Santas challenge 2017

chanie

happy kitties, I did 4 boxes, but I struggled to fill them (didn’t realise how muchh stuff a shoe box can hold). Doing the shoe boxes was a good opportunity to declutter as we had lots of stuff around the house that was new and unused and waiting for a good home.

The best addition to my boxes was those free slippers you get in hotels. I have a relative who frequently stays in hotels and gives the slippers to my Mum, as she likes them. I found about 50+ pairs in a cupboard at my mums, so I grabbed 4 for my boxes.

I had to cobble together a last minute gift for someone and Im pleased to report that I managed to find a few decent things from my spare gift stash. I really need to replenish my stash now, as there isnt much left.

Anglea

Hi again.

Although the plumbing was finished, I was a bit concerned about a few things so he's returning next week - so far I haven't paid anything as the invoice took over a week to arrive and I called to say I couldn't get to the bank until next week (and it was their fault it took so long) and after the possibility something isn't right I also said I'll pay after it's all sorted out.

I bought a lovely card and gift at the craft fair for my online friend, I was in extreme dithering mood as I couldn't decide on a colour for the necklace and even went to look on fb at her page to see if there's any colours she favours but couldn't find anything that gave me enough detail. I was amazed to discover the lady that made this jewellery was known to me nearly 30 years ago and we had a catch up.

On a bric/brac stall I found some really unusual jewellery going dirt cheap, one was 20p and the other £1, I'm going to re-use them and make something myself for next year - I'm surprised they could have been those prices as real gemstones, I also found a dolls house/miniatures stall where I bought items with my friend in mind that stays all Christmas, either for her birthday which is a few days before or Christmas - I'll use the items to make into a scene along with some furniture or if I don't have time then use next year. I'm also going to try and give her some artwork if I finish that and probably make some other things (got a list of handmade possibilities) but I'm stuck for actual buying type gifts as she's really fussy with things.

She's the one I made those 'open when' cards for earlier this year and she really loved them and was upset when they finished so I might do a couple of those as well.

I'm hoping to get family presents towards the end of next week as I'm busy with other matters now.

Wow Chanie, 50 pairs of slippers in your mum's cupboard !! What was she planning on doing with them?

Happy Kitties, hope you get all the packing boxes in time for mailing.

I wonder how Katiehound is enjoying cruise life at this moment?. We've been missing the challenges and finding out about Miss Hoodie and all the latest adventures in mum2one's absence.

Happy_Kitties

I was also thinking that's an awful lot of slippers but great for the boxes. Picked up a magnifying glass in tesc@s reduced to 30p yesterday so thought I'm having that for the shoeboxes next year.

Managed to pick up one box in tesc@s but people jump on them to use instead of a carrier bag. Will be sending out alot of gifts donated to a charity auction next week so actually thinking of going to the shoe shop and asking if they have any shoeboxes spare that I will be able to use for packing up items. size wise they would be very handy. I really hate packaging up stuff though..........its not my favourite thing.

Need to really sort out the living room if a Christmas tree is to go up. There are papers everywhere and a pile of things ready for a tip run. Have also been ebaying some items in a bid to reduce clutter and some items are ready for the charity shop. If I get my act together it will all come together.

Can't believe how quick November is going, time seems to be speeding up

chanie

The slippers are actually quite handy.....

My mum uses them for when she goes on holiday as they are light to pack. She also gives them to visitors at home as she doesnt allow shoes in the house. I took them to hospital when I was having thr children as they are handy for wearing around the ward.

My mum gets them from a relative who regularly stays in hotels. This relative is frugal and cleans out the hotel room of all of their complimentary products (slippers, toiletries, tea/coffee). They get about 4 pairs of slippers and a dozen bottles of toiletries each trip, so it adds up really quickly. They tried to give me carrier bags full of stuff, but those type of products just dont suit a busy family life so I didnt accept them.


The Link Boxes are a great way to get rid of what I call invisible clutter. I have lots of small items around the house that I didnt want to keep, but didnt want to bin - pens, children’s toys etc. I am pleased that I could put them in my Link Boxes so that someone else can use the item. I have already put a few items away for 2019.

Katiehound

Ha! I must have heard my name being taken in vain........

I have been home for two weeks since my last cruise which was possibly the best I've had!
I just loved India (that was a surprise) especially Mumbai which was crazy crazy, then we went to 6 islands in the Indian Ocean. 4 weeks of yummy food, dancing every night with very few ladies wanting to dance- so all the more for me. Learned a couple more sequence dances.......and one of the dance hosts was just a magical dancer, so lots of fun.
The second 2 weeks got into a winning quiz team. I finally got an invite to the Captain's table, just marginally spoilt by one lady who was all over him like a rash whilst her husband sat back & said nothing!!
Possibly the downside was the 12+ 3/4 hour flight from Port Louis which arrived into Manchester at 1.15am!! Lovely friends collected me at 2am

I really struggled to close my case. This new one is very light and has 4 rotating wheels but the lid zips in so you can't squash it!
I had bought more than I realised- presents mainly:
6 small buffalo horn spoons (for pickles)
6 small buffalo horn forks ( ditto)
4 x pure silk scarves
3 x raffia covered chameleons!
3 x shopping bags with elephant design
2 cotton blouses for me with embroidery- that needs adjusting at the hem.
and a partridge...... no, a huge shopping basket for me!

I was sorely tempted at the craft market in St Denis, Reunion- there were lots of interesting items, mainly I think, from Indonesia.

I have already given my dog runner some spoons and forks and she loved them.
Other than that the car has had a major service, trips to osteopath, dentist, chiropodist, shopping trip to M&S and Bon Marche , collecting countless duvets and 2 weeks gone.

I hadn't been home 2 hours when a knock at door revealed a neighbour with a duvet & bedding for the 'factory!' At that point my case was spewed across the hall floor....

Because I now have the Indian visa I have decided to fly back out in Jan and cruise home ( instead of the Caribbean) and then have booked a land based 2 week tour of 'The Golden triangle' for March. I suspect that will be very taxing.

Now here's a coincidence for you
There were 10 travel agents on part of the Indian cruise being hosted by the cruise line including a lass from the agency I use near Southampton. I told her I'd forgotten my insect repellant and another agent said she had one spare and would leave it at Guest Services for me. She did.
Last Friday I walked into one of 4 local travel agents and I said I had just been to India etc, and we discussed the cruise, she asked had she given me insect repellant. Yes!! Small world indeed.

and Christmas? I need to take stock of the items for my friend and her family. The sproglets will be getting a chameleon each! as well as face paints (5pence per tube) and a clutch of bits that I found in Flying Tiger when I was last in Ireland. Mummy sprog has a 6 month sub to 'Red' magazine which has worked out @ £6 with free make up brushes. and Granny? (my friend) hopefully a sub to Good Housekeeping among other things...........
Better get working on that lot between sewing duvets and now dog coats to go to a rescue in Romania. which way to turn , that's the Question........

Happy_Kitties

katiehound u are definitely truly wonderfully bonkers and where u get it energy from I just don't know.......plus u had me and Chanie working from afar on our link to hope shoeboxes and I think have us conditioned into working on our 2019 boxes!!!!!

India and the cruise in general just sounded absolutely amazing......didnt like the sound of the flight back though but so glad u had a good time and now working on some dog coats for Romania......would love some of ur energy please

Have been slowly packaging up the charity items which have raised funds for a great auction but my packaging supplies collected are depleting rapidly. Definitely a trip to the shoe shop to see if they have some boxes, would be a massive help.

Still no more Christmas cards written, have them out as I want to pop a couple into present boxes. Will get them done eventually, only send special ones to family now, just gets too expensive.

chanie

Katie your cruise to India sounds wonderful. I have never been on a cruise, but lots of people I know have done and they love it.

Whilst we are discussing cruises, my Mum and her partner are going on a cruise and so came round for dinner today. I gave them part of their Xmas presents, as I bought them with thr cruise in mind. I gave my Mum a travel jewellery case and her partner a travel pillow. They have just called me to say how much they appreciated the presents. I am pleased they like them.

chanie

.... my Mum has always said that I am a practical present shopper. I will always try and buy something useful if I dont know what to get someone.

Happy_Kitties

I think you got great practical presents for ur mum and her partner Chanie, sometimes I think they are the best presents to give as they really show thought.

Last year I bought some luggage tags with a really quirky design that relates to the area in which we live. I gave one to my uncle who travels all over the country and one to besties DD who has started to travel. They went down really well bec they were a different present to give and are useful and had a distinctive design that stood out-useful on luggage carousels!

DD home the end of the week and wants to put the tree up. She has bought more lights to go around the house
Dropped another present at my mum's yesterday who will see that part of the family.

The last of the charity items were wrapped and posted yesterday. DD is going to bring some boxes and packaging home for me for the Christmas presents that need to be sent.

Nothing grabbed me in the Black Friday deals. Did pick up 2 Marvel superhero blankets at a good price to put away for 2019......stumbled on them while looking for cat food!!!!!!

Still no more Christmas cards written

chanie

happy 1st December

I cant believe that Christmas is nearly here. I was reminded of the countdown early this morning as the children were itching to open their advent calendars.

I have a handful of Xmas presents left to buy but I feel on top of everything. In saying that, I have just been hit with a curved ball. My Mum has told me that she has transferred some money to me buy some presents for my children and also my nieces. She is going on holiday and wont be bs I until just before Xmas. So, I now need to think about what to buy. On the plus side, i may be able to get cash back!