❄❄ Let It Snow ❄❄ :: Christmas 2012 Chatter Thread

Snugglebunny8

morning all! just before I catch up, S'burys have all the sweetie tins for 3.99 today, includes Q Street, Roses, Cadbury Heroes and Celebrations dont know how long offer on for but has huge display inside door

Ruth_honey

caitlyn22 wrote: »

A few years ago we got our massive 8 ft tree down from the attic and all the plastic had softened and was snapping as we put it up. I was so upset! We didn't pay for it, it was a silly expensive one my sister had that then became too big for her when she moved house. I have to say - my first tree was £15 and lasted me ten years and this one now is only a few years old but was only £30 and was in perfect condition when I got it down last night. Hope yours is OK - post pics when you get it up and decorated!



Aw, me too! My OH even proposed via a Christmas decoration! We'd been in Copenhagen not long before Christmas and I was grumpy that I couldn't find any decorations (traditionally they don't seem to like hanging things, they place small toys on trees instead) and when we flew home, I spotted some white owl shaped paper decorations on all the trees in the airport (Copenhagen airport is so stylish, like a big posh house!) I made OH go and try and sneak one off but he came back defeated saying they were wired on. Anyway, month later he proposes to me on Christmas Eve but inside the box there's just a note that says check the tree and there in the middle of my tree is the white owl decoration with my engagement ring attached!

It sounds really sweet but what I'm missing out is that he was a) almost delirious with flu but was determined to propose then as it's my favourite day of the year and b) my first thought was I can't believe you touched THE TREE. :rotfl:



Thank you! OH insists it's his camera work that makes it look good. The pics have made me realise how odd it looks that we don't have blinds or curtains in that room - it's because it's like a sauna generally and also because the big window is frosted and immediately next to a big bush so total privacy! Imagine how bare it looks without Christmas!

Awww...I still think that's very sweet & romantic. :T

caitlyn22

Own_My_Own wrote: »

not sleeping again. But as so very tired.

The more I make for the bazaar the more sick I feel. I have always made stuff, and always dreamed of selling it. But now it is happening I feel like a fraud.
What have I actually made ?
I have printed off tags and folded card. Not exactly groundbreaking stuff. Knowing the other stalls are companies is not helping me at all.

They're all lovely, handmade, thoughtful products and that's what will stand out! Do you know what type of companies they are? I'm sure for this type of event it will be people who've also worried and stressed that their things won't sell either, whatever size company they are. My friend did this a few times and the only thing that sometimes happened was people would pick things up and look at them and we could see them assessing how it was done and thinking 'I could do that'. :rotfl:

My friend eventually adapted some of her range a little bit, selling the kits for people to make up themselves. Less work for her and people get to do it themselves easily (they likely couldn't have done it without a kit, it takes loads of time and effort as you well know!) Might work for some of your things? E.g. you could do do a 'gift in a jar' packaging set that suggested what people could put in but you just packaged say 3 empty jars with nice ribbon and labels. Or a 'make your own Christmas box pack' with the templates printed but not made up?

The important thing is you're doing it. It will be a learning curve - but the lesson won't be don't do it ever again, it will be 'these did better than those' and 'that will work better like this' etc etc. Only positive lessons from here on in - stop fearing the worst!

Own_My_Own

caitlyn22 wrote: »

They're all lovely, handmade, thoughtful products and that's what will stand out! Do you know what type of companies they are? I'm sure for this type of event it will be people who've also worried and stressed that their things won't sell either, whatever size company they are. My friend did this a few times and the only thing that sometimes happened was people would pick things up and look at them and we could see them assessing how it was done and thinking 'I could do that'. :rotfl:

My friend eventually adapted some of her range a little bit, selling the kits for people to make up themselves. Less work for her and people get to do it themselves easily (they likely couldn't have done it without a kit, it takes loads of time and effort as you well know!) Might work for some of your things? E.g. you could do do a 'gift in a jar' packaging set that suggested what people could put in but you just packaged say 3 empty jars with nice ribbon and labels. Or a 'make your own Christmas box pack' with the templates printed but not made up?

The important thing is you're doing it. It will be a learning curve - but the lesson won't be don't do it ever again, it will be 'these did better than those' and 'that will work better like this' etc etc. Only positive lessons from here on in - stop fearing the worst!

Thank You so much.

I am going to make some empty flatpack boxes, and jar tags with covers and string. It will make life easier and be cheaper.
I can sell them in packs of 6.

Thanks again for the idea. I feel better already. xx

Snugglebunny8

Own My Own am so glad you are feeling brighter, anything like this is a challenge the first time you go out on a limb and do it - and Im willing to bet everyone has doubts the first time they do it, all I can say is that whenever you have posted pics of what you have made Im always amazed by it, they look so professional and I always wish I was as talented in the craft department! if I was there I'd certainly be buying a lot of the things you've shown us, Im sure Im not alone! will be thinking of you, I know you will be a huge hit! xx

Caitlyn I love your tree, its beautiful! I love to buy little bits and pieces wherever in the world I go, though admittedly since the children were born most new things we've bought are Disney related as there is a year round Christmas shop in Orlando and the decs are so beautiful we always have to bring a couple home!

From when mine were babies and up until they started choosing the Disney ones, we bought a new dec that they chose each year, and also have little decs they made at school etc - I have a set of colour teardrop plain baubles which remind me of the ones we had on the tree when I was a child every time I look at them

I got out the non-chocolate advent calender this mornng and opened it, just the look of the doors and the feel of the rough glitter on it and the nighttime sleigh scene took me back (a long time!!!) to being a child and opening the pictures each day too

Your proposal sounds so magical! x

Own_My_Own

Snugglebunny8 wrote: »

Own My Own am so glad you are feeling brighter, anything like this is a challenge the first time you go out on a limb and do it - and Im willing to bet everyone has doubts the first time they do it, all I can say is that whenever you have posted pics of what you have made Im always amazed by it, they look so professional and I always wish I was as talented in the craft department! if I was there I'd certainly be buying a lot of the things you've shown us, Im sure Im not alone! will be thinking of you, I know you will be a huge hit! xx
x

Thank You. After reading this, I have realised what my problem is, and you have solved it.

Because I find designing and making things so easy, I forget that others don't. I think everyone can do it. I look at my gifts and think anyone could make them.
I must remember that they can't, and try to see the gifts through they eyes.

kjmtidea

Own_My_Own wrote: »

not sleeping again. But as so very tired.

The more I make for the bazaar the more sick I feel. I have always made stuff, and always dreamed of selling it. But now it is happening I feel like a fraud.
What have I actually made ?
I have printed off tags and folded card. Not exactly groundbreaking stuff. Knowing the other stalls are companies is not helping me at all.
What if their stuff makes mine look silly. I now it isn't, and I'm not looking for praise, but I just can't get that niggerly feeling out of my head.
My only saving grace is that I have a gift party the Wed before the Bazaar. That will atleast give me some idea of what sells.


Must get on now ( am at work). Sorry for being so miserable.

I'm normally a lurker on this thread but just wanted to reply to this. 2 years ago I did my first Christmas fete, I was surrounded by proper business selling their lovely hard carved chopping boards and jewellery and there I was with my snowman soups and jars of sweets! I sold everything I took and made over £100, they sold hardly anything, my stall was constantly busy so please don't worry about it as I am sure you will sell loads

Ruth_honey

caitlyn22 wrote: »

They're all lovely, handmade, thoughtful products and that's what will stand out! Do you know what type of companies they are? I'm sure for this type of event it will be people who've also worried and stressed that their things won't sell either, whatever size company they are. My friend did this a few times and the only thing that sometimes happened was people would pick things up and look at them and we could see them assessing how it was done and thinking 'I could do that'. :rotfl:

My friend eventually adapted some of her range a little bit, selling the kits for people to make up themselves. Less work for her and people get to do it themselves easily (they likely couldn't have done it without a kit, it takes loads of time and effort as you well know!) Might work for some of your things? E.g. you could do do a 'gift in a jar' packaging set that suggested what people could put in but you just packaged say 3 empty jars with nice ribbon and labels. Or a 'make your own Christmas box pack' with the templates printed but not made up?

The important thing is you're doing it. It will be a learning curve - but the lesson won't be don't do it ever again, it will be 'these did better than those' and 'that will work better like this' etc etc. Only positive lessons from here on in - stop fearing the worst!

Very well put! Don't stress yourself out about it. Enjoy the learning experience.

And kjmtidea-well done on your weight loss! That's amazing!

dropsofjupiter

caitlyn22 wrote: »

The silver decoration with the picture in is my dad when he was younger, my OH had them made for me and my sister last year - they are engraved with 'Has He Been Yet?' on the back, because my dad would ask that right throughout December once the decorations were up. I also try and buy decorations that were like the ones we had when we were little, so the stained glass house to the left of the picture of my dad is as close as I have ever been able to find to one set we had when I was very little.

I am a right tree decorating weirdo, I confess! I don't collect anything or have any expensive habits or posh possessions. Should I ever have kids, my Christmas decorations will literally be all the poor blighters ever inherit!

:rotfl:

Your tree (and the whole room) is absolutely wonderful and I love that stained glass house ornament Thank you for sharing.

Deb_S_2

Betsie2010 wrote: »

Went to Ikea last night and obviously bought candles - does anyone actually manage to go there and not buy any? But bought a large red lantern, now it's home it really is large! But have 4 numbered candles to burn each week of advent. Roll on Sat....
Going to go shopping on Sat and that should be it - I'll let you know !,

Your post just made a lighbulb go off in my head

I have been to IKEA a couple of times in the past weeks and always wondered why you would want a candle with 1 2 3 or 4 printed on it Doh! Weeks of advent didn't even come close to entering my head :rotfl: