Essentials for occasions?

luxor4t

When the children were younger my sister and I shared a 'birthday box' which held items like 'happy birthday' and 'congratulations' banners, candle holders etc. We had 6 children between us so a we really got good use out of the items.

The Martha Stewart website has seasonal crafting ideas for children, and some useful printable decoration ideas too.

pigpen

Christmas.. tree lights baubles .. I used to have a pillowcase rather than a stocking.

Easter.. nothing

Halloween.. a bag of sweets in case small dressed up children arrive.

Birthdays.. cake and candles

I have never found anything else necessary but if funds allow you can buy extra bits .. best time is the week following said events when it is all reduced !!

seabright

Don't forget to keep an eye out at car boot sales, I often see people getting rid of Christmas stuff in mid-summer

double_mummy

also keep on eye on sites such as halfcost as they have lots of v cheap christmassey thing in the summer right now they have a whole xmas section

http://www.halfcost.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=11&catalogId=10001&categoryId=10401&top=Y&showSubCategory=no

the 75 m of giftwrap for £1 is amazing i use it every year

twofishes

We never bought loads of stuff for occasions...my mum always had a box full of various greetings cards (some bought inexpensively, some homemade) and stocked up on generic presents when they were on offer (toiletries, chocolates etc). But as others have said, there are MSE ways of doing things, and I get that in your first flat, you want things to be special

Pink.

As your thread has now dropped down the Old Style board I've moved it over to our Special Occasions board where you should get more replies.

Pink

DigForVictory

notanewuser wrote: »

"something you want, something you need, something to wear and something to read

Brilliant. Step away from the "must haves" which *aren't* & just grow into the seasons celebrations. Things you've made together are *always* more fun than things you bought, no matter how lopsided.

Enjoy your ancient Santa - whyever trade him in? He looks ancient because he's been round the world, loads of times, but look, he always comes back to you.

Mcai7zh2

Places like primark and poundland sell really cheap (but good) wrapping paper or gift bags, if you stick a bow on something you probably dont need the wrap!