*The Holly and the Ivy* and the You Know What 2013 Chatter Thread.

FeistyFidget

I will admit to be indulging in a bit of a pity party this week (nothing seems to be going right). I soon quit moaning when my bestie put me to shame by giving me a pep talk - my difficulties aren't even in the same stratosphere as hers. But I will admit that I was still feeling glum, have just switched on the TV and caught the tail end of extreme makeovers US - now that has made me hush and count my blessings!

Own_My_Own

Am a bit addicted to the Boots thread. The things they moan about :rotfl:

One question that keeps coming up is receiving a gift that cost a fiver.

I think we discussed it last year but I can't remember for sure.

One lady said she had bought lots of sets today, to break up and repack, so nobody knew she got the contents cheap.

Now I spend the amount I allocated that person. My nieces get a budget of roughly £10 and I have got them a gift worth over £40.
I did not get them £10 sets for £2.50 each.

What does everyone else do ?
Do you use the pre sale price or the sale price ?

FeistyFidget

Own_My_Own wrote: »

Am a bit addicted to the Boots thread. The things they moan about :rotfl:

One question that keeps coming up is receiving a gift that cost a fiver.

I think we discussed it last year but I can't remember for sure.

One lady said she had bought lots of sets today, to break up and repack, so nobody knew she got the contents cheap.

Now I spend the amount I allocated that person. My nieces get a budget of roughly £10 and I have got them a gift worth over £40.
I did not get them £10 sets for £2.50 each.

What does everyone else do ?


Do you use the pre sale price or the sale price ?

Sadly I need to keep costs as low as possible, so use the before sale price as cost. I did consider spending the extra, but can imagine the catty remarks now - such and such must have had more spent on them then me etc.

I am old school and still believe people should be thankful for a gift regardless of cost, that said the most people on my gift list seem to be all about the money

msgigglewick

Previous years we were like feisty. having to get the best gift we can for the money we had... though my neices and sister this year will be getting something special as they deserve it and we can afford it the other family on the other hand will have their gifts to the normal budget... ie mother is having the pie dish set i got in the 50% sale (the gifts i gave her last year even though in budget have been pushed aside as usual, infact she had the cheek to ask if the bracelet/watch was made of brass :O its silver and cost £40 in the sale damn cheeky, not bothering again lol)

But yep OMO i keep going back to read the boots thread updates too lol

Dina_Lady

After reading the comments on "are you cheap for buying in the Boots 75% sale?" I'm worried about the 2 things I got today!I tend to buy according to our financial situation which has changed from bad to better last year, but I spend a lot of time searching out good presents for less money i.e on sites like MSE.
I got my SIL some Space NK perfume for Xmas this year £4 in sale - was £35. Is it still a lovely perfume or does that become void because I didn't pay full price?


I like to re-gift as well ...YIKES!

Own_My_Own

Dina_Lady wrote: »

After reading the comments on "are you cheap for buying in the Boots 75% sale?" I'm worried about the 2 things I got today!I tend to buy according to our financial situation which has changed from bad to better last year, but I spend a lot of time searching out good presents for less money i.e on sites like MSE.
I got my SIL some Space NK perfume for Xmas this year £4 in sale - was £35. Is it still a lovely perfume or does that become void because I didn't pay full price?


I like to re-gift as well ...YIKES!

No it's not void. It is a lovely £35 gift. I also recycle gifts.

Most of the people on my list are kids. My Dad gives everyone money so I have the option of also giving money to add to what they already get. So in my eyes, if I can't get them something really worth getting, I may as well just hand over the cash.
The other kids I buy for are all under 8 and only get a £5 budget. We do not get gifts back from them, due to my kids ages.

The few adults I buy for have larger budgets, so always get a number of gifts.
These adults are my Dad, Son, Adopted Son, Dil and Daughter.

The only adults with smaller £5 budgets are my elderly neighbour and my Gt Aunt. My neighbour always gets which ever M&S biscuits are on offer and my GA normally gets a recycled gift, as I always get a smelly set from work that I will never use. This year she will get the National Trust Peony Set. a address book (M&S sale) and a calendar.

ETA- forgot DDs best friend. She is getting a £45 Ted Baker set, (£10 budget) as they have been friends for years and she calls me Mum2.

bunbun2

dina lady I think that is a lovely present and it shouldn't matter how much you paid for it. if you had bought it yesterday it would have cost more and last month even more.

feisty they had a few hello kitty clocks in our store, if they are still there would you like me to pick one up for you. if I do manage to find one and you can wait till mid february we are coming down to the new forest.

I finally got to Boots at 12.30 but my lovely friend was there before me and put a few things in her trolley for me.

I am now sorted (apart from the boys and OH - although his birthday is sorted) for 2013. The thing I like about boots giftsets is if you buy a £20 set for £5 it is a good present. i bought a few things in the sainsburys sale and a £20 gift reduced to £5 looked nothing so I would have to spend more.

msgigglewick

On the lines of people buying from sales to gift... how about home made gifts? do people see those as cheap too?... see i know what i can make is on par of what is sold in shops if not better sometimes but if i gift it to someone it feels like im being 'cheap' as someone put it lol.. Specially now i know those receiving know we can afford something 'more' ... do you buy a gift and give the homemade item or what?

Never thought there was a unwritten law when it came to pressies before lol

Own_My_Own

msgigglewick wrote: »

On the lines of people buying from sales to gift... how about home made gifts? do people see those as cheap too?... see i know what i can make is on par of what is sold in shops if not better sometimes but if i gift it to someone it feels like im being 'cheap' as someone put it lol.. Specially now i know those receiving know we can afford something 'more' ... do you buy a gift and give the homemade item or what?

Never thought there was a unwritten law when it came to pressies before lol

No, homemade gifts have had thought put into them.

The reason people often moan about Boots sets was put beautifully by someone on the Boots thread today. She said-

' Spent £xx today. Got loads of gifts. Have just to work out who they are for now and what I am keeping for myself.'

:eek::eek::eek::eek:

If like myself you buy a gift in the sale with someone in mind, then it is no different than buying it full price in Dec. The problem with a lot of people, is they just buy sets because they are cheap, then just give it to someone who is on their list. Which is why so many sets end up in charity shops and school fairs.

It is all about the thought.

Ruth_honey

I think everyone thinks differently about this. I am perfectly happy with a present that cost a pound if it shows that the person thought of me when buying it. However there are many people out there who will only consider something a 'decent' gift if it cost £X. No matter if any thought was put into it. Personally I love home made gifts and those tend to be the ones I remember for years and years too. But there are people who look down on home made things and consider them a cheap 'cop out'. It's totally an individual thing and you can't please everyone no matter what you do. I do try and chose the best gift I possibly can afford for each person, but I'm sure I've got it wrong before. I'm just very grateful to the family members & friends who have clearly thought about what I'd like when they buy me gifts.