OS Christmas 2014 thread!!!!

Islandmaid

I agree Mand, a good few years ago I stopped the 'let me buy you some tat and you buy me some' thing. No one minded.

We buy for my 3 kids (teens), his Mum (hamper of her fav things), my parents (same) and my neice (amazon voucher) - thats it

Chistmas day is a chill day, last year, as the kids Grandma on ex,s side was very ill, we ended up just us two, I was dreading it, but it was lovely, laid back and no pressure - kids are here this year, but it won,t be much different - prezzies, food and kip LOL

Nargleblast

MandM90 wrote: »

I was thinking of sending out a cheeky email saying I'm not really doing Xmas this year. I was going to give out a few jams etc but ask thy no one buys me anything as I'm only buying for DD.

Can't think how to word it without sounding totally horrible!!

You could say that instead of buying Christmas presents this year you will be giving money to charities that help homeless people at Christmas, and ask that people intending buying you a present also do a donation instead.

Then you make a donation of whatever you can afford, or maybe give food items to a food bank.

MandM90

Nargleblast wrote: »

You could say that instead of buying Christmas presents this year you will be giving money to charities that help homeless people at Christmas, and ask that people intending buying you a present also do a donation instead.

Then you make a donation of whatever you can afford, or maybe give food items to a food bank.

That's a wonderful idea. We often toss a few tins in, but perhaps this year we could get some Christmassy bits and treats instead of buying whatever tat boots has on 3for2. I have a huge family, so it can get expensive

Another thing that bothers me is I often have to bring the gifts out for a "showing" before donating them to a charity shop. I have everything I need and don't like clutter so I spend all of Jan trying to redistribute everything! I'm sure people feel the same about my gifts at times :rotfl:

If only everyone was an OSer. Something edible would be a different story... :EasterBun I absolutely love exchanging homemade gifts, chutneys and brews but I fear my 21 yo sister would be completely unimpressed with a green bean pickle

gayleygoo

I am dying to start gift knitting but have 2 shrugs to finish as bridesmaids outfits for Halloween! Knitting like a mad woman as it is.

I'm loving the wee ferrero roche covers! I can't quite see from the pattern how they are removable though...?

For some children's gifts I will be gifting vouchers for trips out etc, as I know many parents that might crumble at the sight of yet another toy they don't have space for. I'll also give knitted hats, scarves or mittens, and maybe some things like bubbles, colouring pencils and craft supplies that can be used up in time.

I saw a "Grow your own pizza" set in a supermarket the other day, it was reduced to £3 but I didn't think of buying it then. It would be easy to make - a bucket or flowerpot, seed packets of basil and tomatoes, and some plant labels. Small bags of soil, or the dehydrated compost cubes (that I saw in Poundland a while back), and mini tools could be added. would be great for pizza-loving children!

Purple_kitten

BBrain: we are gathering up for Christmas at home this year and it crossed my mind to pre do things like the "posh" cabbage and freeze it, apologies if this sounds a bit dim but how does the part boiling potato s and freezing work? I have visions if I did it the potato's would go a "funny colour":rotfl::rotfl:

kboss2010

Just looking at kids' toys and getting more and more frustrated - why is everything now gendered, pinkified and multi-branded in individual sets only good for one thing? I refuse to buy my nieces pink lego because they're girls or my nephews a £20 lego Star Wars tiny spaceship set because that's boring!

I feel this year that stickle bricks will be getting my money, it's the only toy that is still multicoloured plain pieces!

nursemaggie

Thanks kboss, Stickle Bricks have been staring me in the face for the last year. I have some in my older grandkids toy box, a cs find and they absolutely love them. I need more, and I can get them both some. I have already knitted them hats scarves and mittens.

kboss2010

nursemaggie wrote: »

Thanks kboss, Stickle Bricks have been staring me in the face for the last year. I have some in my older grandkids toy box, a cs find and they absolutely love them. I need more, and I can get them both some. I have already knitted them hats scarves and mittens.

I had hours of fun with my lunchbox full of stickle bricks as a kid! During my undergrad degree I worked at Boots and a customer asked if we sold stickle bricks. I was 19 but none of the 16 year olds I worked with had a clue what they were and that made me really sad. (Boots don't sell them btw, but shops like Smyth's do and Playskool make a similar toy called Clipo)

kboss2010

My friend and her bf are huge scifi fans, he likes Star Wars and she likes Transformers so I've customised these lamps for their Xmas gift (I got the idea from lightsaber lamps on Pinterest):

Jedi symbol



Autobot symbol



- all I did was trace the shape onto grease proof paper, turn over, place on the lampshade and scribble over to transfer the pattern and then use a nail and a blob of blue tac to punch the holes along the lines of the pattern.

nursemaggie

KBoss they are brilliant and so personal.

Thanks for the info on stickle bricks. My grandchildren has played with them before I bought some for their toy box They both played with them in nursery. I have been looking for more in charity shops just had not thought they are perfect for them for Christmas.