£5 christmas challenge

mrsmagpie

Thanks for posting that midnight raven, what a find! Both families have one already but we don't so I've reserved one for my kiddos stocking

zanuda

mrsmagpie wrote: »

...Trying to get a 2 and 3 year old to pose with a bit of paper is probably going to cost me more than a fiver in bribes! ...

Actually, little ones do love to pose in front of the camera, especially if it is the one with the screen – you show them straight forward the picture. You could make couple of dozen silly pictures this way, and then pick up good one (and delete bad ones).

mrsmagpie wrote: »

Feel a bit of a fool at the minute, found a puss in boots dvd (which my nephew wanted) on Play for £3.99. Bought it feeling all pleased with myself thinking I was going to make him a film night hamper, but I've just looked again and it's not the pixar one. What a wally. Can't even cancel it! Ner mind, will just have to send it back when it gets here and keep searching.

For DVD and Wii games you should go to the local... they all have different names, but they all post something on the window like "we give you cash for your stuff". It' like second hand electronic shops, could be in the malls or in the local shopping area. Sometimes they even have new things. Over there you could get DVD's for 2-3£, Wii - 5-8£ (depending on popularity). The only thing you should keep in mind, children's stuff is bought really quickly. If you see something, you should grab it without thinking. They usually have grace period for 30days, so you could go home and see if disk is playable. Personally, I always look there, when I'm in vicinity. Got all Harry potter through them, Lord of the Ring, Shrek, some other good DVDs. Bite myself that I missed Wii Just Dance 3. I wasn't sure kids want that one, wanted to double-check, next day it's gone...

Another thing you should know, usually these shop do trade in for disks. If you have some old DVD you never going to watch, you could bring it there.

Another place which does the same is Blockbuster. But they have higher prices, as for trade-in, I've never tried through them.Best I got from them was something like 3 for 10£ (pick yourself) for used rental DVD, 1st – what I wanted, 2d – I wouldn’t mind to have, 3d – something not bad, but I didn’t need...

caroline78

mrsmagpie wrote: »

15x cousins and their kids, will just buy a mass token present for each family.
[/COLOR]

midnightraven3 wrote: »

argos have connect four for £3.99 just now

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3902679/Trail/searchtext%3ECONNECT+FOUR.htm

might be good for one of the children

Don't know how much you are planning to spend on your token gift, but what about one of these games and then some sweeties to make up a Family Fun Hamper for each family...xx

newgirly

Hi, its a great idea! I wish I could do this with all my family and friends. We tried a £10 budget for everyone except parents, brother and kids but no-one really sticks to it except me
How about a photo book, there are often free trial ones or I have seen free ones on grabbit before, might be worth looking at photo places to see what offers or freebies might be available, A couple of years ago I got a free softbound jessops book which you could design the layout /colours on their site and did an album of our weekend away with the kids, I collected it for free instore as well.

mrsmagpie

Thats got my little brain whirring Caroline, excellent! A very, very small family hamper, I'm thinking £2 max though, might make some cookies and whatnot to go with it. Or just make the cookies? Thanks

Newgirly my family were the same but each year the presents were becoming more and more expensive. No one could afford it really but there was always the worry that you've spent a couple of quid on someone and they've spent a fortune on you. Think everyone was relieved to agree to a fiver this year!

The Works have free delivery (HAPPY) and a 10% off code today (ROYAL) so I've got my mum a boxed gardening glove and kneeler set (£1.99) a metal seed tin (£1.99) and a grow your own onion set (59p). Came to £4.11 delivered so I'm going to make up a gardening hamper and use the remaining 89p for biscuits.

Also, not sure how long they'll be on sale for or if they'll be honored, but PC world have a few things for 10p delivered this morning. Going to make my dad a computer hamper so I bought a hand sanitizer, mouse mat, screen cloth and cd wallet holder for 40p!!! So so happy!

got-it-spend-it

Do you make jam or chutney mrsmagpie? If so then that can make a really cheap gift if you use foraged fruit or veg from the garden. I bought a big bag of cheap chillis one year from that market and made 5 jars of chilli jam for the price of the sugar and vinegar pretty much. They make lovely gifts as part of a hamper. Apple chutney is also really cheap to make if you can find a friend with a glut of cookers at the end of the summer.

laura_hoggle

This is a fabulous idea. I did most of this years xmas shopping when Boots had their 75% off at the beginning of the year, but I might just try this for next year!

We did something similar at work with a secret santa a few years ago. I remember Wilkinsons having some great things for around £1, like paint your own mug and a couple of other crafty things - I think we were given a £4.78 target and I managed to do it down to the penny - I really loved the challenge!

I can't see the exact things I got online (well it was probably 2.5 years ago!) but might be worth a look anyway:

http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/search?q=paint+your+own&searchsubmit.x=0&searchsubmit.y=0

I have decided this year I am going to give a couple of cousins who I normally spend around £7 on a little mug of treats, so say a mug (which I got in the Boots sale, but Tesco sells some for around 50p), a sachet or 2 of hot chocolate (normally 4 for £1 in Tesco, or may be lucky and 'acquire' some if I have any hotel stays before then!) and a face mask or something (normally around £1 in Boots and often on 3 for 2 plus can pay with points!) with some sweets or something (maybe a couple of lollies from a big bag from Poundland or when they are sold off after Halloween!) So this could quite easily be done for around £2 each I think.

You are doing really well so far and I look forward to reading more about what you get for everyone!

fatblackandwhite

Look on Halfcost - they have some lovely little kids dressing gowns on at the moment for £1.49 - £1.99 (as well as lots of other stuff!). They are doing free postage when you spend £10 at the moment too.

mrsmagpie

Got-it-spend-it you have some great ideas hun! My mum has an apple tree and always has a surplus so I'm definitely going to make some jam for some hampers. Never made chutney before though?

Laura I was thinking of doing something similar for my sons little mates at school. I might buy a ceramic pen, write their name or initial on a mug (didn't know tescos sold cups so cheap so thanks for that ) and fill with snowman soup.
How do I post pictures from my computer on here btw?

I'm going to have a look at halfcost fatblackandwhite (love your name but feel mean writing it lol) never heard of it before.

I was up in the attic last night and found a teenager monster face t-shirt all wrapped up which I bought last year and completely forgot about! Just had a look at my history and it cost £3.75 delivered so will go towards my 17yr old nieces birthday present :j

As I was walking into Tescos yesterday some woman with a face like thunder came charging up to me looking well stressed and well angry, but with the sweetest smile gave me a £5 off £40 spend voucher! I could have kissed her! Absolutely made my day that did. Nothing like a bit of random kindness from a stranger to cheer you right up! So I got some cake mix which I will use to make my nephew a birthday cake....for free!

DundeeDoll

I love a challenge. January i managed to get my mum 12 pressies for £13.44! (and she loved them). Courtesy of CSs, sales and l!dl