Old Style Christmas Preparations for Christmas 2013

Pooky

Ohhhh Christmas! I need to get my backside in gear and formulate a plan. I've only got one nephew left to buy for this year (we stop gifts at 16 in this family) and my own two DDs. DH andi don't buy for each other and it's a homemade gift for Inlaws and parents, but I'm stumped as to what homemade pressie that will be. I was aiming to make patchwork table runners and placemats but haven't even started them. I normally add home made chutney and chilli jam to the parcel so could do with finding some suitable baskets/boxes......I shall put it on my "to find at a boot fair" list.

Thanks for the inspiration!

alfsmum

I save my two pound coins all year then split the total between my girls to buy what they want. It makes them think hard about what to spend it on as it is 'their' money and not bank of Mum and Dad.

Haven't sent many cards for the last couple of years so have more than enough for this year, also plenty of paper.

I love Christmas and being at home as a family for a few days but hate the commercial side so will be making cakes and puds and avoiding the shops as much as possible, would rather enjoy the extra time with the family doing jigsaw puzzles and just relaxing.

MaddyWaddy

My DH says I start planning the next Christmas on boxing day - what he doesn't realise is I often plan it after I have bought the presents :rotfl:

In the tough times I think it is sensible to plan early for Christmas. Unfortunately for me me, DH, DD and DSD all have birthdays ranging from November - January so we tend to be doubly hit with birthdays and Christmas (that isn't counting everyone elses that lands there too )

My people to buy for list is now up to 24 people and I would be constantly stressed from October onwards if I didn't plan now.

I have been using my cash back money to save for my park vouchers this year so along with commission I am paying £380 for £885 in vouchers - I can not wait until they arrive :T That said I have still been buying presents - I have got a fair few unwanted Christmas presents from some facebook selling pages. I also have a huge amount of red velvet fabric which came free with my sewing machine (ebay purchase) so I will be whipping that up into homemade stockings / christmas sacks for the younger children

Most people are going to have a home made patchwork tote / drawstring bag with pj's in which I am hoping will add a nice touch - unfortunately there are people on my list that will not appreciate an homemade gift so they will have a homemade card instead

Really need to get cracking with making the gifts rather than listing them - I need to make about one a week to keep on track

DH will also need to go into the loft around October so I can see what we need and what we have - I am aiming for a more hm Christmas this year rather than a commerialised one.

Will subscribe as I love Christmas

Cheapskate

I'm so glad I'm not the only one even just thinking about Christmas so early! I usually start on 1 August (Yorkshire Day and bang in the middle of the summer hols), but I'm thinking of making lots of different homemade things this year, so will have to start soon. I used to do that years ago, but lost my way recently, but looking forward to making again.

Besides saving cash and/or buying little things as I see them, I'll be making fruit liqueurs, baking mini Christmas cakes (like JackieO in small bean tins), stitching and sewing various things, and hoping to have a go at crochet to make small things.

Thanks for the inspiration so far, must have a long look at all the links - thanks zippychick for starting us off!

A xo

madvixen

Yay - Christmas thread :j

I've got all my paper and ribbons which I picked up in the sales. I have set up my spreadsheet for pressies and have purchased 8 so far.
It's our first christmas in our own house this year so I'm really looking forward to it.

xxlouisexx56

This year dd1 (who will be 8 on 31st dec) will have a much small pile of presses than dd2 (who will be 2 1/2) as her pressies are much more expensive. But she also has autism and I know she won't really understand why.

Any tips from those who have been through this already?

building_with_lego

kittiej wrote: »

There's nothing wrong with planning for Christmas now - after all this is what all the retailers will be doing as we speak

....

I just have to respond to this, though it's a little off-topic.
I discovered last year that the supermarkets place their mince pie/ pudding/ etc orders in February, which is why they start getting stock in in September, as the warehouses get the stock in they have to move it out to make room for the next lot.

So they've already planned it and will likely soon be placing the orders for Easter eggs and hot cross buns!!

building_with_lego

xxlouisexx56 wrote: »

This year dd1 (who will be 8 on 31st dec) will have a much small pile of presses than dd2 (who will be 2 1/2) as her pressies are much more expensive. But she also has autism and I know she won't really understand why.

Any tips from those who have been through this already?

Could DD1's presents go into bigger boxes? Or get a huge box for each of them and fill it with their presents and a load of balloons?

funfairprincess

Chris25 wrote: »

FFP - I don't know how old your daughter is, but if age appropriate, there are loads of free downloadable Nutcracker colouring-in sheets on the web. If you're going to look, better to use US spelling of 'coloring'

Thanks that would be great for the loot bags she's turning 9. Not sure how that happened I swear she was only born a few months ago

alfsmum

MaddyWaddy wrote: »

My DH says I start planning the next Christmas on boxing day - what he doesn't realise is I often plan it after I have bought the presents :rotfl:

In the tough times I think it is sensible to plan early for Christmas. Unfortunately for me me, DH, DD and DSD all have birthdays ranging from November - January so we tend to be doubly hit with birthdays and Christmas (that isn't counting everyone elses that lands there too )

My people to buy for list is now up to 24 people and I would be constantly stressed from October onwards if I didn't plan now.

I have been using my cash back money to save for my park vouchers this year so along with commission I am paying £380 for £885 in vouchers - I can not wait until they arrive :T That said I have still been buying presents - I have got a fair few unwanted Christmas presents from some facebook selling pages. I also have a huge amount of red velvet fabric which came free with my sewing machine (ebay purchase) so I will be whipping that up into homemade stockings / christmas sacks for the younger children

Most people are going to have a home made patchwork tote / drawstring bag with pj's in which I am hoping will add a nice touch - unfortunately there are people on my list that will not appreciate an homemade gift so they will have a homemade card instead

Really need to get cracking with making the gifts rather than listing them - I need to make about one a week to keep on track

DH will also need to go into the loft around October so I can see what we need and what we have - I am aiming for a more hm Christmas this year rather than a commerialised one.

Will subscribe as I love Christmas

Love the idea of the HM tote bag, I'd be chuffed to receive one of those.