OS Christmas Support thread & timetable

busy_mum_4

I always try to get the kids to write their christmas cards in the October half term, as they always write so many each. (I think they must send one to everyone in their yeargroup) so i get them to just do a few each night then they don't get fedup with writing and say mum can you do it please.

maryb

mary43 wrote: »

Real panic on this morning when I couldn't find some things I'd 'put by' for Christmas in my 'santas grotto' bedroom..............lol discovered them eventually then realised I couldn't find all the gift baskets and other stuff !!:eek: Thats what happens when you have a tidy up.............!! Found them tucked in a space underneath the wardrobe thats normally stuffed with spare bedding.....................lol So, now I've located everything, another day, when the kids are out for the day, I just might get stuck into sorting it all out, who's having what etc.
Could do with a timetable for that................:j

Mary I know what you mean I'm always feeling discouraged because I start out meaning to be well prepared and then I can't find things I bought ages ago.

I read a tip recently which i might try - if you put something away, then as you do it try and remember three things about where you put it eg it's on the shelf below the spare towels in the cupboard outside the bathroom etc

What's the betting I still find loads of stuff in January!!??

luxor4t

Got back from holiday Thursday morning, started thinking about Christmas Thursday afternoon!

I always do my shoe boxes for our church's appeal first but this year as I bought the woolly hats etc early (in the sales) I just needed a whisk around the 'back to school' displays to fill the pencil cases. Three tennis balls, sweets and four small toys left and the boxes will be done .

I really like the notebook idea :idea: (used to depend on bits of paper!) so shall organise that this afternoon, then go through my 'Boots 75% off' mountain from January which should have most of the smaller gifts.

Once the kids are all back off at Uni I can wrap the presents and use part of our 'empty nest' as Santa's Workshop :xmassmile .

Thanks for the timely reminder, I feel muchmore secure now!

Rummer

Yay!

I love that there is Christmas thread! I prepare for Christmas all year round by picking up cheap gifts throughout the year, spread sheeting them and putting them in my Christmas boxes! Toying over not sending cards this year as I didn't get any in the sales and they will be quite expensive to buy new :eek:.

This is the first year that I will be having the family round for dinner so I am going to try and get all the gifts in by November so that in December I just have to pay for food and drink. Thinking about making some gifts this year too like different sweet treats which would be fun.:snow_laug

La-Cara

Alphie25 wrote: »

Yay!

I love that there is Christmas thread! I prepare for Christmas all year round by picking up cheap gifts throughout the year, spread sheeting them and putting them in my Christmas boxes! Toying over not sending cards this year as I didn't get any in the sales and they will be quite expensive to buy new :eek:.

You might still be able to find cards from last year in the sales, my local Card Factory and Matalan are still selling them off!

melvis

This is the first time I've sorted out any Xmas pressies pre-December and it feels goooooood :rotfl::rotfl:

Always get my Mam and 'main' pressie and lots of little things - have got 4 of the little things already. Total cash cost would have been £17.89, I've spent £0.64 cash!! Used £4.60 on an old boots gift voucher + 2 x £5 vouchers that you get at the till at Boots when you spend £5 + £1 M&S voucher.

Have also got God-daughters pressie, was £25 but got it in the sale for £9.

And have won football sticker book/stickers and a Mars football that are put away for God-sons pressie.

Still lots to get though ... OH, Mam (main), Step Dad, Brother, 2 x Nephews, Aunty, then OH's Dad, Nana, about 5 x Aunts & Uncles, Brother, 2 x Neices and 2 x Cousins (he has a much bigger family than me!)

:xmassmile

anniebooklover

I think I'll be subscribing to this thread as although I *think* I'm pretty well organised, I'm sure there will be something(s) that I have forgotten.

So far I have bought all my nephews and nieces Christmas presents (plus a couple of spares that will be used for birthdays next year) and my cousin's. I have a few little things put away for DS and DD but I can't buy the "main" present for DD as she hasn't decided what she wants yet. :rolleyes:

DS wants an electric guitar that will be a combined birthday/Christmas present (because its so expensive). Keeping an eye on t'internet in case a special deal crops up but not holding out much hope.

Other than that, what do you buy the parents who need absolutely nothing? It's the same problem every year. Last year I "bought" them a well for a community in Africa as well as little personal gifts. Have no idea what do this year.

jessicamb

Been saving up my survey vouchers all year ready to contribute to the Xmas dinner pot. Its not a great amount - maybe £40 or so so far but the amounts are so small in themselves its not worth using them as they come in and it will help my mum out come winter time (the way food prices are going it will be needed :O )

jodie114

oh oh chrissy talk - me too please!

i love xmas, and have got the cards, paper, tags etc already (am a bit OCD i think about ribbons and stuff - they take up the whole top of my wardrobe!)

i have been putting money away this year, for the first time ever, and it has made such a difference to my mindset-i can enjoy looking for presents, not worrying how i will afford them.

got my brothers already and my parents from my son, so thats a fair start, but with a xmas dinner for 8 on my shoulders i need all the help i can get!

jodie

p.s: is there anyway that either here or on a seperate post we could put christmas recipies? i am dying to learn mince pies, and shortbread...but i'm sure i could be tempted with more lol

BizzyMummy

Other than that, what do you buy the parents who need absolutely nothing? It's the same problem every year. Last year I "bought" them a well for a community in Africa as well as little personal gifts. Have no idea what do this year.[/quote]

Do they enjoy going to the theatre?, in the past I used to book up a show to take my Mum which always went down well. Or if full tickets are over budget you can buy vouchers called theatre tokens so they can put them towards a show and pay the difference.

Also, voucher cards for coffees if they go out and about or garden centre vouchers?

Hope this helps
L