Santa’s challenge 2020 ...

chanie

I bought flannels, razors, toothbrushes and toothpaste for my Link boxes today.  The only thing left on the mandatory list is the chocolate and once I have that, I’ll see how much room I have left to squeeze in anything else.

Katiehound

My last 3 boxes wrapped yesterday. I just had the chocolate left to buy- the bars easily slipped in down the side!
I am now getting the second knee blanket crotcheted. I have about 7" to go- but of course they are long long rows!! Once that is done I shall be able to deliver the boxes and a whole bag of knee blankets to the area coordinator. The plan is to get those (& six boxes from friend) en route -likely beginning of October.

After that I have promised a friend a crotchet cot blanket for G baby due Nov., then   2 x crotchet hats for friends........oh, and the odd doggie duvet to sew.

I sent a friend a 'small parcel' last week. It was almost the maximum size and I was 15g underweight! It was a big surprize just how much I squeezed in for £3.10. It got rid of some things I had hoped to give her in person.....since I have no idea when that is likely to be... ... .. those items now out of my way  !

Happy_Kitties

Sorry ive not been about, alot of serious family issues and my cat went missing.
Pleased to say family issues while not great are being sorted and after 22 days and cat traps, finally managed to get my cat home. Its been a stressful time
Still havent finished my link to hope boxes, im at the same stage as before but once i get a shoebox off a friend it wont take me long.
When i heard that people were beginning to stockpile again i took myself off to the local garden centre which has a farm shop. Bought a piece of beef for Christmas and they do hot choc stirrers with posh choc so bought some of them to go with presents and a candle for DD.
Need to go back for a hot choc stirrer set as an extra present. Hope they have some in as they are very popular and its helping a small local business aswell.
So ive almost got all my presents and thought if we are in lockdown and i cant go to Duncles or besties i have the beef.
Ordered a couple of hampers from M+S this morning to give to some friends that have really supported me through all the drama going on. Have kept looking when i could so i was thrilled to see them today. Some other bits ordered aswell, the hampers will arrive beginning of November.
If im in the mood will do some wrapping tonight, currently there are hot choc stirrers everywhere.
I asked a group of kids in the street today if they planned to do trick or treating. I know there has been alot of discussion about halloween and covid but in their world, it was business as usual for this group of kids and they would be trick or treating at halloween
Hope everyone is doing okay.
Chanie-the kitten is gorgeous

chanie

welcome back happy kitties.  Sorry to read that you’ve had a difficult few weeks.  Despite this, you still sound really positive and have done lots.

Ive made some progress with my Xmas prep.  Now that we are in September, I feel I can legitimately mention Christmas!!            I pretty much know what I need to buy present wise.  Unfortunately, I suspect I won’t get paid from my new job until the end of October, so won’t be able to do anything until then.  In the meantime, I’m going to focus on buying food items etc.  

chanie

I went to B&M today to have a browse.  I don’t have a store near me so I don’t get to go very often.  I bought some sweets for the children and items for the Christmas hampers I’m putting together.  I’m trying to do the hampers as cheaply as possible, so I wanted to check out B&M.  They have only just started to put out their Xmas, so they don’t have much in.

chanie

I popped to town today to buy Xmas gift bags from Card Factory.  I don’t know if I need any, but they sell out quickly, so I thought it best to grab them now.  They were willing both the large and small size as £1 for 4 - I remember it wasn’t too long ago that they were 6 or 8 for £1.  I also bought my 2021 diary and walk calendar.

i think now is a good time to stock up on stuff like sellotape, wrapping paper and cards.  I’m pretty late when it comes to wrapping and writing cards and by the time I’m ready, the shops have often sold out, so it’s good to get a head start.

Happy_Kitties

Chanie i also like a mooch round B&M but im exactly the same as u, i don't have a store near me and would have to travel to the next town so the opportunity doesnt often arise, if it does, i'm in for a nosy!
I was also in the Card Factory yesterday. It has really been a year of landmark birthdays. I had a card for a friend's son but didnt realise he was 18 until last minute so a quick dash to the shop. I should of done a stock up of things like sellotape, parcel tape and extra gift bags.
I also had 2 general birthdays so swopped things about, some of the hot choc stirrers went out in the birthday presents.
Hoping to wrap a few more Christmas tonight (have done quite a bit. Ordered some make up brush sets on a special aimed at the younger generation.The one i have for cousins DD i feel is too old for her, abit too refined so want to change that when the new sets arrive)  and put out a few autumn/halloween decs. Autumn is without a doubt my favourite season
Ordered some perfume from B@@ts in their specials. Did a price check to actually check it was still cheaper. That will be popped away for DDs bday in Feb.
Have a final box for my Link to Hope. Just have to do it now. My aim is deliver the final 3 next weekend

Happy_Kitties

As luck would have it i was near the C@rd Factory this morning. Popped in for gift bags, sellotape, parcel tape and when i checked my birthday book this morning i found i had another landmark birthday. I couldnt remember if there was a card put away for this so i bought one just in case.
Ive been trying to sort out DM presents for people aswell.......now that is a headache!

chanie

Happy kitties   i think that running out of sundries like tape and cards can end up costing you lots of money, because the cheap places sell out well before Christmas.  You did well to get yours now.

i bought chocolate oranges from Tesco for 75p, as they are currently on offer.  I will admit, I did buy one for now, which me and DD have finished off.

chanie

I’m officially skint.  Firstly, I had to buy a new laptop for work, as my last one died.  The alternative was working from the office, but that would mean paying £30+ a time in travel and childcare.  Secondly, I don’t get paid until the end of the month From my new job.  Luckily, most of our bills have been paid, so I don’t need much money and I can fall back on OH.

Whilst we are on the subject, i needed to buy some cat food and OH gave me his bank card to take to the supermarket.  Whilst there, I found a onesie for DDs Xmas eve hamper.  I normally pick them up when Sainsburys have their 25% off clothing event, but they haven’t done one since before the pandemic, so I have no idea when the next one will be.