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

clayton79

mcjordi wrote: »

im 90% done need to nab 3 gift sets and some sweets and thats me done.. waiting for the gift sets to be on offer in asda and the sweet tins to come down to £4 like they always do.

The sweet tins are already £4 in Tesco

clayton79

Hello All

Well after this mornings revalation that i havent actually done as much as i thought i had (thanks to the Better Christmas app) ive braved the shops!

Visited Primarni which was in the midst of the longest refurb in history (Manchester Store) but i managed to get two sets of childrens winter PJs. They had a number of designs both fleecy and flanel types. (Ages 2-7 are £4 and 8 upwards £5)

They had a few Xmas bits out but nothing of any note. If anyone needs a christmas tray for Santas drink and snack then they had these at £1

They also has fleeces and cushions and im sure i saw some teatowels.

Might have a trip to Matalan tomorrow morning, their Xmas ribbon is great. You get 4 different types for around £2 i think.

pinknfluffy28

ok, so i have just pulled out all my xmas pressie receipts (yes, i save everyone throughout the year in a little folder, into sections for each of kids, other family, dh ect. im sad, i admit it!) and added up how much ive spent on kids. my budget was £300 each, and ive already gone over for one (by £18), and only have £41 left for other ARGH! although looking at what ive paid compared to rrp, theyve probably actually got about £450 worth each. Now, we both work very hard, and yes my kids are spoilt for xmas and birthdays, but thats why i work hard - for them. They are both good kids, they ask for nothing, and are grateful for everything, i only spend so much on them, because its my way of justifying all the long hours and crap my dh and i put in during the working week. however, having now discovered this site and especially this thread, i have already made my 2013 resolution. i am going to slash everyones budget in half, send a lot of home made gifts next year, and save enough money that we can spend new year 2014 at centreparcs or similar. just ran it past dh and he's thrilled with the idea. So although i havent quite finished this years xmas shopping, i have now started a new word document colating all the info on homemade gifts, and cheaper alternatives for xmas 2013! hows that for forward planning!!!

:rudolf:

kemo_2002

pinknfluffy28 wrote: »

ok, so i have just pulled out all my xmas pressie receipts (yes, i save everyone throughout the year in a little folder, into sections for each of kids, other family, dh ect. im sad, i admit it!) and added up how much ive spent on kids. my budget was £300 each, and ive already gone over for one (by £18), and only have £41 left for other ARGH! although looking at what ive paid compared to rrp, theyve probably actually got about £450 worth each. Now, we both work very hard, and yes my kids are spoilt for xmas and birthdays, but thats why i work hard - for them. They are both good kids, they ask for nothing, and are grateful for everything, i only spend so much on them, because its my way of justifying all the long hours and crap my dh and i put in during the working week. however, having now discovered this site and especially this thread, i have already made my 2013 resolution. i am going to slash everyones budget in half, send a lot of home made gifts next year, and save enough money that we can spend new year 2014 at centreparcs or similar. just ran it past dh and he's thrilled with the idea. So although i havent quite finished this years xmas shopping, i have now started a new word document colating all the info on homemade gifts, and cheaper alternatives for xmas 2013! hows that for forward planning!!!

:rudolf:

you are similar to me, we tend to spend at xmas on our DD, she has special needs,but i chose to set up my own business instead of just claiming loads of tax credits for her, and we both work rly hard, i think as long as your kids aint brats or ungreatful, it doesnt matter weather you spend £10 or £1000! at the end of the day it what you can afford.

Saying that, as of a few yrs ago, i actually find it much more fun sorcing our the bargains!!

Own_My_Own

pinknfluffy28 wrote: »

ok, so i have just pulled out all my xmas pressie receipts (yes, i save everyone throughout the year in a little folder, into sections for each of kids, other family, dh ect. im sad, i admit it!) and added up how much ive spent on kids. my budget was £300 each, and ive already gone over for one (by £18), and only have £41 left for other ARGH! although looking at what ive paid compared to rrp, theyve probably actually got about £450 worth each. Now, we both work very hard, and yes my kids are spoilt for xmas and birthdays, but thats why i work hard - for them. They are both good kids, they ask for nothing, and are grateful for everything, i only spend so much on them, because its my way of justifying all the long hours and crap my dh and i put in during the working week. however, having now discovered this site and especially this thread, i have already made my 2013 resolution. i am going to slash everyones budget in half, send a lot of home made gifts next year, and save enough money that we can spend new year 2014 at centreparcs or similar. just ran it past dh and he's thrilled with the idea. So although i havent quite finished this years xmas shopping, i have now started a new word document colating all the info on homemade gifts, and cheaper alternatives for xmas 2013! hows that for forward planning!!!

:rudolf:

That's great,

Must admit I did go :eek: when I saw your budget.

I think they will love a break away with you. The memories will last longer than any present.

My 2 get about £150 each and have always had a pile of gifts. It is amazing what you can get with some thought. (I am not saying you have none now,) but by using the thoughts of everybody on here will make it easier.

Sorry don't know if that came across right, but I hope you know what I mean.:D

pinknfluffy28

kemo_2002 wrote: »

you are similar to me, we tend to spend at xmas on our DD, she has special needs,but i chose to set up my own business instead of just claiming loads of tax credits for her, and we both work rly hard, i think as long as your kids aint brats or ungreatful, it doesnt matter weather you spend £10 or £1000! at the end of the day it what you can afford.

Saying that, as of a few yrs ago, i actually find it much more fun sorcing our the bargains!!

I know what you mean, Im actually already really excited about doing the homemade gifts, im going to do a few hampers and cookie in jar mixes this year, but next year i intend to do homemade gifts for everyone! my january sales money is going to be spent at hobbycraft and the range me thinks!
:rudolf:

pinknfluffy28

Own_My_Own wrote: »

That's great,

Must admit I did go :eek: when I saw your budget.

I think they will love a break away with you. The memories will last longer than any present.

My 2 get about £150 each and have always had a pile of gifts. It is amazing what you can get with some thought. (I am not saying you have none now,) but by using the thoughts of everybody on here will make it easier.

Sorry don't know if that came across right, but I hope you know what I mean.:D

yes, i do know what you mean. ive always done my best to make xmas memeroble, i book 2 weeks off work, we have the elves come, go see lights etc. But i must admit ive always been one of those that just grabs whatever is on offer or looks good, rather than put much actual thought into it. again, thanks to this thread, i intend for 2012 to be the last one of a kind, i know they will be delighted, and as grateful and loving as always (im blessed with truly wonderful kids), but next year its homemade all the way (well, most of it!)
:rudolf:

Ameyturtle

That is so true finding bargains does make Christmas more fun. It makes Christmas shopping more fun. We started as the stocking fillers had to be under £3 each and then everything else just seemed to turn into bargains too. I like nice things I just refuse to pay the ridiculous price of things.

Own_My_Own

:santa2: Sorry can't remember who wanted ideas for a material advents ,but this may of some use - (also good for party bags)

http://www.mummymartinstoybox.co.uk/ :santa2:

kaymumof3

home sweet home have enjoyed catching up nothing not much has stuck tho as traveled for 12 hrs last night so no sleep kids did tho

christmas is kinda on the back burner at the mo as far as prezzie buying goes as being away for 3 weeks sorting fil funeral was not kind to our bank balance an d we have some catching up to do

im hoping argos 3 for 2 will help us out as kids bdays oct,nov and jan as well as xmas will try to not stress out as kids rember the funny lil things like santa making a mess of his mince pie or when we wrapped the living room door and not always wat they recieved that year