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

blue_eyed_girl

mrsinvisible wrote: »

On the MSE front, I changed utilities and projected savings of over £100 this coming year are earmarked for next Christmas. (I have set up a standing order to put the difference of each months DD into my savings account. We shall see.)
Have a lovely day, all xxx

Nice one



Well first cuppa of the day is made so off now to sort out DS's uniform plus the rest of the ironing that has dried then its off to Mr S's for the weekly shop.

Hope you all have a good day.

b_e_g (aka twinkle floppy feet)

FeistyFidget

Freespirit, I really hope you have a lovely day

riskyb

Your friends sounds like someone who never actually enjoys christmas..... I like you are probably not going to have a tree.

Own_My_Own wrote: »

aliaslotte Good Luck today at the interview.



Nanamia Well done on the weight lose. You deserved that mince pie. :rotfl:

.

I bumped into a friend the other day. She is Christmas mad. But not in the same way as me, if that makes sense. She comes from a big family and Christmas was the time when they all got together. She tries to relive it every year. She buys every box of chocolates and sweets that she can. Even though she knows there will still be loads left at Easter.

Well I happened to say I wasn't having a tree this year and she went mad. :eek::rotfl:

'

Oh yes, I'll live with a large gap in the corner all year just so we can have a tree up for a few weeks. :mad:
Her tree is lovely but it is way to big for her lounge. She has to move every bit of furniture, and I find it a bit claustrophobic. She changes nearly every ornament for a Christmas one. It's all a bit much for me.

I'm a bit more minimalistic. Less is more. A big tree in here would get me down. And to be honest ( ) I've only just got the lounge how I want it, I don't want to change it to much for Christmas.
Does that make me un-Christmassy ?

I did the big tree and garlands everywhere when we lived in the old house. It was Victorian with high ceilings and could take lots of decs. This house is a new build and it's too small for it. And I have a dog and baby to content with this year.

It upset me, then I thought I don't have to justify why I'm not having a tree. It my home and my choice.

riskyb

FF- I have a memory like a sieve atm. Pls PM me your twitter handle and other info) so I can send out some tweets etc for you ok.

FeistyFidget wrote: »

Hi all, sneaking back in....

I've been busy trying to implement your business suggestions - we are seeing a teeny, weeny glimmer of progress. I am also planning to head up as many craft fairs as possible, but instead of my papercut bits, it will be more about the shop - will then give out leaflets and try to tell as many customers as possible to come and visit us.

I am also tentatively looking into hosting a christmas fair at the barn opposite the shop - depends on cost etc as really don't want lots of extra stress before Christmas.

riskyb

Nanamia your lounge rocks - I seriously love the wall paper.

riskyb

Just for fun - you can add in chocolate face masks. I think superdrug and boots have some. Candy canes are good too as they make the chocolate minty of you melt them in.

aliaslotte wrote: »

Just a few suggestions off the top of my head:
- A mug [B&M had some lovely ones for around £2, that came with little knitted covers - very cute].
- Different types of hot chocolate [you could go for the little packets, with the likes of Options providing so many different choices, or one or two tins/tubs. If you have a Whittard's outlet, it might be worth checking it out - I got some lovely tubs of hot chocolate with great long dates on them for around £2.50 each from my local outlet store].
- Marshmellows.
- Biscuits of some description.
- A chocolate stirrer? [I've seen those at Whittard's in the past, and more recently in the likes of John Lewis.]
- A book to read whilst enjoying the hot chocolate [you could even go for something chocolate themed - there were a few suggestions a little while back on the thread].
- In the same vein as the book, you could grab a snuggly blanket, or fluffy socks, or perhaps a candle [even a chocolate scented one] - all focused on the experience of relaxing with the drink.

riskyb

Congrats on the business pinknfluffy. what is your website - plz PM me so i don't miss it as i would love to check it out.

riskyb

hey FF
Pricing is a real toughie. You are caught between the "that is too expensive" and "that is so cheap that your product must be crap". You really have to find a happy medium - what do you need to charge to make a profit (may be modest) plus not being too expensive. It looks like the shop you went to had got it nearly right -they sound like they are doing well - selling enough to have a lowish price per item. A lot depends on your catchment - how busy could your shop be, how many potential customers are there, what immediate (less than 15 miles away) competition is there?
You probably know all this already. But I've seen friends with similar situations and there has never really been a right answer beyond flexibility and trying things out, and adapting to changing circumstances.

pinknfluffy28 wrote: »

Aw hunny, I really do feel for you. Although very different, my business too is fairly new (6 months ish) and it is only this past month where I have actually seen any real profit/earnings.. Although fortunate that my dh wage keeps us afloat (just) I hate not earning and contributing any where near as much as when I was in full time employment.
I know everyone says a new business takes 2 years to turn a profit and 4-5 to be established, but it doesn't help in the short term does it?
The only advice I would give (based on my own limited experience):
(1)Do not lower your prices unless you absolutely have to. Whilst doing so may increase foot-fall in the short term, it wont necessarily be enough long term, and it is very very difficult to put the prices back up successfully!
(2)Stand out from the crowd, it is good to be different!
(3)advertise everywhere and any where, hand out flyers if need be - tedious, but door-to-door flyer drops can and do work!
(4)could you offer some kind of discount / loyalty scheme? Spend over X ammount in November and receive X ammount off your first purchase in December (might be good for xmas shoppers)
(5)Leave business cards everywhere, on the table after you have had a lunch break in a cafe, in the trolly once you have done your shopping. Even if it's just the person who "cleans up" they will still notice your business! I have 2 regular clients gained this way! You just have to be cheeky daft!
(6)A good website, even a free one. And make sure you up your search engine ratings. I only have a free weebly website with a paid for domain, but this is my biggest earner of clients, as thanks to my tech minded brother, I am now top 3 for all related keywords with my area!
(7)Have faith in yourself... and dont give up on your dreams.

I hope this helps a little, and I'm sure someone more knowledgable will come along soon to help further. Big hugs x

mrs-moneypenny

morning all

hope everyone is well you are all looking busy and organised

DD3 mentioned this mornning that wilkinsons have a large bath shaped contained or a waterproof rubbery big bag (think she means neoprene) for £3 each in lots of lovely differnt coulours to cordinate with their toiletry ranges (shampoo, bathbombs, shower/bath stuff and soaps etc which are all £1 each or 3 for 2. anyway they have then filled the bath or bag and wrapped in cello to make a nice display hamper. she she they look really good and you could do one for under a tenner..
HTH someone

fiesty hope everything goes well with the shop, if hard work get you there it certainly will!

Need to crack on ive got cleaning to do so house looks ok for weekend, while weather is nice i want to get more washing out and ive got a cross stitch to make a start on. i did get the front of christmas jumper started last night as we were watch a dvd.

oh i did get all the christmas dvds down this morning so have 21 of them to watch before christmas!!!!

hugs and good wishes to all who need them

riskyb

Hey Mrs Moneypenny - I am looking for stocking fillers for My OH - what sort of xmas dvd's do you recommend for fellas?

mrs-moneypenny wrote: »

morning all

hope everyone is well you are all looking busy and organised

DD3 mentioned this mornning that wilkinsons have a large bath shaped contained or a waterproof rubbery big bag (think she means neoprene) for £3 each in lots of lovely differnt coulours to cordinate with their toiletry ranges (shampoo, bathbombs, shower/bath stuff and soaps etc which are all £1 each or 3 for 2. anyway they have then filled the bath or bag and wrapped in cello to make a nice display hamper. she she they look really good and you could do one for under a tenner..
HTH someone

fiesty hope everything goes well with the shop, if hard work get you there it certainly will!

Need to crack on ive got cleaning to do so house looks ok for weekend, while weather is nice i want to get more washing out and ive got a cross stitch to make a start on. i did get the front of christmas jumper started last night as we were watch a dvd.

oh i did get all the christmas dvds down this morning so have 21 of them to watch before christmas!!!!

hugs and good wishes to all who need them