Thrify Gifty Santas Challenge 2013,

rufusdog52

Ready for my craft fair today. I hope its better than the last few. I finished the cushion for the order too so that is ready for posting off tomorrow.

I had a nice morning yesterday, went for a long walk into next town with one of the grandsons, met YD at her place then walked into the next town again as they had the Dickens Festival on. It was packed and very festive. Everyone was dressed up in their victorian clothes and singing Christmas carols, lot of fake snow blowing about, was really nice. I couldnt stay too long as my legs and back were starting to play up after the long walk. I left the kids there to enjoy themselves and started the long walk back, got half way and gave up and got on a bus.

I bought myself a nice red scarf and hat in the charity shop while I was out, good for £1 each, then found a nice winter jumper as well for £3 so some good bargains too.

Had a nice afternoon on the sofa as couldnt hardly move by the time I got in so just put my feet up for a change.

Busy morning today with the fair, I was up with the larks getting myself ready and motivated. Hope you all have a nice Sunday xx

susan42

Rufus - good luck at the fair. Hope your back holds up . Lovely bargains , haven't been out for ages ( other than hospitals, the new ones so far away , you can write off the day) do have to motivate myself

Mum2one - you be careful on those lanes , don't like the thought of you being on them , glad you had a lovely lunch though

Got to do some baking today and some meals I think . Done the Xmas cake but noticed there was a chunk missing. The elves were blamed, then the dog !! Personally I think it was OH

SugarSpun

Hugs all, sounds like we're all getting very busy!

Poor DH came home to a sick house. DD brought a strep infection home from kindergarten and it's in everyone's ears, noses and throats. I can't hear or speak properly and my whole face hurts, poor baby can't sleep properly because he keeps waking up coughing and DH has a surgery scar on his belly and coughing reduces him to tears. DD, the source of the infection, has fully recovered and is bored pantsless by the lot of us.

rufusdog52

Fair was a good one today, made about £40 and it was only on in the morning. Kids were brilliant at the school, they were up on the stage singing, not in a choir but solo, singing christmas songs, and some had bands, was like a mini concert. really enjoyed it.

mum2one

Susan - I thought I was back driving across the moors last ngt - Miss Hoodie had set the Sat Nav up but hit mute... Nice quiet day, half the cards wrote - finish rest tomorrow.

Rufus - That was a good sum from the fayre, makes it worth all the hard work.

Sugarspun - Oh no, hope all you all get better soon, you all take care, hope hubby goes ok on.

Miss Hoodies got the chest infection thats doing the rounds, but trying to get her to lie on the setttee with a blanket, - she knows best....

Christmas shopping - all got left is get some discs for their coffee machine, - did see a sticker on the box - £20 off a £25 spend - have to have a good look.. just need a couple of bits for Miss CD, CD and DVD - then all done, - next week wrap the families up, xx

mum2one

Its an early one for December so we can for ready for Christmas Eve/ Day / Sales.

]Turkey[/SIZE]
[COLOR="rgb(75, 0, 130)"]Whether your having Turkey or another meat, make sure you've checked the defrosting time needed, and cooking time....

Meal Planning
Hopefully by now we know how many were cooking for, and meal plans are sorted, so that we can enjoy a little rest somewhere along the way

Present opening Kit
(Just a base to start you off with),
Pen, notepad, scissors,binbag, glass of wine

This way you can note who has given you want, in case you need to regift (so you don't give back to the same person!! or if you have little ones in case they send thank you,

Binbag - pop the paper in (although some councils do offering recycling facilities

Wine - In case of emergency!
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Taking Tree/Decorations down
Not that we want to take it down before we have even got it up, when put items back, if there broke - let them go, label the box so there all in one place ready for next year.

]Presents for 2014[/SIZE]
Hopefully you have got a notebook or speadsheet set up, even if it just a rough one to get you through, this way if you need to re-gift you can pop it straight on your list.

Sales
The time of the year where our purses want to go on strike!! as the old saying goes "it's only a bargain if we need it".....

Whether its something small such as tags, wrapping paper cards, or bigger as presents - there can be some bargains out there, it looks like online sales will be Christmas Day, and shops on Boxing Day

Last Minute Items
In reality there always be a corner shop that is open over the festive time, (but the prices are not so seasonal!! The day before Xmas Eve or a day which you find best, check the last minute extras - milk, bread, butter, cheese (all freezeable items, also Christmas Eve - the supermarkets will be reducing a lot of the fresh stock - there may be some bargains to have!!

Mother Hen Moment
Just a quick recap to see if there is anything you need
Prescriptions -have you got enough to see you through
Over the counter - plasters, headache, upset tums
House - matches, candles, batteries
Spare Present - If you don't need it, get an extra treat or a gift ready for 2014
Post - Have you got everything ready to post - allowing a bit of extra time for the Xmas posting
Online - Check delievery dates for arrival of items
Security - Online ordering - check the website,
- Cash machines - no-one peering over shoulder
Services - if you are on pre-pay meters - check that you have enough to get through.
Petrol - Garages are only usually closed Christmas Day, - but again if you can avoid Christmas Eve and Boxing Day - be a lot better!


Miss Hoodies Corner
It wouldn't be a challenge without a Miss Hoodie cleaning corner - Miss Hoodie thinks with all the extra work Christmas brings we're all be busy enough tidying up, cooking, cleaning and being Superwoman so we can a little rest



New Year Challenge
set yourself a challenge for the New Year, whether that is to be money neutral for the presents, something you've wanted to do - cross stitch, learn to crochet or knit, try a new hobby. Whether it is something that take 5 minutes or all year, - just let us know what your doing, and how your doing!


Above all a massive thank you to everyone, for making the thread such a success in 2013, (start 2014 thread on Christmas Day - be planning for 2014 then... hopefully Miss Hoodie hasn't made you work too hard. xx

susan42

Thank you mum2one (big hugs) has been great on here this year. Thank you for the challenges and miss hoodies contributions ( especially not the one this month)

Christmas Day !!!! Lol have a rest we'll start 2014 and hate to point it out but can we have the title spelt the same as this year, it's brought a smile every time I see it lol , is there such a word as thrify? I love it :-)

rufusdog52

:T:T:T:T

Lovely list of challenges to go through Mum2one. Thanks from me too for keeping it going, when you said about money neutral, it brought it all back to what we used to have years ago when we all used to be on the other threads. I am definitely money neutral this year, it has been fantastic. I have had so many bargains and what with all you lot supporting me with my items I have made to sell on too its been brilliant. :beer:

Thank you to Miss Hoodie too :santa2: for the extra little (sometimes big) challenges. My freezer has never been so sorted out haha!!

:xmastree::xmastree::xmastree::xmastree::xmastree::xmastree::xmastree::xmastree::xmastree::xmastree::xmastree::xmastree::xmastree::xmastree:

mrs-moneypenny

morning all
hugs and good wishes to all
brilliant result on the craft fayre rufus.

going to get a list sorted and try and clear as much as i can this week.

still got a fair bit to do and havent even started wrapping kids stuff yet!

thank you for the thread mum2one and to everyone whos taken part and been giving support suggestions and advice is a lovely place to be.

EchoDelta

Love the latest challenge! Making me feel very excited and Christmassy

Must give some thought to next year's aims.

I have posted the parcels that need it and have made a start on writing cards.