Christmas is coming! 2007 - merged thread

benedictadams

SueMaggie wrote: »

On the "buying things and putting them away for Christmas" theme, friends of my parents have just moved house and while empyting the loft found presents they bought for their two kids aged 10 and 8 - 35 years ago!:rotfl:

Was i the only one who thought how much would they be worth on ebay?

welshgirlmel

Thanks Sammy_kaye18 i think i remember you posting it now!

lil_me

Fell off the wagon again but this last 2 weeks I found a stamp card I forgot I started bought another £10 worth to add to it. I've bought 2 tops for DHs brother (stupid ones he likes from Madhouse but are ok prices) one for birthday one for Xmas. I have found a perfume set unused from a gift I bought last year (then couldn't find it) so that is another one.

My main problem is how many we have to buy for. DPs extended family being a big issue there. They have no family of their own, no other little ones (Great Aunt/Uncle, Aunts and Uncles etc) so buy for my boys every year, if I didn't buy them something 'nice' there would no doubt be bother. Average spending just on other family (not including on my boys etc) is over £800 from what I have written down, much more last year, I need to try to reduce this. Best friend's baby due September ish and she's always spoilt my 2 so an extra one there too. Last year admittedly I went daft and spent a fortune, inc new computer for my Dad (£500) spa days for several family members (£360), can't afford to this year but they know was a one off. I didn't get in debt for Xmas last year and won't be this year!

Hmm that is all really, what's scared me is out of stock for transformers stuff, my sons been into it for several years and always gets some for xmas which is usually easy but with this new film places selling out of the ones he likes so think I will have to order some soon.

First mission - find somewhere to hide presents!

MrsTinks

benedictadams wrote: »

Was i the only one who thought how much would they be worth on ebay?

Nope I had the same thought lol!!!!

gsysezz

rosieben wrote: »

As for pamper hamper suggestions for your friend, how about manicure stuff with some orange sticks, nail polish, remover pads an dhand cream? A face pack?

If you go to Boots and buy two Jemma Kidd emery boards for approx. £3.60 then you will get 500 points back. So you're paid to take them away. If you find a little something else and make the purchase up to £5 then they will also give you a £5 skincare voucher. Saunter down to the pharmacy area and look for a quit smoking leaflet. In the back of this is a voucher for £3 off Time Delay SPF Rejuvenating Day Moisturiser (this stuff has won lots of awards and is good). With the two vouchers you will be able to take this away and get a small credit on your shopping. So now you have 3 items for your beauty hamper and technically they haven't cost you anything as you've spent a fiver and have £5 worth of points on your card.

The Boots thread will help you make up huge beauty hampers for next to nothing. Happy Shopping.

System

thank god im not the only christmas fanatic ! we dont buy for adults or children once they turn 18. so far have all nephew/neices gifts all but 1 delivered, got almost all daughters just a few stocking fillers ,husbands work in progress.i dont get saving stamps i prefer to do a hamper got enough booze [netto offers] look out for BOGOF offers put "free" one in hamper. i have M&S reward vouchers to take care of xmas lunch. the only downer i have is that its my birthday on dec 25th and for as long as i can remember its been an after thought although hubby does try.

furrypig

kethry wrote: »

since no one really answered this (i wonder if a seperate christmas food thread would be worth opening) i thought i'd tell you some of what i do:

Thank you so much for picking up on my questions and I really appreciated your tips and luckily have the Delia Christmas book and already make my own Christmas pud from her recipe.:j

I have copied all your ideas and formed a file on the computer!!:beer:

So if you come up with anything else just let me know!!:D

Big thanks:T

furrypig

rosieben wrote: »

Excellent answer keth, sorry furrypig didn’t see your post.

I think preparation is more than half the battle and its good that you’re thinking way ahead.

thanks also Rosieben, I got to read the replies in the end!!:beer:

Your top tips have also made it into my file, so hopefully a few more ideas and recipes will get in there soon and I will be looking at flylady's tips (recently got her book from ebay so should be a good read!):T

Thanks again!:j

Jue_xx

I'm proud to say that for the first time ever, the word "Christmas" isn't sending shivers down my spine or giving me a feeling of dread. In fact I'm actually looking forward to it.

Because this year, for the first time, I've followed Martin's advice and been saving for it!:money: God, I feel so smug.:D

After the dreadful overdrafts of last year, I started saving for Xmas 2007 on 1st January 2007, after deciding that there was no way that was going to happen again! The Xmas fund is mounting up fast and I might even have some left over the the Jan sales this time (but only to get some bargain presents for Xmas 2008, of course;) )
Thanks Martin and Merry Christmas everyone!:snow_grin

dollydaydream07

gsysezz wrote: »

If you go to Boots and buy two Jemma Kidd emery boards for approx. £3.60 then you will get 500 points back. So you're paid to take them away. If you find a little something else and make the purchase up to £5 then they will also give you a £5 skincare voucher. Saunter down to the pharmacy area and look for a quit smoking leaflet. In the back of this is a voucher for £3 off Time Delay SPF Rejuvenating Day Moisturiser (this stuff has won lots of awards and is good). With the two vouchers you will be able to take this away and get a small credit on your shopping. So now you have 3 items for your beauty hamper and technically they haven't cost you anything as you've spent a fiver and have £5 worth of points on your card.

The Boots thread will help you make up huge beauty hampers for next to nothing. Happy Shopping.

where can i find the boots thread as i cant find it and i was looking for ages
thanks
adele