OS Christmas Support thread & timetable

nicki_2

CAFCGirl wrote:

My advice would be dwindled down the list to the bare minimum of people to buy for, like immediate family.

Anyone else is just getting a card and a lottery ticket from me!Like friends, and far flung family members.

Thats just the thing our list is :

Me
OH
DD
My parents
My sister & boyfriend (living together so can't get one without the other - planning on getting a shared thing for them)
My brother
My aunty
My uncle

OH's parents
OH's sister & partner
OH's other sister & boyfriend
OH's Grandad
OH's Grandad

I then get a bag of dog chews for the two dogs in OH's family (they really are part of the family!), a small and very cheap (usually homemade gift) for DD's teacher, and then there's the "Elfing" that OH does in work :rolleyes: He can say no, but has forgotten every year so far

Even if I say £10 per person, just for family (excluding us three on account of buying for OH from me and DD etc, plus stocking fillers - I say about £30 all in) thats still a grand total of 5x£10, 5 couples (either £20 per couple, or £15 depending on what I can think of!), and then maybe £10 on the other bits. Thats a budget this year of £160ish then another £90 for us 3 :eek: Fortunately I'm already buying food in when I can so that doesn't have to be costed in I'll just have to see... seen some cheaper ideas for some of the couples so I'll probably come in under budget :rotfl:

moggins

Nicki it's worth keeping an eye out for the bargains, I have estimated about £10 per gift too but I've picked up some fabulous things for less than a fiver which no one will even notice cost very little.

I got my dad the Walking With Cavemen book off the bookpeople for £4.99. He loved the series and will really appreciate the book.

CAFCGirl

How old is your DD?

You could cut quite a bit of costs by making gifts for people.

Especially with the OH's grandparents, chutneys, pickles, gift baskets, which look like theyre more expensive than they actually are.

For couples, I'd say gift hampers would be a ood way to go, if you got a couple that really like their foods, a couple that drink a bit (obviously not in an unhealthy sense?), or like a couples kit, with some novelty items.

I've made a relax hamper for my new aunt ( we only got her last year ) for £5, and I think she'll think it cost more.

I've got a couple of links for a couple of items, for stocking fillers for DD and OH if you fancy them

tee_pee_2

Boots current;y got a toy sale on, it's mostly babies/toddlers but got some bargains. The cloth books usually £8 are £4 pram toys £2.00 etc and if you are part of the parenting club you get vouchers for 200 extra points when you spend £10.

ASDA got few bits and bobs at the mo worth having a look at, they are re merchadising stuff moving summer stuff ( I got an inflatable ball pool reduced from £10 to £2 yesterday) they are making room for Xmas stuff well worth having a look.

If you have a quality save/Home bargains/or BM Bargains go and look they have everything. all dirt cheap excellent if you are doing food or alcohol hampers. Boddingtons 4 cans £2.99.

Almost finished my christmas shopping just need to get sat nav for OH waiting for a bargain, at the mo seen in CPW for £124. Any cheaper let me know

furrypig

Yes please to your stocking filler links CAFCGirl!

All help greatly appreciated!

full-time-mum

CAFCGirl wrote:

Is that thought slightly scary to anyone else except me?

I find it very scary! Was looking for an UnThanks button Don't want to be reminded too often just yet!

full-time-mum

nicki wrote:

a small and very cheap (usually homemade gift) for DD's teacher,

My DD makes a sponge cake and ices it for her teacher. I have it on good authority that they fought over who's class she was going to be in this year so must be a popular idea. We also make a few fairy cakes as a gesture to other support staff - a couple wrapped in a bit of cellophane looks very respectable.
Cost - maybe a couple of pounds for 1 cake and up to a dozen fairy cakes.

CAFCGirl

full-time-mum wrote:

I find it very scary! Was looking for an UnThanks button Don't want to be reminded too often just yet!

No, please dont take my thanks away from me, they're all I've got

Anyway blame purpleprincess, she's always posting the day count!

nicki_2

full-time-mum wrote:

My DD makes a sponge cake and ices it for her teacher. I have it on good authority that they fought over who's class she was going to be in this year so must be a popular idea. We also make a few fairy cakes as a gesture to other support staff - a couple wrapped in a bit of cellophane looks very respectable.
Cost - maybe a couple of pounds for 1 cake and up to a dozen fairy cakes.

Thats a great idea! I've actually got some cellophane gift bags (the sort you put mugs with teddybears in) and all of a sudden my brain is starting to tick..where's that notebook? :j

nicki_2

CAFCGirl wrote:

I've got a couple of links for a couple of items, for stocking fillers for DD and OH if you fancy them

Yes please!!!