OS Christmas 2014 thread!!!!

sugarpuss27

Well, a breakthrough for all our family, we have decided only to buy token gifts for adult couples and then pressies for the kiddiwinks. We have no children but have nieces, nephews and their children, This is a big step for us, we didn't spend huge anyway as we are pretty much O/S all round and are not the types to get upset if left out or spends don't match, but we all live away from each other and only see each other about 3 or 4 times a year. Dad passed away this year so the central hub that we used to go to to meet up is gone. So I shall buy the adult couples a nice tin of biccies, hopefully the M&S ones are still available that I bought this week and then some bits and pieces for the kids. I have done a rough calculation and will spend about £150. This includes 7 children of varying ages from 9 months to 11yrs and then 11 couples. Didn't think this was too bad. DH and I don't spend on each other not because there is nothing we want just that we decided that having the day together doing something nice and simple is what really matters.

meg72

whitesatin wrote: »

Not sure if this is the right board but I have promised I will make some Christmas craft items for a school fair. I was thinking (as well as other things) of making fabric flowers, e.g. pointsettas.

Was wondering if I should buy a rotary cutter and board, would it be useful? There seem to be lots of different sizes of both. Does anyone use them, are they any good? Which size should I go for? How many layers of fabric would they cut through? E.g. felt petals.

Sorry, in a hurry as my grandson is at the door, aged 3. Here for the day. Looking forward to your advice, thanks.

I don't have any experience of rotary cutters but am a confirmed fanatic of diecutters, If you look on ebay the older types of machine are quite cheap now and the dies are reasonable,

BritishBibliophile

Last year I did a pamper hamper for one of my sisters, then spent some time worrying about how I could actually fill up a box as she's only 16 (now 17) so her skin sometimes reacts badly to cheap stuff.

Luckily I caught a Body Shop 40% off code in November and managed to fill up most of the box with what I bought! Going to try the same thing again this year for her, just need to check that she has actually used the stuff I got her and it isn't just sitting at the side of the bathtub because she doesn't actually like it XD

Youngest sister is more difficult to buy for as she's 14 but doesn't like to music so doesn't have a favourite band, isn't a great reader so I can't get her books, and doesn't have pierced ears so I can't get her jewellery. But she's recently being trying vegetarian cookery so I might have a look for a good new cook book for her.

Brother is very easy, he gets a carrier bag full of chocolate!

springdreams

BritishBibliophile wrote: »

Last year I did a pamper hamper for one of my sisters, then spent some time worrying about how I could actually fill up a box as she's only 16 (now 17) so her skin sometimes reacts badly to cheap stuff.

Luckily I caught a Body Shop 40% off code in November and managed to fill up most of the box with what I bought! Going to try the same thing again this year for her, just need to check that she has actually used the stuff I got her and it isn't just sitting at the side of the bathtub because she doesn't actually like it XD

Youngest sister is more difficult to buy for as she's 14 but doesn't like to music so doesn't have a favourite band, isn't a great reader so I can't get her books, and doesn't have pierced ears so I can't get her jewellery. But she's recently being trying vegetarian cookery so I might have a look for a good new cook book for her.

Brother is very easy, he gets a carrier bag full of chocolate!

In case you don't already know The Body Shop's 40% off offer is currently on online and instore until 15 September.

Lilium

Well I've mostly done the kids presents and haven't spent any real money yet. Used double clubcard points when they had the boost on to get most of their presents.

Now need to get started on everyone else. As usual, I struggle with what to get my dad and brothers. Maybe a bread making book for my dad as he's into that lately.

bossymoo

I've been collecting stocking fillers for the children (4 & 5) over the year, and had to sort them into a bigger box last night. Think they have plenty now. They also have a book, wii game and bigger lego set each. I shall get them a shared board game and then nearer the time buy one or two more things they express an interest in. Oh and some sweeties. They are not chocolate fans so we don't do selection boxes, but last year I bought 2 mini craft organisers, the clear plastic sectioned trays. I put jelly babies, haribo, dolly mixture etc in each slot. Our own version of a selection box!

whitesatin

Getting a bit frustrated in my quest to make things for a school Christmas Fair. I don't want to make any money for myself out of this, just the most I can for the school. I am such a novice to crocheting that, apart from some little hanging stars I have made, I think I might stick with simpler items like felt gingerbread men, Christmas puds etc. I tried making crochet stockings but I am so slow, I would be better spending my time on something I can already do. I might also make some of those little candy cane sleighs that I made last year but would love to think of something inspiring (but easy) to make.

Feeling quite despondent right now. So much time already wasted trying to improve my crochet skills. Daft really.

Sorry for the ramble...

Floss

whitesatin wrote: »

Getting a bit frustrated in my quest to make things for a school Christmas Fair. I don't want to make any money for myself out of this, just the most I can for the school...

Why not find a snowman cookie cutter & bake gingerbread snowmen? Ice & put chocolate chips on as "buttons" & "eyes".

Or make stained glass cookies - basic plain, chocolate or spiced fridge cookie mix, roll out & using a small shape cut out the centre, then put a small amount of smashed-up boiled sweet in. Bake as normal, but make sure you use parchment, and leave on the tray for 10-15 minutes after taking them out of the oven so the "glass" sets.

Mojoworking

whitesatin wrote: »

Getting a bit frustrated in my quest to make things for a school Christmas Fair. I don't want to make any money for myself out of this, just the most I can for the school. I am such a novice to crocheting that, apart from some little hanging stars I have made, I think I might stick with simpler items like felt gingerbread men, Christmas puds etc. I tried making crochet stockings but I am so slow, I would be better spending my time on something I can already do. I might also make some of those little candy cane sleighs that I made last year but would love to think of something inspiring (but easy) to make.

Feeling quite despondent right now. So much time already wasted trying to improve my crochet skills. Daft really.

Sorry for the ramble...

Hi white satin I'd googlw reindeer poo snoman poo and grinch poo. Snowman soup. At our fair I did rainy day jars and put in things like half hour on fhe computer make cakes and then clean your room or polish the front room putting some blank slips in to personalise so it is a bit of a roulette when you say "mum I'm bored". A jar of cleaning products labelled after dinner hints I'm considering making the candy cane play dough this year and of course reindeer food. Az an aside my friend does the pancake stall at her neices school and says that makes a tidy amount after you've deducted the cost of Nutella. She donates the pancake making ingredients x

craigywv

hi all, just finshed plundering in cupboard while son is in a trance playing playstation downstairs and I can honestly say bar the sweets that's him all bought for, I got a 20 gift voucher from a catalougue book I no longer use also a further £ 15 welcome back gift and forgotten points totalling 18 quid so got him the new lego set he wanted total cost 7.00 should have been 60 so I happy. its suprising what I had squirrelled away in cupboards for presents. I only need sweets and some home baking and im done .I fancy doing some cups with the candles in them and also the hot chocolate sets . I just want to do EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!