The 2008 Money Neutral Gift Challenge

scattymam1

I love the boots gifts this year, just got the catalogue yesterday.

For all those reading one way of being neutral is recycling presents. I got quite a few things for my birthday and last christmas that I just won't use so I haven't opened them just put them away in cupboard and have done quite a few peoples presents that way.

Also, been to a few car boots lately, mentioned it somewhere else but not on this thread. I got a drinking shot game for 50p that was unopened and had a £6 price tag on the back so that will do for someones present(It was quite a good one too not cheapy one). Gotta keep your eyes peeled.

Ebay too - it is getting more expensive I think but there was a sudoku rubiks cube in argos for £10 and i got one for about 1.50 with 2.50 post and packing so still saved there too.

jamtart6

i love the Boots catalogue, but I love Boots 75% sale more

Recycling is a good way of doing it scattymam. I feel terribly guilty for it, but sometimes I can't use the items due to sensitive skin etc.

Does anyone get an AVON catalogue? they have some great deals for xmas in the catalogues (you can see them online too!) their presents are brilliant value, also 15% quidco and occasionally free delivery codes and discounts. (can you tell who is an avon lady?! truthfully I never reccomend anything to my customers unless I love it myself, and my whole house is avon and boots filled!!) The only prob for me is trying not to give AVON and Boots gifts every occasion!!

jamtart6

When are you guys going to end the attempt for money for 2008, and start for 2009?

I think I'm going to start 2009 money neutral challenge on 1st December to give me an incentive to sort out 2008 by then, anyone up for it next year too? xx

scattymam1

def. me, I'm in...probs start as soon as bought all presents which I should have bought by 0ct 31st. So dec 1st sounds like a good date.

jamtart6

Yay great stuff scattymam!

Do you have stuff left in a 'present shelf' that may sort some of next years birthdays out too? I do! Will be sorting that stuff out before I purchase any more, but I like to have a few emergency gifts!

mum2one

Hate to confess I have started next yrs bday shopping etc, waiting to see what can be recycled from xmas presents, I always end up with bubble bath, yet I cant get into the bath becoz of my back, (ok tell the truth can get in, but you would need the fire bridgage to get me out!!)

Have casually recycled a couple of dd birthday presents, thou felt guilty and put £10.00 in her bday money (most properly more than they cost..... but my dd has a memory like an elephant, she only has to see it once and she knows what she had!!) x

jamtart6

always feel really bad as i never know what to get my grandad, he always gets slippers biscuits, books, etc. and never end up spending as much on his as anyone else because I struggle to know what to buy him - any novel ideas for an 89 year old?!

scattymam1

jamtart - someone on one of these christmas threads guided me to this site and these memorabilia packs, a few of them only cost £6.
My dad stumps me too every year, but I think he will find these things really interesting and they are different. His dad was in the raf in the war so I think he would find the raf pack interesting and maybe the blitz one - worth a look
http://www.gettingpersonal.co.uk/nos...Gift-Packs.htm
I think postage is really cheap too

scattymam1

jamtart - posted the above on here and on the other thread - just making sure I catch you.

I have nothing left on my birthday shelf now as it's all assigned out for christmas but at christmas I always manage to put aside a few presents we receive as I know we wouldn't use them and they would get wasted, so they go to that shelf. Was thinking if I can get onepoll up to £40 by Jan then I could take the £40 to the jan sales and have a field day getting as many birthday presents as possible for 2009.

Tigger888

This sounds brilliant _ most of my presents are bought for this year but I too intend to be neutral for 2009. I 'earned' about £80 in vouchers this year so I think I did okay. My DD2 starts nursery in January and I wanted to use the 'free' time to complete surveys etc so will be starting determinedly then!