Make do, Mend and Minimise in 2015

nursemaggie

Before MSE I bought a case for wrapping paper, it's like a huge knitting bag. The sort with handles. I used to buy wrapping paper in the January sales so I had acquired rather a lot of wrapping paper. I gathered it up from around the house about six years ago and put it in the bag. It also has pockets for tags. I struggled to put it all in at first but now after 6 years of buying no paper or tags, and no Christmas cards for the last 4 years, I still have 6 rolls unopened, hundreds of tags and I still will not need to buy any Christmas cards for a few more years.

I used to buy several packs of charity cards in the sales every year and use only use a few out of each packet. I have had some of them long enough for no one to notice they have had one like it before.

When I was a warden I used to send all my tenants a card for birthday and Christmas so I also accumulated lots of boxes of birthday cards. I only tend to buy cards for my grandchildren. I think I will leave all my boxes of birthday cards to DD it will save her stocking up so many when she comes to the UK. Viv you can cut out tags from used cards both Christmas and Birthday. You can tie them on with the little strips of ribbon you seem to get in all the clothes you buy these days. I find them a nuisance I only get my arms caught in them.

babyblooz

Haha this is JUST like me! i have so much of everything card and paper related if i live to be 110 i will still not use it all up!

[Deleted User]

I think the problem with a lot of us is we see the stuff reduced in January and being good little frugulers we think 'Oh I'd better get that and put it away for next year,forgetting we still have last years haul at home :):) I would lay good money that a good percentage of the population has a wrapping paper stock somewhere. That's apart from the gift bags that proliferate every year.Its a case of "Oh what a pretty bag I'll save that and recycle it next year.I must have a large bag of these in stock as well.My aim this year is to not buy any more wrapping paper until every bit I have at home is used up, so that will be around 2019 I think :):) Now my DGS are getting older I no longer need the huge sheets of paper once required to wrap toys with.The youngest DGS is eleven and a half and hasn't got any toys on his little 'hopeful for Christmas list'.

Most of it is books or clothes.I have got him a box set of the 'Maze Runner series that he wanted so the rest of his present will be made up of clothes and probably a little bit of cash to treat himself with.No big boxes to clutter up the recycling bins after Christmas .The next two brothers up want clothes or cash and the eldest boy I will also get books that I know he is after for Uni plus nice smellies and t-shirts.

GreyQueen

Idid buy a gift bag from the 20p box at the chazzer yesterday. In my defense, m'lud, it is going off to a rellie to corral the several small consumable gifts I will be giving her for Christmas.

The rellie being the rellie, it will be re-purposed many many times until it is tattered beyond all recognition.

For this rellie, and another lady of the same vintage, I am getting a carefully-chosen selection of consumables. The last things ladies of a certain age need is another knick-knack.

The weather is looking ominously forboding, and I reached into the top of the hamper in the linen cupboard, and drew out the drawstring bag which contains the warm hats and the gloves. Will be needing them for the first time since last winter today. It was so empowering to know exactly where they were and that I could drop my hands on them in seconds.

Righty, quick stroll around the interwebulator, and then breakfast and out to face the day. The sky is louring, it may snow at bit even this far south.

Hope everyone has a good day and keeps warm and well. GQ xx

vulpix

I too have lots of rolls of wrapping paper stored in a transparent long slim plastic bag which appeared from somewhere.I also find as time goes on the kids gifts are smaller and use less paper.I also have a large shoe box with folded pre used paper,tissue and homemade tags.Plus !!! another shoe box with ribbon and bows,used of course.And!!! a bag of gift bags which never get any less as I only gift to family and they give the bloomin things back again.

This year I am having a use up of pre used paper and the majority of that will be recycled this time.I must confess that I also save the nicer gift tags I have made and store them in the cellophane bags cards come in,one for each person!!!

I also have another shoe box with unused notebooks/half used school books.I will never need to buy a notebook...ever.

I only send a few Christmas cards to Mr V's aunts so a pack of 10 in the sales is enough for me.Mr V and I "send" the same card for birthday,christmas,valentine etc with an added message every year. I keep them in a large plastic wallet.

My downfall is Christmas,I don't spend much and I spread the cost all year.Buying reduced and second hand items.oh must tell you about eldest daughters gift,I got a beautiful fancy red mixer still in the box,used once from fb for £50,she will be thrilled.She isnt having anything else mind,they only have £50 each.

For the youngest I have made a giant selection box with pound shop chocs in an old tv box.She will also be having bits I have found in cheapo shops and car boot sales.My son had a Herbert Terry lamp which he admired, bought for £30 from eeeeebay and £20 in a card.The lamp is now in my loft until he returns from Canada.

So far Mr V has a wind up torch and a bag of nuts!!!!!!!!!!!

It snowed here last night but it is one of those beautiful sunny days today that you often get after snow.

Vx

silvasava

I did buy a roll of wrapping paper in Aldee on Thursday - only because it didn't have a Christmas motif on it so can be used for presents during the year. I try to buy ' non seasonal/ occasion paper that can be used for anything but now I've been reminded I'm going to have to check the stock of bottle bags that have accumulated.
My little Dirt Devil cleaner gave up the ghost a few months ago after many years sterling service. Can't be repaired as its obsolete. I remembered we had a small cleaner in the Caravan that I'd bought in a CS so DH brought it home & I found its a newer model of my DD - happy bunny! I've also managed to repair DS1's jacket - not as neatly as I'd hoped but at least it's secure. Took it over to him last night & he's delighted with it! DGD is coming round this morning to do my roots on payment of buttered hot cross buns! & I expect Nan will be asked to tidy her eyebrows for the weekend
Have a good day all x

vhalla1478

My last word on frugal wrapping - honestly!

I bought some foil carrier bags in gold and silver last Christmas mainly because I had sweaters to wrap and it's so much easier and quicker and saves a few swear words when you put your fingers through the paper. :mad: Every time I use one for any of the tribe next door, I take it back for re-use and I'm not above ironing and re-using wrapping paper either or re-using the gift tags.:beer:

Have a great day, Folks.

Viv xx

celtic_moon

Hi All!

Managed to grab 5 mins on the pooter to say hi and thanks to you all for continuing to post and letting me read along - not that I'm addicted or anything...... honest! My hubby has just come in and tutted 'you on your addiction again?!' :rotfl: :rotfl:

We (keeping fingers still crossed) seem to be over the humps at the moment We were just climbing our way back up and almost there, when we were given a very nice gift (a loan) which allowed us to get there quicker. This means we can breathe and start paying it back in whatever 'chunks' we have, when we have them.

The business is going mental - Christmas and otherwise! We are struggling to keep up and I am going to have to stop working part time in the very near future before I end up rocking in the corner...... Hubby had his shoulder op on Friday and is recovering really well so far..... I am actually daring to breathe and think about next year now.......:eek: We have so many things that need paying forward and so many lovely friends and family who have kept us going - I will look forward to doing it when we can

We are sticking to our food budget and waste reduction - even managing to lose a little waistline too :T However, if someone has a good recipe for using left over mash WITHOUT using fish (I am allergic), then I would be grateful. We seem to end up with a small half portion left that never gets used and ends up in the bin :eek:

We are even looking at possibly getting internet back at home sometime soon. Seem to remember something on here about a dongle - will have to try and chase that down........

Many thanks for your support, suggestions and help in keeping on the straight and narrow. And for helping me to convert my hubby into old school MMMing too! Can you believe it's nearly a year since Cheerfulness started this thread?! It's definitely been a roller coaster for us - I am requesting that the powers that be send us a slightly gentler time ahead

Look after yourselves xxx

MrsCD

How about fried onion, mash and corned beef, Celtic moon?

Floss

I open freeze in dollops - ideal for thickening soups. Or make into potato cakes with flour & an egg to have with bacon or sausages?