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

BloomingTasty

On My Own was hoping to go bootsale myself to do some xmas shopping. Mind you Dd has perked up so we'll see .

Chirpy chick and Nanamia just signed up to pintrest but dont really know what i'm doing. Any tips?

Snugglebunny8

morning all!

welcome Newbies! fab to have so many like minded lovely people, looking foreard to reading about your bargains!

SavvyKate, am so jealous as I don't have a Poundstore and wanted the owl moneyboxes!! did get the tins with sunflowers from dotcomgiftshop though, their sale was amazing! x

Snugglebunny8

Betsie2010 wrote: »

Wow, haven't checked in since Fri and it has taken me over an hour to catch up! Maybe that's why I woke so early!!
Started a quilting course yesterday which was fab fun and am going to be making 3 quilts for my nieces for Christmas. Bought all the fabric and I can't wait to get going!
Someone asked about a teddy for a dog - I bought 2 in £land for mine and her best friend. They had some really nice ones in there and am going to get one for my youngest ds's girlfriends hamper/box. Someone mentioned Home Bargain, is that on line only?
Thanks to someone on this thread, sorry can't remember who, got some Horrible Histories DVDs for £1 each and a triathlon book for my brother (should have been £15!)
Going into town this morning, can't believe they're not open yet! Meeting best friends and shall definitely be having hot choc to get in the mood. Have voucher for S***burys so shall use that to see what bargains they have. Already got the sweets and a panettone cake - makes the most delicious bread and butter pudding. Oh and looking in Lid* for cellophane.
Happy Shopping!

fab idea for the bread and butter pudding, bet that's delicious!

S'burys have their Christmas puddings 25% off (I got mine as we had the brandy one last year on offer and it was extremely good) tins of biscuits including Cadbury are half price too :j

Still not seen candy canes in any supermarket

BBTHREE

pinknfluffy28 wrote: »

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. :rudolf:

I completelt agree with this, and your budget is fine imho. We both work hard all year and save up so that our kids can have a good xmas. So long as you can afford it and are spending within your means there is no issue at all, so I wouldn't feel you HAVE to slash budgets just because it feels like an MSE thing to do.

To me, shopping the MSE way still means buying whatever you intended to but by shopping around, using discount codes, and spreading over the year to get more for your money.

I personally have found that xmas gets more expensive as the kids get older. For instance, for DS first xmas I spent £20 on some 3 for 2 toys in Mothercare. When my two were about 3 or 4 we possibly got away with £150 each including big present as they wanted plastic kitchens, plastic garages etc.

Now at 9 and 13, with the prices of electrical items xmas is a far dearer affair.

Last year, DS got a PS3 and DD got a laptop, plus £80-£100 of stocking fillers each. They are not spoilt, they have good manners, word hard at school, and as we both work full time there's no issue with saving up all year for a big blowout at xmas.

BBTHREE

Welcome savykate and Comic and anyone else I have forgotten..

Kaymumof3 - welcome back (((hugs)))

Nanamia wrote: »

BBTHREE we are Stockport County supporters "real football" hope that's not put you off! Unfortunately there is a home November 29th did you find "Lunar

Hi Nanamia, I have PM'd Lunar but no reply as yet, hope she's OK.

The date isn't that much of an issue for me (as long as its a weekend), so we could try Sat 22nd Nov, or Sun 30th Nov?!?

I am purposely dodging December, because that's when everyone on here will get to do family things, or stay at home and be "smug" with all our friends who have ridiculed us all year for our xmas planning. But whilst they are running around like headless chickens in Dec, we will be relaxing with our families. : )

Stockport County are great. My friend used to live quite close to the ground so I have been to a couple of matches there.

sandra-lou89

Phew going too quickly just took an hour to catch up. Great news about the festive Great British Bake Off, christmas baking is one of the best sorts! Talking of which did anyone admire the gingerbread houses on the preview for next week's GBBO? Inspiration for Christmas I think I make two houses each year (although on a much smaller scale!) so can't wait to see what they come up with

Snugglebunny8

BBTHREE wrote: »

I completelt agree with this, and your budget is fine imho. We both work hard all year and save up so that our kids can have a good xmas. So long as you can afford it and are spending within your means there is no issue at all, so I wouldn't feel you HAVE to slash budgets just because it feels like an MSE thing to do.

To me, shopping the MSE way still means buying whatever you intended to but by shopping around, using discount codes, and spreading over the year to get more for your money.

I personally have found that xmas gets more expensive as the kids get older. For instance, for DS first xmas I spent £20 on some 3 for 2 toys in Mothercare. When my two were about 3 or 4 we possibly got away with £150 each including big present as they wanted plastic kitchens, plastic garages etc.

Now at 9 and 13, with the prices of electrical items xmas is a far dearer affair.

Last year, DS got a PS3 and DD got a laptop, plus £80-£100 of stocking fillers each. They are not spoilt, they have good manners, word hard at school, and as we both work full time there's no issue with saving up all year for a big blowout at xmas.

totally agree with you on all of that, mine are like yours, appreciate what they have, know the value of money and work very hard at school etc - and I agree that it's more about getting the most of your money, I won't pay top price for anything as I want to make what money I have work harder for me and get the best value, and I've passed that ethos on to my kids.

Mine had PS3 and Ipad respectively on their birthdays last year, but they totally understand that as we've been to America this year and they want to go on school trips that costs quite a bit next year, so this Christmas will be small gifts, like a box set, or a PS game and small bits and peices; they will still have a wonderful time and it's all about that for me.

I agree it's each to their own and whatever is right for your family and your budget is the right thing, being MSE is about making your money work better for you

WantToBeSE

Wow this thread moves fast

i am really please with myself today. Yesterday i bought my son an Xbox bargain from tesco (i posted the deal on the grabbit board) for a total of £169.99.
I have worked out that i will have almost covered the cost of it by selling stuff on ebay, saving my birthday money, selling the game that the xbox comes with (my son isnt into football, and its selling on ebay for approx £25 at the moment)
Really pleased with that!

My younger son wants the skylanders starter pack, which i missed on the grabbit board at 20% off (darn it!!), but will keep my eye out for another bargain for it, as i refuse to pay full price for anything at all!

I already have all of the wrapping paper (from last year), cellophane (from lidl last yr), cards (bought in January), Gift tags (made from last years cards we received- we always get complimented on our lovely gift tags!), gift bags (we keep the ones given to us from previous years)

Must start thinking about our Xmas day menu. We normally just have a roast (its only the 3 of us- my 2 children and I), but i want to jazz it up a bit this year.

Also need to buy christmas crackers.

WantToBeSE

BBTHREE and Pinkfluffy- i am so glad to hear that others think the same as me. On another xmas related thread, i mentioned i was getting my son an ipod for xmas, and got slated for it I had all the 'what comes next' and insinuations that i dont spend precious time with my kids just because i also buy them presents.

Sorry, rant over!

sugaJen

Nanamia wrote: »

BBTHREE we are Stockport County supporters "real football" hope that's not put you off! Unfortunately there is a home game on November 29th did you find Lunar?

I can't remember who was talking about it (sorry) but I think the paint that we used to use for headbands which would work well on baubles was puff paint.

HTH

Found this on Pintrest thought what a lovely idea and it might help those who are missing a loved one this year. I think you could probably do the lettering with Safmat

Ooh I love this, I didnt even know what safmat was, I do now though! thanks