Spill the beans... on Christmas 2012 preparations

sethsgran

Whitesatin that sounds lovely. You are creating Christmas memories. A few miles from where we live is a place called The Christmas Adventure. We went last year with all grandchildren plus parents. It was fabulous. Not the cheapest but very special evening. This year my daughters and I are doing a Christmas craft stall. The plan is that whatever we make will go towards a family day out at Christmas, panto or something else. We have 4 children and so far 9 grandchildren by the end of the year. I also plan to do a Christmas craft session for them all, with mums and dads helping. Oldest grandchild is 6 so we know all will want to be involved. We will probably decorate gingerbread houses, make a tree decoration, decorate cookies etc

whitesatin

sethsgran wrote: »

Whitesatin that sounds lovely. You are creating Christmas memories. A few miles from where we live is a place called The Christmas Adventure. We went last year with all grandchildren plus parents. It was fabulous. Not the cheapest but very special evening. This year my daughters and I are doing a Christmas craft stall. The plan is that whatever we make will go towards a family day out at Christmas, panto or something else. We have 4 children and so far 9 grandchildren by the end of the year. I also plan to do a Christmas craft session for them all, with mums and dads helping. Oldest grandchild is 6 so we know all will want to be involved. We will probably decorate gingerbread houses, make a tree decoration, decorate cookies etc

sethsgran, that sounds wonderful. I do a bit of crafting myself and especially so at Christmas. I made a family of felt (stuffed) gingerbread men last year and the children loved them. Isn't it lovely being a grandparent? Especially when you have the time to spend with them, if not out working still. I feel that I spend more quality time with my grandchildren than I ever did with my own two when they were little, due to circumstances at that time.

One of the benefits of getting a bit older. LOL.

helentad

I watched my mum having to buy early to send overseas and also save money. I started buying for Christmas at the age of 13 when I got my first paperroaund.
I have bought a present for christmas for a baby that had not even been born yet, It was a unisex baby walker that was less than half price on the Boots website on the day before christmas eve. Not even my mum can beat that.
I buy all year around in general and if I see something for a certain person I will get that. I have twin 5 year old boys and have apart from the things that only come out at christmas I am finnished.
My presents in the larger part will all be wrapped in paper that I bought in the sale before the end of September. They will be tagged and bagged in family groups and ready for the annual visits that start in early December for those that live further away.
I have even appeared on BBC 1 show the ONE show as an early shopper.
On average I save 60% minimum per year comared to what some of my friends spend in Nov/Dec.
It's well worth thinking about even just a few items save big money.
Best wishes Helen

icemice

I've just ordered a load of things from the Hawkins Bazaar sale https://www.hawkin.com and bought over £106 worth of pressies for about £20 including giant tennis £2 (was £20), flying hamster £2.50 (was £10) and Chad Valley phone £3 (was £14.99). Some really good things to put in stockings and Christmas eve hampers. Something for everyone. Have fun! I'm finding the posts on the MSE forums a great inspiration. Lots of presents all sorted including spares for birthdays (or maybe treats for me!).

icemice

Jewellery sale if anyone is looking for a few bargains. John Greed do some really nice designer items:

Enter the code 'flashsale' to get an additional 50% off. Happy shopping! :T

http://www.johngreedjewellery.com/en/uk/styles/outlet/icat/springcleanall/?mail_link=9_JGJ-email230712&utm_source=email-230712&utm_medium=email&utm_content=link9&utm_campaign=email-230712&sort=price&parentCategoryRef=springcleanall&order=asc&q=*&setpagenum=2&perpage=60

sethsgran

I used this idea last year to make lollipop trees with my grandchildren. I now think its grandmas turn to have one. The children just had a block at the base but I love the elf shoes on this blog so will be doing them for mine....... http://craftysisters-nc.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/christmas-lollipop-tree.html

Archiebear

SugarSpun wrote: »

last year it was a Hexbug for one and a creepy solar powered cockroach robot for the other, also shirts, coins and Zimbabwean hundred-million dollar bills.

Loving the Zimbabwean bills idea!! Where do you get them from please?

SugarSpun

Archiebear wrote: »

Loving the Zimbabwean bills idea!! Where do you get them from please?

Ebay The seller I got them from donates the profits back into charities specifically helping Zimbabwe.

kazwookie

1. A present cap of £10 per person, (saves having to go into debt to pay for it)

2. I buy for only the immedite family, plus adopted grandson else where in the year, but he normally gets the free lego with the sun, that I collect for him.

3. I buy Christmas cards in the sales, I have also cut my card list in half, as I never hear from half the folk / or they are my ex OH's friends from years back. Saves on pastage.

kb51

building_with_lego wrote: »

I've been picking up bits here and there since the start of the year and have almost half of the shopping done . I have a lovely spreadsheet with items already bought, ideas and costs so I can keep track of birthdays and Christmas. My aim is to have everything bought and wrapped by October half term, my own personal record.

I like doing the shopping gradually, as I save £10/ month into my "Christmas" savings account but have yet to spend anything from it- I've only rarely touched it in the last three years. To see that account total rising, while managing to buy the gifts out of my regular wages is gratifying, while acting as a cushion just in case I do find myself a bit short.

(My absolute favourite present this year is my freebies hamper for a good friend. I've been applying for everything I can find, plus buying a few select magazines for the posh cover freebies, and have an enormous suitcase full of things already :eek:. Goodness only knows how I'm going to present it all in December! She'll have lots of toiletries and things like coffee samples, plus books, stickers, toys. It's astonishing what people will give away.)

Like Building With Lego, I also keep a spreadsheet of what I buy, and have done for a number of years - it really is worth doing and helps to make sure I don't end up buying people the same thing again and is great for keeping tabs on your total spend so you can watch the budget. I have one sheet for wider family & friends, one for the kids / grandchildren plus one for the Christmas food shop.