a car-full, than go in on foot.

=Christmas Cakes=
If you haven't made your cake, there is still plenty of time, and don't forget to feed the cake - weekly or fortnightly!!

=Miss Hoodies Cleaning Corner=
It wouldn't be a Santas Challenge without a cleaning challenge, this is quite gentle, find the area where your going to store your Christmas Presents, whether you have to raid a cupboard or wardrobe space - tidy up anything you move!!

=Prescriptions=
I know were not ready for Xmas yet, but have a check on your mediciation and make sure you have plans to order in before Christmas, - if its regular medication, then aim to order the last supply by 14th December, then you know your sorted for Christmas incase the chemist has to order in or your at the end of your allocation and need a GP review.

=Telephone Numbers=
Make sure you have a checklist of essential numbers
Doctors,
Dentist
Local Chemist,
Family and Friends

Also check closing times, - if you have a NHS walk in centre there open 365 days a yr, check the opening times, hopefully we won't need anything but handy to know.

=First Aid Kit=
Everyone needs different things, but have a few basic items and make sure everyone in the house knows where to find them.
Plasters
Headache tablets
Diarohea Tablets
Indegestion Relief

=Turkey Tin=
Not sounding daft, but if your cooking a turkey, check know that you have a turkey tin before all the reasonable priced items get sold out!!
If your buying frozen, worth getting now, I can recommend Lidl turkey crown, - we've had it last 2 years, they also do a 3 bird roast, £9.99, similar in a posh shop £50!!

=Lightbulbs=
Most of us now are on the eco light bulbs, - have you got any spare, I know they are long lasting, but have a couple spare.

=Smoke Alarms
Not just for letting us know dinner is ready!! but if you are battery controlled smoke alarm, check it, (meant to be checked monthly) and battery changed once a year


=Spare Presents=
Have a couple of emergency presents, (buy something that you like, if you don't use it you have a treat!!)

=Christmas Fayres=
Nows the time that schools are organising there school fayres, there usually be advertised in local papers, you may find some bargains for Christmas presents, or if you do stalls, it may be worth ringing the school and ask for your number to be passed to the PTA as they generally organise the events, and son't always advertise they have outside stalls.

=Cars=
Colder weather coming, check things like anti freeze in the radiator, and your screen wash is filled, once they start gritting roads, its a nightmare on the windscreen.

=Batteries=
This may cound daft but have a root through for spare batteries, generally cameras are AA, mp3 and remote controls are AAA batteries.
If your buying toys 99% of the time the batteries aren't included, so its worth having a stock at home. Generally toys take the bigger "C" batteries.

=Flu Jabs=
Hopefully everyone who needs it has had their flu jab or been booked in for them.

=Shopping=
Hopefully we're all stocked up with toilet roll!! use this month to get some store cupboard items ready - coffee, tea, sugar - if your having visitors there the main essentials.

=Ebay=
They seem to be having free listing weekends coming up again regulary, so make the most of them, even if you hit relist.

=Xmas Shopping=
Check the returns policy for shops if your buying presents, I know nearer Christmas, that Evans offer a "gift receipt", where it doesn't show how much the gift was, but if needs to be exchanged they get the full price, even if its it sale.

Some shops will extend their returns from 14 days to 28 days, - but do check espically if your buying a big/expensive presents.

=Don't forget US=
We're the ones who do the organising, so have a little treat, doesn't have to be a day at the spa (we can dream) even if its a bubble bath or half an hour with a book, make some time for us.

As always a massive thank you from both me and Miss Hoodie, you all take care xxx

cdsmiler

mum2one wrote: »

Clare - hope you got everything ok from Ikea, and the cinema, what are you off to see, could recommend Frankieweenie....!! ah DD at grandparents, - does that mean our 1st thrifty baby for 2013! xx

Well not the most successful trip! Got the bed, but they didn't have the jars I wanted. booo. Then go to the cinema and they wouldn't accept the voucher last night because they had another offer on, and the system couldn't cope with that!!!! ARGH. lol Oh well, we had a nice MSE meal in bella italia (DH had a voucher).

Off to look at the challenge!

Clare x

SugarSpun

=Christmas=

Nearly there with the cards. I am going to finish them this week and sort out a photoshoot with my lovely DD to put cute photos in.

=Miss Hoodies Cleaning Corner=

Thank you Miss Hoodie my gifts are all nice and tidy though so this month I am off the hook I do need to get our freezer sorted and will do it in Miss Hoodie's honour.

=Prescriptions=

Will remind DH once we get back from our early December trip.

=Telephone Numbers=
Make sure you have a checklist of essential numbers
Doctors,
Dentist
Local Chemist,
Family and Friends

:T brilliant. I realised today I haven't loaded my daughter's kindergarten into our house phone/mobiles yet either :eek:

=First Aid Kit=

I also bought in a bunch of kids' medications - the checkout lady at Morrisons was asking me who was sick because I had so much stuff. I just told her that if I had them in I was guaranteed a sickness-free winter

=Lightbulbs=
Most of us now are on the eco light bulbs, - have you got any spare, I know they are long lasting, but have a couple spare.

I love all this organisation stuff, I would be guaranteed to forget these. *adds to list*

=Smoke Alarms=

We still need to fit ours, they didn't come standard in our house.

=Spare Presents=

I need to inventory spare gifts.

=Christmas Fayres=

I meant to put myself in for a flea market but we were away during the sign up period. Next year, maybe, and maybe I can make some little crafty things throughout the year too.

=Batteries=

Also, if you are buying toys that need batteries, unpack them from the packaging, insert batteries and then repack and wrap them. Nothing worse than trying to wrestle a toy off its seventeen million cable ties and unscrew a tiny battery case with an excited child swarming up your leg.

=Shopping=

We go through coffee in a completely ridiculous way. I might buy some and hide it

=Ebay=

I've photographed my next big ebay push stuff for listing the week before we head to the UK so I can post it cheaper.

=Xmas Shopping=

All finished and wrapped. I feel awesome.

=Don't forget US=

Booking myself a massage today :A

As always a massive thank you from both me and Miss Hoodie, you all take care xxx

Thank YOU, Mrs Christmas and Miss Christmas :T:T:T

cdsmiler

=Halloween=
We have that time of the year, where the kids come a knocking for sweets or money!, so may be worth either getting some sweets ready, or close the curtains and don't answer the door!!

Will be hiding! Personally don't agree with tick or treating, but when DD is older we'll be doing lots of other things like dressing up, bobbing for apples, spooky looking food, party... So hiding this year!!

=Christmas=
Hopefully we're getting somewhere with those Christmas cards, and making a dent in the list, - worth checking incase you need any special cards, - and get them sooner than later, same for bags as well, sure there fly out soon!

Ummmmmm - ok, card list this week!!!! I have an idea for our 'special' christmas card this year, but I need to get my act in gear to order from vistaprint - it also involves brown paint and DD's feet.....

=Bonfire Night=
Do I say Bonfire night, or how many nights can we extend it for, arrange any plans have a look for organised events, sometimes cheaper to get a car-full, than go in on foot.

Going to a local free display at a castle! Fab display, just pop some money in the bucket for a local charity.

=Christmas Cakes=
If you haven't made your cake, there is still plenty of time, and don't forget to feed the cake - weekly or fortnightly!!

Made!! And been fed twice so far! Wooop!

=Miss Hoodies Cleaning Corner=
It wouldn't be a Santas Challenge without a cleaning challenge, this is quite gentle, find the area where your going to store your Christmas Presents, whether you have to raid a cupboard or wardrobe space - tidy up anything you move!!

Ooo oo ooo! Done! Blimey...

=Prescriptions=

Don't need any.

Also check closing times, - if you have a NHS walk in centre there open 365 days a yr, check the opening times, hopefully we won't need anything but handy to know.

Good idea - will look for local doctor's opening hours in the coming weeks, just in case. Hopefully we won't need it.

=First Aid Kit=
Everyone needs different things, but have a few basic items and make sure everyone in the house knows where to find them.
Plasters
Headache tablets
Diarohea Tablets
Indegestion Relief

We normally have loads of pain killers, but need to get some dihorrea ones and some plaster.

=Turkey Tin=

Not cooking.....as far as I'm aware.... lol

=Spare Presents=
Have a couple of emergency presents, (buy something that you like, if you don't use it you have a treat!!)

Couple of boxes of chocolates I reckon then!! lol


=Christmas Fayres=

I haven't time now! Will be keeping an eye out for these when DD's in school in the coming years though.

=Cars=
Colder weather coming, check things like anti freeze in the radiator, and your screen wash is filled, once they start gritting roads, its a nightmare on the windscreen.

Have already taken my car to my friendly local garage - I needed two new tyres and a rattle sorted anyway, and asked if they could 'winter' check it for me. Ironically since then a headlamp bulb has gone and ideally my wipers could do with being replacing so will get those two sorted as priority.

Also, as I drive over mountains to get to work each day, I'm putting together a snow survival kit for my car - shovel, wellies, hot water bottle, drink, snacks, blankets..... also I've seen temporary snow chain spray which I'm considering picking up but not sure if it's any good? Anyone heard of it before?

=Batteries=
This may cound daft but have a root through for spare batteries, generally cameras are AA, mp3 and remote controls are AAA batteries.
If your buying toys 99% of the time the batteries aren't included, so its worth having a stock at home. Generally toys take the bigger "C" batteries.

Will be checking ALL DD's pressies before hand to see if they need batteries, but know some things will be given by some without checking!!! Grrr. lol

=Shopping=
Hopefully we're all stocked up with toilet roll!! use this month to get some store cupboard items ready - coffee, tea, sugar - if your having visitors there the main essentials.

Have bought sausages and streaky bacon and made and frozen pigs in blankets ready for Christmas Day. I have loads of breadcrumbs in the freezer so will make stuffing soon. Have red current jelly. Getting a bit low on coffee but no rush (not massive coffee drinkers), will get some sugar next month....

=Ebay=
They seem to be having free listing weekends coming up again regulary, so make the most of them, even if you hit relist.

You can also get nectar points on ebay now.....


=Don't forget US=
We're the ones who do the organising, so have a little treat, doesn't have to be a day at the spa (we can dream) even if its a bubble bath or half an hour with a book, make some time for us.

Lol read that as 'Don't forget the US' - I was wondering what we had to remember about America?! lol

DH is out on evening of 8th Nov, so will have a lovely quiet night in - MAY even wrap a pressie or two. Or just bake... lol

As always a massive thank you from both me and Miss Hoodie, you all take care xxx

Thank YOU mumofone and Miss Hoodie!!! You always keep us on track!! Enjoy Lapland - you both deserve it!!

Clare x

mrs-moneypenny

thank you for the challenge, it looks brill. very helpful as always.

its hlafterm here this week so im up to my ears in stuff. will have a proper look later once things are more settled.

hope all are well

SugarSpun

cdsmiler there's a Groupon for Photobox Christmas cards - I don't know if it would be cheaper or better value than Vistaprint though.

cdsmiler

Thanks Sugarspun, I'll have a look! Need to get my picture done for it first!!

Clare x

mum2one

I just had lovely email from Vistaprint, my parcel being dispatched early and there sending 3 parcels in 1, so few bits for Miss Hoodies stocking, some xmas cards and some stuff for school. I'm secetary again for PTA.

I think I have got roped into doing the catering for the belated halloween party - only 171 children - on a £70 budget!! The disco being split into nursery and Ks1, then Ks2... help!
Thinking - ham rolls, cheese rolls, sausage rolls, cocktail sausages and crisps

Got Miss Hoodie off school, apparently its a virus, - shes got headaches, ear ache, dizzyness, hot and cold - one min shes ghostly pale, the next shes bright red. All we could get with GP was telephone consult - said virus give her paracetamol.

xx

rufusdog52

I think I had that virus day before yesterday Mum2one, or exactly the same symptoms.

Good luck with the party xx