12 dates of Xmas - need help!!

DSmiffy

Hi All, somewhere on here I briefly read about something called 12 Dates of Xmas, anyway I can't really remember how it works, but based on the name alone, I thought I would surprise my loved one with a 12 Dates of Xmas present.

Plan is to package together 12 different dates or things for us to do together over the next twelve months, so things like, Ice Skating, Cinema Trip, going for a coffee and cake at Costa, I even thought maybe go to a race night at the dogs or the gee gees. Some small things, some bigger treats.

Anyway, I am on a really tight budget, as we all are, so wondered if anyone had any ideas on what the best way to buy these things would be? I've looked on sites like Groupon and Living Social etc but their deals seem to run out early and have to been taken before February etc. Will I just have to bite the bullet and buy giftcards to the value for each activity?

Any input here would be very much appreciated.

Thanks all

Buzzybee90

For racing check the courses dates because some run special offer dates. I went to the races for £12 recently, in G&P. However I didn't know it was an offer until I got there! Worth calling a course and asking.

DSmiffy

Buzzybee90 wrote: »

For racing check the courses dates because some run special offer dates. I went to the races for £12 recently, in G&P. However I didn't know it was an offer until I got there! Worth calling a course and asking.

Great idea Buzzybee90!! Thanks very much, wow that's a huge saving!

Hedgehog99

For things that you know there will be offers on later in the year, you could just do a nice greetings card / postcard IOU for now, and explain that you'll buy the tickets when there are good deals on them.

FieryAngel

I agree with Hedgehog, make up a nice little voucher for the activity you want to do and then when you do spot it on Groupon or any of the other deal sites then you can buy it later next year and use it when you want to.

I love this idea though, really nice and thoughtful and will lead you straight into next Christmas

I know Groupon regularly has night at the digs tickets for Belle Vue track and it's something like £8 for two people and a burger each making it a nice cheap date (well assuming you don't have to travel hundreds of miles to Manchester that is!:rotfl:)

If any of your activities do involve travel then worth checking the train prices 12 weeks in advance for best prices and comparing that with the cost of sharing a tank of petrol, oftentimes I've found the car to be vastly cheaper!
Good luck and let us know what deals you find

Melaniep101

If you want to go horse racing, can I recommend a local Point to Point? We have one near us and it's a fab day out for about £15 a car - You can take a picnic and get right next to the course.

Not sure if you are near London, or a major city, but I've recently booked a Jack the Ripper walking tour in London for DH and I - Think it was about £8 each for a 2 and a half hour tour.

You could also do a countryside walk, or maybe a visit to a National Trust place...

Buzzybee90

DSmiffy wrote: »

Great idea Buzzybee90!! Thanks very much, wow that's a huge saving!

You're welcome. It was a great one - it also was a big/well known course. Good luck

I do enjoy the point to point too Melanie but depends on what sort of experience you're after.

Gettingtherequickly

Why not use some months as surprises, that will give you the option to avail of a Groupon deal if a suitable one comes up?

clarryd

How about a day at the sea side, walk along beach fish, chips and an ice-cream.

A trip to the a museum or a posh house, you can walk around the gardens.

A cream tea afternoon.

DSmiffy

Melaniep101 wrote: »

If you want to go horse racing, can I recommend a local Point to Point? We have one near us and it's a fab day out for about £15 a car - You can take a picnic and get right next to the course.

Not sure if you are near London, or a major city, but I've recently booked a Jack the Ripper walking tour in London for DH and I - Think it was about £8 each for a 2 and a half hour tour.

You could also do a countryside walk, or maybe a visit to a National Trust place...

Not heard of point to point I will look it up. thanks

sweetilemon

If you sign up to John lewis/waitrose loyalty cards (free) they send you cake & coffee vouchers, one a month. If you both sign up for a card thats free cake & coffee every month!