From Frugal Foundations to Fortified Family Future

peb

One thought on the pressies, a lot of shops have statements on the tills that gifts can be returned into new year.  Worth checking the site?

rtandon27

On the subject of returns - I was shocked to see a two month window when I returned a pair of ill-fitting boots! Usually it is 14 to 30 days for most online purchases, but a full 60 days is definitely Xmas related!

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Morning MFW'rs

Thanks peb - I shall certainly bear that in mind.  In the end, I opted to just get one part of each set (two different sets were under consideration), on the basis that LG might not actually like the one subject and with the other, I can still look out for the other parts of the set in chazzers after Chrimbo (there are five I think - we have 2, I have ordered one for Christmas and there are 2 others).  

I asked LG this morning if there was anything they particularly wanted for Chrimbo, and of course, I got met with "why are you asking? Santa should know......." 🤣  Anyhoo, we're along the right lines with what has been purchased already.  I have actually seen one thing that i have ordered, for 50p cheaper (in A$da of all places), but if I start getting het up about 50p, t'ain't gonna be a cheery chrimble, is it? I do think it's impossible to get the absolutely bestest price on anything and everything, as retailers are copying each other, or breaking ranks to lower their prices, and others follow.  I'm just going to try my best to get good prices, and aim for an affordable c'mas.  I was privvy to a convo the other week about folk feeling the need to buy "something/anything" so that there would be a stack of gifts for their little ones to open on the day.  Rightly or wrongly, I can't bring myself to think like that.  I try very hard to get things that LG would like - within reason - and have experiences throughout the year.  I would describe our Chrimbo as 'modest'.  I'm quite sure others would describe it as mean, as there is no surplus, no excess, no obvious splurge.  But certainly up until this point, it has been OK, and LG has usually been taken with the most modest/inexpensive gift - from a hand knitted toy, a multi-coloured biro, to a book (last year), and LG always comments about being together with us for a day, as being something that they really like.  

One really helpful thing is that LG still manages to fit into the chrimbo jumper that I scored in a chazzer last year for £2.  It really is a nice jumper, very cheery, and would have cost £10+ new, so I'm chuffed that is one less thing to think about.  

I have pegged out a wash.  I wasn't going to bother, but then DH pointed out this morning that he is down to one pair of work socks........ I've pegged out with the mindset that 'slightly drier than when i put them out' will constitute a win.  Wish me luck......

Soup for lunch yesterday ended up being tomato vegetable.  I put a load of different veggies; swede, parsnip, potato, carrot in a pan with some stock, onions and celery.  Cooked it up with a tin of tomatoes and then blitzed.  Added the remainder of the lentil pumpkin soup from Saturday and blitzed again.  Clean plates all round and DH and LG had seconds to finish it off.  A slice of fruit cake was taken on a bike ride and declared 'delish', so that was worthwhile doing, plus it used up the last of the eggs.

I'm going to do curry for tea.  Probably one of the swede versions I have.

Right, time is ticking and I've got a ton of things to achieve.  Best get shifting!  Ta for popping by.  

Greying X

Greying_Pilgrim

Right, I am back from adventurising on behalf of the guy in the red suit (how I much prefer his green wardrobe, borne out of nature, rather than fizzy drinks advertising.....)

This morning LG mentioned that they would like 'another one' of an item that we bought last year.  It was the stand-out, lower cost gift last year.  So I surreptitiously took to t'internet and couldn't find this gift for a particularly low price (the rrp is crazy) - the lowest price was offered by a store that would be a 20 mile trip by road* or a minimum online order of £20 to avoid postal costs (* the town where the store is has a whole set of shops that I could combine into one trip, so not actually too onerous in time/fuel costs). 

I remember buying last year's gift from MrA - and it was by far the best price I saw.  Naturally, it's not listed online, so I popped over there to have a look.  And YAY! they had it in stock, and for £1.50 less than the next best price I had seen 😁  I popped into hB too, and picked up a couple of gifts that I had in mind (tend to get the same "consumables" each year), and also dropped on an inexpensive item that will work as a stocking gift - and I think will delight LG.  I'm secretly relieved that with next to no planning, there are several themes developing to LG's gifts - i'm managing to budget without being scrooge-ish, and the majority of the gifts are either sustainable (from the point of view of even when LG has outgrown them, they will be useful to another child), or "consumable" (in terms of being used up/worn out, rather than eaten), so they won't take over the house.  I purchased some apples too in hB, so all in all, a worthwhile visit. 

I have one more gift on the list that I need to get, and a couple of things for the stocking, and then we are close to being at 'pause' territory.  This will allow for any 'last minute' gift mentions (doesn't mean to say I would automatically go out and buy it, but everything is always given consideration), or any last minute 'chazzer spots'.  There will be things for LG to open from 'Santa', they may (no assumptions being made), have some gifts from kind-hearted friends and family, and then there are all the camps and activities to prepare for and look forward to in 2025, so 'do without' - LG will not 😁

I am quite sure it would be less relaxing if I had more than one child to buy for, if those children were less satisfied with 'ordinary' than LG is, and if DH and I felt more pressured to 'keep up with.....'.  I am already grateful for 'relative simplicity'  and some spare funds to treat LG, this morning.

Greying X

rtandon27

@Greying_Pilgrim - swede curry sounds intriguing!  You may have already linked to it, but could you please share the recipe?  I just for the first time tried butternut squash in a Thai style curry and was pleasantly surprised at just how lovely it was!

As to a frugal Xmas - I don't think there is anything unusual about it!  We do a stocking each which includes something citrus - little bits we will consume over the two weeks, an tin of prinkels, one 'I want that' and the ubiquitous underwear and socks!  ...and it all MUST fit in the stocking!... In fact I declared yesterday to OH that I'd found a multipack on half price sale and those were the shorts he was getting 🤣🤣🤣 His dry response was 'Oh, how romantic' and then about an hour later he pointed out he really did need some new ones as several had been pitched due to the extra air conditioning properties that come with use!  We don't do a big meal on the day, it's cheese, charcuterie & crackers with some olives and grapes!  The festive meal happens in Twixmas when the end of the world crazy time is mostly over and the bargains are prevalent!

Greying_Pilgrim

I totally agree with you RT.  Our Chrimbo's for many years, were relatively simple, especially when we left the 'office xmas parties' behind and some of the familial "we've always done it like that" expectations got the order of the boot..... But I suppose I half anticipated that having a child would make Christmas more difficult - mostly because of peer pressure.  I am more than happy to have Chrimbo 'all about the children', but that doesn't actually mean 'all about expensive gifts', and I think I thought it was going to be a little bit more about that, than it has in fact turned out to be.  

Naturally, there will always be children who receive "the moon on a stick", under their tree, but LG doesn't seem too bothered.  Plus, of the kids that always get "all the things", it seems like there doesn't need to be a special reason, like Chrimbo, or birthdays, they just get all the things..........  We're exceptionally lucky I think, LG still enjoys the 'magic' of the season.  They've rumbled santa - but don't like to totally dismiss auld st. Nick...... just in case........  But they seem so satisfied.  One request was could dearest papa come to the 'nativity'?  Now, that's not feasible for some parents/carers, for a wide range of reasons, but this year DH arranged the time off, and it will be a surprise on the day 😁 Given how mean some kids are to LG about having 'old fogey parentals', it never ceases to fill me with joy - and tears in equal measure - that LG wants us to be around. 

I pootled over to the PO and sorted out cash for the upcoming club fees etc.  I also bought a book of stamps - as I intend to send some cards this year.  The number is dwindling, but it's something I still like to do.  The cards are all from charitable sources, and I like to write a little note with the card - especially to folk we've not seen in a while.

Greying X

badmemory

I think you may have missed a trick re Santa.  Did you know that family and friends send presents to santa that they know a child may like & if the child has been good & santa has received enough presents for good children who either don't have family or whose family can't afford presents, then those presents go to child of the family donating.  There are so many children now that the elves just can't cope on their own.

Watty1

@badmemory I love that. What a nice tale for the young.

I really enjoy reading about LG and your Christmas.  So heartwarming.

Greying_Pilgrim

rtandon27 said:

@Greying_Pilgrim - swede curry sounds intriguing!  You may have already linked to it, but could you please share the recipe?  I just for the first time tried butternut squash in a Thai style curry and was pleasantly surprised at just how lovely it was!

Sorry sweetie, I missed your request.  It is Swede & Lentil Jungle Curry.  I pimp it up a bit with adding in extra curry powder (usually whatever blend I have to hand), in addition to the turmeric.  I also use lemons if I have them, rather than buying limes.  As it already has lentils in it, I won't serve with dhal, but will probably shove in a few of the frozen black-eye beans that are kicking about the freezer.  Will serve with basmati.  Last time I made it, I think I did partially blitz the mix to thicken it (as per the recipe).

Greying X

themadvix

Thanks for the recipe GP - I wouldn't normally be bothered by a swede recipe, but I know we'll get one in the Christmas veg box that won't get eaten, so a recipe that makes it taste good is very welcome!