OS Christmas Support thread & timetable

Herbaholic

After reading some of the posts for gift hampers from the very beginning of this thread I set to thinking up ones to give for my family and friends this year. The ideas, thanks to peeps on here came easily last night, although my hubby wasn't impressed with the ideas for his Auntie at 1am :eek: He says I'm letting this money saving lark go to my head but isn't complaining that so far this month I've only spent £160 on food etc instead of the usual £280 by now and likes the pies, cakes etc I'm now making instead of shop bought stuff, but I digress, sorry but this site is addictive :rotfl:

Anyway, once I had some ideas I wanted to make them look expensive but cost me as little as possible, a sentiment that will be dear to the hearts of everyone reading this thread. Being late to MSE for this year I couldn't think what to do but just this morning I had a brainwave and it may be useful to all the Nescafe drinkers out there!

I've just used the beans I've collected throughout the year to get a pamper pack of toiletries to go in with a citrus pamper pack for a friend (she doesn't do flowers and frilly things), a book to go into a 'time for me' hamper for a relative who needs to chill and complains she can't afford to buy books and doesn't have time to go to the library! I got an apron and oven glove set to add to a selection of spices and a pestle and mortar we picked up for £2.50 in the sales last year (okay I bought it for me and it's still in it's box and never used, but my bro doesn't know that that's to make a curry lovers hamper. I also picked up a couple of the mugs to make chocolate indulgence hampers with chocolate drinks, marshmallows and a few miniature booze bottles and chocs and assorted bits. It's cost me £4.10 in postage total for several items that will add to my gift hampers, and I hope make them look better and have a use. I don't know if anybody else has posted this anywhere apologies if they have, I thought it was a brainwave and could maybe prove useful to others that haven't thought of collecting the bean tokens and using them. I'll shut up now

Blairweech

full-time-mum wrote:

Just using economy foil to wrap a birthday present. Its useless for cooking with as it tears too easily so I'm using it up in other ways...It is quite narrow for wrapping paper but small presents look good and I bet toddlers would love it as it makes their presents all shiney and rips easily.

Just a heads up - be careful using foil. I've had a foil cut (like a paper cut) before (not from wrapping paper ) and it's so painful. Good idea though!

Chocmonster7

Herbaholic wrote:

a book to go into a 'time for me' hamper for a relative who needs to chill and complains she can't afford to buy books and doesn't have time to go to the library!

I managed to get two brand new thriller type fiction books in Wilkinsons (Darlington) yesterday for 25p each! Good additions to hampers especially for men, these will be going to my Dad.

Ruby_Pudding

Will this thread be moving to the new board now?

Rachie_B

this seller on ebay http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Cuteglitterbabes-Crafts_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZQ2d33QQftidZ2QQtZkm has cute lil stocking filler bracelets for dolls etc

all monies goes towards breakthrough breast cancer

full-time-mum

Blairweech wrote:

Just a heads up - be careful using foil. I've had a foil cut (like a paper cut) before (not from wrapping paper ) and it's so painful. Good idea though!

Point noted but this foil is so flimsy I doubt it could cut butter :rotfl:

full-time-mum

full-time-mum wrote:

Just using economy foil to wrap a birthday present. Its useless for cooking with as it tears too easily so I'm using it up in other ways.
Just wondering whether it works out more economical to buy than wrapping paper, unfortunately, I don't have the length and price to hand.

Just been to Tesco and its is 300mm x 10m for 34p.

I've just wrapped all the going home gifts for 5yr olds party in it and they look quite good stacked up on the shelf. Would look even better with red or green curling ribbon around them but that is too extravagant in this instance!!!

samsampotts

Hello all, I'm new to this so bear with me. I am making hampers this year and am looking for idea. I decided to make my boyfriends sister and her partner an Italian themed hamper (it'll look a bit posh I hope) Got some speciality pasta and olive oil from Aldi cheapy cheap cheap, am going to make some Biscotti and have found a lovely simple pasta sauce recipe which I'll write out all arty. Then planning to include some dried mixed herbs in a little bag (taken from a huge value tub I bought from asda) a jumbo garlic bulb and some balsamic vinegar and ciabatta bread (also nice and cheap from Aldi). My boyfriends dad is Dutch so I am looking for Dutch inspiration for his parents hamper - any ideas?

mirakl

tulips and hash?

Just Kidding, the Dutch are very fond of their cheeses, perhaps a look around Lidl for cheese might be a plan.

pavlovs_dog

samsampotts wrote:

My boyfriends dad is Dutch so I am looking for Dutch inspiration for his parents hamper - any ideas?

tine is dutch/of dutch descent, im sure (s) will have a few ideas for you :beer: