so who has started for 2008?

jamtart6

I can't believe anyone complained. My mum got her brother some PJ's and he said "what do I want these for I don't sleep in PJ's" :eek: TMI!!! How rude too! I'd just keep shut up!

I noticed less xmas cards came this year.

Not sure what to do next year. I buy for my main family thats no problem and buy for a few friends. When they ask what I want I usually ask for vouchers - but apparently they're all fed up of that this year and they gave me a gift (why ask??). None of the friends I buy for ever really seem to put any thought into the present for me, so Im reluctant to hand make things for them when I know full well they won't appreciate it. So consequently we end up exchanging gift sets each year which have had zero thought put into it.

I'm not talking about things costing the earth as one of my fave gifts was some gingerbread men a friend made for me costing no more than £5 max I wouldn't imagine. So I don't really know what to do next Christmas. Is it miserable to say we won't exchange gifts?

Anyway I digress - I DID go to the sales today and bought NOTHING - they were mostly rubbish!!!

mary43

I don't normally buy for friends but two special ones always get a 'santa bag' of mixed stuff I''ve got from the charity shops during the year. They get a box like that for birthdays as well. We've been doing it for some years now and always set the limit at £10 maximum but it has been less sometimes.

But if you want to arrange not to exchange gifts then I'm sure they;ll understand

earthmother

I have Easter up and running (bought the gift bags a few months back from the clearance bin in Savers - 13p each from £2)

I also have most of next years birthdays under control - already bought/buying for the first 6 months, and know what the second 6 is getting. We only do kids and landmarks (2 this year inc. dad's 60th), so it's not as OTT as it sounds, lol

As for Christmas - I've bought some cards (will have three at school by then, so need plenty - just two of them cleared me out this year), and I have a couple of bits around for presents, but I won't be buying as far in advance this time purely due to lack of space.


But, having said that, I have just bought the hamper container for Mum's '60 little things' for Jan 2009 - couldn't resist as it is a lovely fabric covered retro chest that was half price in the Cancer Research shop - she used to have a jewellery box very similar to it when I was little that I'd spend ages going through, so it is one of the '60 things' in itself.


I prefer to get everything planned in advance - it means I can enjoy the events themselves better - like this Christmas - shopping was virtually finished by November, so I was able to take December with the boys and make cards, tags and gifts, get involved with school events etc - things I wouldn't have the opportunity to do if I left it all to the end.

sans_2

Hi postingalwaysposting,

I love Christmas ornaments (only well made and not cheap looking tacky ones) so managed to get a couple from M&S today for £2 each (reduced from £9.50 each), a box of tree bobbles £2 (was £9.50). A pack of 3 socks for £1.50 (originally £3), I will of course use them myself at some point. A box of 3 pairs of Xmas socks for £2 (reduced from £6), will put this away as part of a gift next year. A hand finished metal photo frame for £3 (originally £7.50) for DH sisters birthday.

A metal door card holder for £1 from Next (originally £14.99), using that already as I love it so much. A large wall picture for £1 (rrp £50) again from Next which will go in the living room.

Got a pair of cuff links for £5 from River Island reduced from £12.99 to put away for DH birthday. Got a pasta maker for £9 (originally £18) for DH valentines present.

Box of Thomas the Tank Engine stuff for DS FOR £9.99 was £19.99 I think. To replace one of his X'mas presents which stopped working yesterday.

Will probably buy a couple more of the above if any left for presents to put away. All the stuff I had brought was really heavy/bulky and stopped me having a good look.

May buy wrapping paper if I can get any good quality stuff for under 40p and perhaps a couple of boxes of good quality cards if they are reduced to 50p as I still have enough to last me for next Xmas. Will get a couple of smelly gift sets if any left when the 75% off sales kick in.

sillyvixen

i have to admit i have bought 2 christmas presents for next year!! i bought them as birthday pressies for my cousins kids but carrying them bact to the car i realised that they are too heavy to post so will save them for next christmas as we allways see them in december, i bought a pink alarm clock and a space themed bedside lamp. i try to get all but the imediate families gifts early on and squirrel them away in my spare room wardrobe. i like to buy gifts in the sales as on my budget i cant get much at full price.

furrypig

My hubby said to me 'what do you want to get stuff in the sales for?' he was shocked when I said for next year's Christmas presents!! I saved an absolute fortune and we gave presents to over 70 people so we had to be sensible and get stuff throughout the year!

I like to go sale shopping when the rush has died down and the kids are back at school, it's a lot easier then.

Good luck everyone and looking forward to hearing what bargains you have found!

sethsgran

busydaffodil1 wrote: »

what did they complain about?

I started my stuff for Easter Baskets before Xmas and have bougth more things in the sale for them. The only thing I have bought for next Christmas is cards.
I bought well in advance for this year but alot of the things I bought were cheaper a few days before Xmas. Next year I am giving all money or vouchers as I dont intend to be in the UK for Xmas. Even my Card list will be drastically reduced this year. Has anyone else noticed more and more people not sending cards this year?

What ideas have you come up with for Easter Baskets, do you stick simply to chocolate or do you put other things in. I am curious

postingalwaysposting

sethsgran wrote: »

What ideas have you come up with for Easter Baskets, do you stick simply to chocolate or do you put other things in. I am curious

seth there is a thread started for easter baskets

SharkyGeorge

Jamtart6 - I totally agree, the sales have been really bad so far! It just annoys me when either they've hardly reduced anything (Superdrug) or they've reduced it to a price I think it should have been in the first place!

Inspired by MSE I've written out a list and started a box of birthday gifts and have found some stuff in the sales, especially of the perfume and DVD persuasion. I'll probs get some jewellry bits and pieces too as these always come in useful.

The only problem is I don't have much room to keep everything, but since I don't celebrate Xmas (am not Christian) but I love buying for other people I'm going ahead and getting as many Bday pressies now as possible!

Sugarhunny1

I have started and bought giftsets for family members that i feel obliged to buy for . Never see them throughout the year but have to buy them something, Got 3 sets from Boots for them and 3 Lynx sets for the partners. They are wrapped up and sitting in a box in the loft.

A kind MSE'r gave me a spreadsheet that i have found invaluable and don't mind sending to anyone who wants a copy. Its Excel but very easy to use. Keeps count of all the prices/gifts/people and even has a birthday calender thingy!

Happy shopping!

Sugar xxx