Old Style Christmas Preparations for Christmas 2013

building_with_lego

mrs-moneypenny wrote: »

aww iammumtoone so sorry to hear your stash got found and given out early. dont know what to suggest.

love the chistmas ideas

cant see your decortations building with lego, it says your photyo has been removed.

Not sure what happened there but I think I've fixed it now.

CountingPennies

I've picked up a few bits and pieces on ebay lately for middle child. She is obsessed with art stuff to so have bought her some cheap bundles of stuff I found.

Youngest son is obsessed with army type stuff. Thing is, he has hundreds of tanks, soilders ect so didn't want to get him many more. Can anyone thing of anything different than the usual for an army related gift or gifts?? He hasn't really asked for a "main" present so just getting toys, but would like to come up with something different to compliment his army obsession!

CP xx

laura_hoggle

Hello everyone!

Have read through this thread a few times, and really admire everyones work! I'm especially loving your scrabble decorations building with lego, might have to try and steal this!!

Have started getting a few bits in for Christmas, have all the paper and cards (probably for the next 2 years in fact!) left over from last year and bought in sales. Have been buying things as I've seen good offers during the year, got a few gifts done which I'm happy about. DH and I are in the process of buying a house at the mo, and we are going to New York in January to celebrate my 30th birthday, so really need to save what we can over the festive period!!

kerri_gt

CountingPennies wrote: »

I've picked up a few bits and pieces on ebay lately for middle child. She is obsessed with art stuff to so have bought her some cheap bundles of stuff I found.

Youngest son is obsessed with army type stuff. Thing is, he has hundreds of tanks, soilders ect so didn't want to get him many more. Can anyone thing of anything different than the usual for an army related gift or gifts?? He hasn't really asked for a "main" present so just getting toys, but would like to come up with something different to compliment his army obsession!

CP xx

I beleive you can get den / survival kits like this one

http://www.play.com/Toys/Toys/4-/17436208/702219935/Real-Adventure-Den-Kit/ListingDetails.html?_$ja=tsid:13315|cat:17436208|prd:17436208&$$ja=cgid:7025512137|tsid:48121|cid:130773777|lid:54129060537|nw:g|crid:22604476137|rnd:550035309869656913|dvc:c|adp:1o2|mt:

He might enjoy that if he hasn't got one already. You could possibly put one together yourself but would need to be quick with the reduced camping item atm. If you have an army surplus store nearby that may be a good shout too if you're looking to put one together yourself.

kerri_gt

iammumtoone wrote: »

Not happy, I had a few bits and bobs I had purchased from ebay over the year to give to DS at Christmas (he only gets one new present which will be the one he puts on santas list). I had hid them up round Dads in his spare room. DS came home today with the stuff :eek::eek::eek: Dad had found the box, obviously thought they were old toys (as no packaging) and given them too him :mad::mad::mad:

Oh no, is it too late to say they were being saved for other children in a charity collection, or someone had asked you to look after them etc etc. I remember one year seeing a monopoly game at home, getting really excited to then be told it was for my cousin....guess what was under the tree on xmas day

CountingPennies

kerri_gt wrote: »

I beleive you can get den / survival kits like this one

http://www.play.com/Toys/Toys/4-/17436208/702219935/Real-Adventure-Den-Kit/ListingDetails.html?_$ja=tsid:13315|cat:17436208|prd:17436208&$$ja=cgid:7025512137|tsid:48121|cid:130773777|lid:54129060537|nw:g|crid:22604476137|rnd:550035309869656913|dvc:c|adp:1o2|mt:

He might enjoy that if he hasn't got one already. You could possibly put one together yourself but would need to be quick with the reduced camping item atm. If you have an army surplus store nearby that may be a good shout too if you're looking to put one together yourself.

That looks like quite a good idea actually, but maybe more for the summer? But they do look fantastic

Thanks CP xx

iammumtoone

kerri_gt wrote: »

Oh no, is it too late to say they were being saved for other children in a charity collection, or someone had asked you to look after them etc etc. I remember one year seeing a monopoly game at home, getting really excited to then be told it was for my cousin....guess what was under the tree on xmas day

Why didn't I think of that :mad: Then Father Christmas could have 'brought' him the same things as he saw how much he liked them. Think its a bit late now, but thanks I will know what to say for another time. It should be ok I have plenty of time before xmas will make sure I look round the charity shops every week am sure I can pick up a few more bits. Thinking of charging Dad for the extras lol

I remember finding a present once (I kept quiet) I was so disappointed that it didn't appear under the tree, I waited till my birthday (its not long after Christmas), still no present. In the end I said something and it was one my Mum had had ages and forgotten about it.

bossymoo

Aww I don't know what to suggest iammumtoone - we have a charity shop near here that is solely for toys - or keep an eye on Freegle, local FB selling pages, or netmums local sales. Maybe ask friends with slightly older kids if they are having a clear out before Xmas?

Callie22

carlamarie wrote: »

Speaking of chocolate oranges, a lady who makes buns near me has just started making christmas puddings ;
Chocolate orange, covered in malteasers (maybe one of you would know how to Mae then stick?) white icing over the top part and finished off with sugar paster green leaves and berries.
They look fantastic! She is wrapping in cellophane and charging a tenner

I know someone who makes these and she sticks the maltesers on with ordinary milk chocolate, and then uses white chocolate for the 'icing'. Once they've set, she wraps them and they last for ages. Using chocolate all the way through is better than glace icing (which might dissolve the maltesers) or royal icing (which can set really hard if you leave it for more than a few weeks, or if you don't add glycerine).

CountingPennies

Any skylander fans out there? Tesco have some of the series 2 skylanders for £4 each. I've ordered 6 for my son for £24. He only just got it for his birthday and has asked for figures (as well as army stuff, lol) for christmas so this seemed like a real good offer to me. Will be keeping my eye out for a couple of cheap giants too. I'm hoping they will come down in price once the new swap game comes out next month.

CP xx