Thrify Gifty Santas Challenge 2013,

savingpennies

I'm feeling pleased with myself as I managed to stash another present away this week. An email from Amazon said they had reduced some DVD box sets so bought DD2 The Blue Planet series which she loved. So far so good.

mum2one

Savings pennies - that sounds a fab set, gd idea to get the items when you see them.

I've started a batch of mars bar vodka off, I was given a bottle of Vodka at xmas, its not very nice, so split it in two, batch one is toffee, batch 2 is mars - so come xmas put them in smaller bottles hope to get 4 or 5 smaller bottles at xmas from them.

My other fav shop - Argos - they've brought the new catalogue out today - which means that old stock will get reduced even further, at the moment they've blocked the option to go into any store but worth looking through the clearance sections,

I got a few bits -
set of 2 spotted toilettry bags - £3.99 instead of £5.

best bargain - TY Beanie Baby ted - 69p instead of £4.99 - cat no - 908/3516

I am now offically skint for January, but worth it as hit all bday targets, and over half xmas. Still intend to go homemade route xx

rufusdog52

Found out Friday that YD is pregnant, didnt go down too well with OH but he is coming round a bit, she came round to see us yesterday and we had a talk. This will be grandchild number 6. I will have to have a think what she would like made and get my skates on lol.

SugarSpun

Congratulations Granny Rufus! Hope everything goes well for you all.

BabyC

Wow, you guys have all done so well in the sales! I managed to resist the half price sales and wait for the 75% off in Sainsburys (all next year's wrapping paper) and boots (just a couple of bits to put away in the present drawer - but paid on points so effectively free :j)!

Just a question - has anyone bought Boots Sanctuary Spa stuff and kept it until the next Christmas to give?! I'm sure it will be fine,it seems to last ages even when it's open, but just wondered if others had done this in the past?

Also picked uo a gruffalo dressing gown in the M&S outlet sale near us (3.99 down from £14!) for nephews first birthday in March! I know it won't fit him for very long, but so cute it was hard to resist!

Birthday and Christmas spreadsheets are shaping up nicely, most cards already made or bought, but might try to finish the rest over the next couple of weeks. Been a bit busy as starting to plan our wedding - finally made it through thr 140 pages of the original MSE wedding thread - taken me a month though!

Anyway, well done on all the present bargains so far everyone!

mum2one

Hi Baby C, I always buy items in 75% esp posher toilettries from Boots, I put them up for next xmas, there fine as long as there not opened, in terms of the indivual bottles, (not as thou were going to sniff and try then recycle).

Sounds like you got some great bargains, I love the sound of the sainburys bargains, xx

mum2one

rufusdog52 wrote: »

Found out Friday that YD is pregnant, didnt go down too well with OH but he is coming round a bit, she came round to see us yesterday and we had a talk. This will be grandchild number 6. I will have to have a think what she would like made and get my skates on lol.

Massive congratulations, most prob it came as a shock to OH and men react first and think later.

It shows you've got a brilliant relationship with her, for her to tell you herself and not find out through a gossip. By the time he/she comes bet penny to a pound he'll be ova the moon and the proudest grandad on the earth.

PS - Anyone want a stinking cold, my nose looks like rudolph.... don't mind sharing! xxx

mrs-moneypenny

[STRIKE]morning[/STRIKE]afternoon all
hope everyone is warm and safe
snow day here all schools in area shut (even the one i work at)

spent weekend working on crafty stuff
morning
finished the piggy cross stitch for my mums mothers day pressie, just need to frame it. got to nip in attic and check my frame stash if not a trip to wilkinsons once the snow clears.
started the cross stitch for mum with my nieces stuff on, so far it has a butterfly, cant think what else to put. Her name obviously but needs something else as well.

mums piggy picture

its an anchor kit called the trotters but ive changed the wording.

a butterfly for my niece

going to add her name and some oter details to personalise it for her.

cdsmiler

rufusdog52 wrote: »

Mum2one, I have just been calorie counting, started off using a site called foodfocus.co.uk, then the other week I went over to using myfitnesspal instead. They are both food diaries, I liked the first one but the second one is better, there are lots more things in the database and practically everything I eat has been on there. The allowance it suggested I have a day on the first one was 1600 odd a day which I was keeping under but on the new one its just under 1500 a day and I am still staying just under so might be a good thing. Not been getting hungry during the day, I have three main meals and a snack in the afternoon like a hot chocolate and sometimes some biscuits like go ahead or something depending on how I am doing for calories that day.

rufus - I'm using myfitnesspal too. Lost 2 stone last year - need to lose a few more! lol Well done you!
Congratulations of grandchild number 6!!!!

Angels - did you find out what it was that weird thing happening near you?! lol

mum2one - glad you've got your car! Glad you like it! What was Miss Hoodie's inspiration for the name??

Hope everyone's survived the weekend. We had too much snow for me to be able to work the Murder on Saturday which was a shame - I enjoy them, plus the loss of money!! Booo.
Snow day on Friday though from 'normal' work which was nice, back to work today though, which is no bad thing as was getting a bit of cabin fever! lol Also, if the snow can stay away from Wales until after Tuesday night, that would be great thank you very much kind regards. Off to the theatre tomorrow eve so would like to get there and back without any slip sliding.

Stay safe and warm peoples.

Clare x

Peppapig

mrs-moneypenny wrote: »

finished the piggy cross stitch for my mums mothers day pressie, just need to frame it. got to nip in attic and check my frame stash if not a trip to wilkinsons once the snow clears.

mums piggy picture

its an anchor kit called the trotters but ive changed the wording.

Love the cross stitch Mrs Moneypenny - you've inspired me, I might even dig the one out that I started years ago!

Having a major clear out of loft and cupboards - sold a couple of bits on ebay this week and quite a bit more to list next time it's free. Have done two big bags and a box for the charity shop too and about 10 pink bags for the recycling too! Determined to have an almost empty loft by the time Spring arrives. Have even found a space in my big hall cupboard for the Christmas decs.