Thrifty Gifty Santas Challenge 2014

springdreams

Katiehound wrote: »

It's very quiet on here! but I am still lurking.Hope everyone is well.

Today signed up for the shoe box appeal:
http://linktohope.co.uk/shoebox-appeal/joining

This year they have a £10 challenge, and I know we all like a challenge! They reckon that £10 will cover almost all the items on the wish list and they show you how. Buys are from major supermarkets, £shops and our friend Wilkinsons.
http://linktohope.co.uk/shoebox-appeal/%C2%A310-shoebox-challenge

This week if you shop in Wilkinsons they are handing out coupons- £3 off £15 shop valid for next week and £4 off £20 spend x 3 for the 3 following weeks. I am planning to buy the toothbrushes, flannels, colouring books for the boxes etc and then dog hide treat items, cleaning products etc. I shall certainly not be spending £20 each week!!!

Last thing I noticed in there were the rubber stamp sets for boys- aliens and space rockets+ 4 inks now £1. Great little stocking filler.

Many thanks for this.

I have now also signed up to do a box this year. It is the first time I am participating in a shoe box appeal, so any tips would be most welcome

I've have a look around the website, but can't find an answer to this question - can we use boxes that have their lids attached to the box? I have many of those from my DS's football boots and trainers ...

Katiehound

springdreams wrote: »

Many thanks for this.

I have now also signed up to do a box this year. It is the first time I am participating in a shoe box appeal, so any tips would be most welcome

I've have a look around the website, but can't find an answer to this question - can we use boxes that have their lids attached to the box? I have many of those from my DS's football boots and trainers ...

just wrote a longish reply, pressed a key (don't know which!!) and the website shut down along with my post. Curses.

I don't think there would be a problem with attached lid as you wrap the whole parcel as one. The most important thing, I think, will be the size! I haven't done shoe boxes before either but it seemed a nice way of giving small presents to people who will think the world of those items rather than posting out cards to people who don't really need them!! (or waste the money on postage as well)
If in doubt send them an e-mail.
Have you watched the video on filling the box? Also the video of delivery of boxes and the 2 diaries? Very humbling.
I have picked up lots of oddments in Wilkinson's when they were either half price or 3 for 2. Tesco's have also have had great bargains earlier in the year- child's hat, gloves and scarf for £1.25.
Found boxes of dominoes at The Works - 59 pence (or 2 for £1 but that isn't showing on line)

I am going to make small pencil cases to hold the pencils, crayons,erasers etc which means I can split the bigger packets. Also thought I would make felt needlecases (I have huge pieces of red felt) with flannelette sheet pages. Again buy a cheap set of assorted needles, pins etc and divide. Think perhaps nail scissors would work with that and some embroidery thread (8 or so for £1 in bargain shop.) The pencil cases and needlecases will cost nothing but I will try to make them a bit special. I also thought I'd crotchet some flowers and turn them into brooches with safety pin back.Again, oddments of yarn... just my time.

When I am shopping I just keep a look out with the list in the back of my mind! The dearest things will be the wind up torches- I found them earlier in the year @ £4

I think it is a bit of fun too planning what to get. In the next couple of weeks I am going to pack what I have ....and see what space is left!!

Good luck!

Sammy_J

I've done a few shoebox appeals in the past and it's always been a must that the box and lid be wrapped separately so the contents can be checked. I'm not certain how you'd do that with the boxes that have hinged lids. Maybe check with them but definitely don't wrap the whole box as one.

Katiehound

Sammy_J wrote: »

I've done a few shoebox appeals in the past and it's always been a must that the box and lid be wrapped separately so the contents can be checked. I'm not certain how you'd do that with the boxes that have hinged lids. Maybe check with them but definitely don't wrap the whole box as one.

NO , you are wrong!!
If you are doing a box for The Link-to-Hope appeal please note that boxes are wrapped complete.
It shows you quite clearly in the video.
Please check it out here:
http://linktohope.co.uk/shoebox-appeal/filling-shoebox.
Lots of things people tell me you can't put in which are allowed here! You fill in a customs form specifying the contents so that the boxes are not examined (unless the box has split or seems very light/ poorly filled.)

It would appear that different charities have very different rules.

mum2one

Hope everyone ok, back safe and sound and am pleased to say no dramas....... Miss Hoodie loved it to bits she even did a water aerobics lesson....

My kindle got well used, lay on sunlounger and by pool so she was safe and sound.

Doing headless run as the plumbers turned up at 830am to rip out the bathroom... in situ there having to wait till 12.... appaently there has been a misunderstanding with the insurers etc they thought we were moving out yesterday... now had to extend the accomodation to Sat... they think they may still be working in the house next week.... so help!!

Have no internet connection, Miss Hoodie worried hows shes going to stay in touch with her school friend.... this morning was 16 missed calls and 20 texts....

Be back at weekend, hope everyone ok, big hugs xxx

PS - Good news won £25 fom chat magazine on crossword xxx

rufusdog52

Well done on the win Mum2one and hope the bathroom gets done quickly with no more hassles xx

I havent been doing anything to do with christmas or gifts, just had too much else to cope with. Been busy decorating our bathroom, now on to the kitchen. No rest for the wicked.

springdreams

Katiehound wrote: »

just wrote a longish reply, pressed a key (don't know which!!) and the website shut down along with my post. Curses.

I don't think there would be a problem with attached lid as you wrap the whole parcel as one. The most important thing, I think, will be the size! I haven't done shoe boxes before either but it seemed a nice way of giving small presents to people who will think the world of those items rather than posting out cards to people who don't really need them!! (or waste the money on postage as well)
If in doubt send them an e-mail.
Have you watched the video on filling the box? Also the video of delivery of boxes and the 2 diaries? Very humbling.
I have picked up lots of oddments in Wilkinson's when they were either half price or 3 for 2. Tesco's have also have had great bargains earlier in the year- child's hat, gloves and scarf for £1.25.
Found boxes of dominoes at The Works - 59 pence (or 2 for £1 but that isn't showing on line)

I am going to make small pencil cases to hold the pencils, crayons,erasers etc which means I can split the bigger packets. Also thought I would make felt needlecases (I have huge pieces of red felt) with flannelette sheet pages. Again buy a cheap set of assorted needles, pins etc and divide. Think perhaps nail scissors would work with that and some embroidery thread (8 or so for £1 in bargain shop.) The pencil cases and needlecases will cost nothing but I will try to make them a bit special. I also thought I'd crotchet some flowers and turn them into brooches with safety pin back.Again, oddments of yarn... just my time.

When I am shopping I just keep a look out with the list in the back of my mind! The dearest things will be the wind up torches- I found them earlier in the year @ £4

I think it is a bit of fun too planning what to get. In the next couple of weeks I am going to pack what I have ....and see what space is left!!

Good luck!

I emailed them about the shoe boxes and whether we could split multi packs or whether the items in the boxes had to be in sealed packets (e.g. tights, toothbrushes and the like). I also asked whether we should wrap the lid and box separately from each other as I have heard that other shoebox appeals require you to do this so that the contents can be checked - even though the video for LinktoHope shows that the whole box should be wrapped and not left open for checking.

This is the response I received:

You can use a shoebox with or without a hinged lid. We suggest a box about size 8, and definitely no boots boxes. We only check shoeboxes that come in if they are damaged or feel very light. If that is the case, we do have a very good team of volunteers that repair any damaged boxes, or top up boxes that come in light.

Buying multi-packs of things is really good idea, as it spreads the cost over a few boxes. Items do of course need to be new, but they don’t have to be in sealed packaging.

Re the wind up torches, a lady posted the following on the Shoebox Best Buys section of the website :

Dynamo (wind-up) torch 99p Home Bargains, or £1 Poundland. (Home Bargains sometimes have packs of 2 slightly smaller animal shape dynamo torches for 99p which you can split between 2 boxes.) I like to put one of these in because a lot of the people who receive the boxes have no power or light.

http://linktohope.co.uk/shoebox-appeal/best-buys

springdreams

mum2one wrote: »

Have no internet connection, Miss Hoodie worried hows shes going to stay in touch with her school friend.... this morning was 16 missed calls and 20 texts....

Be back at weekend, hope everyone ok, big hugs xxx

PS - Good news won £25 fom chat magazine on crossword xxx

You could purchase a mobile wi fi unit which works with a data sim to get internet access. Something like this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dcomputers&field-keywords=Huawei%20E5332%20Unlocked%20Mobile%20Wi-Fi%20Modem

Katiehound

Yes, I saw the bit about the wind up torches- none of those stores near me but I will send out messages to friends in other locations!
Found lipsalve in Wilkinsons yesterday- 3 for 99 pence. (Think it was in the OAP box list.)
Their face flannels are nice quality @33 pence
Lots of folk in there yesterday buying £15 of things for the £3 off! Filled my basket after the flannels etc with hide dog chews!!
They still have the coupons but sadly not giving them out!

I can't see a way to log onto Link to Hope feedback board- am not on any of the networks mentioned!

I want to pack my boxes and see what space is left.. ... hampered by the not-quite-house trained new hound- I don't want accidents in my dining room! Working from memory- I have at least three quarters of the lists.

springdreams

Katiehound, when you click in the box under "or pick a name" the system will allow you to register or you can tick the box to post as a guest.

I can't see lip salve on any of the lists. However, I will also put some in my boxes too.

If an item that you want to include in your box, such as the lip salve, is not on the list, how do you mark it on the list to include it??