Christmas 2017 mega index/christmas chat!!!! Yes, it's early I know :)

nannywindow

Hello elf06
Do you have to send money/ gifts through the post ? If not, what about making them a small stocking/ Christmas bag each. There are some cheap pocket money toys about, especially in shops like the Wor*s, B & m, Home B*rgins, the R*nge etc. Although I don't know if there are any near you. Last year I bought each of my DGC a Santa bag (50p each ) and filled them with sweets, which I bought every time I went food shopping. Turns out it was much, much cheaper than a selection box and a better selection, plus I didn't really notice the cost.
Well done on the gin and vodka, I wish I was as organised as you :T . I'm hoping to make some blackcurrant vodka if I can remember to get my act together :rotfl:.

Tink_04

Well with kids birthdays this month and next my Xmas stuff is on hold till after them! I have already sorted of DS birthday presents and put some other stuff we have bought away for Xmas will do the same with DD next month. I'd love to have some new decorations but will see what we can make this year and maybe have a look in the sales after Xmas.

pipkin71

zippychick wrote: »

this makes me faint with happiness to think the resource is being read and used. The previous threads are fantastic !! you've made my day ♥

There are some excellent tips on the previous threads, zippychick, and it's fantastic that you've indexed them all for us in one place, so thank you to you

mickey54

C_J wrote: »

I make advent calendars for my two grown up daughters and their partners, and collect little items for them throughout the year. I had a sortout the other day, and am very pleased to realise I have everything for these already. I did get quite a lot in the post Christmas sales, so that really helped. It's also nice not to worry about lengthy delivery times when ordering from overseas at this time of year!

C J - what sort of things do you put in?
Do you buy the holder, or make your own?

elf06

nannywindow wrote: »

Hello elf06
Do you have to send money/ gifts through the post ? If not, what about making them a small stocking/ Christmas bag each. There are some cheap pocket money toys about, especially in shops like the Wor*s, B & m, Home B*rgins, the R*nge etc. Although I don't know if there are any near you. Last year I bought each of my DGC a Santa bag (50p each ) and filled them with sweets, which I bought every time I went food shopping. Turns out it was much, much cheaper than a selection box and a better selection, plus I didn't really notice the cost.
Well done on the gin and vodka, I wish I was as organised as you :T . I'm hoping to make some blackcurrant vodka if I can remember to get my act together :rotfl:.

Apologies for the late reply I was lucky enough to go and see John Bishop last night - VERY funny!

Annoyingly we have none of those shops nearby and, thanks to my location, postage costs can add rather a lot on to online shopping. Also some of them have allergies so foodstuffs are a bit of a no-no. Being honest I'd rather stop but I'd feel so mean as they have all been so good to my son. I think money in card or gift cards will be my easy way out.
I'm super pleased with the gin and vodka but hearing conflicting reports on how long to leave them to infuse. I might have to try them to find out I think I'll get another bottle of vodka tomorrow and start the other 2 as I'll be able to use my last remaining mason jar and then do the vanilla vodka in the actual bottle. I'm enjoying being organised......for once :rotfl:

freyasmum

I Looooooooooovvvvvee the Christmas threads :j :j

I'm attempting jams, jellies and chutnies (including chilli jam!) - some with our homegrown produce. Hopefully it goes well!

We made little chocolate sleighs last year. They went down a storm with the kids to whom they were gifted, and didn't cost THAT much.

We're actually quite well organised this year - there's not MUCH more left to buy - and the stuff that has still to be purchased has already been decided upon.

I'm going to have another read through of the links, thank you Zippy.

pipkin71

freyasmum wrote: »

I'm attempting jams, jellies and chutnies (including chilli jam!) - some with our homegrown produce. Hopefully it goes well!

Chilli jam sounds delicious, freyasmum

Happy_Kitties

I'm happy to say that i have just about finished, have a couple of bits to get nearer Christmas but all done and most of it is wrapped. Its just storing it which has been my problem, currently stashed everywhere.
I love reading everyone's posts of what they are up to, makes me excited for Christmas.
I haven't had much chance and had forgotten but have also got a Christmas craft stash so might start making some goodies for a charity i support.
My mum and I were talking about the Christmas turkey yesterday. our local garden centre has a fab farm shop. I'm thinking of going up next month, putting the Christmas meat order in and popping up each month with monies so its all paid for ready for Christmas.
Its always a tradition to pop up to the garden centre on Christmas eve for a cuppa and pick up the turkey. you always see the chiller cabinets full of people's Christmas orders, one Christmas we arrived to find a massive queue of people waiting, so went for a wander and a cuppa before we collected ours.
It wont be long now once the kids go back to school.

C_J

mickey54 wrote: »

C J - what sort of things do you put in?
Do you buy the holder, or make your own?

I bought some large baskets in a red/white striped pattern (from somewhere inexpensive, possibly Store 21 or B&M) and every year I buy a big bundle of paper bags printed with Christmas motifs. I get these online and they only cost a couple of pounds for about two hundred. I then print out sticky labels which I have designed myself, and which have the dates on them. This system means I can buy slightly larger items to go in the bags compared with the usual fillable advent calendar pockets.

It's fairly easy for the girls - nail polishes, a make up brush or sponge, a sachet of Montaigne Jeunesse face pack, mini cosmetics which I've collected from gifts-with-purchase etc. It's tougher to find things for the guys, but Poundland has been useful in sourcing inexpensive tools, phone accessories and the like, plus we have a store in town which sells loose tea and coffee and they made up some little packs of different varieties for me which were a big hit one year.

I try to keep to a budget of £25 per calendar but this can be quite a challenge

pipkin71

C_J wrote: »

I bought some large baskets in a red/white striped pattern (from somewhere inexpensive, possibly Store 21 or B&M) and every year I buy a big bundle of paper bags printed with Christmas motifs. I get these online and they only cost a couple of pounds for about two hundred. I then print out sticky labels which I have designed myself, and which have the dates on them. This system means I can buy slightly larger items to go in the bags compared with the usual fillable advent calendar pockets.

It's fairly easy for the girls - nail polishes, a make up brush or sponge, a sachet of Montaigne Jeunesse face pack, mini cosmetics which I've collected from gifts-with-purchase etc. It's tougher to find things for the guys, but Poundland has been useful in sourcing inexpensive tools, phone accessories and the like, plus we have a store in town which sells loose tea and coffee and they made up some little packs of different varieties for me which were a big hit one year.

I try to keep to a budget of £25 per calendar but this can be quite a challenge

I love this idea, C J.

I have just ordered some bags from eBay, which are big enough to add a few different things other than the mini alcohol bottles I had planned