santas Challenge 2016... Gifts, chat, challenges

mum2one

Thank u, love urs so personal and bet there's lots of memories xx

chanie

You are both so talented. I always start projects and never finish them.

I was saying on another thread, that I'm struggling with bargains this year, as the children in the family (aged 4-14) are wanting specific gifts and it can be difficult to source bargains on demand. For example, it's DNs birthday soon and SIL suggested a particular gift. I've managed to find a good deal, but the savings aren't as good as I'm used to. I did buy two and put one away for Xmas, as I guess any saving is better than nothing!!!

crazy-cat-lady_2

Wow. They're amazing you two! I'm blasting through my stash at the moment too. Making lots of baby blankets. She's going to have way too many, but i don't care. They're easy and i don't need to think about them too much. I found a few cute little amigurumi patterns for cuddly cats. Might have a go at those too.


Thanks for the challenges!

I've been and updated the card folder and written them all out for the next few months, and little post its stuck on each one in the folder saying which present is for that person, so it's easy to find in the present cupboard.

Reading time isn't a problem for me. Love it. I drive to work now, but used to have a 2 to 2 1/2 hour bus ride either way, so got a lot of reading time. So i'm missing it now and find a bit of time whenever i can. Husband has a second job as a photographer at night. So when the agency send him to do a concert or a red carpet or awards ceremony, i get a few hours to myself with a book or a kindle and a big bar of chocolate. Love it.

As for the christmas budgeting. I'm terrible. Not at budgeting, but getting giddy already. Been looking at christmas sites and searching hotukdeals already to look for presents to buy and put away. I know QVC have the christmas in July events, but i could go for christmas in April! Especially with the snow we have been having. Reading all the different threads here in the forums for ideas too. I might have a go at a christmas cake myself this year. I usually cheat and buy one, but i'll be home and hopefully have time. I'll dig out the Martha Stewart and Delia christmas books later for a read. I always make stuffing from scratch, and the sage is growing well in the garden again already this year for using in it.

oliverrichmond67

Thank you so much for sharing.

mum2one

Hope everyone ok and been enjoying the sun, been toddling along with knitting, a few baby bits, (there seems to always be someone we know expecting) then nxt project is bedspread for Miss Hoodie...

Miss Hoodie has now learnt where the elec trip switch is and how to use, the toaster fused out xx

crazy-cat-lady_2

Quick question. Does anyone know where to get gift bags cheap? I used to get the 3 for £1 ones from pound land but they've stopped selling them. I get through quite a lot of them with having to buy for everyone at work, so I don't want to pay a fortune for them. I do reuse old ones, but I'm still running low.

chanie

Home Bargains have some. From memory, some of them are 69p - cheaper than many places, but not a brilliant deal!!!

Card Factory - I only buy the 8 for £1 at Christmas. They only had one design that wasn't Christmassy, so I bought a couple.

Homemade - I save the little brown or white bags with handles you get with lunch and use those as gift bags. I ask the children to decorate them or print off a picture from the web (e.g. the recipient).

mum2one

Another vote for the brown bags, another vote for home bargains,, might be worth trying the works, can be hit and miss but the last set we had 3 bags for 99p xx

crazy-cat-lady_2

Thanks. I'll try home & bargains and the works next Friday. Got some time to kill in Manchester after work so I'll have a wander.

mum2one

Dad has passed away today, he had a bad ngt we had doctor and ambulance out, he was going to the hospice today, he was being moved down the stairs when he went funny within 30 seconds he had passed away.

Unfortunately the circumstances mean the coroner has to get involved x