Thrify Gifty Santas Challenge 2012

redbooties

2012
Did you manage to stick to your budgets, would you do anything different, just have a double check on your lists to make sure you haven't missed anyone out, (while youve got chance to get a present)

Got everyones but spent way too much this year

2013
Which ever method you find best for listing who you need to buy for, have your lists and budgets ready for 2013,

Already sorting my lists. I'm cutting right back on Christmas present buying for 2013 and I'm giving people more homemade gifts and NO expensive presents.

Present Time
If you get chance keep a notepad and pen handy when your unwrapping presents, not just to see who brought you what, but if you need to "regift" you won't be regifting it to the same person!!

My daughter opens her presents in front of the gift giver so she thanks them straight away

A suggestion - if you have children, take a photo of them with the present, so you can email the photo across to the person, - saves remembering a thank you letter and what do they do little'un.


Sales
Some of the shops are starting there sales before xmas, but most be online xmas day and shops boxing day, - but its only a bargain if you really need it or can use it.

Don't really need anything so I'm going to avoid looking in the sales so I'm not tempted

Turkey
check the defrosting time and allow plenty of time for cooking

Getting a fresh turkey so no defrosting.

Miss Hoodies corner
As its the season of goodwill, ur all excused from any cleaning duties!!

The house is clean, just need to keep it that way for a week

SugarSpun

TWO SLEEPS TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am FEROCIOUSLY excited.

2012
Did you manage to stick to your budgets, would you do anything different, just have a double check on your lists to make sure you haven't missed anyone out, (while youve got chance to get a present)

Got everything, all under budget and spent a proportion of the difference between budget and actual spend on gifts for disadvantaged kids. I want to do this again next year.

2013
Which ever method you find best for listing who you need to buy for, have your lists and budgets ready for 2013,

Spreadsheet ready to go and already partly filled in .

Present Time
If you get chance keep a notepad and pen handy when your unwrapping presents, not just to see who brought you what, but if you need to "regift" you won't be regifting it to the same person!!

I have a bag under the tree containing notepaper and pen, big paper bag (to put the wrapping paper straight into so minimal mess and straight into the recycling) and scissors in case anything needs to be liberated from awkward packaging.

A suggestion - if you have children, take a photo of them with the present, so you can email the photo across to the person, - saves remembering a thank you letter and what do they do little'un.

My littlie will be writing thank you notes anyway but I will also email out photos. Lovely idea.

Sales
Some of the shops are starting there sales before xmas, but most be online xmas day and shops boxing day, - but its only a bargain if you really need it or can use it.

Once I have checked my 2013 spreadsheet I will check the sales. I also need cards and wrap.

Turkey
check the defrosting time and allow plenty of time for cooking

Beef for us, already defrosting.

Miss Hoodies corner
As its the season of goodwill, ur all excused from any cleaning duties!!

But I still have to do it the big clean is done, it is just keeping on top of it now.

Still to do:

Make cake
Make muffin bread
Make muffins
Change all the beds
Final grocery shop (bread, milk)
Be Santa!

mum2one

Home safe, it was absolutly amazing, literally all our christmas dreams and more came true!!

We had husky trip throu snowy woodland, then got to hug 6 mth old husky puppies, I wanted to bring them all home.

but if you'd have seen me try to waddle in a snowsuit, minus 35C, frozen glasses, I'd of ended up on you've been framed.

Last ngt we did a reindeer ride, - so slow and gentle, and warmer, just minus 25C.

We had everything, from marshmellow toasting over outdoor fire, ice-bar, carols out in the snow, cookie decorating, it was amazing.

Will add some photos, - def memorable xx

rufusdog52

mum2one wrote: »

Home safe, it was absolutly amazing, literally all our christmas dreams and more came true!!

We had husky trip throu snowy woodland, then got to hug 6 mth old husky puppies, I wanted to bring them all home.

but if you'd have seen me try to waddle in a snowsuit, minus 35C, frozen glasses, I'd of ended up on you've been framed.

Last ngt we did a reindeer ride, - so slow and gentle, and warmer, just minus 25C.

We had everything, from marshmellow toasting over outdoor fire, ice-bar, carols out in the snow, cookie decorating, it was amazing.

Will add some photos, - def memorable xx

Sounds brilliant Mum2one, so jealous lol.

Pips_Mum

Just popping on to wish you all a :xmastree:Very Merry Christmas. :xmastree:

Haven't been on here much since Baby Pea arrived but she is doing well and I am looking forward to her first Christmas.

Thank you for all the ideas and posts and see you all in the New Year for Christmas 2013 prep!!

Love and Hugs x x x

mum2one

Hope everyone is ready for the big day!!

Weve been organised and done all sausage and bacon wraps, made stuffing, turkey and pork now defrosting.

We raided the Asda whoopies.... brought 10 bags of casserole veg 10p instead £1, same for carrots and onions.

Fruit - melon slices, mango, pineapple, mixed fruit packs, - retail prices upto £2.50. reduced between 15p and 35p! so healthy fruit for next few days!!

Miss Hoodie - had to pop her to the doctors - shes got frost bite on her lip!! think it was from the husky ride, so shes got cream for a week..

Bar that - all sorted - can't wait till Miss hoodie opens the hatbox, - shes thinks its mums steamer - its not its hot air ballon trip!xx

rufusdog52

Have a lovely day tomorrow Mum2one. Going to be a normal day for me. Having our special day Friday as OH will be off then xx

mum2one

Hope everyone had a good day, v quiet here just the four of us. As usual Miss hoodie got spolit, she had blackberry tablet plus other presents off mum and dad, off me a Kindle and wack of clothes... (thinking could have done with some of them for Lapland), then she had to share a present with dad.

I was very cruel - all boxed up, they opened it and out out popped a helium ballon and tickets for them to go in hot air balloon!!

Miss hoodie has had the ribbins of the ballon hooked around her all day, at least we can see her!!

We have had a very lazy day, sounds daft still shattered from Lapland, - and still doing the washing. xx

mum2one

Meant to say haven't heard from Mary, then I remembered I forgot to put my address on the envelope!! so in New Year pop a letter to her, that way she knows were all thinking of her xx

weeclick

Started off the sales really well today!! £230 worth of items only cost me £30 cash thanks to sales discounts, vouchers, christmas money, advantage points etc Very happy right now