Santas challenge 2017

Happy_Kitties

I've not been fully on the ball, health hasn't been great.

I did by chance stumble on the Boots 90% sale. Managed to get quite a few bits, some for a charity DD and I support and some items popped away in stash. Was very happy.

Went into home barg@ins yesterday and bought a pack of 4 bars of soap.
Reading what Chanie is up to I feel very behind on my boxes this year!

It is birthday present season so need to try and get a few boxes to send presents out but I've had a sort out, moved things around so stash looks abit tidier..........it was taking over the house!
DD was happy with her birthday presents, they were all very practical ones that I know DD uses. Didnt know what else to get her. Did pick up a penguin biscuit jar before Christmas and kept it tucked away. I then found out that her BF lov it aswell so need to go back and have a look and see if I can get another. I dont know if B+M just had them in for Christmas

I feel that it does save alot of money and takes the pressure off having the presents in ready for after Christmas birthdays. Just makes life easier

Cannot believe we are in March tomorrow, time is flying too quick

chanie

Happy_Kitties wrote: »

I feel that it does save alot of money and takes the pressure off having the presents in ready for after Christmas birthdays. Just makes life easier

Sorry to hear that you haven't been feeling well. I hope you are on the mend now.


Funnily enough, I have been thinking about this myself: being organised, does save money and take the pressure off. Although I stared off as a way to save money, the balance has shifted to just being organised and so this year, my focus is on being MSE. To give you an example, I had a budget of £20 for DN through being organised and buying gifts early, I managed to buy a £35 present for £20, which, although was in budget, didn't actually save me any money. This year, I'm going try and find a present for under £20 to save a bit of money. Although, this rule won't apply to OH or the children.

Anglea

Hi everyone,

Happy Kitties, hope you are better today.

Well done everyone on all your savings and organising. That's a good idea Chanie to reduce your spends even more re your comment about the expensive present reduced to 20 pounds which was your original budget.

I've got an idea for something I can make for my friend's birthday. Every year so far I haven't been able to celebrate the fact it lands on Winter Solstice so this year I'm hoping to make a card (possibly cross stitch) and a wall canvas painted with a winter scene (snow, fir trees, dark sky). Then make holes in the sky area and attach fairy lights from the back.

I started a few trial runs of the painting over the years but each time I became sidetracked and forgot. This time I've got months of experimenting to get it right.

Normally I do my hand made gifts at the weekly art and crafts group but last week I didn't have enough time to get prepared for the WS idea so I'm experimenting with a future Halloween art abandonment project, only because I had the materials to hand and didn't have to go rummaging through all my craft stash for something more seasonally appropriate.

Few days ago I was shown a photo of one of my painted stones in South Africa which was taken there a few years ago and it's still in the same bar it was left as my friends have returned to the same place. They've also taken another of my stones but I don't know where they have left it yet.

Happy_Kitties

Many thanks Chanie & Anglea for ur kind wishes. Unfortunately with my spinal condition there are alot of secondaries and I've needed major surgery for awhile now, but my health board and funding issues isn't the best.

However have been plodding on. Have been sending out charity items ready for Christmas auctions as once I have the surgery I'm out of action for 6 months. Still need to focus more on my link boxes.
March birthdays are coming thick and fast. Actually managed to get some boxes before ready to send items out tomorrow.

I know what u mean about the reduction in spends Chanie. Have been able to crack it more with children than adults. My cousin is always saying u shouldn't have spent that much on the kids, in reality I've spent very little I've just been really lucky to get some great items at silly prices but I'm not so great with adults at the minute.
Not done anything more with Christmas. Normally would have more of DDs presents sorted by now, but struggling on this as she tends to buy things that she wants now with being at uni. No doubt I will get some clues when she is back home

crazy-cat-lady_2

Oh! I missed your post. So sorry you’re feeling so bad. I hope you’re feeling as ok and comfortable as you can be now.

Happy_Kitties wrote: »

Many thanks Chanie & Anglea for ur kind wishes. Unfortunately with my spinal condition there are alot of secondaries and I've needed major surgery for awhile now

chanie

Happy_Kitties wrote: »

I know what u mean about the reduction in spends Chanie. Have been able to crack it more with children than adults. My cousin is always saying u shouldn't have spent that much on the kids, in reality I've spent very little I've just been really lucky to get some great items at silly prices but I'm not so great with adults at the minute.

I agree. It’s easy to buy for young children. You do really well with your bargains though, happy kitties.

The next big event is Easter. I read on this site that Tesco were selling Easter eggs for 75p, so I bought 7. I used some club card vouchers, so I paid £1.XX for the lot.

crazy-cat-lady_2

I doubt I’ll donas well as last year with Easter. I got to buy £8 for free, completely refunded from one of the cashback apps last year. So got them when they were on offer at Asda.

I have toys for my daughter that I’d bought on offer and put away ages ago, so she will have a few little bits of chocolates for an Easter egg hunt and that’s it. My niece and nephew going to b&m for. They have Thornton’s eggs and figures that are £7 in Thornton’s and they’re selling them for £2/2.50. So I’m hoping their mum doesn’t know that 😆

Happy_Kitties

Many thanks CCL, things aren't great but much better than they have been and they've managed to temp stabilise me for now which enables me to function at least. Not getting out for bargains so much though Chanie but totally agree with u it is so much easier to buy for children and I've found with teenagers all they want is make up-picked up great No17 clearance bargains from Boots

Everyone is doing so well with Easter, I picked up some of the 75p Easter eggs but have eaten 2!!

I remember when DD and DN were little and doing an Easter egg hunt. U could do so much for so little and they loved it. They grow up far too quick

Was hoping to get out today for some fresh air and to post one of the birthday parcels but weather is really bad today, it is really miserable. Hoping it will he better tomorrow, ready for spring now

Anglea

Hi everyone.


I haven't even thought as far as Easter. There's Mother's Day to consider and I've got to get some gifts for my dad this week.

Happy_Kitties

I think I'm going to be getting my mum a nice pot from the local garden centre although I suspect they will sell out quickly.
Really have no idea what to get my mum, she declared at Christmas no PJs, dressing gowns, slippers, chocolates, biscuits, jams but refuses to give the family any ideas. Even if I got her some chocs and flowers the chocs will still be there at Christmas with the odd one eaten!
Back to being behind on birthday presents even though I have had them since before Christmas!