Santas challenge 2017

chanie

Aldi were doing some Xmas craft items this weekend, so I picked up some decorate your own bauble and elf doors for the children to do. I also picked up some chocolate coins for their Xmas eve hampers. Now that shops are putting their Xmas stuff out, I’ll start buying stuff with the weekly shop.

I bought wrapping paper in the January sales, but I like to see lots of colour under the tree, so I’ll probably get a few more. I have quite a few gift bags left over from last year and I kept some boxes from online shopping, which I can re-use.

I’m tempted to start wrapping presents from now, but I suspect the children will start interfering with the presents, so I normally wait until the tree is up (normally the second week of December).

Katiehound

I have started asking for donations for the doggy treat bags as I hope to have them filled in a couple of weeks. So far have a carrier bag of food samples and been promised some more - different maker.
Hope a big manufacturer will offer me some things as I said I could collect- the factory is 25 miles away- however I do realise that they are continually being asked to donate......

In the last 2 weeks have emptied the collecting tins where they sell my doggy duvets-just over £80. Delivered another 9 but need to keep sewing as my house is still crammed with flipping duvets! Hopefully I can get another 3 sewn and delivered on Weds.

The family from h*** have finally moved from next door (rented accommodation) they were here almost a year, a year too long.
All we heard in the summer were shouted 4 letter words, someone staying there held up the man at Costco with a knife etc....Nice.
Anyway they moved and left washing on the line!!
I told the landlady I'd be happy to have the clothes and deal with them. 4 bags in all- stored in the shed (!!!) So, 1+1/2 bin bags for rag weight at the hospice shop and 1+1/2 bags of lesser quality clothes for an out of town charity shop.
There was a buggy bag (or whatever it's called) not complete because the velcro attached to nowt. Any way the feelie pattern was wearing off- not at all saleable. I took out the double-ended zip and then realised top side would make a weatherproof dog coat! Shyla won't mind that she has a picture of pea green boat on her back, I just need to work out how to make the chest piece.

Bought a couple of presents at Sue Ryder today. Thought it was a Christmas present but my friend said that it was already arriving monthly! I bought 6 x Good Housekeeping mag. So these 2 tops/blouses are for her Feb birthday. One is M&S the other is Next-£1 each and if she doesn't like... then they get moved on! This is for the £5 challenge.

chanie

katie well done with your efforts.

I bagged up some magic reindeer food for the children tonight. I added the porridge oates, but instead of edible glitter, I added some sprinkles, which have recently expired. All I need to do now, is to print some labels.

Happy_Kitties

Oooo everyone is doing so well, it's brilliant.

Katiehound cracking amount raised from the doggie duvets and it is awful when u have nightmare neighbours. A few years back we had nightmare neighbours opposite, we never thought they would go but when they did they left so much stuff that a house clearance had to come in. The house was boarded up and then we found out her older kids were breaking in to do all sorts. There are nice quiet neighbours living there now, it is so nice.
My plan tonight is to get one of the parcels packed and ready to send at the beginning of December so that I can just pop a letter in, seal it up and it's ready to go. For some reason I've been putting off this one. Hunted out a few more presents last night from where they were stored and pulled a few extra out at the same time to pop in a gift bag. Slowly getting there. There is one gift bag I def need to sort out as if my uncle comes over early they will go back with him. I've potentially got a lot of presents going out early this year.

chanie

As we will be having dinner at home, I’ve written a list of what we need food wise so I can start stockpiling and preparing food for the freezer. It will be a nice meal, but we don’t go overboard, as food will otherwise go to waste. I like to prepare as much as I can in advance so we can spend Xmas day relaxing rather than cooking.

chanie

gifts for Xmas 2018

I’ve been eyeing up a few items for 2018 already and I plan to get started early next year. Here are my ideas so far, in case anyone needs some inspiration;

Tins for girls/boys
Similar to a hamper. They can be filled with little bits and pieces, plus they can be used for storage. I bought OH one a few years ago and it is filled with ‘man crap’.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bright-Side-Girl-Treasures-Tin/dp/B00IKFPEDU

Wrist warmers
I’m thinking of getting some for DM and MIL. Someone on another thread recommended turtle doves. Whilst neither recipients are particularly ‘green’, they do look like they are nice gifts in themselves and they are a good price.
https://www.turtle-doves.co.uk/collections/fingerless-gloves

Happy_Kitties

chanie great minds think alike, I've also been thinking about Christmas 2018. Picked up a couple of bits already if I've seen something for someone which I've thought that would be brilliant for them and there are so many offers around . They are nicely stashed away.

I second the tins. Bought for my brother and sis in law a couple of years ago. My mum filled my brothers and I did my sis in laws with bits. They are both teachers so we went down the teaching route. From what i can remember I know I put pens for marking, jellied meerkats and a small bottle of vodka as an end of day recovery tipple in my sis in laws. We managed to get quite a few bits in the tins and they went down really well as presents

Managed to stash an extra food item a week......and have only eaten 2 of them so far.......quite good for me! Determined to keep going with the food stash as it lasts well into January then which will be handy as DD doesn't go back to uni until the end of Jan and she is like a beaver!

Happy_Kitties

Waved goodbye to DD today who was home for the weekend for a medical appointment. Usually we would put the tree up on the 1st December but I will have to wait until the 15th when she is home for Christmas from uni.
DD did offer to pull the tree and decorations out so I could put it up but me and DD have always done it together so I will wait. It will be strange.
DD sorted out and delivered quite a few presents this weekend as she won't see people until after Christmas now. Made me feel disorganised compared to how organised she was.
Her final words as she was leaving was, 'I've taken a roll of paper for the presents I have at uni and that was it!

chanie

Wow, your DD is organised. Just like her Mum!

Happy_Kitties

Chanie DD put me to shame honestly, she was so organised and really wanted to get round and see friends that she wouldn't see before Christmas.
I'm still getting round to trying to wrap my brothers early birthday present but I keep putting it off. I need to do it as he is getting it before Christmas and if I don't get over to see him I know I will get a call out of the blue to say are you in and then it will be a mad dash for the wrapping paper!.........just that last little bit to finish off but it is a proving to be a hurdle as wrapping is not my favourite thing.
Might get some Christmas music on tomorrow and wrap!