Thrify Gifty Santas Challenge 2013,

mum2one

I've borrowed these from Royal Mail website... (upto date as of todays date)

All based on standard post and parcels and are Airmail where appropriate

AUSTRALIA AND REST OF WORLD - 6TH DECEMBER

USA
REGISTERED POST - 6TH DECEMBER
PARCELS - 6TH DECEMBER
LETTERS - 11TH DECEMBER

EUROPE
PARCELS - 13TH DECEMBER
REGISTERED - 18TH DECEMBER
LETTERS - 19TH DECEMBER

UNITED KINGDOM
PARCELS AND POST - 2ND CLASS - 18TH DECEMBER (INC RECORDED)
PARCELS AND POST - 1ST CLASS - 20TH DECEMBER (INC RECORDED)
SPECIAL DELIEVERY - 23RD DECEMBER

SugarSpun

Santa's Challenge

Weather
It looks like it could be cold welly and thermals weather, so any prep that can be done to prevent pipes freezing here goes

Outside taps are covered

Not yet because we're nowhere near freezing here, but I will turn the outside water off shortly. I also need to winterise the garden and it is still covered in leaves

Central Heating is working ok

Boiler was checked a couple of months ago.

Have a torch ready by fuse box incase of power cut

And candles too

Supermarket Shopping

SO CLOSE NOW! We're stocked up on basics, just the fresh shop to go

Prescriptions

DH just refilled all his and the littlies and I don't have any.

Doctors etc

All in my planner already.

Chemists

Our OOH pharmacy changes on a weekly rota and it's posted on the front of the pharmacy, which we would have to pass to get to any of the others.

First Aid Kit

Full and ready to go. We have all the appropriate medications plus plasters in pirate, plain and Hello Kitty. I default to Hello Kitty. On anyone who doesn't specify a preference.

Smoke Alarms

Checked.

Emergency Presents

My new Hotel Chocolat spare boxes are MIA, but I do have a kilo tub of chocolate money in case things get desperate.

Cards and Posting

Everything's written and ready except the very last three cards, which I will take care of today.

PRESENTS

All are hidden in three secret locations.

ONLINE ORDERING

All done

=Surveys etc=

I am hoping for an extra swagbucks fiver before Christmas to go into next year's pot.

BILLS

Unfortunately they just keep coming.

2014 LIST

Spreadsheet all ready and partly filled in with gifts

ARRANGEMENTS

I need to make a reservation for Boxing Day lunch. I will do that today.

MISS HOODIES CORNER

I will clean out those cupboards, yes ma'am I will.

Share the Load

Mince pies I will make myself, pudding we bought, my DD loves peeling carrots and my DH will hopefully be doing the majority of the cooking if he is up to it.

=Christmas Box=

The wrapping is already done. My attention is now focussed on a Sanity Basket containing scissors for awkward packaging, pen and paper to take note of who sent the kids what for thank you notes, batteries, a bag for all the paper, a camera etc. What else do you need on Christmas morning?

SugarSpun

Thank you mum2one and Miss Hoodie for all the hard work you do on the challenges during the year.

susan42

Oh o , just logged on. Forgot it was challenge time.

Thank you mum2one and the good one for the challenge. So lovely reminders on there for me I'll print it out

Hope you all had a good weekend :-)

I seemed to have been busy but not achieved many things. I made about 30 cards and then was asked would I sell them!! So I still haven't got any for myself. But on the plus side I got some money for them

Don't usually sell cards but they begged me as they wanted "family" cards but didn't have many funds . So spent a bit (lot) of time making them especially for the recipient.

Made a couple of sweetie cones up to for stocking fillers for the family. And watched loads of Xmas films . Thank you channel 5 very much

Money penny - will be starting kits next year probably as 2014 year I've designated learning to see. 2013 was crochet . Learnt but was bored after a couple of hours - it's not for me lol

Rufus - my OH wouldn't buy any presents without me knowing as he know I would not be happy lol


Aim this week - clean freezers and sort prescriptions. OH can do garden / pipes. Make some cards... Mind you just bought a chocolate house mould so if it comes going to try that :-) as if I've not enough to do

Hi to everyone and hugs to those that need themn

mrs-moneypenny

morning all
hope everyone is well
thank you for the lists mum2one and for misshoodies contribution

mum2one wrote: »

This only feels like yesterday that we started this thread and yet here we are again with Novembers Santas Challenge basicaly the last one to get everything organised for 2014 Christmas so here goes.

Weather

• Outside taps are covered (I use Miss Hoodies old armband blown up over the putdoor tap):Tbrilliant idea,
  Central Heating is working ok got someone booked to mend the timer as thats recently died
  Have a torch ready by fuse box incase of power cut got a dynamo one
  
  Supermarket Shopping
  pretty stocked on basics
  doing tactical shops at morrys to get two vouchers for the £40 off shop we do ours and mils and pick stuff up for the kids so its easy to spend £80 in there:o)
  also have £100 of stamps for the final shop of the year
  
  Prescriptions
  need to remind mil to book her december injection appt and check if she needs another prescription getting
  
  
  First Aid Kit
  [/B] tesco have retnadine(sp) antacid tabs at 12 for £1 they are really good
  
  Emergency Presents
  will put a couple of boxes of chocs on list, have spare wine
  
  Cards and Posting
  need to write cards this week and send one to america
  
  From the Royal Mail website
  
  LAST POSTING DATES
  
  WED 18TH DECEMBER 2ND CLASS POST AND 2ND CLASS SIGNED FOR (RECORDED DELIEVERY
  
  FRI 21ST DECEMEBER 1ST CLASS POST AND 1ST CLASS SIGNED FOR (RECORDED
  
  MON 23RD DEC - SPECIAL DELIEVERY NEXT DAY GUARANTEED
  

PRESENTS
all christmas reciepts go in a drawer for a couple of years as things are bought

ONLINE ORDERING
think im about there with online need to check with DS1 and DH if any final bits

BILLS
As Christmas posting is approaching us, its worth keeping an eye out for bills, as there is a chance they could go astray or turn up late, so if you can check back a couple of bank statements - see when you pay any regular bills that come in and have back up plan (telephone or bank transfer)

2014 LIST
(I have a spreadsheet if anyone wants a copy - just pm me with your email and I will send a copy), it doesn't have to be a full sheet, but even names and budgets just to give an idea, as this will come into play at Christmas. sounds a plan, i normally write all birthdays annis etc on the new calender an have one of those books with pockets for cards that i fill up at the beginning of each year and write down a list of who i need to buy/make cards for and then put those in the right pockets

ARRANGEMENTS
numbers are now confirmed, and calendar filling up with dates of dos parties school things etc, so far no clashes

MISS HOODIES CORNER
did the sort out the pressie cupboard chore yesterday, everyones stuff is now in seperate bags so i know who has what and who needs more

Share the Load
DD2 did ask what she can bring for christmas dinner so ill think of a job for her

=Christmas Box=
its not so much a box as a huge pile in the spare room, im promising myself i will get the stockpile down before rushing out in the jan sales to buy more of what we dont really need yet. i darent count how many gift bags i have in there:o

---

Decembers Santas Challenge

I know we normally put the challenge on the 24th, but I'm sure Christmas Eve we'll be resting!! (ok we can dream) or being superwoman... I'll put Decembers challenge on the 1st weekend of December. xx

EchoDelta

I've been terrible at posting lately, sorry guys.

Been reading though and very impressed with everyone's industry!!!

I think that I have about 75% of the presents sorted. Mr Delta and I have to have a stock take, will hopefully get that done tonight.

Small and I have been making wrapping papers. We've made cards. Just need to write them now!

Not done any drawing for ages - I have a photo of a friend's little boy that I want to draw and it has been sitting there for weeks waiting for me to get my finger out! I really need to get back into it as I do love it.

Only a month to go!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

mum2one

I'm exicted I managed to get a jam making pan from freegle, its really good condition, apparently the lady had brought an electric jam maker!!

Off to start wrapping presents.... think that deserves a glass of wine for later xx

rufusdog52

Well done on the pan Mum2one and thanks for the challenge. I have had a look and making my way through it.

Been back and forth to the hospital this last few days as my Dad had a sore eye and needed emergency treatment due to his age. The infection has nearly cleared up now though so we can all relax again and carry on with Christmas preps.

I also did a craft fair this weekend, made about £30. Wondering whether I am making the right things as finding other people are doing so much better with their selling than I am. Thing is I love sewing and can't imagine now being able to sew all the time so dont know what to do for the best for the next year.

I have been waiting for some vouchers to come from T0lun@, they owe me £45 worth from the month before last and £15 from last month. Wasnt expecting last months until December but was really hoping the rest would be ready for me to use by now. They have been ready by about the 18th every month for last 8 or 9 months and now I want them on time they are late. Typical as I can't get my last few bits I wanted to get until I do get them.

mum2one

rufus - thats good new about your dad, looney I'm sure they don't know what there doing... fingers crossed you get the vouchers soon.

You did well £30 at the craft fair, I think its so hard to please everyone all of the time, I think people are cutting back on everything, we were at tabletop Sunday, talking to a lady and she had box of 12 wine glasses (new) she was only asking £2 and was getting offers of 10p to 50p...... I call it short hands deep pockets tight wads...

Have you got any more booked in before Xmas??

Batch 1 of Xmas presents wrapped, - ok I cheated and choose the smallest pile, snet Grandad Hoodie into the loft, he brought down 20 rolls paper, bag of bows, and more curling ribbon than a little.

Miss Hoodie got a woobly tooth, think its got to be one of her last baby teeth, shes got the fang coming down, hopefully she won't have to have them taken out, I had to as a kid.... back to the dentist next Tuesday - so trying to be organised this week xx

rufusdog52

Hi Mum2one, yes I have one booked for this Saturday and one for next week on the Sunday (8th) and that is it for this year. I am going to make a few more bits this week then just concentrate on finishing my dresses I am doing.