Christmas is coming! 2007 - merged thread

lil_me

Right, I need to make a start. I've got the following so far

Transformer for DS1
2 Games (for either DSs or nephew)
Aftershave for my Dad (Dunhill his fave found in Tesco sale)
£10 Boots Voucher
£5 Argos voucher
£50+ in Boots points
Avon perfume set

I'm going to ask the farm shop I use for meat when he starts the Xmas club. Need to start remembering to use Pigsback and Quidco more often and find the time to do the surveys I am sent, been slacking lately.

Current savings tin is for hols but have bought another to start £2 coin saving for Xmas. I managed to get several hundred saved last year so hope to do the same.

Last year was my first complete debt free Xmas, nothing at all was bought on credit unlike previous years and I intend to do it again!

sammy_kaye18

Hi All

Sorry been a bit awol lately -

well i went into local town, first charity shop i looked in i founda two toned purple tea for one teapot and cup thingy for £2.25 its super cute and will sit nicely with the shawl i brought.

Also i have brought 2 mor esmaller hampers ot house my nan and grandads gifts - £1.99 each form wilkos but fairly big adn nice.

had a falling out with my sister so not planning on getting her anything- its been a long time coming and hit a head this weekend - enough is enough type deal - so thats one less gift to buy.

So basically i have all my hampers and all i need to really get for them is

my nans basket - the teas themselves and i think a tea strainer as some will possibly be in leaf form. got basket

my grandad - something nice to line the basket with as hes having different homemade shortbreads but might include one of those heat/rice/wheat bag things as he suffers from really bad arthritus (put padding in the bottom adn the bag at the back to prop up boxes with). got basket

dad - pretty much everythign still really (got basket)

step mum - got basket but need everythign still!

mum - found a site that tells you how to make alot of homemade toiletries thanks to debby on another thread. so might give few of them a go really with a few different scents.(got basket)

The little stockings for family members - everythign but only little bits and bobs

the 3 babies that are due - a guy who visits here in the winter writes names on piggy banks so might get one of these for each of the 3 babies for their trust fund money to go into.

my step sister and brothers movie hamper - everythign still (got basket)

hmmm.................best get a move on really

Queen.Bess

Am quite pleased today as I've found 2 small plastic baskets, which would be great for wrapping up a bit and putting some themed smellies presents in.

DH was also v complimentary about my knitting today - granted it is still only scarves, but I'm improving and have found that Wilko's do 3 balls of wool for £2.50. So 1 scarf a month between now and Christmas should mean my friends are sorted!

Am creeping up to £20 on lightspeed, nearly at £30 on pigsback and have enough for £15 HMV on test and vote, so am quite pleased with that potential voucher haul!

I really do hope that this year I can be so organised that come December I can bask in the glory of my achievements whilst I watch others panic!

MrsTinks

sammy_kaye18 wrote: »

had a falling out with my sister so not planning on getting her anything- its been a long time coming and hit a head this weekend - enough is enough type deal - so thats one less gift to buy.

Extreem money saving :eek: No seriously though I have a step sister and step brother and if I can help it we don't speak during the year and if I can at all help it then we don't speak at Christmas either...

sammy_kaye18 wrote: »

the 3 babies that are due - a guy who visits here in the winter writes names on piggy banks so might get one of these for each of the 3 babies for their trust fund money to go into.

Have you thought of making little blankies for them? Instore does ice white, baby blue and soft pink wool for £2 for enough to make a nice blankie for a little one. I'm on to number 2 at the moment... And it's hand made by you so who cares if it only cost £2?
As for the time it takes... I started the second one this sunday and it's half done already

this_is_it

i have quite a few bin bags of things i bought in the jan sales in the loft.
have pigsback but keep forgetting to go onto the site.
collecting £2 coins.
for holiday but at the end of aug after holiday will start collecting for christmas.
don't have any saving stamps but will start asap. have wrapping paper, cards ,and a few new decorations all from the sales.

sammy_kaye18

Hi peeps

I brought a little gift set today in ethol austin - its got bath petals, bath salts, body lotion, body wash and a flannel in it and its lavender scented it was only £2.50 reduced from £8 - so ive brought one - im just wondering what the flip else to add to it to make it into the pamper hamper for my sister.

Im thinking a purple loofah, some lavender scented candles and a little box of chocolates for her to enjoy whilst in the bath.

Oh btw - any knitters out there - can anyoen tell me if its possible jsut to make a blanket out of a basic single stitch?? my sister and friend have just found out they are both expecting baby girls within a month of each other adn id love to make a few little blankets for the babys.

TightJock_2

I never thought that i would be thinking about xmas this early, but i stumbled across this post last night and some of the ideas are amazing..

I have ne question for you all, has anyone managed to see through the xmas season without spending a penny, ie using boots, hmv and tesco points to fund your xmas...

Thanks

TJ

MrsTinks

sammy_kaye18 wrote: »

Oh btw - any knitters out there - can anyoen tell me if its possible jsut to make a blanket out of a basic single stitch?? my sister and friend have just found out they are both expecting baby girls within a month of each other adn id love to make a few little blankets for the babys.

Well I don't see why it shouldn't be possible... My personal favourite though would be to crochet it... I've just finished blankie number two which I started sunday evening and have only worked on at night when sat watching telly... I've done bobble stitches but you could just make it plain if you want

Queen.Bess

TightJock wrote: »

I have ne question for you all, has anyone managed to see through the xmas season without spending a penny, ie using boots, hmv and tesco points to fund your xmas...TJ

I've not managed it completely, but last Christmas I came pretty close! Used vouchers from lightspeed and pigsback, plus tesco clubcard etc. And only needed to spend about £50 on other presents. However, this year, DH and I will have been collecting for the whole year and so should have quite a few more vouchers this time! I would like to get it down to as little as possible and with my new knitting skills(!) and recycling unwanted presents, I think this year might be the one!!

sammy_kaye18

TightJock wrote: »

I have new question for you all, has anyone managed to see through the xmas season without spending a penny, ie using boots, hmv and tesco points to fund your xmas...

Thanks

TJ

Thats my goal TJ - I hope i can get it done soon - bf is doing the we.o.u points through texaco seeing as hes a curtosy car delivery man and hes on like 1800 points so far through that - tesco i know we only have a meager £6 saved up in vouchers but we also have saving stamps which we started this month too. plus ive got pigsback on the go - and am trying so hard to remember to do the daily 10 point quizes but i dont htink it will be this year so fingers crossed maybe next year