OS Christmas 2014 thread!!!!

thriftwizard

Hmm, yes, time to start planning - cards & paper were bought back in January, but nothing else much has happened since. I need to start adding a festive treat to each of my supermarket visits from here on in, and planning for prezzies. No children now to buy for, apart from one nephew, but 5 young adults, one of whom may or may not be trotting up from the south of France to join in with the family festivities. Not sure yet how many other relatives may decide we are their venue of choice this year; my younger brother may bring my mother & stepfather up for Christmas lunch, if they are well enough. If not, he'll cook for them, then join us later on. One other brother, his wife & daughter (in her 30s) are also possible guests. So yes, time to start planning & stocking up...

Butterfly_Brain

I have all the sundries such as paper, gift tags, crackers, selllotape and cards all bought in the January sales. I have all the stocking fillers bought and put away, just one present left to get for DS I have most of DH's just need to get a couple more for DD.
We do buy for our really good friends next door and I already have his present just need to get something for her. They always spend a lot on us and are just like family.
I have made small HM gifts for the teachers where DH works it is only a small village school so there are not many to make and they are already wrapped.

MIL always has a £20 garden centre voucher, FIL is awkward but I have a few ideas to make a hamper of his favourite bits.
I have my Turkey, bought just after Easter at half price, Gammon and Pork joints and sausagemeat from the local farm, Beef joints and stewing steak from my lovely local butcher and I always have plenty of chicken.
I have loads of booze that we didn't use last year so I just need a bottle of Aldi Ameretto for DH, plus a few beers and mixers.
I have £54 in nectar points, £40 in farmfoods stamps and I still have over £400 savings left in my Christmas pot and I doubt if I will spend it all so it will carry over for next year.

We have plenty of seasoned wood and 24 x 25kg bags of coal and I am booking the chimney sweep and boiler man to come out in the next couple of weeks and I have that money put to one side already.
Plus BG owes me £380

I hope to be finished by the end of September/beginning of October and to have everything wrapped and cards sent by the end of November.
I will start to buy extras in the shopping every week, today I bought a box of ritz crackers a couple of multipack sweets (bounties and milky way), a pack of sponge fingers, 2 jars of pickling vinegar for the onions and red cabbage, a jar of gherkins, a jar of branston and I want to make some piccalli this year as well.

Next week I will get some maltesers, toffifee and after eights from poundland and anything else I think that the family will like. I am not wasting my money on roses or quality street this year because the tin only weighs 870g these days when it used to be 1.3 kgs :mad:

Lilyplonk

• Still got lots of 'ordinary Christmas Cards' - will need to buy 'specials'.
• Loads of wrapping paper and gift bags - these are held onto whenever I receive one.
• Gift tags are made out the cards from previous year - still got sellotape.
• New Christmas Tree was bought last year (necessary 'bargain' purchase as previous one was w-a-y too big for this flat) and I intend for that to last me into the foreseeable future.
• Christmas Ornaments have been around for many years (at least 20) and I won't be buying any new ones.
• I've had my table linen for at least 8yrs and it won't be getting replaced.
• My 2 DSis's/1 DBro and I spend £15 on each other - rule is that we have to try to buy as many 'useful items' as possible - these are the only adult presents that I buy.
• I have [STRIKE]5[/STRIKE] 6 dgk's to buy for.
• 2 DS's and 1DD will get vouchers for supermarkets that are intended to buy food/extras towards the added cost of their 'Family Christmas'.
• Under 18's (very young gt newphews/nieces) will be getting hand-knitted, or crocheted, items.
• I buy whoopsied 'special stuff' when I spot items on the 'bashed box stand' in my local supermarket - these get used for 'foodie treats' over Christmas/New Year.

I keep a 'presents box' throughout the year that I can 'dip into' whenever needed and I don't hesitate to 're-gift' if I've received something I won't use - just making sure that I don't re-gift it back to somebody within the same social group :undecided.

I have no problem about buying (or receiving) something from a CS when I see an item that would be completely appropriate.

calicocat

Always have mountains of cards,gift bags, paper, ribbon etc in collected over the years.

Main aim ...............is to sort out and maybe decorate the dining room. Get new curtains and tablecloths etc. I'm fancying grey cream and white...this way silver and gold will tie in scheme wise for this year.

Can't seem to find curtains I fancy yet to get it all started off, so far only have grey sand to put candles in.

candlelight_2013

BB I thought I was organised but you put me to shame:)

I always aim to have my presents wrapped and labelled by the beginning of December. My grandchildren laugh at me for doing so, but I used to hate having to do last minute shopping just before Christmas. I try to buy things throughout the year, and like LILY I always have a present box. I also have no problem with re-gifting if someone has given me something that I know I will not use. As Lily says you really do have to remember who gave it to you:)

I always have lots of wrapping paper, tissue and gift bags. I have a roll of cellophane somewhere, but for the life of me I can't find it. If I go and buy another you know I will find it. I need this to wrap around my hampers.

Our 3 grandchildren are grown up now o they have money and some little presents to open.

I notice yesterdy Mr. T had the "tins" although they are not tin anymore, of roses, quality street etc. £5 at the moment but I would rather buy large bars of chocolate because it seems better value.

Candlelight

NaughtySpot

shammyjack wrote: »

AHHH! The dreaded C word ! Complete non event !

That's your opinion and you're entitled to it, but why bother reading a Christmas thread never mind commenting on it?!?

Ladyluck1

I need to start!

I like to make my mincemeat around now so need to start thinking about that.
Also Amazon started their deals last year around now, I got some real bargains

Our kids will be 4 and 1 but the 4yo is very interested in Christmas this year so should be nice!

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

BAH HUMBUG


(Tried and tested Cake and Pudding Recipe available November 1st)

[Deleted User]

candlelight_2013 wrote: »

BB I thought I was organised but you put me to shame:)

Being organised has nothing to do with it.

There's absolutely no organisation required, to not celebrate Christmas.

kippers

candlelight_2013 wrote: »

I notice yesterdy Mr. T had the "tins" although they are not tin anymore, of roses, quality street etc. £5 at the moment but I would rather buy large bars of chocolate because it seems better value.

Candlelight

Don't do what I did last year...I bought five tins of celebrations for nieces and nephews and put them in the wardrobe for safe keeping....only I forgot and found them in April (this was not like me at all as I normally write everything down that I buy).....Unfortunately the best before date was April too, so we all had to eat them (well someone had to to do it as we don't like waste lol):rotfl: