OS Christmas Support thread & timetable

pavlovs_dog

ive been having a look around the organised christmas site that was mentioned earlier in the thread, and it is fab! some great ideas on there for very moneysaving gifts/stocking fillers. there is also a strong emphasis on giving HM gifts. my particular favourites include we whisk you a merry christmas, the dustpan cookies (which would be a great addition to a hamper), snowman soup (perhaps served with chocolate spoons and a HM scarf - the ultimate winter warmer kit) and reindeer poop

if you want to use the gifts in a jar ideas on the site, you can get jam jars and gingham lids for £7 (for 12) see here .

im planning on doing a selection of christmas cookies/biscuits wrapped in in festive sweet bags to give to those awkward to buy for people, probably in addition to the world vision gifts i gave them last year (after all, its always nice to have something tangible to open).

lilmisskitkat

I'm a bit behind to what i usually am for Xmas, only got one pressie (a Princess and the Pauper Barbie for DD - £7.99 from £19.99 in Boots sale) and some cards (79p a box from £2.50 also at Boots) put away. But i have been saving £5 a week since Feb and haven't touched it so thats good Ok its because my Mam has the account book and i told her under no circumstance is she to let me touch it until Nov! Lol

Luckily i don't have to worry about food at xmas cos we go to my Mam's. Don't know what will be happening this year though with Boyf on the scene now. I hope he isn't expecting me to cook Xmas dinner lol, i'm not grown up enough yet!

Am also putting £2 a week on an Asda savings card for booze and snacks for when people come round.

Kate xxx

[Deleted User]

I always save my Boots points for Xmas cards ,but this year I am going to have a go at making some of my own.My friend went to a craft class and said it really is easier than you think, and so much nicer to get a hand-made one from someone. I have got all my wrapping paper from Lloyds in the Jan sales, and buy a couple of extra postage stamps everytime I am in the post-office, and put them away.it is surprising how it all mounts up. I also have a large clear plastic box that is my pressie box and put in all sorts of things like shower gels and soaps that I buy if they are on the offer throughout the year. Most of my friends are like me on the slightly older side and appreciate some really nice smellies at Christmas. I also buy on BOGOF Conditioner and Shampoo.Keep one for me to use and put the spare in the pressie box.
I always keep my eyes peeled for books when they are on special in Ottakars or W.H.Smiths. I love to get a nice book and some smellies as a present as they last me awhile into the New Year. With a little foresight it is possible to have almost half your presents wrapped up put away but the begining of October.
The school and church summer fete's are starting now, so that is a good place to find pretty tins for home-made shortbread or biscuits.I also knit quite a lot and dolls dresses are very popular with little girls.Even those Barbie outfits can be made in an evening.
Bargains can be bought and put away for Xmas ,which is not only good for your purse but by recycling is not wasting anything.The commercialisation of the festive season means that by Xmas you have lost any cheery feelings that you may have had

Dee2

Really happy to see this thread again! Have started buying bits and pieces in sales/on offer/Bogof and put them away ready. Is it just me or does anyone else like to get their Christmas finds out and have a loving look at them from time to time?


....just me then......

rchddap1

My cupboard still has plenty of goodies that I collected in the Jan sales. I must honestly start going through them and start to sort them out. I need to know what I am missing. Some of them have been used for birthdays, but 90% of the stuff is still there....which for me is good going.

I have collected quite a few tesco clubcard points so far which will be used on trips throughout the summer. With luck this will free up a bit of cash that I can spend on other goodies in the summer sales.

My partner and I also have quite a few pigsback points between us at the moment, so if the worst happens we can always get some retail vouchers to give away to various appropriate people.

I want to get everything well organised by October / November this year. My family is due to expand in November, so I doubt that I will have much energy, or inclination to brave the shops after this point.

pavlovs_dog

aww rchddap1, just think how exciting its going to be for you this year - your little one's first christmas

dee, its not just you at all! (there's at least two of us :rotfl: )

for those of you collecting/hoarding various high street vouchers, im told by a reputable source that its possible to get quite close to face value for them on ebay (just search gift vouchers to see what i mean) if you would prefer cold, hard cash :beer:

rchddap1

pavlovs_dog wrote:

aww rchddap1, just think how exciting its going to be for you this year - your little one's first christmas

Yes how exciting....full of smelly nappies, a screaming baby and a fussing family. I am actually starting to look forward to it as with a bit of luck I will be able to 'lend' the baby to other suitable family members. Doubt I'll buy much for its first Christmas....as the family are bound to buy stuff for its birth, and for xmas. The next Xmas should be more interesting.

Rage_in_Eden

pavlovs_dog wrote:

ive been having a look around the organised christmas site that was mentioned earlier in the thread, and it is fab! some great ideas on there for very moneysaving gifts/stocking fillers. there is also a strong emphasis on giving HM gifts. my particular favourites include we whisk you a merry christmas, the dustpan cookies (which would be a great addition to a hamper), snowman soup (perhaps served with chocolate spoons and a HM scarf - the ultimate winter warmer kit) and reindeer poop

if you want to use the gifts in a jar ideas on the site, you can get jam jars and gingham lids for £7 (for 12) see here .

im planning on doing a selection of christmas cookies/biscuits wrapped in in festive sweet bags to give to those awkward to buy for people, probably in addition to the world vision gifts i gave them last year (after all, its always nice to have something tangible to open).

I LOVE THE ORGANIZED CHRISTMAS WEBSITE!!!!:j

shetitasatic

I find it helps to 'save' ordinary groceries throughout the year so you don't have to do a 'basics' shop in December. I keep a plastic crate in a cupboard and each time I do a big shop I put a few things away ie: a jar of coffee, a toilet roll, tin of cat food.etc. - all the boring things. For BOGOF's, put the spare one in the crate. Every time I open a box of dishwasher tablets I put a couple in a plastic bag in the crate, the same with T bags. etc By the time Dec. comes I don't need much basic stuff and can spend the shopping money on Christmas goodies and luxuries.:T
Ps - obviously need to watch use by dates - start off with tins etc !

pavlovs_dog

thats a really good idea if you've got the space :beer: