OS Christmas Support thread & timetable

mummyof2girls

Ooh just found this thread...I love Xmas!!

I am amazed how many of you are so organised already, I must start earlier next year lol

I have got a few bits already for my daughters, and I'm planning on putting together my own gift hampers for MIL & Grandma, and my niece too. I ma stitching all my own Xmas cards, and making homemade goodies for the teachers!

I am trying really hard to stick to a budget this year, and get the girls things they'll really appreciate, as well as not buying as much as I have previous years! That way, i'll hopefully have some money going into the New Year!!

Triggles

The Sainsburys near us had some children's toys up to 75% off, so we got some beanie Winnie the Poohs for the grandkids for £1.25 each. They're already tucked aside with the books we bought last year during a great sale for this year's Christmas.

I'm clearing out my dining room (lots of baby clothing, cloth nappies, and such to be put on ebay) this week, and then I can start working on our Christmas cards with more room to spread out all my crafting supplies. I can't wait! I love Christmas!

meanmarie

Have been buying 'bits' for ages but must go through them soon as I think that I may need to start putting them in bags for each of the grandchildren....I always buy them several small gifts and wrap them up and then put them in a bag...I save money all year for them so don't spend much for birthdays or Christmas, they get loads anyway. Have to get knitting kits sorted for the three and a half year old girls....they asked me separately within a few days to teach them to knit so that will be my post Christmas job. Need to do my card list out again as so many addresses have been changed that I can hardly read it now.

Marie

Nicki_Sue

I love this thread! I've lurked OS for ages lol but rarely post.
Its really spurred me on!

We have a stack of brown paper (I work from home and get my deliveries packed in loads of it!) which has been either straightened out of scrumbled thn decorated my me and my two year old so lovely wrapping paper ready!

Tesco points, £10 on post office card already, will have £30 of vouchers from shop and scan, £25.00 min from pureprofile, maybe £50 from YouGov, Quidco pennies and my Xmas sealed tin where £1 coins and any other signifigant changehas gone will help with the pinch.
My BiL's and SiL'sare getting the same as last year....... stockings with a bottle of ine (Thanks Asda offers!) and goodies from pound shops and the like and some quirky bits that I pick up as I go along (they all got tamagotchi's last year (Ebay bargain!) to link up and share pets - was hilarious on xmas day!).
I've had my dads book published on lulu (£17 for a hardback - used survey monies saved in paypal), am getting Mum a photobook done from there (genealogy), gota fab bargain in Boots a bit ago - £3 for a make up box worth £18 (one sister) and a picture diary from photobox (looking for codes!) fiinishes her.... oh I'm so chuffed with myself and for the first time, REALLY skint for xmas and managing just fine.

Love your hints and tips!

gemma86

Nicki_Sue wrote: »

I love this thread! I've lurked OS for ages lol but rarely post.
Its really spurred me on!

We have a stack of brown paper (I work from home and get my deliveries packed in loads of it!) which has been either straightened out of scrumbled thn decorated my me and my two year old so lovely wrapping paper ready!

Tesco points, £10 on post office card already, will have £30 of vouchers from shop and scan, £25.00 min from pureprofile, maybe £50 from YouGov, Quidco pennies and my Xmas sealed tin where £1 coins and any other signifigant changehas gone will help with the pinch.
My BiL's and SiL'sare getting the same as last year....... stockings with a bottle of ine (Thanks Asda offers!) and goodies from pound shops and the like and some quirky bits that I pick up as I go along (they all got tamagotchi's last year (Ebay bargain!) to link up and share pets - was hilarious on xmas day!).
I've had my dads book published on lulu (£17 for a hardback - used survey monies saved in paypal), am getting Mum a photobook done from there (genealogy), gota fab bargain in Boots a bit ago - £3 for a make up box worth £18 (one sister) and a picture diary from photobox (looking for codes!) fiinishes her.... oh I'm so chuffed with myself and for the first time, REALLY skint for xmas and managing just fine.

Love your hints and tips!

WOW!! Your gifts sound really great! I might have a look at those photobooks and diarys for grandparent gifts!

missysx

i haven't done anything more since my last post except get a few recipes..

found this site was quite good. http://www.joyofbaking.com/cookies.html

and liked a few ideas from this site http://www.celebrating-christmas.com/giftideas/homemade-gift-ideas.shtml


about 2-3 years ago i got a really nice glass jar that had a rubber seal lid for about £1 at somewhere like ikea.. i then bought a cookie mix from the supermarket, tipped it into the jar, wrote the instructions out on a nice card which i tied to the neck of the jar with ribbon, and included a wooden spoon that cost about 40p.. in all the present cost me about £2.50 to make, but looked more expensive.
anyway, it was a great hit and the aunt that was given it was very impressed.. not only did she have yummy cookies, she also got a handy jar to keep after, so if you have relatives that like to bake and your on a budget, it's worth keeping in mind...

just thought i'd share

Little_Chicken

stressedoutmumof1 wrote: »

Right, haven't posted for a little while as I have been busy knitting!! I'm proud to report that I have now finished knitting Mrs Claus, to go with Father Christmas that I knitted last year. Here's a linky to Jean Greenhowe's website that shows them both. As Father Christmas is still in the loft from last year I won't post a piccie till December

I love the idea of knitting some of those 'last minute' dolls and tying them to my pressies. BUT...I'm not a very good knitter. Do people thing they're easy to do??? Also where's the best place to buy a few cheap supplies from? I don't want to spend too much money if I really am the world's worst knitter.

Nicki_Sue

Am thinking of a movie night hamper for my BF and her hubby. Popcorn, sweeties, chocs, bottle of wine, candles and then will giv them a voucher or something for the film. A really nice night in (they both work crazy hours, even over xmas so their nights together are at a premium!). Any other ideas to add to this?

kalojac

Hi

Thought I would post an idea I've had for 2 of my nieces, they are cousins and are of similar ages (9 & 7) so I thought I would give them..

A PYJAMA PARTY IN A BOX

• Hannah Montana PJ's £5.99
• Popcorn (butterkist cinema flavour) 85p
• Nail Varnish £1.50
• Hannah Montana DVD £5
• Penny Sweeties £1
• Hairbrush 75p
• Hairbands 50p
• Box of Pringles £1
• Selection Box 99p = £17.58

It may seem like a lot but we usually spend around £25-£30, so we're saving a bit there.:T

I work in an office, so was going to get a A4 paper box, wrap the box and lid separately, and get some tissue paper. I was going to cellophane up the hairbrushes, hairbands and nail varnish (i've sent away for freebies from pantene (I think) if they come I will put those in there too).

I think they'll love them, then that way they can go to 2 pyjama parties - one at the 9 year old nieces and then a second at the 7 YO's house.

Kalojac x

Nicki_Sue

Will add pringles to my list - fab idea for girls! Shame I havent any nieces or daughters!