Santa's Challenge 2015 - Xmas, Birthdays, a chat, a bit of everything

SugarSpun

How's it been so long since I logged on that everything's different?!

Hello all, screaming busy now I'm working part time and still doing everything I was doing before I spent 20+ hours a week not doing it. But the Christmas shopping is well under way, need to buy a picture frame, something for the kids to give their dad, and something that the Big Kid will no doubt announce she wants at ten to closing on Christmas Eve. Cards, wrap, decorations are all set, tree is plastic and assuming I didn't put it into the storage unit (I have a horrible feeling I did, in which case it may be gone forever :rotfl:) it's just a matter of building and throwing decorations at it. YAY I am so excited already! It's a bit grey this afternoon, both kids are napping at once (ultra rare event), Husbeast is upstairs lurking and doing something or other, and I am alone with a cup of tea thinking about whether little rosemary trees in little silver pots on a long thin platter down the middle of my dining table would be overkill.

Norfolkgal

https://m.facebook.com/MagicSprinklesReindeerFood?ref=bookmarks

mrsHall2b

Im really trying to prep for xmas this year! im usually really unorganised but this year I have baby 3 due on xmas day!! :O so im trying to prep baby (this ones a boy so cant re-use all the girls old stuff..) aswell as xmas, we already have 4 kids between us to buy for for xmas so with baby thats now 5.. aswell as family, weve done most of OH's eldests stuff, just the 3 younger girls to buy for.. I think ive got most of babys clothes sorted now so just other big bits to get, although thinking as hes due xmas i can ask for them as gifts... its my eldest daughters 4th birthday next month too.. I think im going to do hampers for my sisters and mum this year, no idea about my dad my brother though, although I know they plan on starting going fishing regularly together... Its also my dads 50th birthday next month too, and my 25th 1 days later so we where planning on a joint party but not sure whats happening there now + more expense...

Total madness..

Boy (9)
Girl (7)
Sassy(3/4)
Midge (2)
Blue bump (due 25th)
OH (35)
FiL (50's)
mum (late 40's)
sister (22)
sister(13)
brother(17)-hes 18 10 days after xmas
neice 1 (9)
neice 2 (6)
neice 3 (3)
nephew (11 months) - born new years eve
small gift for OH's ex (from the kids, I dont do this for my ex but theyve always done it for some reason..)
I think thats it but I maybe forgetting people.. cant remember who we bought for last year

MoneyMission2015

mrsHall2b wrote: »

Im really trying to prep for xmas this year! im usually really unorganised but this year I have baby 3 due on xmas day!! :O so im trying to prep baby (this ones a boy so cant re-use all the girls old stuff..) aswell as xmas, we already have 4 kids between us to buy for for xmas so with baby thats now 5.. aswell as family, weve done most of OH's eldests stuff, just the 3 younger girls to buy for.. I think ive got most of babys clothes sorted now so just other big bits to get, although thinking as hes due xmas i can ask for them as gifts... its my eldest daughters 4th birthday next month too.. I think im going to do hampers for my sisters and mum this year, no idea about my dad my brother though, although I know they plan on starting going fishing regularly together... Its also my dads 50th birthday next month too, and my 25th 1 days later so we where planning on a joint party but not sure whats happening there now + more expense...

Total madness..

Boy (9)
Girl (7)
Sassy(3/4)
Midge (2)
Blue bump (due 25th)
OH (35)
FiL (50's)
mum (late 40's)
sister (22)
sister(13)
brother(17)-hes 18 10 days after xmas
neice 1 (9)
neice 2 (6)
neice 3 (3)
nephew (11 months) - born new years eve
small gift for OH's ex (from the kids, I dont do this for my ex but theyve always done it for some reason..)
I think thats it but I maybe forgetting people.. cant remember who we bought for last year

A Christmas day baby, how exciting, but I bet equally as stressful.


You sound like you've got a few busy months ahead of you. We also have a few birthdays coming up in the next few months, but mostly OH's family so he usually sorts their gifts out. On my side of the family it is only my niece so I am just concentrating on Christmas now because for my niece I usually just ask my sister what to get for her, so I don't get her something she wont use.


I did make a list a few weeks ago of everybody we need to buy for at Christmas, but I think i'm missing a few people off it so need to go over it again & try to remember who we usually buy for & who bought us gifts last year. There are a few extended family members that we don't see too often as they have only just started getting back in contact, but last year they bought us a small gift of a box of chocolates and a tin of biscuits so I need to do the same in return this year. They also bought lovely gifts for our daughters which was very kind of them. I was not expecting it at all as they are relatives of my OH's dad, they fell out years ago so haven't spoken for a long time, but last year they made up & have started spending more time together now which is nice.

mum2one

All parcels have arrived safe and sound for Miss Hoodie, thou when went shopping, - rephase - the free taxi - for Miss Hoodie and her friend, 4 hrs in shopping centre.... ended up finding some more bargains...
Pr of Converse - (70 to £50 to £35), and a ring, 2 hearts intwined with a pearl in each heart (100 - £80 - £40) - thou had to show her them to make sure they fitted....

Miss Hoodie has started her Xmas wish list on Amazon, - could be fun!!

Christmas cards - we were in Card Factory and they had one side full of Xmas cards... didnt get any yet... need to check the stock supply xx

mum2one

a flying hi, back from my travels to Wales, apologies for delay in Santas challenge - this will be normal service resumed tomorrow. xx

mum2one

Apologies for the delay....

Late August Santas Challenge...

Bank Holiday[/COLOR]
Its been the last bank holiday of the years preparation, on one
hand where has the year gone, but hopefully we are on the home run

Cake
[COLOR="rgb(75, 0, 130)"]Time to think about getting the fruit soaking for the Christmas cake, if you want an alcohol free version use orange juice, (dont soak yet), as come mid September the shelves of fruit seem to disappear overnight.

Also look at how many Christmas cakes you need.

Christmas Shopping
[COLOR="rgb(65, 105, 225)"]We have just over 16 weeks to Christmas, and thi may sound mad, but now the time to do a Christmas Food list, divide into categories (best for you)

Freezer - Turkey (meat), vegtables,

Fridge - Butter, Cream, brandy butter (this is nearer the time

Pantry - Stuffing, gravy mix, condiments, coffee, tea, dried milk powder

Tools - foil,

Extras - Toilet roll [/COLOR]

Look at the list and see if you can divide the extras into the weekly shopping, adding one extra item a week, or one week if your not buying one big item, swop it for one off the list.

Sales
[COLOR="rgb(153, 50, 204)"]A lot of shops are having the summer sales, there may be items you can use for Xmas prezzies, [/COLOR]

Christmas Cards
If your thinking about making cards, now the time to see how many you need, also start your Xmas cards list.

Split them up into groups eg...

Street -
Family-
Friends-
Post -

(I always use sandwich bags to keep them together...)

The worst bit how many stamps do I need.....

Prescriptions[/COLOR
Do I need a prescription review?
is my prescription got all that is needed on repeat?
Do I have the necessary amount of spares (inhaluers etc)

Its worth having a copy of your prescription in your purse (put them on a spreadsheet - print out, can have in wallet, purse, kitchen cupboard).


Mini First aid kit
Whether its a full first aid kit few items in a box, all a good start. Check there is everything you need - plasters, allergy tablets,paracetamol, asprin,


Smoke Alarm / carbon dioxide meter
Some are battery powered, others electric, - check your smoke alarm, carbon dioxide meter - if battery powered when did you last replace the battery...have you got a spare one???

Christmas Presents
Hopefully the lists are starting to look full have a recap to see who you need to buy for, set the budget and look at spreading the cost over the remaining 16 weeks...

If you buy a toy that needs battery, its unlikely they will be included, be prepared for the additional cost....

Reciepts
With being on the home stretch for Xmas shopping, the receipt is the guarantee.. keep them safe, - look at getting a 2nd diary - using the date as the entry, and staple the receipt in (always be at hand).

Selling
Challenge yourself to find 10 items to sell, whether it is on ebay, face book sellers, trade in, car boot (while the weather is holding....)

Miss Hoodies corner
[COLOR="rgb(72, 209, 204)"] The cleaning corner..... the food cupboard, have a tidy through, reline shelves and check the dates of products - all be neat and tidy for christmas shopping..



xx

mum2one

Were slowly getting sorted, it was a nice break, weather was mixed but we did ok.

We toddled around, the highlight for Grandad Hoodie was going up Snowden, he loved it, thou it was really misty and cold at the top.

We (should I say me...) did some shopping, got a few more bits for Xmas, all going in the right direction.

Back to school next week, where does the time fly...

xx

mrs-moneypenny

Thanks for the challenges I've had a quick look but will go through them properly later.
I've just started a cross stitch Christmas stocking for DGS lots of work on it but I'm determined to get it finished for Christmas, then I have knitting I've promised a neighbour who due a DGD just before Christmas, plus there will be other things that crop up, so I'm setting aside an hour each day for both those items.
Nipped in the attic yesterday and spotted the box of cards so will bring those down and see what needs adding to them.

Have a good day all

mum2one

I've had 2 good days, been slowly clearing out few bits, and thought try f/b sellers so far sold £52.

Miss Hoodie been to the cinema with her friend then to the Chinese buffet, shes going so grown up, time flies...

Been finishing crochet blankets, wanted a break from knitting, hate sewing in the ends... xx