Great Virtually Free Stocking Fillers Hunt

Travelqueen

I love the xmas shoe-box idea, will definately be doing that this year.

TQ

fairygirl_2

if you making a colouring/activity book this is a good website

http://www.disney.co.uk/DisneyOnline/printstation/

forgot all about it untill my 3 year old just asked for a tigger to colour in ;D

mookerella

https://www.time4toys.com is offering a free toy just for registering i dont know what but they ask if
registering boy or girl

Could be stocking filler

supermum

Where can u get a free sample of the transfer paper stuff from the AVERY website please - I can't seem to find any.

I'd love to do a t-shirt with my littl'un

TIA

Here's the link I used
http://www.avery.co.uk/uk1/forms/form1.jsp
and the code for the transfer paper is C9450. You can order more than one sample but only one of each kind. I've just done it and ordered some for my home address and some to go to my mum's ::)
Thanks janeytel for this idea

C x

mookerella

Free wildlife fun book

ww.rspb.org.uk

fun, free, and informative,canny little stocking filler

avebury_2

Just wanted to mention that everyone should check into the background of Samaritan's Purse and it's shoebox idea (as for any other charity you're "meeting" for the first time).....I'll leave it up to you to make your own minds up about this particular organisation but you should read the following articles before you do:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,3604,1081349,00.html

gives one point of view, while

http://www.guardian.co.uk/letters/story/0,3604,1087438,00.html

provides another.

Travelqueen

Interesting pause for thought.

Thank you

TQ

Tabbykatt

I have recently found this site and am amazed at the knowledge that is around.
I have to say that there are some excellent tips to have a frugal but FUN Christmas on this thread and its helped me out alot.
I practice the German custom of Advent, where every night during the 4 weeks leading up to Christmas Day, we as a family do something festive; whether its making paperchains or cooking mincepies, it adds to the excitement and fun of the whole season. It also, I hope, instills the thought into my childrens mind that Christmas is not about getting big expensive presents and overeating/drinking. So many thanks for the tips, you have given me some new and exciting ideas.

And here's my tip -

http://www.dltk-cards.com/

It's prob already known to you all but I think its a great site for printing out personalised cards from the children, incl. matching envelopes. Ok as has been previously noted it is not necessarily cheaper than using the £ shop but it allows the children to do more than just sign their name esp. when they are obsessed with a certain childrens character, like my son is with Thomas the Tank Engine... and its free ;D

chardonnay_2

found some stocking fillers whilst out on my travels. not free but very cheap.

in asda beanies from 98p very cute

in ikea cool notebooks for 20p, small pack of ink pens for 30p, an alarm clock white or black for £1, mousemat for 50p - polka dots so more for a girl, loads of cute teddies from £1

greenqueen_3

Thanks to olderthanhelooks for posting details of the shoe box appeal.

I can understand avebury_demons concerns, and I'm glad both sides for the story were posted, but don't you think if theres a chance of brightening the lives of suffering children its worth putting religous/political concerns aside for a while?

My kids make up showboxes every year, they love the link it gives them with a needy child out there in the world somewhere. Then every Christmas Day, usually at xmas dinner, they think of who their boxes might have gone to and the joy they'll be getting from them. It really brings home that old saying "there's more pleasure in giving than receiving". Making up the showbox gifts has become an important part of christmas for us.

I hope all you money savers out there will invest in a little happiness to send out to a needy child.

http://www.samaritanspurse.uk.com/occ/index.asp