Christmas is coming! 2007 - merged thread

prophecy_grrl

I'm so glad we've got a Christmas thread on the go!

I LOVE Christmas, I was quite organised last year after discovering this website in autumn, but this year I'm really on a roll - I have bought all my wrapping paper and 'regular' cards in Jan sales. I hand make cards, so all the 'special' cards will be made from August onwards (I have a stressful time in work till late July). I've bought lots of gifts in Jan sales, and am picking up other bits and pieces as and when I see them at a good price.

My Christmas cake always gets made in October, last years was so yummy DH ate loads of it (despite assurances that he hates fruit cake!)

I didn't cook Christmas dinner last year as we went on hols and didn't get back til Christmas eve, so we went to my mam's. It was nice and all, but I love making my own dinner and having my little family all together on Christmas day (me, DH, dog and 2 cats )

I'm glad I'm not the only one who likes to be prepared - savings as well this year (first time ever!)

Roll on Christmas :T

EagerLearner

Although I think April iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis early to be talking about Xmas 07, I must admit to have been buying wrapping paper and cards in the January sales

I also have over £50 already saved in cash for Xmas pressies and £40 in Waitrose vouchers from Pigsback...

Plus I do alot of cashback clicks (see sig) and any money I raise from that I will add to the Christmas category in my savings account.

Last Christmas was the best ever in terms of debt - we actually went to Thailand for 2.5 weeks and came back with no debt! Whereas normally we would be here and prob owe £200+ each. We therefore skipped buying Xmas pressies and this saved money for other members of the family because they did not have to buy anything for us.

I liked being on the beach, but also missed wrapping pressies and cooking etc - this year will be great as I will have planned for it, however, no present buying for me until October time, and will also make own Christmas cards... keep saying that every year but must do this time!

beemuzed

I'm usually very last minute over Christmas, but I'd like to change that this year. I'm saving £2 and 20p coins, plus £75 per month into esavings account. I really love those little crotchet bags Tine - I'm going to try to have a go myself. We should be going out to Germany this year, staying with DIL's folks. Would welcome some ideas on pressies to take??? So glad I've found this thread!

hollyh

Dragon_Lady wrote: »

Please don't shout at me for mentioning THAT word in April.

But, my husband thinks I have finally lost it and I need to know that I really am sane. Summers not even here yet but.......

I went shopping this weekend [my pet hate :mad: ]. I bought the boxed set of Doctor Who Series 1 on DVD for my youngest for Christmas. It was an absolute bargain at £17.50. Normally retails at over £50. Not sure if they priced it wrong but hey ho.



Hi

I was just wondering where you got the dr who box sets from?
my ds loves dr who.

arthur_dent_2

Just to back up the query above, where did you get the boxset from?

savvy

LOL I'm also interested in the Dr Who set!

I've been saving £50 per month for Christmas, so should make things easier, only got a few things in the sale this year, I wasn't as impressed this year with the sales But most of those things are going on birthday presents throughout the year, so need to start looking at christmas ideas!

MrsTinks

As there were a couple of x-mas 2007 threads I have merged them together to make it easier

Tine

TerminallyShortOfCash

I'm so far behind!!! I haven't done ANYTHING yet and really need to get a shove on as our 1st baby is due beginning of August! Was semi-organised last year - was on track for hampers, knitted and baked goodies and all sorts and then found out I was pregnant at the end of november. By mid-december was too sick and fed up to care about Christmas!! This year will be different! Have already had a successful March/April (our '2nd Christmas') - we have 11 birthdays/anniversarys to get through and we ususally have to resort to the credit cards. This year, I've been a little more organised and managed to do it all without. Added to this, we have been using freecycle and have been lucky enough to get a moses basket and a cot from it. Spent £32 on new matresses for both which i thought was a bargain and then got a gorgeous silver cross pram/pushchair combo off ebay. Was exactly the same as the one we had fallen in love with in Mothercare but over 100 quid cheaper! If I can keep this up, might actually have Christmas sorted before baby arrives!

knithappens

i just ordered the dr who paperback box set from the book people for 9.99 for my daughter 11.

just started saving £30 per month
i have asked for all my tesco points to be saved till xmas
and have £40 in boots vouchers from Pigsback
I am planning on spending as little money as possible this year.

celtic_curl

This is great. For years my friends have made fun of me for being so organised about xmas. Now I've found kindred spirits!

I always start shopping in Jan during the sales and put stuff away - this means I buy presents for my large family and close friends and come Nov / Dec only have to find money for partying and new party clothes.

Last year I hosted a childrens xmas party for family/friends with children under 6. I don't have children of my own. I had 12 kids running round the house, they had party games with prizes, a party tea, santa came to see them and they each got a present from him, and they all had party bags to go home with. I spent less than £100 in total which I know is still a lot of money but it was a fab day and because I'd spread the cost I didn't feel it. The kids also got much better presents than I could have afforded if I'd been paying full price.

Will be hosting the party again this year and have already bought fab furry xmas stockings reduced to 50p each instead of party bags, have light sticks I got given for free, and some great prizes that cost £1each.

The forward planning also means that my adult friends/family get decent presents and I save money each week on a card at Asda which pays for my big food shop and alcohol.

The best thing about this is that I can enjoy xmas without worrying about how to pay for it and in January I don't get any nasty credit card bills.

I'm going to have a look at the pigsback and other stuff some of you have mentioned so if anyone can send me links to ways to make more money please pm me.