Old Style Christmas Preparations for Christmas 2013

mum2one

Dont know if it is any good for anyone but when in Home Bargains tonight they had a sewing machine, £39, with a rrp of £90 - had 12 stitches design and an accessory kit.

Another bargain - looks like a Cath Kidson bag had 2 balls of chunky wool, pr of needles and pattern to knit a scarf - priced at £5 - but had a £15 price sticker on it.
xx

double_mummy

howdy all popping in for my xmas friend

not really done much myself but heard a fantastic story of a friend of a friend

the fof has 3 kids hubby works and she is a sahm kids are between 10-6 (or will be by xmas) she was trying to work out how to afford to buy a ps4 and an xbox one before xmas and a new tv dvd combi for the little one (needs to be a min of 32 inches)

i did find this hilarious that this would be each of the kids main pressies then they would get games for consoles and other pressies as well she wanted my friend to ask me which credit card would be best for her to use as she couldnt afford it all before xmas

my kids are so jealous lol they arent even allowed a tv in their rooms until they can afford one of their own (being 6 and 3 i dont see it happening soon lol)

i still dont get how people are willing to go into so much debt for xmas its absolutely mad my ones arent shaping up to badly picked up a black bin bag full of clothes (all named brands next etc for £15) to put in for xmas

what do other people think about giving second hand items for xmas? i buy quite a few off of facebook and charity shops and ebay etc i also regift quite a lot (i have VERY sensitive skin so all of the products people buy me get regifted as i cant use them) my SIL and I now have a running joke that all the nice beauty bits i get her for her bday and xmas are the ones my dad still buys me even though i tell him every year i cant use them!

scaredy_cat

looking forward to reading from peeps with christmas elf/elves who visit and create mayhem! i don't have children myself.

bossymoo

Double mummy both mine had "new to us" balance bikes last year. Got them at a baby and toddler nearly new sale. I as supposed to be selling / having a clear out and bought 2 bikes before the doors even opened

They will have a mix of "nearly new", new and home made, as usual..

double_mummy

bossymoo wrote: »

Double mummy both mine had "new to us" balance bikes last year. Got them at a baby and toddler nearly new sale. I as supposed to be selling / having a clear out and bought 2 bikes before the doors even opened

They will have a mix of "nearly new", new and home made, as usual..

oooooo i like that phrase bossymoo things will now be new to us lol

i rekon that covers regifting too as long as you dont give it back to the person who gave it to you the it is new to them deffo :money::T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T

Uniscots97

double_mummy wrote: »

howdy all popping in for my xmas friend

not really done much myself but heard a fantastic story of a friend of a friend

the fof has 3 kids hubby works and she is a sahm kids are between 10-6 (or will be by xmas) she was trying to work out how to afford to buy a ps4 and an xbox one before xmas and a new tv dvd combi for the little one (needs to be a min of 32 inches)

i did find this hilarious that this would be each of the kids main pressies then they would get games for consoles and other pressies as well she wanted my friend to ask me which credit card would be best for her to use as she couldnt afford it all before xmas

my kids are so jealous lol they arent even allowed a tv in their rooms until they can afford one of their own (being 6 and 3 i dont see it happening soon lol)

i still dont get how people are willing to go into so much debt for xmas its absolutely mad my ones arent shaping up to badly picked up a black bin bag full of clothes (all named brands next etc for £15) to put in for xmas

what do other people think about giving second hand items for xmas? i buy quite a few off of facebook and charity shops and ebay etc i also regift quite a lot (i have VERY sensitive skin so all of the products people buy me get regifted as i cant use them) my SIL and I now have a running joke that all the nice beauty bits i get her for her bday and xmas are the ones my dad still buys me even though i tell him every year i cant use them!

A few years ago a friend got a tv/dvd combi off freecycle for her daughters then 7 and 11. She didn't see the point in spending all that money on something like that when money would be better spent on other things. She wrapped it up, the girls loved it and their stockings.

miss_empty_piggy

midnightraven3 wrote: »

i have made several types of wreaths and always used the double track metal floristry rings
this year i saw in pinterest someone using the foam pipe insulation tubes, into a circle, and taped together
i think i shall try a couple to see

these

http://www.wickes.co.uk/invt/210451

Thanks - that's a brilliant idea. I've got a couple of bits in the garage that I'll do a dry run with to see how they turn out.:)

miss_empty_piggy

unixgirluk wrote: »

I do, you can either use the floristry oasis or look for wire/willow frame (Home Bargains have them). You can make your own willow frame quite easily. Once you have your frame you cut your holly, tap it (to get rid of any bug), rinse it and dry it. Then arrange on the frame, you need about an inch of stem to hold it.

Thanks so much. I am definitely going to give this a go - hopefully this weekend. I've never been to HB but think I will give them a visit tomorrow. Can't wait now. thanks for the advice. i really appreciate it. :T

b_girl

Hi everyone,

I've been reading this thread with interest and loving all the thrifty ideas
I've been collecting bits and bobs for presents throughout the year mainly from the grabbit board. I'm going to start thinking about what I can make too. Jam is the only hm present I make and usually goes down a treat so will make more this year.

Love the pots of gold idea! Would be lovely for my 2 brothers and sister and maybe our nephews.

We had our first baby in feb so have her to buy for too first christmas, so exciting! We've decided to do the 4 gift rule for her and any future children and hoping to get started on getting her presents soon.

Off to get ingredients for Christmas cake today

Will be keeping my eye on this thread!

bossymoo

I'm making chili jam, flavoured vodka / brandy and decorated chocolate slabs just as mini hm hamper type things, for the kiddies to give their grandparents.