OS Christmas Support thread & timetable

BWZN93

Rage_in_Eden wrote:

Well that's just tough for them. they're banks and that's what they do I am NOT HAPPY :eek: that I can't pay in my shrapnel (1s, 2s, 5s and 20s) at the post office for my co-op isa - OH sugegsted i move ISAs but (a) can't be bothered and (b) co-op is ethical. wonder if i could start a savings account with somebody else and put it in there :think: hmm, off to the outside world forums to see what are the best rates........

Open an ISA elsewhere, get them to take all your shrapnel, but make sure you can have online banking and transfer it straight over to the Co-op one if you like them, so one of the bigger ones does all the hardwork and co-op gets you main business!

Im feeling very inspired by this thread, and am grinning already!! I love xmas, always have, and this year will be my first not going home, as I dont want to leave my kitty on her own! Fortunately, I was taught to cook well, so I know how to do xmas dinner, and neither I or boyf like xmas pud, so dont have to buy that!

Im thinking about inviting another couple to stay with us for xmas, as they are back home with one set of their parents, trying to tackle debts and whatnot, so I thought it would be good company for me, boyf and kitty, and they get a break away from home (some family issues there so they arent feeling very happy at the mo), without having to cook etc.

So - so far, ive set a food shopping budget for the xmas week starting Thursday 22nd Dec, and have picked up one of those savings cards so I can put a pound on here and there (If I use a trolley at the supermarket, the pound will be put on xmas shopping card), but I will buy boyf and friends booze in advance after reading this thread (I dont drink, but a bottle of champers is in order I think!), already have cards and wrapping paper from last year stashed away, and have been saving the tissue paper shops sometimes wrap stuff up in, so have quite a bit to use in making gifts. All the posh stuff I wouldnt normally buy can be bought in exact quantities from our local speciality market (Blue Mountain Coffee Beans anyone??) so I dont have any waste left over.

I have a present list, fortunately it isnt too big as dont have kids etc, so its just a few freinds and family on there, but I think ill prepare boyf's list too - as he isnt too organised in matters such as these. On my birthday, he took me shopping, and bought a gift I approved of. It took 5 mins! To be fair to him, he knew I wanted posh sunglasses so it was an easy one, and Im pretty easy going with gifts. Lucky for me everyone seems to know what I like, and Ive never had a gift I didnt want or need. But then Im quite predictable in my tastes!!

A lot of the gifts will be mostly home made, im getting good at knitting scarfs and loads of the girls want one, and then ill buy a few bits and bobs if it needs padding out a bit. Dad is easy - A CD is usually the way to go, and some cigars if I can afford it! The only difficult one to get is for the boyf, he doesnt really have any ideas what he wants, but is a bit fussy, so DVD's or PC games he mentions get mentally filed for purchase later!

Im quite pleased also, we have an all year xmas shop in town (yey for Bath City Centre!!) that does the most beautiful tree decorations etc, so I think Im going to start collecting a few bits and pieces in advance. We also have some other really good posh shops in town too, so every time I walk past them I go in to get some inspiration on things to make etc. There is a lovely shop that does bespoke home wares, the kind of place you get hand painted crockery sets and tea caddy's that are so pretty etc, so im mentally making notes on what is possible to make myself!

I think my favourite project though, whilst not strictly for xmas itself, is my big hand sewn double quilt im making, Its for Winter, but im looking forward to watching xmas movies on the sofa with boyf and kitty wrapped up in a lovely blanket, which will also be a a much needed spare for guests etc.

I really want to watch xmas movies now!! I always get this twinge when I watch freinds or something on TV, and its a xmas episode, all warm and gooey inside!!

Jo xx

squeaky

jw1096 wrote:

and neither I or boyf like xmas pud, so dont have to buy that!

For anybody who's not too keen on christmas pud I can heartily recommend the beetroot and chocolate cake. Done in a basin so you get the right shape. warmed in the microwave and served with custard it works very well. Lighter and not as stodgy too.

If you're not sure and don't want to stake your christmas dinner on it - try one as an ordinary pud now Several times just to make sure

pavlovs_dog

janeryan

if your son is in education, he should qualify for a discount if you purchase direct from apple themselves.

do shop around though, as there could well still be other companies that can undercut them, pixmania for example

LearningToSave.

fantastic thread!!! havent been reading it until now but finally got the time to sit down and completeley catch up.
some things i already do but i've also got a load of other fantastic ideas too so thanks guys. :beer:
one quick question on this thread (and several others dotted around) people mention .ing savings accounts.........where can i get some info on these?? are they done online and can you have as many as you like? i like to have several savings pots for things like xmas,birthdays,holidays etc but my online bank will only let me have 3 online savings accounts in one go.
thanks.

jazzyjustlaw

https://www.ingdirect.co.uk and follow the instructions. This is the best account I ever had.

LearningToSave.

have gone and opened my first.......if get on with it will be opening several more.......thanks,will be a lot easier and maybe i'll actually save that way rather than 'borrow'

julieh_2

OK - I know I'm boring but every year I give home made pickled onions and home made sloe gin to relatives that I just don't know what to buy for - the onions are bought from farm shops, and the sloes are picked from friends farms, and made with the cheapest Gin I can find (normally Tesco) - the big problem I have is how to wrap it! One year I collected lots of pine cones from forests and then packed them into baskets from the Pound Shop and decorated with mistletoe and holly (again from friends gardens) - these went down very well - I have already raided Boots about a month ago when their sale was on for body sprays, shower gels etc., for my daughters school friends at Christmas - I will start looking in earnest when they return to school in September. :j

barbie_babe

i am not doing to well at moment only got cards and wrapping paper in jan sales this year.i love the idea of some of the home made presents.what i wanted to get some family members was a calendar with my childrens photos on. (a photo for each month)not had much luck at moment find a company that will sell me less than ten .any ideas .
thanks

pavlovs_dog

if anyone has kitkash codes left that they are wondering how to make use of, dont forget you can get a £5 firebox code for 100, or a BOGOF offer for arran aromatics. the more i look at their site, the more i must resist my urge to buy !!!!

Rage_in_Eden

RIGHT THIS IS ALL THIS THREAD'S FAULT

1. Today going past the card shop I saw rolls of cellophane for 50p - hmmmmm could wrap that around homemade cakes I thought.

2. actively looking in boots for the travel sample sizes to make up hampers.

3. have got two jars draining on the drainer for pickle making.

4. working out where the coolest/darkest places are for making damson gin.

5. already stalking more stuff on e-bay for MIL

6. have written date i diary for christmas cake making and told OH I will be making MIL one as part of her christmas box.........

AND IT'S JULY!!!!!!!