NST December Challenge - Festive and Frugal

Fmess

Afternoon all,


Tree is done


Felt rather cheery putting it up, not just because it is Christmas but also because I realised I bought my tree and decorations about 6 years ago and have not had to replace any of it yet. I think I bought it for about £40 and that makes it an absolute bargain, based on price per year! Funny how being frugal makes me so happy.

Calling14

Had a sfd today.

Repaired outside lights look fab, until the gales forecast come along. Sorted out my internal doors which kept sticking just tightened screws up worked loose.

Was a happy bunny until my heating went off. Got British Gas coming tomorrow. Glad I took insurance out, just hope it's all covered. So gloves hat dressing gown on to keep warm tonight. Done nothing but eat so cold.

Bit peveed off, bought my friend a xmas pressie and she has posted a pic of same thing but in different color on fbook. May just pretend haven't seen it and give her it anyway, been not brilliant as a friend this year, seems to be jealous of my life(why) and had some horrid texts off her. Anyway not in budget second pressie.

sazzlebgood

nsd claimed only because we have a pj day:j

thriftylass

Hello, just a quick check in. Grocery shop and most last bits of Christmas present shopping done.

Nice catch up with a friend this afternoon

We don't put the tree up till 12 days before (at my parents in Germany it went up on the 24th of Dec). And we never replace any decoration. Most of mine are between 5 and 80 years old and gifts, homemade or inherited. Only the baubles get replaced if they brake.

Better get the kids to bed. Will update properly on Tue

speakingofart

Evening turtles! Spendy day today - now only two more christmas presents to buy, all my cards written and the presents I have are wrapped, so I'm almost ready to go. Have very little budget left to last until payday on saturday, and a planned outing on thursday so need to save money for that - hoping to have NSDs for the rest of the week.

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for a walk with dd, for lovely servers in the coffee shop, for wrapping 16 bunnies, for a peaceful evening, for dd's excitement every single morning as she opens her advent calendar.

mothernerd

Another NSD - gusting winds and rain made me not want to go even as far as the back gate.

Lurgy ramping up so lots of sleep and reading and dozing most of the day. May have to go to doctor's tomorrow - not the best day.

Contacted a local organisation on Friday to see if they can use/collect any of the things I have (DS2 has left me with duplicate kettle toaster etc) otherwise will have to get very creative with my giveaways to keep on target. Still some clothes on the line (some DS2's) but no space indoors.

Grateful for lovely lemon sorbet, good neighbours, lovely drama series, DS3 even though he ain't doing a lot (wants to have his next game out before he goes to gf's on 20th), commercial Christmas madness passing me by (I have candles).

liltdiddylilt

Evening all

Have updated my sig to showcase my groceries/SFD. Not as bad as feared on the grocery front since half of it was baby related/toiletries.

Today is another SFD as we have not left the house apart from to deliver homemade cookies to the neighbour downstairs who is lovely

Tomorrow won't be, as having a C0sta catch up with a friend who lives 3 miles from me but we have not seen each other in nearly a year. Bad... juggling 2 kids, one with learning difficulties, both our jobs, school, nursery & other normal housey bits means we rarely get the time where we can just commit to see each other. So once the kids are at school/nursery in the morning she will collect me and we shall spend a couple of hours catching up and eating cake child free! Then in laws coming so more cookie baking ready for them arriving.

Fab recipe, very easy

4oz marg (dairy free for us)
3oz soft brown sugar (I used demerara and it was lush!)
2 tablespoon of golden syrup
6oz self raising flour
4oz choc chips (dairy free here)
2 teaspoons of milk (soya milk for us)

Cream the marg and sugar, add the golden syrup and mix, then add the flour bit by bit until all mixed in. Next chuck in the choc chips, stir and then use a teaspoon to scoop bits of mix, roll it into balls and pop on a greased baking tray. 8-10 mins at 170 degrees and they are perfect. Just leave them to cool slightly before you lift them as they are very soft when first out. Can recommend. Jelly will recommend too. She ate half the "fingers out" as that is what she thinks the mixture is called :rotfl::rotfl:

Off to bed. Lots on tomorrow. Happy to say there is no need for ANYTHING in my happy household for the next few days so any spends will be non-grocery related

Also, mum has her second BIG op tomorrow. Synchronised watches between me and my sister... Long and nervous wait for us and my dad. My Pop (mums dad) is in the hospital, but where he was being rehabilitated for going home after a fall a week and a half ago, he feel again and they thought he had broken his hip/thigh. He hasn't, touch wood, but he is on antibiotics. Apparently he got up and was trying to walk out of the hospital when he fell. Very confused the last few days I don't think he is long for this world. Hoping he at least lasts through Christmas. Mum has enough on & I am too far to be of any use/ sis is in Thailand for Christmas.

Calling I would ignore the picture and give your friend the gift. I've got several colours of several tops etc I like

Night guys. xx

Synonymous

Hi everyone, been great to hear everyone's progress over the weekend!

I have finally spent money in December! Went to the German market on Friday night and I bought the hot chocs, bought some food (and hair dye) Saturday as I was staying at my Aunty's and wanted to contribute, finally drew my secret santa so got started there too. Then raffle tickets and donation at the panto on Saturday night, although I won a bottle of wine so that was worth it!

NSD today and I resisted buying any xmas presents online to keep it that way! Will have to spend tomorrow as meeting my coaching group in a cafe, so will do some shopping in the evening.

Night night all and wishing you a Happy Monday tomorrow

CoffeeandStitches

Good morning all.

I'm just going to put myself on the naughty step. It's best not to ask.....

Off to catch up on the weekends posts.

Happy Monday xxx