Does it take the magic away?????

BigMummaF

Oooh yes...I'd forgotten about the spreadsheet....me too please?

As suspected...no joy in the 'posh' shops:o I've been saying on the hamper thread, that I love the ideas but as with everything else, they gravitate towards the female of the species. And wouldn't you just know it? I'm overloaded with the other variety:D

It's always been a pain making up stockings etc, cuz at least with girls you can put in a pair of tights or little slip, but somehow boxers & sports sox don't seem so attractive:p Cost a damned sight more tho:mad:

So I'm on the hunt for various celebratory gifts for:-
3x20 something males
1x40 " "
1x50 " "
1x60 " "
1x11 " "

1x30 " female
1x50 " "
1xelderly mum bless her!

All ideas considered!

BigMummaF

Bump Bump....

This is me trying to get organised

got-it-spend-it

Big MummaF, I empathise. OH and I have 5 brothers between us! I now fortunately have two step-sisters and a niece which helps even things out, but let's face it- buying for men is pain.

Some ideas for you (although no doubt you're nearly sorted now )

3x20 something males- Toiletries- Body spray, shower gel, a toiletries bag. Not that exciting but useful. Nice pen (I'm thinking nice as in £3-4 rather than a Parker type thing). Magazine subscription to FHM or similar- Tesco deals make this very affordable.
1x40 " "- Bottle of good red wine and some nice cheese (closer to the time) and a lovely wooden cheese board. Chocolate slab, bag of fave chocs from Thorntons or M&S?
1x50 " "- As above or check out the Book People
1x60 " "- Ditto
1x11 " "- How about a crafty hamper of card, paints, pencils, glues, stencils etc. Also sweets of course, chocolate slabs. Book People again for some stocking fillers.

1x30 " female- Pamper hamper- bubble bath, little bottle of champs, hair mask, face mask, nice flannel (flannel cupcake), candles, chocolates.
1x50 " "- Nice dressing gown, reading hamper- a couple of books, bag of sweets, nice mug, hot chocolate sachets, miniature of Baileys or Whiskey, a fleecey blanket.
1xelderly mum bless her! - Fleecey blanket, nice hand cream and hand wash, framed picture of the family, choccies.

Just a few random thoughts but hopefully of some help......you've prompted a few ideas for me so thank you!

shelovestobuystuff

Wrapping is such a chore and it does take me till 3am if I leave it till xmas eve.Year before last I decided to do most of it beforehand so that I could get some sleep on xmas eve.Problem was some of the packaging got burst and those items needed redone and lots of the labels came off while they were stored ready wrapped up.I ended up not sure what was in some parcels and had to unwrap them to see.DVD,s etc I had to guess at and my 16 year old son unwrapped some strawberry shortcake DVD,s on xmas morning.Overall though I would say it is good to so much easier to get most of it wrapped up before hand,just make sure you use really good labels which wont come off in the bag.
Apart from the bits I had to redo and guessing at some stuff which had no tags I just had to arrange and decorate with bows and ribbon.I did get a couple of extra hours sleep too.

BigMummaF

Since the Feb post, I've accumalated a few bits & pieces to help along the way, but for next time [or if I'm REALLY organised by6 tomorrow ] [YEAH..like THAT'S gunna happen ]I'll make sure I have a recording system in place that tells me:-
who I need to buy for
what I gather throughout the year
how much I pay for the bits
AND WHERE I PUT THE BLESSID FINGS WHEN I GET THEM HOME!:rotfl:

BigMummaF

Tis me again I can't believe this is a year old..where's the birthday cake & candles
Well..I've started shopping, mainly so I could take advantage of the vouchers in the week-end papers. I have a fair few bits of snack food--it's got long dates on it so no problem there--& some little presents I'm hoping to make into a hamper of some sort.

Anyone else started stashing for December?

earthmother

At a similar stage here - starting to earmark long-dated stuff for the Christmas food, and have some presents.

Well - tell a lie, I have almost all the 'bought' presents - but only because we're minimising this year, and so some family who would get things aren't, and some kids are getting vouchers as they're getting to those ages where a barbie doll or meccano kit just doesn't cut it any more.

I have plans to home-make presents and crackers for grandparents etc - already have the cracker outers (thanks to Sainsburys sale last Dec), and about half the fillers, and have/know what I need for the crafts. Can't spend any pennies until October though as eldest has a week-long school trip coming up so all spare pennies at the moment are going there, but once that's done and dusted, away I go.

seven-day-weekend

Son and girlfriend have a flight to stay here with us in Spain for their present.

Hubby and I buy what we want throughout the year, so nothing particular at Christmas.

That's it. Done!

BigMummaF

earthmother wrote: »

...........are getting vouchers as they're getting to those ages where a barbie doll or meccano kit just doesn't cut it any more...........

Have you seen this thread about making personalised wallets for things like vouchers? Makes it look a bit special...
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1867589

SugarSpun

My shopping's done but none of it is wrapped. It's mostly at my parents' home cause that's where we're having Christmas. There'll be six of us including the baby, and my plan is to wait till I get there and hide out in the attic with a glass or two of wine, some mince pies and all the presents and wrap till my eyes are crossed.

I love it! I feel much better having things organised in advance but leaving the wrapping till the end makes me feel all Christmassy right when it's needed.