santas Challenge 2016... Gifts, chat, challenges

Anglea

Hi all,

I've been reading but haven't got the time to reply properly as been very busy lately.

Saturday I went to a Wassail night which was brilliant, first time I've been.

Chanie, joining this group is a good idea as everyone is very friendly and it's good to read what it going on in either personally or special occasions-wise.

chanie

I've started this morning with a frugal purchase.

I bought 10 rolls of wrapping paper that were reduced to 10p each, so £1. I got 5 rolls for me and 5 rolls for my sister. I tend to buy cheap wrapping paper anyway, as I like to see lots of different colours under my Christmas tree and spend about 50p-£1 a roll. This is the first time I've bought discounted wrapping paper. I've heard of the 10p rolls, but thought they were a myth, as I've never seen them in any of my local stores. I went to the supermarket near work, which is in a very expensive area and I assume that the posh folk who shop there probably use gold leaf to wrap their presents!!!

crazy-cat-lady_2

I' love to join in this year too, if that's ok.
I tried to join in on a few christmas/crafting challenges last year, but let's just say that last year was an unforgiving one and i ended up not really managing to do any of them.

I have just found out i'm pregnant!! But, shh. It's only early on. Shouldn't say anything out loud after things going wrong in the past. But i'm far too exited not to at least say something on here!! So any christmas savings/challenges/tips i can join in on now will make things a little less difficult and less expensive later.

I thankfully went a little mad in the sales and got a lot of presents to put away for this year in the boots, superdrug, lush, yankee candle and other christmas sales. As well as getting enough cards, wrapping paper and crackers to last a good few years. So, it's a start.

And i have to confess i love thinking about christmas all year round. So this thread is perfect

MrsCD

Chanie How's the scarf coming on? What sort of wool is it, as it sounds very posh at £7 a ball?

Well, I've decided to put £10 into a savings account on every 10th day, so £1 a day, until December. That way I should have £330 to spend, as well as the High Street Vouchers I'm paying for each month. I did think about the 1p, 2p, 3p each day thing, but I'm not sure I can afford it with the HSVs as well. That works out at £1.83 per day on average, so almost twice as much as I'm putting away.

I don't usually buy Christmas presents until nearer the time, so I'm saving up instead. I did manage to nab some crackers, paper plates and napkins at 75p each though, so they're all packed away safely until needed.

My Mum and I start collecting stuff for the shoebox appeal about now, and we have our boxes done before we start on Christmas presents. That way I can keep everything separate and enjoy doing both!

mum2one

Chanie - the scarf sounds lovely, but not the price, can u swop the wool, I very rarely knit with the proper wool, always try to find a substitue. I've done a couple of test knits and its been posh wool, but if I did it for me, be normal wool...

Sounds a brill bargain with the wrapping paper, got to get it when you can.

Crazy cat lady - Congratulations, when are you due, love yankee candles, sounds like you got some bargains there.

Mrs CD - that sounds like there be some good spending for xmas, I try to save Amazon vouchers towards Miss Hoodies - heck knows what this yrs going to be she has everything...

We had Miss Hoodies parents evening 2ngt, it went off really well, shes impressed the teachers, all good, I'm really pleased shes had a rough start to it all.

x

mrs-moneypenny

Morning all
Welcome to the new people joining the thread.
Hope everyone is well
It's cold here but the snow was a one day wonder and went as qckly as it came.
Nothing really Christmassy going on at the mo

Had 3 birthdays to buy for in Jan already, it's a friends Ds 21st soon I'm just putting him a euromills ticket in his card, as we don't really do more than cards but it's a special birthday.

Got 2 birthdays in Feb I need to get pressies for plus sisters wedding anni, but she only gets one every 4 years so I'm making her a nice cushion.
Planning to make Dh a valentines card and think we'll have a meal at home.

Want to get the sewing machine out once the boys are at school/ work.

Have a lovely day all

funkydresser

Hi all - bit late joining but need as much help as possible just worked out Christmas 2015 cost approx £4500 (including presents, food, new lights for tree etc). My aim is to try and reduce this by 50% !!!! fingers crossed.

Managed to buy loads of perfume/aftershave gift sets, lipsticks and mascara's in Harrods sale so have got a good start to present box.

I really would appreciate joining this thread and getting as many tips as possible.

Hope you are all having a happy and healthy 2016 so far. x

mum2one

A big hi, funkydresser.... wow to the bargains, I love harrods, thou many years since been, always use to get there Xmas Puds.

xx

chanie

crazy cat congratulations on your pregnancy.

mum2one, Mrs CD I can't use different wool as I'm using Rico Loopy type yarn and its about £7 in my local shop. I've enjoyed knitting the first one and I'm on to the second one now. I'll probably knit one more for MIL and that will be it for a while.

Ive set up a saving pot for Christmas 2016. I'll still buy throughout the year, but my children will be 6 and 4 at Xmas and they are becoming more interested in expensive presents. We've always got them things they have been interested in, but luckily, its not been too expensive, but I know I'm on borrowed time with that one!!!!

I get paid on Monday, so I'll make a start then.

Katiehound

Just been to Mr Tesco's- first time this month! (Have managed to go to Aldi /Co-op instead) but fuel needed too so worth the extra few miles. Wonderful- Derv under £1 per litre.
I digress!
Got some fancy ladies Christmas socks @ 50 pence a pair (sock fillers!) and some went thro @ 3 for 2 so spent £3.50 on 9 pairs.(Full price £18!!) Can't be bad.
2 cute little children's bags were £8 for 50 pence each- suitable for either small boy or girl in ethnic design.
Mens boxers- perfect for friend's adult son- £3 for 3 pairs- were £10!
Certainly worth a meander thro the clothing dept.

Also delivered 9 doggy duvets to the PO. Seems folk are clamouring for them! I'm hoping to reach the first target of £500 by the end of March........need around £60 but don't know if that is feasible.
The heap of fabric & duvets in my house never seems to go down....

It has been a beautiful sunny day here, quite warm out in my friend's field so the dogs had a great run and then slept all the time I was shopping. They have come home and straight to bed- oh, a hard day for them!!

Hope everyone is well and appreciating the lighter evenings. Suddenly the days are getting longer!

On the finance side have applied and been accepted for M&S account. Hoping to switch (after the intensive phone call??!!) so that will net £220 in M&S vouchers. Really don't shop there anymore- not local and pay toas it is park not out-of -town but will look upon vouchers as a "gift" if I am permitted to switch!! Used to work there- in another lifetime!! It was THE place to have a Saturday / holiday job.