santas Challenge 2016... Gifts, chat, challenges

Katiehound

Just on the off chance (fat chance!!) went into Boots today! The 70% sign was very visible over completely empty shelves. TBH there was pretty little there a week ago..............
Nevermind.... told myself I didn't really need anything!

chanie

Hi everyone. Can I join the Xmas 2016 challenge? For the last few years, I have bought throughout the year and I'm getting better and better at it. Most people I know aren't interested, so a bit of company would be nice.

At the moment, I'm focussing on stocking filler - for my two children and my sister's 3 (I sort out theirs and she gives me the money for it). So, I have 5 children aged 3 to 14, both girls and boys.

mum2one

Hi chanie - a big hi, I love stockings at Xmas, u can have so much fun and best bit - u get away with splitting multi-packs without feeling guilty xx

Hope everyone ok and wrapped up warm for the cold weekend we've got, touch wood no snow here - but very cold xx

Katiehound

Possible stocking fillers?
The Works have got 10 children's books for £10 ( only online not in the shops, it says) plus think there may be a code for today with a further 10% off- but can't post on here
http://www.theworks.co.uk/c/multibuys/10-for-10
They also have their January sale- there might be some arty stuff suitable

Bitterly cold here- we saw wet snow on Thurs but it didn't settle except on my windscreen where it froze as ice!
So, today I did my least favourite job- to defrost the freezer since I could stack the dog food sacks containing the freezer contents outside with no risk of a thaw! All done, dusted and looking pristine..........

mrs-moneypenny

Been white over here all day.
Stay safe and warm inside if you can
Welcome to the new people joining the thread.
Bought a few bits in a local indie chemist Christmas clear out sale yesterday.

Currently working on sisters anniversary present, I'm cross stitching a panel to put on a cushion. Want to finish this then get a card stitched for Dh for valentines.

chanie

a progress report

I tend not to do too much in January, but I have made some progress......

present drawer
DS has a classmates birthday and I had a spare present which will be suitable. I like to have a couple of spare gifts to hand, but not too many, as it can end up being a waste of money. I need to restock though.

exchanges
I had a couple of unwanted gifts from Xmas, which I exchanged for Xmas presents as there wasn't anything else I wanted in store. DD was given some clothes for Xmas which I wanted to exchange for bigger sizes. As I didn't have the receipt, they wouldn't let me exchange them. Luckily, I can regift them, so I put them away.

homemade
I've started to knit a scarf for my mum, which I will put away for Xmas. I may knit a couple more, but the wool is quite expensive (£7 for 1 scarf) so it may not be cost effective.

reusing
My mum bought some posh crackers and they had embellished tags on them, which I've rescued to use as gift tags. I normally don't bother with tags, though.

Katiehound

chanie wrote: »

My mum bought some posh crackers and they had embellished tags on them, which I've rescued to use as gift tags. I normally don't bother with tags, though.

if you have the middle section of the crackers (well the ones that come pre formed these days) you can make neat little pyramid boxes. They would hold small piece of jewellery or a Quality Street type choc or you could put a number on the front, hang from white twig as Advent calender.
see here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5JK-tmndZI

mum2one

Just set my spreadsheets up for 2016...

I dont count in Miss Hoodie, nanny and grandad hoodie - that would set my budget into panic mode....

Birthdays
People - 7
Brought 7
Budget - £120
Spent -£71 (includes £30 cash for friends son's 18th)
Proper cost - £118

---
Christmas
People - 36
Done - 25
Budget - £411
Spent - £113
Actual cost - £364

I'm pleased with the massive dent in the buying / budget.

xx

I survived the gym.... aching already... I was done in 15mins, inc almost falling off treadmill - hit speed up instead of slow down... It was good, Miss Hoodie loved it, she really got a lot of out it. xx

chanie

Katiehound wrote: »

if you have the middle section of the crackers (well the ones that come pre formed these days) you can make neat little pyramid boxes. They would hold small piece of jewellery or a Quality Street type choc or you could put a number on the front, hang from white twig as Advent calender.
see here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5JK-tmndZI

Thanks for the link. I found a similar tutorial for some square bags, but I haven't had a need to use them either!!!

chanie

Well done Mum2One you have done so well with your purchases.

My list for 2016

Birthdays
People 16
Bought 3

I generally buy the month of the birthday and tend to miss out on bargains as we have birthdays practically every month. I can buy in advance for my family, but OH's family is a bit more difficult as they like different stuff to me.


I have managed to grab a couple of bargains:
Mum - she had a big birthday recently and I bought her a make up bag. The one I was eyeing up was reduced in the sale, so even better.
Nephew - I panic bought an Xmas present for DS, but when I got home, I realised it was too young for him, so I put it away for my nephew. It was only £5, but RRP much more.


Christmas
People 16
Bought 0
Xmas stockings to fill 5 (my 2 and I sort out my sisters 3 children for her)

I haven't counted OH and our 2 children in the above figures.