Old Style preparations for Christmas 2012!!!!!

BAGGY

Got a virtually new game of Pig Goes Pop at the bootsale for £2 yesterday. The boys have asked for it sincce the toys adverts reappeared (about August) so well pleased as I may've taken the plunge and payed full price. Got Buckaroo last week so that is 2 pressies for less than £3. Need to work out what to get for their 'big' pressie. It was scooters last year from costco which have been used so much they are looking really beaten up. Anyone have any experience of those kiddy kameras? They have asked but at £30+ a go I dont want it to be a 10 minute wonder (the boys are 5 in Jan)

bossymoo

I've been looking at balance bikes on halfords website. I think I'll get my two one of those each (they are 2 and nearly 4). They are a little cheaper on other websites but Halfords build them and I am so impatient I think an extra fiver is worth avoiding the hassle.

Then I'm probably done for my two...

Butterfly_Brain

Never be ashamed to buy stuff on car boots, second hand or from charity shops for Christmas presents, my two were always pleased with what they got. I love old cookbooks and DD got me six last year and I was chuffed to pieces
Re-gift things that you won't use (as long as you don't give it back to the person who gave it to you ) just put it away and make a note of where it came from and this faux pas is easily avoided.
Make themed hampers
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/414524

Car boot sales always have baskets for sale, or ask the local school, because I was sent six baskets from the head at DH's school because she knows that I craft and I will do a hamper for the school fete as a little thank you.

boredjellybean

Ok anyone willing to suggest ideas? I'm struggling with what to get my parents in law (both in their mid 70s) they have everything they need & all I've thought of so far is something for the gardens they are mostly housebound now & enjoy their garden

Also stuck for my gran as she needs/wants nothing & I'm not convinced she likes what she gets usually lol

Then its the aunts/uncles who usually get chutneys etc but I don't think they like them lol

poppy-glos

boredjellybean wrote: »

Ok anyone willing to suggest ideas? I'm struggling with what to get my parents in law (both in their mid 70s) they have everything they need & all I've thought of so far is something for the gardens they are mostly housebound now & enjoy their garden

Also stuck for my gran as she needs/wants nothing & I'm not convinced she likes what she gets usually lol

Then its the aunts/uncles who usually get chutneys etc but I don't think they like them lol

hi there, I'm a big believer in things to eat/drink/plant and then nothing to store. What about garden centr vouchers for the gardener s, then they can choose, for the others, find out what they love to eat/drink/smother themselves with in the bath and get some of that. All the best , poppy x

TylersMummy

Hey everyone

Nice to hear everyone brain storming ideas - makes me all the more excited for Christmas.

I'm pretty organised this year - I think I'm making up for the fact I was SO unorganised last year because I had a newborn baby and almost forgot Christmas existed through my sleep deprived state! :rotfl:

I've already made strawberry jam from a little glut of strawberries I had in the fridge (it made two jars) and lemon marmalade (made 3 really big jars) and they are to go in food hampers. I think I'm going to do one for my grandparents, my mum and her partner, and my dad. I'm also drying out some lemon slices for decorations for the lemon marm jars!
Planning on making some chutney in a few weeks for the hampers, and in December, I'm planning (I say planning because I always have good intentions!) fudge, peanut brittle and chocolates!

Also on my list of home made goodies is some sugar scrub for the girlies in the family and maybe even some bath bombs if I feel a bit brave!

Have got at least one present for everyone on my list although it is quite a small list. I got a great deal on some books on The Works website too and posted the code and bargains here if that helps anyone: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4223267

Keep up the good work everyone!

MrsCD

boredjellybean wrote: »

Ok anyone willing to suggest ideas? I'm struggling with what to get my parents in law (both in their mid 70s) they have everything they need & all I've thought of so far is something for the gardens they are mostly housebound now & enjoy their garden

Also stuck for my gran as she needs/wants nothing & I'm not convinced she likes what she gets usually lol

Then its the aunts/uncles who usually get chutneys etc but I don't think they like them lol

How about themed calendars? e.g. Alan Titchmarsh gardening calendar for the gardeners etc.? Have a sneaky look in your gran's kitchen cupboard and see what jam etc. she likes and make a mini hamper with foods she will eat.
How about some homemade sweets for the aunts/uncles?

In our family, we stopped buying for extended family when children came along, and only bought for the children until they were older - 18 -20ish. Do your aunts/uncles still expect you to buy for them? Sorry, don't want to sound nosey

boredjellybean

MrsCD wrote: »

How about themed calendars? e.g. Alan Titchmarsh gardening calendar for the gardeners etc.? Have a sneaky look in your gran's kitchen cupboard and see what jam etc. she likes and make a mini hamper with foods she will eat.
How about some homemade sweets for the aunts/uncles?

In our family, we stopped buying for extended family when children came along, and only bought for the children until they were older - 18 -20ish. Do your aunts/uncles still expect you to buy for them? Sorry, don't want to sound nosey

not nosey at all - I don't know if they 'expect' anything - we don't do birthdays or anything but I always get a little something at Christmas ie homemade chutneys & biscuits, or chocolates & bubbly but it gets harder to think of things as I'm sure they're not really that bothered by them - I should probably just ask but it seems mean lol

goldenpony

boredjellybean wrote: »

Ok anyone willing to suggest ideas? I'm struggling with what to get my parents in law (both in their mid 70s) they have everything they need & all I've thought of so far is something for the gardens they are mostly housebound now & enjoy their garden

Also stuck for my gran as she needs/wants nothing & I'm not convinced she likes what she gets usually lol

Then its the aunts/uncles who usually get chutneys etc but I don't think they like them lol

For your parents in law, maybe a nice terracotta pot filled with gardening implements or something? I often find practical things given in a nice way can be a good gift. Either that or the food/drink route...there are a few chocolate tasting/pie of the month type clubs so if you're handy in the kitchen, you could try your own homemade spin on it?

My nan always asks for a bottle of Baileys from us so she's very easy to buy for! Without that though, I'm not sure what I'd get her...probably something that would be used up quickly - some nice shortbread biscuits or fancy tea blend perhaps?

poppy-glos

I had an offer from photobox today, for free desk calander with my pics in it, code is DESKFREE, Sure to be post charges but worth a look. HTH someone.