Santas challenge 2017

chanie

Happy_Kitties wrote: »

My DD doesn't like wine or other drinks, but really enjoyed having a cocktail with her Christmas dinner, especially coming from a bauble:T!!

I’ll probably end up decanting my baubles as my children will want them for their drinks.

I love your mid Nov target. I don’t have a target as such, but I’m happy if I don’t have a skint Dec/Jan, so I aim to spread the cost of Xmas to avoid this.

chanie

Sainsburys are doing their 25% off clothing this week. I stock up on underwear and socks for the children. Also good for Xmas gifts:
Pjs (useful for Xmas eve hampers)
Dressing gowns
Xmas t shirts and jumpers for the children
Halloween costumes
Dressing up costumes
Gloves, hats and scarves

Happy_Kitties

chanie I really used to hate having a skint end of december/January years ago, it made for a depressing new year:(

Now I love the whole planning and spreading it out throughout the year:):)

I must confess to having to use part of my best friends DD Christmas present last night as part of her birthday present as I just couldn't find the last part of the birthday present(hoping to find it by Christmas!). Best friend took great delight in saying that it served me right for starting so early as she is a late shopper and I'm always mocking her for not having started sooner:D
Have written some of my Christmas cards and wrapped a few more bits, not much to go but for the life of me can I find my nieces presents:eek:-hope so hoping these will come to light as things are put into their gift bags.
One set of presents have already gone over to my brothers to take to my stepfather. You wouldn't believe how good it felt just to be prepared with a bag of well thought out presents that I had shopped really carefully to make my money go further:T

I hope everyone is speeding along with their preparations:j:j

chanie

Happy_Kitties wrote: »

I must confess to having to use part of my best friends DD Christmas present last night as part of her birthday present as I just couldn't find the last part of the birthday present(hoping to find it by Christmas!). Best friend took great delight in saying that it served me right for starting so early as she is a late shopper and I'm always mocking her for not having started sooner:D

How annoying.

I cleared out the box I keep the presents in a few months ago and I found a present I’d bought for OH, last year. I assumed I lost it, so I’m pleased it turned up.

Im chuffed as I managed to get some free sashets of hot chocolate for my snowman soup (hot chocolate and marshmallows). A relative often stays in hotels for work and alway clears out the complimentery tea/coffee etc, which they try to offload onto the rest of the family. I noticed they had some hot chocolate, so I nabbed a couple. I’ve probably saved myself £1, but it feels like a huge victory.

Katiehound

Just had a quick read to see what everyone is doing.

Had a disasterous 4+ weeks.

Went down with vertigo/labryinthitis out of the blue whilst in Ireland. It was truly violent- worse case scenario sea sickness on dry land.
Was due to drive home a week later but advised not to by the GP. Thankfully I always keep my EHIC in the car.
So, drove home a week later than planned but didn't dare lie down on ferry as that seems to trigger the vertigo- so one long journey.

Then had to cancel the longest, dearest cruise I've ever booked which sailed nearly 2 weeks ago- about now I should be somewhere near Suez?- not checking- too cheesed off!
Today drove for the first time in 2+ weeks and beginning to feel human. Hoping to start swimming next week as new knees seizing up.

Solar panel invertor broke (just replaced) dishwasher doesn't heat.......hey, it never rains but it pours!!

Am about to get my insurance claim form paper work put together.
Go sew some doggy duvets as they are still selling and put on the washing machine now the panels are making electricity!!

Christmas?
Made 40 + doggy treat bags for Dogs for Good fundraising. Now I am mobile again will ask a couple of businesses for donations. This year I have bought most of the contents (cheap) including the rather good Mr T ladies seasonal dog themed socks @40 pence a pair!!

Hope everyone is well, busy, happy and above all, healthy!

Happy_Kitties

Katiehound sorry to hear you have been having such a bad time of it. Hopefully things are improving now and much better for you. It's a shame about the cruise, I wouldn't have been very happy to miss it.

Chanie typical, 2 days after besties DD birthday, I find the last bit of her birthday present. Have done a swop around and it is now part of her Christmas present. I would have been so chuffed to get the hot chocolate sachets,its still a pound saved, all makes a difference

I must confess to putting some people's presents and gift bags together, it does feel good to see them all done and ready. I hate rushing at Christmas I like to enjoy the season.

Went to our local garden centre on Wednesday, had a wander around their Christmas display, DD will be home from uni for their official opening night so DD and I plan to go. They have a farm shop at the garden centre-turkey and beef all ordered and I'm getting one extra thing in my shopping each week to stash away which will help keep me going through January.
Actually feel in control for a change!

chanie

katie you’ve had a terrible few weeks. Pleased you are on the mend, in time for Christmas.

I’m going to order 3 more presents this week. One present I ordered is the Xmas stocking for my two week old niece. That will leave another 3 left, plus the children and OH. For DS, we want to get him a TV for his room, so we are waiting for Black Friday/pre-Xmas sales. For DD, I want to get a Luvabella doll, but as it’s the no 1 toy this year, I’m struggling to get one. Me and OH tend to priories everyone else for Xmas, so we may just get each other something in the January sales. It’s his birthday coming up, so I can’t think about his Xmas present until after his birthday.

I’m also thinking about presents for next year, as I’ve seen a few items I think people would like. I’ve written them down, so I don’t forget and will order in the new year.

This year my Mum has said she won’t be around for Xmas as she wants to volunteer for something. This means that we will be expected at the in laws. Now, don’t get me wrong, I get on with them, but I find the house very hectic, so I can’t relax. Although they do a nice dinner, one year, we didn’t eat until 9pm and by that point I was beyond hungry. Plus, we had to do the washing up before we could leave. So, we’ve decided to have dinner at home and we can visit the in laws around that.
As happy kitties is doing, I’m gong to start stockpile for Xmas. My first purchase was today, which was a bottle of prosecco (the one from Lidl which is supposed to not give you a hsngovrr).

Happy_Kitties

chanie I've also been thinking about presents for next year aswell!! Have got one part of my sis in laws so far and have been looking for presents people would like for their birthdays as after Christmas i get an onslaught of birthdays until May.

LadyMorticia

Hey guys.

Been subscribed to this thread for ages but I don't think I've ever posted properly, so hey.

December is really busy for us as it's my birthday, both the kids birthdays and of course Christmas!

I've already bought Christmas presents for my husband, SIL, her boyfriend and my FIL. Have no idea what to get for MIL!

Haven't started the kids presents yet because we lack storage space! x

chanie

happykitties we have birthdays practically every month of the year, but at least it’s only a couple each month.

Ladymorticia I sympathise with struggling with your MIL. I find mine difficult to buy for too. Here’s some ideas:
Cashmere wrist warmers (Brora sell them for £55)
Subscription to something - magazine, coffee, honey, beauty box etc
Travel card holder
Travel document holder - a few people have bought these on this thread
An ‘experience’ - afternoon tea, theatre tickets, spa day.

‘Not on the high street’ have nice unique hand made items that your MIL may appreciate, although they are quite expensive.