Santas challenge 2017

chanie

I love adult colouring and I have a book and some pens. I recently bought an etching kit from Lidl, which I am enjoying.

I have thought of my emergency gift item - a steel water bottle. I quite like buying practical items for people, particularly things that the recipient may not a have thought of buying themselves. This is thekind of thing I mean
https://www.amazon.co.uk/KING-DO-WAY-Insulated-Double-walled/dp/B01JA5X3HW?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_1

Katiehound

Hello, it's the almost headless chicken here!!
Best wishes to all
Yesterday was a 36 hour day which included a 450 mile drive and 50 mile ferry crossing so I'm still fairly exhausted today but forced myself to be in the swimming pool by 8.45!

Just had a 2 week trip to Ireland. This time Mr T came up trumps on my very last day with cheap as chips diffusers and matching candles in ceramic holders- 2 presents there.
They also had some cute dog design socks reduced and at 3 for 2 offer- worked out at a pair of socks for 25 pence!! Sparkly ones with dinosaurs came in at about 29 pence. I also bought 3 (all they had) pretty white, blue &silver scarves @£2.25 which was a quarter of original price.
I also did well being a womble - I am amazed at the folk who throw away till receipts with 100+ points.
There were a few bits in Tiger but sadly too early for their seasonal stuff.
I treated myself in Mr T to an FM/ DAB clock radio for £9- had been £30.

Prior to that I went on a cruise to the very north! Up the coast of Norway to North Cape, the most northerly place in Europe, then to the White Sea & Russian cities of Archangelsk & Murmansk. Very interesting, but red tape run rampant- M is the largest place above the Arctic circle. Bought a very few Christmas wooden ornaments, would have possibly bought more but we were really rushed for time.

My shoe boxes were thankfully delivered to the collection point and I managed to get one knee blanket crotcheted.

Next week off again: India, Sri Lanka & Indian Ocean. Really hoping I get there after having to cancel last year.....

Before that have haircut, dog needs booster jab, and a host of jobs already written in the diary.
Sounds like all your preparations are well underway.
Take care!

crazy-cat-lady_2

Katiehound. Our Baltic cruise went to Russia in July. First time we had been. I know what you mean about the red tape. I’ve never seen customs and immigration like their system, and the time it took. Crazy. Worth it though. Enjoyed it more than I thought.

We leave Sunday for another. Spain, Canaries and Morocco. Be nice to have some beach time. Not looking for ward to the 4 hour drive to Southampton, but worth it once you get onboard.

Hope you enjoy the next one.

Happy_Kitties

Wow u guys are really hitting up some places with ur travelling......really sound great adventures......Katiehound i don't know where u get ur energy from I really don't........a 450 mile drive:eek:

Some brilliant presents and present ideas Chanie I really like the steel water bottle......have hinted to DD that I wouldn't mind one for Chrishmas:D.
Katiehound definitely right place at the right time with the bargains you've picked up:j.

I have found a drop off point near DD uni so when I next see DD I am going to drop my shoeboxes off with her and she will drop them off. Still need to do my final one.

I have been wrapping. Most of my wrapping is done now:T......just bitty bits of small presents to do.
Due to having wasps deciding to settle in an air brick above the spare bedroom, I've had a lot of wasps visiting to die in the house so it has meant pulling everything out including the really buried presents that I was able to dig out and wrap.
Also found the 2 missing presents that i would have never of found if it hadnt been for the wasp clearout.
I am really hoping that I will be completed by the beginning of November......that is my target:A and if I manage it, it will be the first year ever I've actually achieved it:)

Need to start preparing for the birthdays in October.........6 altogether.......have all the presents just need to wrap, sort and get cards for.......i will be organised!!!!!:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Katiehound

Happy_Kitties wrote: »

...Katiehound i don't know where u get ur energy from I really don't........a 450 mile drive:eek:
[/QUOTE
Still exausted from that little trek! I just want to sleep......

Then last night finally found my post (dog runner had scooped it up) which suggested at this late stage that I needed a different visa for Sri Lanka- absolute panic!! couldn't find my travel folder 'cos I know I printed off the confirmation in the library.
Checked my e-mails- phew- I have the correct visa. If I can't find my print off will have to dash to library on Mon or Tues and get another. (I know it is not actually needed- but proves I have the e-visitor visa!)

A bit of a find yesterday- 6 perfect china mugs in a carrier by the bin in Morrison's cp. 3 are Boofle Grand p's design (they are dear enough) 1x M&S airforce picture, 2 others bone china. All washed- 2 already delivered to hospice shop with gift aid. Might keep one, other 3 'free' gifts!!!
Just looked at theBoofle prices online- not cheap!!

Need to make 3 doggy duvets and maybe.......pack???

Magazines as gifts? There are a few offers at the moment for Hearst mags

chanie

chanie wrote: »

I have thought of my emergency gift item - a steel water bottle. I quite like buying practical items for people, particularly things that the recipient may not a have thought of buying themselves. This is thekind of thing I mean
https://www.amazon.co.uk/KING-DO-WAY-Insulated-Double-walled/dp/B01JA5X3HW?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_1

I bought a steel water bottle today from TK Maxx for £8, which I have put away as an emergency gift. I also picked up a Laura Ashley umbrella for DD. I was temped to give it to her today as it has been raining, but I resisted. I just need to get one for DS now.

Happy_Kitties

Really hoping for a steel water bottle from my DD for Christmas.

Nearly finished wrapping now and hopefully going to take some presents over to drop at some relatives next weekend that I don't usually see until after Christmas so at least they will get their presents a bit sooner than January!!

Bec I've had to change a couple of presents due to a change in person's circumstance I'm just going to get gift experiences. Going to wait nearer the time so that u get a longer life on the gift experience and I'm hoping that around Black Friday there will be some good deals. I know exactly what I want it's just a waiting game.

Still need to do my 4th shoebox in the next fortnight so I can drop off to DD.

Then hopefully I can concentrate on getting the living room decorated before Christmas......it will get done!

chanie

Happy_Kitties wrote: »

Really hoping for a steel water bottle from my DD for Christmas.

I kind of want one too, but I have a water bottle and a flask.

Its a shame that you have to rethink a gift for someone, but I love that you have already got a plan b, that’s organisation!

This weekend, I will be going to DMs so will get to pop into Home Bargains. I normally head straight for the toys, but I think im sorted on that front, so will look at the Halloween and a Christmas stuff.
Home Bargains has lots of stuff you don’t see elsewhere, so I really like checking out their stuff.

chanie

Its a good thing I bought the water bottle, as its the birthday of one of my reports and so I have given it to them as a birthday present.

I have quite a few birthdays in October and we are having a birthday get together this weekend to celebrate. I thought I had bought something for DNs birthday, but I cant remember what it was or where I put it. I have a memory of looking at something in tK Maxx,but I dont know if I bought it or just thought about buying it. It’s quite funny actually, because I am normally good it remembering what I have bought.

Happy_Kitties

That water bottle definitely came in handy Chanie and I hope u sort out for DN birthday and if u did buy something u manage to find it.

I can definitely say I am having a right nightmare getting 4 lots of birthday presents ready for the drop off at the weekend. I sorted out the birthday cards today only to find I will need a gift bag. Feel very woolly headed at the moment due to having a cold so feel like I am climbing up a hill backwards.
Because there are several small gifts for each child I'm getting confused to whose is what and also trying to sort out each child's Christmas bits into gift bags aswell. It is not going well.

Will be relieved when they are dropped off, to send the birthday presents would cost a small fortune esp when I've stuck really well to the budget I set and I have the opportunity to drop presents off this weekend. I Will get there!
Plus I've eaten another box if Christmas chocs .........things can only get better!