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

fuddle

Hello everyone. Please can I join you all.

I have all 4 of our birthdays (2 adults, 2 children) in these next two months and so wishing I had spread the cost out better.

Nearly there with DH. He's getting a coffee maker (not posh one £9.99 from 4rgos) with UHT milk, sugar cubes and ground coffee. It's for next to his bed so he can have a coffee before he ventures out to work (and I can sup whats left )

Youngest has asked for roller skates. I found some in Home Bargains for £4.99 so that is sorted. She likes Kipper the dog books so have Amazon'd that too.

Me? I'm getting a brush to put on the end of my hose so I can wash my car better and hopefully a trip to Beamish Museum.

Eldest has asked for money from all of her family so she can get a tablet thing, like an ipad but not ipad prices.

So not too bad and I am good at budgeting but feeling the strain and slightly worried about the expense that is Christmas.

That's why I'm here really. I need to sit down and think about budgets and putting money aside for bargains I see while I'm out.

Looking forward to getting to know you all.

FeistyFidget

Welcome to the group fuddle

Princess that picture is beautiful!

Well ended up taking a sick day from work for the first time in about 2 years I went out to the gym (which was bloody shut) at about 6.30am and went for a quick run - came back and about 20 minutes later I was in agony. I think it was a large cyst bursting (had one when I was 15 that I was hospitalized for) and for ten minutes or so I had to lay down and thought it would be another trip to the hospital for us - luckily it's passed, but by then I was worried it would re-occur and sent a Nurse out in my place to work. Typically I've been fine all day (apart from a very few minor twinges) but sods law is if I'd gone in, things would have ended up worse.

ETA Although I didn't go out to work I felt so guilty I ended up working on the computer all day

CariadsDream

Just a quicky theres some lovely Wheres wally? books on amazon for £1.39 delivered perfect for stockings x

LalaGomay

I saw a site on here last Christmas that was all tiny (and very cheap) stocking fillers for kids. A lot of traditional wooden toys as I remember. Can anyone remember the one I might mean?

Sorry that's a bit vague...

craftymummy_2

justb wrote: »

Hi all, just ordered some mugs that caught my eye, thought I'd do some "lovely cuppas" for the Mums at school who help me out.

http://m.houseoffraser.co.uk/Linea+Lovely+cuppa+mug/167368779,default,pd.html

I just need to get some tea/coffee and small chocs to go in them cello and pop a tag on with something like this.

When your day is feeling blue,
I'll tell you just what you should do.
Grab the kettle, fill it up,
Heat the water, pour a cup.
Kick your shoes off, rest a while,
Feel the clouds lift, start to smile.
Now the day is going fine,
Thanks to this small gift of mine.

It's lovely between the showers so hope the sun is shining for you & hugs to those who need them.
Bx

I'm def pinching this idea!! Have already ordered the mugs!! :T
Thanks

quidsy

LalaGomay wrote: »

I saw a site on here last Christmas that was all tiny (and very cheap) stocking fillers for kids. A lot of traditional wooden toys as I remember. Can anyone remember the one I might mean?

Sorry that's a bit vague...

crafty crocodiles? or dotcomgiftshop?

Own_My_Own

LalaGomay wrote: »

I saw a site on here last Christmas that was all tiny (and very cheap) stocking fillers for kids. A lot of traditional wooden toys as I remember. Can anyone remember the one I might mean?

Sorry that's a bit vague...

It could be one of the ones on this thread

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4180055

Hello and Welcome Fuddle :santa2:

Well due to popular demand :rotfl: my chuck box.


Packed ready to go


Water hose and flying saucer pan on top to make it a tight fit. Tea towel,cloths and utensils on left.


Ready to use on site.


Kitchen towel held on by suction caps.


Cooking utensils hanging on the other side of the box


The caps come off to be stored inside the box when travelling.

The drawers-
Top left- first aid kit, playing cards,matches, hand sanitation gel
Mid left- tools, tape, bungee straps, velcro straps etc
Bottom left- torches, lights and batteries

Top right- cutlery, knifes, lighter etc
Mid right- pegs, underwear hanger,
Bottom right- washing liquid and softener,stain remover, washing up liquid/brush, black/sandwich bags etc. + (solar light to use at tent entrance).

Left- plates and bowls
Right- fire blanket
Top- colander, chopping board( for meats), plastic place mats ( to use as worktop savers).

Well you did ask.:rotfl:

LalaGomay

Thanks quidsy and OMO! I think I was thinking of Hawkin, on OMO's link, but the one quidsy suggested has loads of tiny dinosaurs and that's exactly what I'm looking for.

caitlyn22

Hello!

Been far too long again, I'm bleeding weeks here - what happened to July?!?!

OMO that is very impressive, you don't do anything by halves do you? :beer:

PoppyGirl, how are the wedding plans going? Hope you're having fun with it all!

Welcome fuddle, love the name! Sounds like you're already bargain-hunting but you're in the right place if you want tips and ideas in the run up to Christmas, which, my Christmas-Crackers-Cyber-Comrades, is LESS THAN 150 DAYS AWAY!!:j

Finally some good news here, my wonderful BiL has a new job. After a horrible (verging on unlawful, but certainly immoral) redundancy process, he's actually got a promotion somewhere else. Means my sister and my niece and nephew are moving but it's within the UK at least. They are still looking at jobs in Australia but nothing has come up yet so hopefully keep them here a bit longer!

Well done on the profit nic2075, all the better for being unexpected I bet!

Lovely to hear you have your son back freespirit, however brief it might be! You've clearly raised him well for him to be so conscious about earning and independence, I bet you're very proud of him.

So sorry to hear about the dog MrsInvisible, you're being sorely tested at the minute. I have everything crossed for very happy times for you, just around the corner!

Feisty, fingers crossed for you and OH at next appointment. Hope you're feeling better soon too! (However I am, in Nanamia's absence, obliged to slap you on the virtual wrist - off sick means DO NOTHING! You have nothing in the world to feel guilty about!)

Speaking of the lovely Nanamia...have we lost you to a sheep-shearing pyramid scheme down under? Hope all is well with you and you're having a wonderful time?

Thanks for all the book recommendations, followed all suggestions up and giving everything suggested a whirl. So far...I might not have the stomach for Martina Cole, she's not going to be asked to write for Hallmark any time soon is she?

fuddle

OMO that is fab!! A seasoned camper myself but never so organised as that that. Well done, I've camping envy

Thank you for the welcome. I am really rather savvy yeah I just thought it would help being around people who know their stuff when it comes to gift buying/organising/budgeting.