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

04624181

love this page! people are great at problem solving
I bought a couple of canvases for my kids from poundworld last week. The 3yr old has one with a dragon already drawn on it for her to paint and the 10yr has got a blank canvas to paint. hes not overly keen on art but have asked them to do it for christmas presents for the grandparents. my mum will love them and so will my grandma, their great grandma. For £1 each canvas, already got the paints, something that keeps them occupied for an hour and can be used as a present, i thought it was very mse!

Lina_T

PoppyGirl wrote: »

Thanks LindaT - those candy canes look fab but I think normal sized ones will look too long and out of proportion in the teeny tiny cups! Perhaps mini candy canes would work!

I wondered if they might look too long, but mini candy canes would be good, places like tesco and home bargains sell loads of them nearer to christmas and you can normally get a big box/bag for about £1

fatblackandwhite

PoppyGirl wrote: »

I'm looking for some ideas - I bought these mugs with the thought of making them into Snowman Soup gifts but they are TINY (the size of an expresso mug. I was expecting them to be smaller than a normal mug obviously, but the right size for a child - not doll sized!) I've complained to Baker Ross about the inaccurate picture but doubt they'll do anything and it will cost me to send them back.
http://www.bakerross.co.uk/product-Polar-Pals-Plastic-Mugs-EX656.htm

I bought them too and was disappointed in the size. I also bought some flashing christmas balls for £2 - they are the size of bouncy balls (I thought they would be the size of a tennis ball, wouldn't have paid £1 for them if I knew the size nevermind £2) and some of those things with a sucker on and a spring - the ones that jump. They look like cheap 10p tat. This was my first order so not sure I will order from them again!

susan42

own my own - thank you for adding my site

eljav - thank you for your kind comments

Poppygirl - I too love the range and I have put sweets into a mug and covered with cello for family members. They have been well received

Fiesty - I love the apron, I too struggle with prices. I suppose in depends on the materials and where your target market is.

Well I was pleased with how my photo frames and gift boxes came out and I love the messiness of decoupage. Mind you still picking glue out of my hair

They`re here

PoppyGirl

Fiesty - I love that apron. I think they would sell well in line with the fashion for 'vintage' kitchen wear, retro and tea parties! I'd actually love one (or two) myself if you start making them!

FatBlackandWhite - the mugs are dissapointing aren't they? Some other things I've bought from them I've been pleased with, some as you say aren't worth the money. I never buy full price, only in clearance too, or wouldn't be worth it.

I think I'll maybe do a some Christmas sweets, tied in cello with a candy cane and sell them as stocking fillers quite cheaply. I certainly wouldn't pay much money for them, even though they are cute, they are useless!

System

PoppyGirl wrote: »

ChrissyG - ebay are putting in MORE fees? I already don't bother with selling any more, because by the time you take into account the fees, paypal fees and the cost of postage now it isn't worth it. Costs more for the packaging and petrol to the post office. I'd rather just give things to the charity shop and let them have the money. It's a shame, another thing wasted by greed.

I'm looking for some ideas - I bought these mugs with the thought of making them into Snowman Soup gifts but they are TINY (the size of an expresso mug. I was expecting them to be smaller than a normal mug obviously, but the right size for a child - not doll sized!) I've complained to Baker Ross about the inaccurate picture but doubt they'll do anything and it will cost me to send them back. What can I do with them do you think, they are too small for choc mix etc? Do you think I could just fill with christmas sweeties and cello wrap?
http://www.bakerross.co.uk/product-Polar-Pals-Plastic-Mugs-EX656.htm

Apparently they are going to take a cut of the postage costs from September !

PoppyGirl

CHRISSYG wrote: »

Apparently they are going to take a cut of the postage costs from September !

I can see why, as some people take the total micky and abuse the postal costs, selling an item cheaply then charging massive postage. I've not had a problem with it when I'm a buyer as such - as long as the total cost I was happy to pay.

I don't know how anyone can make ANY money on postage any more, since the cost of posting things nearly doubled. Recently I sold a bottle of perfume for £9ish and added £2.80 postage. The last time I posted something it was £2.60 for a shoebox size - now because the perfume didn't fit into a small box they charged me £5.90 to post it. What a joke, and not even worth selling! In the future it's going to be carboot (even though I dispise selling at them) or giving it to the charity shop.

System

I think we are just about done with eBay ,out of the last 10 items 6 have been NPB !

FeistyFidget

I would personally keep the mugs and use them to decorate the kitchen with, but there again I can be pretty self indulgent at times

I can't believe feebay are being so flipping greedy! I love the way they have timed it when people start trying to raise money for Christmas. I don't understand how they can justify taking a cut of the postage. People will either have to swallow the difference or hike the prices which means less people will buy. Either way the small businesses that rely on ebay to sell items could end up going under

Thank you for the wonderful feedback about the aprons - I have decided to sell the adult ones at £15 and the child ones at £10 - If people were to buy a matching Mummy and daughter one I would probably discount it in some way Have received some interest from plus sized ladies asking if I would consider selling the skirt version - it wont take much more time and although the material would be more, the £25 they are suggesting makes it definitely doable - one happy bunny

Ruth_honey

I would love an apron like that, Feisty! A Christmassy one would be very nice. Or one in cupcake fabric.
And being plus size, I second the idea of plus size skirts like that too. Also I'm after a petticoat to wear under a 50s style dress I have if that's something you think you might able to do? Online I've found up to a 22, but my dress is 26/28. Why the shop I bought it from stops the petticoats at 22, I don't know...

As for the mini cups/mugs, how about filling with chocolate coins and maybe tuck a Xmas scratchcard into it? Ta dah! Pot of Christmas! Or money mugs?

Ok, that's far too much for my brain to cope with on a Monday...need a coffee! Lol.