Thrify Gifty Santas Challenge 2012

Ameyturtle

mum2one wrote: »

It must have been cold our heating cut in this afternoon, - it was originally set to cut in at 19C, we dropped it to 15.5, very mse!!

Mary - Hope the inspirational comes tomorrow, send some magic fairy dust to you!!

Rufus - Sorry hubby is working and nit nice shifts is there any of the family who will come and collect you for the day, you do so much for everyone else.

Amy - Hope u feel better, I love the idea of advent presents, being cheeky what are you putting in mums, think it sounds a lovely idea. Hope your feeling better soon, and we're all here for you.
.

shes been and choosen her bday present off mum and dad - shes having new bike, shes my daughter doesn't do everything by the book, - she needs 26in wheels (adults wheels), but a smaller frame - but the shops ordered one in for next week, - looks gorgeous bike. They fit it all up for her - £120 - factory shop - a lot cheaper than other specialist shops!

- seems weird - on the mse website and watching Martin lewis'a show, taped it earlier, xx

Not cheeky at all. It takes being inventive but I'm not finding it as hard as I would have thought. Mum is diabetic so last year I got her sugar free hard boiled sweets but the nearer it got to Christmas I could tell she was losing interest, so I'm pretty much avoiding sweet altogether this year, I mean I'll pop a couple of the little square blocks that Thorntons do normally 5 for £3. I also bought a pack of 6 caramel freddos last time I was in Iceland we all love caramel freddos but they are so hard to find and they were 6 for £1, and there are some Curly wurlys too that were 5 for £1 these will get split around she will probably only get 1 of each and the rest split between Christmas eve hamper and stockings.
On another forum and also if you google Candlewick Greens, there is a woman or makes wax tarts so I'm buying mum a mini wax burner that costs £2 and a mixture of mini wax tarts for the burner so I might wrap the burner on the first and then a tart on the second and things like that.
Also Lush's Christmas range is being launched on the 6th October and I've worked out that if I buy a 100g piece of their soaps that are under £3 per 100g and get them cut into 3 I can wrap a piece for mum and a piece for best friend and hopefully end up with enough extra ones to make presents for the girls at work, plus alot of Lush's christmas bath bombs and bubble bars come in quite cheap too so I'll get a couple of those too.
And freebies and sample sizes too, I use a website called latestinbeauty.com and they have a little beauty box which you pay for with credit from your phone it's £1.50 and you choose 3 products and you can get one of these boxes every month so I've been checking that regularly to see if there is anything mum would like or I would like so that Mum can give it to me.
Maybe some sachets of hot chocolate if I get stuck.
Hope that helps

ETA: Wow what a shock about Miss Hoodie's school and the counseling! Must be such a relief to be finally getting somewhere, and that is super exciting about the bike, hopefully she'll be too busy riding around on her bike to worry about Dad

I'm loving how relaxed we all are at the moment, lets hope it stays that way

mum2one

Ameyturtle wrote: »

Not cheeky at all. It takes being inventive but I'm not finding it as hard as I would have thought. Mum is diabetic so last year I got her sugar free hard boiled sweets but the nearer it got to Christmas I could tell she was losing interest, so I'm pretty much avoiding sweet altogether this year, I mean I'll pop a couple of the little square blocks that Thorntons do normally 5 for £3. I also bought a pack of 6 caramel freddos last time I was in Iceland we all love caramel freddos but they are so hard to find and they were 6 for £1, and there are some Curly wurlys too that were 5 for £1 these will get split around she will probably only get 1 of each and the rest split between Christmas eve hamper and stockings.
On another forum and also if you google Candlewick Greens, there is a woman or makes wax tarts so I'm buying mum a mini wax burner that costs £2 and a mixture of mini wax tarts for the burner so I might wrap the burner on the first and then a tart on the second and things like that.
Also Lush's Christmas range is being launched on the 6th October and I've worked out that if I buy a 100g piece of their soaps that are under £3 per 100g and get them cut into 3 I can wrap a piece for mum and a piece for best friend and hopefully end up with enough extra ones to make presents for the girls at work, plus alot of Lush's christmas bath bombs and bubble bars come in quite cheap too so I'll get a couple of those too.
And freebies and sample sizes too, I use a website called latestinbeauty.com and they have a little beauty box which you pay for with credit from your phone it's £1.50 and you choose 3 products and you can get one of these boxes every month so I've been checking that regularly to see if there is anything mum would like or I would like so that Mum can give it to me.
Maybe some sachets of hot chocolate if I get stuck.
Hope that helps

ETA: Wow what a shock about Miss Hoodie's school and the counseling! Must be such a relief to be finally getting somewhere, and that is super exciting about the bike, hopefully she'll be too busy riding around on her bike to worry about Dad

I'm loving how relaxed we all are at the moment, lets hope it stays that way

They sound brilliant ideas, just got mum into the wax tarts, - as Miss hoodie brought her an oil burner back from Tunisia, - even thou I told we could get them in the UK, - Miss hoodie had a small suitcase for hand luggage - full of her pottery buys! lucky nowt got broke,

My mum is so arkward to buy for, she would rather had a pack of knickers for xmas, where as dad - liquorise allsorts, few smellies and bottle of whisky he's sorted.

Might borrow that idea for couple of prezzies - doing couple of friends 12 days of christmas bags, and one for my uncle, thou his be half french mustard (when we've been to wspoons pub they have help yourself to the sauces) been helping ourselves he has 50 sachets! for love nor money you can't get the jars.

caramel freddos could just eat them, - don;t know if your mum likes cappicuno or latte, but Maxwell House do a lovely latte - £1 (poundland) mum says they taste as good as nescafe (nearly 3 times the price).

Going to try that beauty one - don't miss it off credit on phone, - thou that be fun, - chnaged my phone now entered the world of the smart phone, - got Sony experia x, for £95 from carphone warehouse (pay + go upgrade), so far worked how to dial and text!).

Really shocked at the school, esp as we haven't been on the best of terms with them lately, - but it should help her, so all positive.

She can't wait for her bike, - tell i'm getting old the bike has back gears as well as front!!

it be as soon as her bday gone, mad rush to xmas, off to lapland b4 xmas - can't wait, Miss hoodie so exicted about Santa, shes taking him a present, and she also wants to take an xmas prezzie for our rep as there be away from home! she has a heart of gold.

Just got to decide what shes having for xmas, - usually get 1 big thing from me, mum and dad then some small bits to open, at mo toss up between 3dsxl, or hot air balloon flight (dad wouldn't mind as he would have to go again!!) xx

mum2one

Forgot to say had 3 calls this week from travel company about hols, (me stuck with crutches - gone through the medical assistance (seat together plane, wheelchair through airport, Miss Hoodie loves, as we q jump).

They were so nice the lady was worried about how I would get on and off the coach, said getting on - -have to have push up from rear for 1st step, then fold up crutches (ok) getting off, pole dance off, - basically hold side and jump down, she was in stitches, - she asked did I consider a taxi - no hadn't thought as i usually manage in a fashion, but they said that if I had a taxi I pay the one way and they pay the return, which I thought was brilliant, (till my share was £150) so gone for coach but there going to reserve seating near the front. With all the bad press, it was so nice that a company offers to pay.

rufusdog52

Mum2one, I will need to cook dinner for him during the day as he will want to eat when he gets up. I am not that bothered, there will be plenty of things to watch on the tv and I will probably have some sewing to do. I can always put the PS3 on if I get bored. Not sure what YD will do, I have asked ED if she could may be go round there for the day with the kids so she don't get bored as we have to have the tv turned down quite low while OH is in bed, just waiting to see what shifts she is on as she might have to work Christmas day too

mrs-moneypenny

Santa'sChallenge - September-
=Flu Jabs=
doesnt apply to me but thanks for the reminder will check mil books her appt as i saw our drs arent sending letters out you need to ring in yourself in october

=ChristmasCakes=
need to get my ingredients sorted and get baking

=TheConversation=
same as everyother christmas mil round christmas and new year, along with DD3 and her bf (luckily his parents do christmas and new year breakfast so they can do both as i do late dinners
so arent stealing them) sis brings her kids and mum over on new years eve.

=ChristmasEvents=
Have you gotparty, event, talk to other half andfamily members remind them where the calendar is, so if your mum's taxi - you know in advance.

=WinterNights=

OutsidePipes - ive filled a plastic plantpot with polestyrene and fix that over on an elastic
Stopcock - in the back of a cupboard between the wall and the cupboard back through a little hole - dont you just love builders:mad: if we need to turn the water off i have to empty the cupboard and DH crawls in

Fusebox - do we know where it is??? yep its has spare fuses screwdriver and emergency torch in:A

Radiators - do they need bleeding, DH did that last week

Candles -Not just for romantic nights - but in case of power cut have loads that will do for either big scented jars and ones like that so will make sure a couple are out just in case

Torch - DS2 has loads and Dh has a couple in his drawer need to check all bateries are ok. DS has a dynamo one which is great.

=ChristmasCards= will get my list out and make a start and look whos i can post together or hand deliver

=ChristmasExtras=am going to cull some of this this year we always end up buying 'because its christmas' and in reality noone is that fussed. am bying an extra item a week and putting it in a hamper for my mum

=ToiletRoll=! a 4pack every week while morrys have the £1 ones

=Misshoodies Corner=
Thewardrobes - give them a sort out and see what fits, doesn't fit, gathers dust,or what you keep just in case, do you really need it!
thank you misshoodie, im going to have a good clear out and give some to the charity shop

= Freezer=
No don'tpanic we're not cleaning it, if you get chance try some batch cooking, byNovember Christmas will have got caught up with everyone else, while we are allorganised! but some to hand meals will save us time - bound to be caught up inqueues and won't feel like cooking. mines full at the mo but need to defrost once its a bit lighter then start planning christmas stuff

Pips_Mum

Thanks for info on surface mail Miss moneypenny, was planning on doing the same as I post about 40 to the US, my cards are really, really light so I bet mine will be cheaper airmail too.

Got all but 3 of my christmas presents bought now so Im very pleased :-) Got Pip a bike halfprice from Argos yesterday so thats him sorted. Ive also wrapped all the rest of birthday pressies for the year.

Under 2 weeks to go until baby Pea arrives so very relieved christmas will be one less thing to worry about.

Thanks for challenges mum2one think sorted on most but hadnt thought about the cake yet and also writing a few cards a week is genius!

SugarSpun

Have just thought - I'm going to buy a lighter and put it in the drawer with the candles - we're a nonsmoking household and when I want to burn one that smells nice it tends to be a bit of a faff.

mrs-moneypenny

SugarSpun wrote: »

Have just thought - I'm going to buy a lighter and put it in the drawer with the candles - we're a nonsmoking household and when I want to burn one that smells nice it tends to be a bit of a faff.

i know what you mean, i buy a box of cooks matches they seem to last forever or get lost, a lighter would be more sensible. just never thougt of getting one with being non smokers

mum2one

mum2one wrote: »

Santa'sChallenge - September-
=Flu Jabs=
Get mine for asthma, Miss Hoodie has to have her 1st one this yr, - we have a family outing 4 of us with the nurse

=ChristmasCakes=
Doing list next weeknd for ingredinets, - then all fun and games after that, making some traditional style, - do a batch of tropical fruit, (only stay fresh 4 weeks),

=TheConversation=
Just be the four at home for xmas, got to arrange to meet some friends from nr Manchester - meet half way. (furthest to go)

Local we intend to get done week before xmas (got to leave list as DD and me away 5 days b4 xmas!!)


=ChristmasEvents=
No christmas parties for me!!

=WinterNights=
As it seemsto be winter drawing in early, -

check itemsare in full working order, - i.e. electric blanket, - no electric blanket

OutsidePipes - if you have any outside pipes make sure there insulated, we have awater tap outside wall, I use an inflated kids armband - touch wood hasn't letus down.

Stopcock - It'sthe last thing we want anything to happen, but check where the stopcock in thehouse, and the outside one - inside one is in bread cupboard, outside one on the path by hedge
Fusebox - do we know where it is??? - little cupbie hole,

Radiators - do they need bleeding, - daddy darling!!

Candles -Not just for romantic nights - but in case of power cut - wack of tealights outside, parifin light and box of 12 candles in shed

Torch - big one in cuppie hole by meter, one bottom stairs, landing window, each bedroom, got little hand squeeze torches hanging off the headboads.

=ChristmasCards=
Back tosomething nice, make a start on the Christmas cards, set a little target say 10a week, which ever suits you the best
Christmas card list started -
Family, Street, Post, Friends etc out come the sandwich bags - usually write over 3 ngts - 2nd week of Oct to do


=ChristmasExtras=
All thesupermarkets are starting to get their Xmas goodies in, Know every Thursday weget off granddad Hoodie, they've moved this, I had to walk up 4 aisles for it,- worth popping an item on the list, all helps out.

Start list of what extras we need, then add in

=ToiletRoll=
Oneessential for xmas, but normally over looked - there's bound to visitors sostock up on the loo rolls! - We have a supply of extra loo rolls in the shed.

=Misshoodies Corner=
The part welove!! The cleaning challenge

Thewardrobes - give them a sort out and see what fits, doesn't fit, gathers dust,or what you keep just in case, do you really need it!

Not to bad as wardrobe been gutted twice this yr, - now need to put shorts away, bring jogging bottoms to the front, really bringing winter stuff forward.
(Think wegot off quite lucky with that one)

=Last butLeast - Freezer=

No don'tpanic we're not cleaning it, if you get chance try some batch cooking, byNovember Christmas will have got caught up with everyone else, while we are allorganised! but some to hand meals will save us time - bound to be caught up inqueues and won't feel like cooking.


Sausage and Tomato casserole
beef in red wine
mince base for spag bol

Thought update as to where we are with the challenges. Looking to my batch baking, when do beef in red wine, - dads add onion, mushrooms to whilst mine - just add carrots,
Do them in 1 portion sizes - add 1 with something or if we have jacket potato 1 portion does 2 of us, sandwich bags to the rescue. xx

mum2one

I don't know if it has been mentioned, but Argos are doing toys 3 4 2, plus bonus spend £50 = £5 voucher, £100 - £10 voucher.

Got the package changed over for my phone, and save £5 a month, hopefully that enough for the internet useage, if not £5 a month more, but at least pay and go, so know where I am. xx