Old Style preparations for Christmas 2012!!!!!

nomi01

I had an email today to say my dotcomgifts order has been dispatched. Very exciting.
I got 3 skylander characters from supermarket for £8 each. I know they usually vary in price so I think I saved a bit. Not only that, but they are as rare as rocking horse poop around xmas time, so grabbed them whilst I could.

findingmyfeet

morning all,

well im finally getting myself organised. i have made a list of who i need to buy/make gifts for and a list of food stuffs i would like t colllect in my hamper box. DH did a rough add up of 'HIS' worked out budget for each person on the list and the food guessing what he thought we would spend............it all came to almost £1000!!!!
I think not. having been through the list myself and some figures being way out iam now hoping to come in well under £500 hopefully by shopping round , using points deals etc and shopping early i can shave lots more off this figure. Really need a frugal but nice christmas this year. lots of nieces, nephews friends etc to buy for but i know i can agre with some to keep the prices to a minimum and secret santa type ways to save.

Knitting some baby clothes and a blanket for one of my friends who is due christmas week and already cross stitching a car that my DH loves-hes mad on a certain one so im stitching in secret when hes out, hopefully be finished on time . Have several other projects popping into my head so mulling over ideas.

I saw lots of little craft kits in my local wilk*nsons yesterday at a £1 each, mask painting , stitching, make a key ring etc, i think they are for amusing the kids over he summer holidays but nice cheap little stocking fillers i think too.

nicki_2

My dotcom delivery arrived yesterday Very happy with it, but I gave DD a couple of things I'd got for her as it was her last day at primary school & she was really upset plus she's had an excellent report from school & won an award She deserved a treat, and we're going to use the bits to decorate her room this summer (its still half done from 2 years ago, but its stuff like putting shelves & noticeboards up, then finishing touches so won't be too bad).

Very tempted to make another one to buy some more bits before the sale ends, but I'll have to consult finances first as I have a complete school uniform to buy! :eek:

sketchingkari

I've been reading this thread with much interest, I love christmas, but always leave things till the last minute, then spend far too much money cause I'm in a hury and grab anything that will do.

This year i'm planning sewn gift bags, appliqued with the names on for the children (not doing names for the adults) filled with goodies, which will hopefully work out at less than £5 per head.

I'm just popping on to share really, watching Createandcraft.tv (I never buy from here, but its nice to get inspiration from sometimes) they have just shown how to make a 'shaggy christmas wreath' and it looks so simple, i'm going to have to give it a go.

Not going to pay a ton of money for their kit or book mind you It looks a bit like a rag run effect, you just take a wire coathanger and bend it into a circle with the hoop at the top, then grab some fabric, they used linen, but it would look lovely in any colours, tear or cut the fabric into 5x1 in strips, then all you do is fasten each strip to the coathanger circle with one knot in the centre of your strip.

This is probably not making much sense, i'm not very good at explaining things lol, when I make one I will pop up some photo's, I have a couple of old bed sheets, one white, one blue, I think they would work really well, pop on a few felt stars and hearts and it should look lovely :T

ginnyknit

http://ourshabbycottage.blogspot.co.uk/2008/10/want-to-make-shabby-christmas-wreath.html - heres a tutorial for you Kair, I did it with the wicker wreath but you could easily use wire like the one on create and craft. I sewed bells on to mine that hang in the middle. You can also do Halloween ones, I did mine with lace and sheer fabrics and an old black sheet with a really nice but cheap skeleton on each side holding hands.

Tink_04

Primark have mini jigsaws - e
30 pieces age 3+ for 75p - perfect stocking fillers

farmerswife75

Hi all! Hope you don't mind me popping in!!

Findingmyfeet - I'm cross stitching like a maniac at the moment too!! I've been keeping an eye on cross stitch kits on ebay, got a couple of bargains to do for friends xmas presents, i'm going to frame them myself to save money.

I'm also saving jars for my chutneys & jams.

After looking on here last week I had a look on dotcomgifts and my order arrived today!!

Thanks everyone!!

Jxx

bossymoo

We got some of the craft bits from wilco. My kids did the suncatchers this morning, and loved it! Not only do they make good stocking fillers, but kids can paint extra ones for grandparents. My littlest not yet 2 and she made a really good job of a car one, bless her, so easy for even the young ones to do.

scrappie_2

I did it! Went shopping and put three things in the basket to save for xmas - even made sure to check the date first!!! Also put in some chocs for Sd, which I intend to add to a 'movie night in hamper'

sammy_kaye18

Hi All

I cannot tell you how excited I was to find this thread on the boards. so Im hoping you have room for a little one to join you in your OS escapades!

I have so far written a list of who I need to buy for
12 family members
1 dog

and that is just my side, then add to that Owens family and I have an additional
8 family members
2 dogs

so in total I count that as
20 family members,
3 dogs.

and that is not including Holly, Benjamin or Owen! OR Benjamins teachers or helpers for Christmas yet so I need to get my backside in gear and make a start.

I have just finished the last of our main birthdays - holly was 2 on the 14th so from now on I have a few family member birthdays but no major spends thankfully so I can really make a start, I definitely will be making a few bits this year though I think.