OS Christmas Support thread & timetable

**purpleprincess**

pavlovs_dog wrote:

just thought i'd bump the thread to remind you that the summer sales are starting - this is a great time to stock up on bargains for christmas :j

martin has started a thread here about the sales and when they are starting in different shops

What a fab idea!!! Not long now!!!

rchddap1

Have had a look through the sales, but haven't found anything outstanding in the sales so far. However will keep looking. Did manage to pick up a couple of nail varnishes thanks to the boots £5 No7 vouchers though. Will go into the pressie box and will probably be used as stocking fillers.

**purpleprincess**

170 days to go!!! :xmastree:

nicki_2

Bought my first gifts yesterday, all for DD, but they were from charity shops (Sega games and books) so I knew they wouldn't be there next time I went in

Ang1981

Hello

My daughter was born on the 24th dec 03 which was her due date.:) The hosp let me out in the morning was still at my parents so got home in time for xmas dinner.:rotfl: i think that was the only time i have been organised.

I have decided to start early this year as have just found out im pregnant:j so i don't want to be rushing round the shop in nov/dec

Have got some good ideas so next time i'm shopping will pick some bits up :xmastree:

Dobie

Ang1981 wrote:

I have decided to start early this year as have just found out im pregnant:j so i don't want to be rushing round the shop in nov/dec

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Josiegirl

Conratulations Ange:j Hope all goes well for you!

Have just started some strawberry vodka, so that should be nice and mellow by the time Christmas arrives. My family all prefer to do the secret santa and draw names out of a hat to spend $50-$100 on one person only. Put my foot down the other day and said fine, you all do that but count me out, I am going to do it my way! I'ts just so unchristmassy because everyone knows what they are getting beforehand as the giver tends to ask another family member what thier recipient is likely to want, who then ask said recipient so that the money is not wasted on unwanted things or double ups. :rolleyes: Might as well go spend the money on ourselves.

So I have decided to write a list for each person of interests and hobbies as a start. Then scour shops/markets/ebay etc for anything pertaining to that. Also anything I can make myself I will.

So far I have:

Homemade lip moisturising balm

Wheat bags- I use jasmine rice in these, much nicer scent. Good for men with thier various neck/back/leg/shoulder complaints:rolleyes:

Unusual veggie/flower/herb seeds, bought in bulk, divided up and put into individual handmade or printed seed packets. Even if someone has never had a garden, this may entice them to start.

Nice big basket, lined with plastic, drainage holes cut and planted with culinary herbs.

Homemade fruit schnapps:j Using interesting bottles, hand labelled and dipped in bottle sealing wax.

Skin creams, face creams, hand creams- still working on finding good formulas for these...

Bubble bath/salts/oils- I know they can be bought inexpensively, but hopefully are more appreciated when a little effort has gone into the making.

Homemade choccies/biscuits etc.

Homemade cheeses and preserves.

Perhaps a sample of homemade washing powder to maybe encourage them to try it themselves? You just never know...lol

Would love to knit scarves, but don't think they'd be appreciated in the swelter of midsummer. Mmmm, maybe...

Shopping lists/notepads/recipe cards, created and printed on the computer and attractively packaged.

On the note of seeds, perhaps also some seedlings raised, ready to transplant.

For the fishermen- some lures, hooks, sinkers etc.



Another thing I am doing for my younger sister who is at university and struggling to make ends meet is scouring the internet for money saving ideas/ low cost food/ entertainment/ budgeting ideas etc. Printing out (where allowed) or writing down and putting them all into a nice binder for future reference. An example- she would love to grow veggies but has little space. I mentioned that I am growing potatoes in a large bin and she thought it was a fantastic idea. So some instructions printed out and added to the gardening food section of the binder is called for:D Might even make one for my boys re moneysaving:rolleyes:



Also doing homemade crackers, I started last year but didn't have time to finish them, so still have a few supplies. Loo rolls are too small for some things, so I'm using cardboard rolled into a cylinder and taped.

Ideas for fillers:

Stickers(motorbikes, butterfies etc.)
Sweets
Pretty hair ties
School book labels (eg. american chopper)
Cheapie rubber stretch snakes or similar toys(a pack divided up)
Lip balm/solid perfumes for older girls?
Small glitter pens/markers.
Small toy cars.

Any more ideas?

A good idea is to make them up targeting a particular child. Write the childs name inside the end and have an adult pull the cracker with them (making sure the child gets the secure end lol) That way they should be delighted with what they get.

Doing some adult ones as well this year, just have to find things for them. So far I have thought of those little alcohol shots, in plastic glasses, little teddy keychains, and joke/novelties (think windbreaking cushions and swearing pens) for the young adult males, and $1 scratchits. Would love some more ideas for these too.




Ok, have exhausted the top of my head, will add some more as I think of them.

There are lots of great ideas in this thread, so I'll be scrolling through and using some of them as well.

Cheers,
Josie

irchy_mum

Wow Josiegirl thats some Christmas list!!!!!

I've made a start thanks to this thread by pinching the idea of getting some large baskets (free from a friend) as I'm going to do everyone HM hampers.
When shopping I've bought BOGOF's and 3 for 2 smellies , showergels, hand creams, body puffs, soaps, flannels, also found discontinued and end of line ranges are very cheap .

Bought handmade cards in the January sales and going to be looking in the sales over the next few weeks to bag some bargains.

This is the first time I've started this early,but I like the idea of being organised,can't be doing with all the stress and expense of Christmas.

I seem to have the girls sorted though,just struggling for the fellas!!:rolleyes2

Jo x:A

sallypurple

Ideas for men - check out the green/ethical thread about christmas. There is a great idea on there for recycled glasses made from wine /grolsch bottles. Not HM but I think they will be greatly appreciated by the men in my family this year.:p

scuzz

bumping as the sales are in full swing with more being knocked off!!

Got a vase, two big scented candles and a picture frame in BHS last week for £12. Got mum to use her store card (we pay it off in full as soon as it comes in) and I'll get another 5% knocked off the price:j

So far I've four pressies costing a total of £14.98, which I'm pretty chuffed with.

Written part of the card list. Just got to brave the heat of the loft to see how many I've got left.

Josiegirl for adult crackers you could put in make up samples for the girls. Keyrings for the guys, or cuff links if you can find some cheap ones - maybe in a charity shop.