santas Challenge 2016... Gifts, chat, challenges

Ungnome

Finding this thread has made me so happy. Everyone thinks I'm crazy for thinking about Christmas already

I have bought some perfume atomisers today from eBay. They are only £1 and come in a range of colours. I thought they were perfect as stocking fillers as they are useful for holidays to save taking the whole bottle or even to keep in handbags. Hope this find is of use to someone else.

moneytree1

Hi all hoping this thread will help me be organised for Christmas and no panic buying last minute

mum2one

Hope everyone ok, sounds like everyone starting with Xmas planning. Some stores are starting there Xmas ranges in the background.

Poundland - they've got there interactive Xmas brochure - view only - but worth keeping an eye on -

Boots - that usually surfaces around start oct - think it's half term week (last week off) that they start the offer of the week.

A big hi to our new friends - pull up a chair, grab a glass of wine and relax.

Next santas challenge 24th - hope everyone is ready xxx

crazy-cat-lady_2

Boot site had a big clearance the other day on the website to make room for Christmas stock. Got a few bits for random presents. Can't wait for the Christmas catalogue in early October. Always feels like that's the real start to Christmas.

Poundland do have a few bits on the site but only the start. I'm hoping I can actually get some of the bits from the brochure this year. They have some really nice decorations.

Matalan have added a few more bits annoyingly. After I spent a load last week!

I've had my first few Christmas special magazines from the shops "simoly Christmas" and "your best ever Christmas". I like looking through the food sections in them to see what the shops will have near the time. I really want the Tesco Brussel sprout truffle chocolates and asda's domed chocolate pudding cake.

Seems like it should be really soon even though it's still months off. My kindle is full of Christmas books and I've made a start on them. Got about 20 so far and I'm sure I'll add to them.

Winter affair - Minna Howard
A Cornish Christmas - lily Graham
Christmas at the little village bakery - Tilly Tennant
Lizzie's Christmas escape - Christie Barlow
Christmas at the dog and duck - Jill Steeples
Christmas under a cranberry sky - Holly Martin
A winter's wish - Alice Ross
A little sugar a lot of love - Linn B. Halton
A Christmas kiss - Vicky Pattison
The holiday swap - Zara Stoney
Christmas under a starlit sky - Holly Martin
A Christmas Day at the office - Matt Dunn
Christmas at the comfort food cafe - Debbie Johnson
The Christmas promise - Sue Moorcroft

Jenny Colgan - Christmas surprise
Make a Christmas wish - Julia Williams
Wish upon a Christmas cake - Darcie Boleyn
Christmas at lilac cottage - Holly Martin
Night before Christmas - Scarlet Bailey
12 days to Christmas - Michelle Gorman
Starry night - Debbie Macomber
Cold feet at Christmas - Debbie Johnson
Sleigh bells in the snow - Sarah Morgan

That's a few left that I didn't get to last year and a load of pre release review copies from the publishers.

mrs-moneypenny

Bought a lovely Christmassy duvet at the carboot this morning, a m&s double one with a close up of a deers head in the snow on the front.

Currently resuming a crossstitch panel I'm doing with song lyrics one for ds2 for Christmas.

Looking forward to starting my Christmas book stash as well crazy-cat lady, I've got a load of paperback stashed away

chanie

Just wanted to pop in quickly to say that Sainsburys 25% off clothing is on this week.

Lotti1982

crazy-cat-lady wrote: »

Boot site had a big clearance the other day on the website to make room for Christmas stock. Got a few bits for random presents. Can't wait for the Christmas catalogue in early October. Always feels like that's the real start to Christmas.

Poundland do have a few bits on the site but only the start. I'm hoping I can actually get some of the bits from the brochure this year. They have some really nice decorations.

Matalan have added a few more bits annoyingly. After I spent a load last week!

I've had my first few Christmas special magazines from the shops "simoly Christmas" and "your best ever Christmas". I like looking through the food sections in them to see what the shops will have near the time. I really want the Tesco Brussel sprout truffle chocolates and asda's domed chocolate pudding cake.

Seems like it should be really soon even though it's still months off. My kindle is full of Christmas books and I've made a start on them. Got about 20 so far and I'm sure I'll add to them.

Winter affair - Minna Howard
A Cornish Christmas - lily Graham
Christmas at the little village bakery - Tilly Tennant
Lizzie's Christmas escape - Christie Barlow
Christmas at the dog and duck - Jill Steeples
Christmas under a cranberry sky - Holly Martin
A winter's wish - Alice Ross
A little sugar a lot of love - Linn B. Halton
A Christmas kiss - Vicky Pattison
The holiday swap - Zara Stoney
Christmas under a starlit sky - Holly Martin
A Christmas Day at the office - Matt Dunn
Christmas at the comfort food cafe - Debbie Johnson
The Christmas promise - Sue Moorcroft

Jenny Colgan - Christmas surprise
Make a Christmas wish - Julia Williams
Wish upon a Christmas cake - Darcie Boleyn
Christmas at lilac cottage - Holly Martin
Night before Christmas - Scarlet Bailey
12 days to Christmas - Michelle Gorman
Starry night - Debbie Macomber
Cold feet at Christmas - Debbie Johnson
Sleigh bells in the snow - Sarah Morgan

That's a few left that I didn't get to last year and a load of pre release review copies from the publishers.

Just popping in to say I've seen the chocolate Brussel sprouts already in our tesc0 in the seasonal aisle. Running back into hiding now xx

mum2one

Don't know if anyone likes / needs body shop skincare / make up etc - I was in my local shop yesterday came across these.

3 for £20 - all skincare / think make up as well - shop right you can get £42 worth for £20. The best thing with this offer the shea range is included - normally never reduced / multi buy.

I got shea body butter (200g large size) shea body scrub and large hemp hand cream ( separately would have been £38)

Also shower gels - the more unbutton the better the saving up to 4 for £21 - again shea included

Now another Xmas prezzie off the list - my friend she loves the shea range - sorted xxx

mum2one

Apologies for the delay...

Santas Challenge September

As time ticks by its about 13 weeks to Christmas, so here goes with a little challenge

Christmas Cake
Now is the time to look at getting the fruit / ingredients sorted for the Xmas cake, myself I use the value range dried fruits.... the longer you leave it the less of these bargain ones available, have a look at the recipies and see which you fancy. As for alcohol I use what ever I have available, a drip of this, a drop of this, and some sherry.

Money
Whether you get paid monthly - 3 pay days, fortnightly - 6 or 7 payments, weekly -13 pay days.

Budget
This can cover as much or as little as you want to use, some thoughts
Presents
Cards
Wrapping
Stamps
Food
Alcohol
Chocolates
Petrol
Entertainment

Lists
Christmas presents, - now is the time to check the list / presents - even if your not sure what your buying a person, then allocate them a budget - give you an idea of what u need.

Christmas Cards / Bags
Most of the shops are now bringing in the Xmas range, I find that the bulk offer of gift bags (4 for £1, 6 for £1, etc) sell out quite quickly, if you can get them sooner than later - all helps

Addresses
Search the address books etc - that you have all the addresses you need.

Stamps
This I find is the "added expense" - add a book of stamps in your shopping.

Brown envelopes - I buy a pack of 10 from £1 shop, so if I have more than one card for the same house - this now means 1 x stamp

Emergency £10
I have to confess that this came from Miss Hoodie - she carries a folded £10 for emergency in the back of her phone case - (thou an emergency for her is a new lipstick....) if you lose your purse, need some emergency petrol - £10 should help.

Christmas Catalogues/COLOR]
The stores are starting there CHristmas range on line, wont be long before the catalogues follow out, great for ideas bad for the wallet!

Festive outings
Now is the time all the pubs etc start advertising there book XMas lunch / get togethers... maybe a night out could be on the books?

[Miss Hoodies corner/COLOR]
The cleaning challenge begins...
The wardrobe / draws
As summer is coming to an end - its time to put those shorts away and bring out the winter woolies - sort out the clothes do they fit still / will they be ok nxt yr - same with the winter clothes coming out, - check buttons etc.
(Not really a clean more a sort)

Winter Nights
Now the winter nights are drawing in... have a few checks now.
Spare lightbulbs - Do you have any spare
Fuse Box - Do u know where it is
Batteries for remote - Do we have spares
Torch - Is there one by the fuse box / central location
Candles - In case of power cut / relaxing evening
Water turn off point - Do we/I know where it is

Monthly Checks
The smoke alarm - check it works
Washing Machine - wash out on longest / hottest program
Check kettle for descaling

Me time

Me time - not being selfish - making sure you take some time out for yourself, whether its a long hot soak in the bath, a new lispstick, or you start a new hobby,


FLU JABs - There coming into doctors surgeries / chemists - if you should have one - get booked in x
xx

mum2one

International Services
International Economy (formerly known as Surface Mail)

Wednesday 28 September
All non-European destinations (except Middle East,
South Africa, Far East,the USA and Canada)

Thursday 29 September
Middle and Far East (except Hong Kong and Singapore)

Thursday 13 October
South Africa, Hong Kong, Singapore, USA and Canada

Thursday 3 November
Eastern Europe, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, Malta and Iceland

Thursday 17 November
Western Europe

.................................................

International Standard (formerly Airmail) and all
International Tracking and Signature Services
(formerly Airsure® and International Signed For®)

Sunday 3 December
Africa, Middle East

Wednesday 7 December
Cyprus, Asia, Far East (including Japan), Eastern Europe (except Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia)

Thursday 8 December
Caribbean, Central & South America

Saturday 10 December
Greece, Australia, New Zealand

Wednesday 14 December
Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Poland

Thursday 15 December
Canada, Finland, Sweden, USA

Friday 16 December
Austria, Denmark, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland

Saturday 17 December
Belgium, France, Ireland, Luxembourg

......................................
Contract Surface Air Lift

Friday 11 November
South America, Central America, Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Far East, New Zealand, Australia

Friday 18 November
USA, Canada, Middle East

..............................................
International Standard HM Forces Mail -
British Forces Post Office® (BFPO)

Monday 28 November
Airmail to Operational BFPOs

Monday 12 December
Airmail to Static BFPOs

...................................................
UK Services
UK Inland Services
T[COLOR="Blue"T

]Tuesday 20 December
2nd Class and Royal Mail Signed For®

Wednesday 21 December
1st Class and Royal Mail Signed For®

Thursday 22 December
Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed®

Friday 23 December
Special Delivery Saturday Guaranteed[/COLOR]

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