Yay. New year new thread. Though I’ll miss the old one.

Thanks for the new thread.

For any newbies, I thought I would start with a quick gift guide in case anyone needs any inspiration....

Santas Challenge gift gift guide

‘Green’ gifts or something useful - this is normally my first port of call when considering gifts.
- steel water bottle
- fold up shopping bag or tote bag
- travel mug (with coffee shop voucher)
- wrist warmers
- peshtemal towel (handy for holidays)
- travel jewellery box
- luggage tag
- travel card holder, travel wallet or passport cover

Things to do - a great way to avoid ‘stuff’
- cinema tickets (great for teens)
- afternoon tea
- llama trekking
- English Heritage/National Trust membership (expensive but food for couples or families)
-restaurant vouchers
- personalised luggage strap

Monthly subscriptions - are really popular at the moment. You can get beauty boxes, coffee, cheese, gin and children’s craft ones, magazines. I have never got one, so I can’t comment, but could be a good suggestion.


Favourite shops - I rarely pay full price for my gifts as there is normally an offer floating around somewhere.

Flying tiger - a posh pound shop, but good quality.

Hema - similar to Flying Tiger.

TK Maxx - definitely worth a browse. I have bought items that I’ve seen in other shops for higher prices. The phone accessories are good for teens.

eBay - I don’t buy anything without checking eBay first. Many items are ‘brand new with tags’ and some shops have ebay shops for their old stock.

I will keep this list updated as I think of stuff.

Ooooo lovely new thread.

I will also miss the old one. Thru katiehound we got hooked making up our link to hope shoeboxes and looking forward to seeing ur gift guide chanie.......only bec i pinch ur ideas . The luggage organisers (a present idea i pinched from u) are still a favourite with DSisinlaw

Some bargains that i picked up for the charity auction, i've decided to send to the organiser. I thought not only would it create some space but the organiser also put out an appeal for other bits, some of which i had so thought it would be easier to send everything all in one go.

Have picked up a few bits in the monsoon sale-childrens slippers that had an extra discount on them. Ive done a click and collect for DD to pick up as now she is back at uni she only lives 5 mins from the city centre. I dont even have a monsoon in the next town, would have to travel a fair way and postage outweighs the extra savings.
Also picked up the last 2 rolls of wrapping paper in tesc@ today for 20p (def wont need to buy any next year) , unicorn gift bags for 10p and lindt choc sets with a good shelf life down to 60p. Picked up 6 for DD and i to tap into for little extras to add to birthday presents.

Feeling prepared again and more in control.

Doing some decluttering found some jewellery that i didnt even know i had that ive popped in my shoebox stocks.

My title says it all!
A new shiny thread for the new decade

Greetings everyone.

Today I printed off my e-visa for India & Sri Lanka at the library. Victory.

This week so far I have bought the 2 mini hot water bottles I needed & 6 s/s table knives for the boxes. I have also realised that I have a glut of perfectly good hairbrushes, so they are washed ready to pack in the expanding bags!!

Yesterday I managed to flick the presser foot off my sewing machine- don't ask how and it ended up under a heap of fabric bits. I didn't hear it land and was all prepared to order a replacement online @ £20. Luckily I decided not to look for it. And hey presto- found!

To the present list I would add:

Magazine subscription (often there's a 5 for £5 /6 for £6 deal)
Luggage strap with woven name (great at the carousel!)

Thanks. I have changed the title of the gift guide and also added the two ideas.

Can i ask where did u get the mini hot water bottles from katiehound please?

Tried everywhere last year but only found them on ebay and they were expensive

I won't use that font again- it 's just SO big!!

I got the hot water bottles from a chain called Yorkshire Trading. I got the 1 litre bottles- they were £1.75? and there were smaller ones too, not a lot cheaper. They have branches across the N/ NE.Unfortunately they are online, but none of this product

Just looked on-line ebay etc, yes they are very dear. The only suggestion I can make is that I buy some for you and post? Don't know how many I could post for £3 small packet? I'm willing to check if that would help. Need to do it soonish too.........before cruise.

Katiehound that would be brilliant but only if u have time. I definately woudlnt stand a chance of getting any around here, and would be more than happy to cover all costs.
I missed putting a mini hottie in my boxes last year

Just to let u know the registration is now open for the boxes. Ive registered its just getting the boxes now, have to wait till i see my foot guy at hospital next and scrounge!!!!

Happy Kitties I will pm you with my contact details. I would have a chance to check their stock level & postage costs Mon or Tue next week

Hi everyone, I've subscribed to the new thread but haven't read all the messages I've missed yet, I've got some birthdays next week but also dad's funeral so things are not going to plan and I still haven't fully sorted out the house after Christmas, decs and tree piled up to be put away in the lounge.

Hi Anglea, it must be a stressful time for you but we are still here! (Well, I am here for a couple more weeks before cruising)

Just take things a day at a time, and be kind to yourself.

Take care
Katiehound

Anglea..the tree, house, all of it can wait. Take care of yourself and don’t worry about the little things. Tidying can wait til everything is settled and you’re ready. It’ll be a welcome distraction when you need it later. Hope you’re ok.

Holiday again tomorrow. Caribbean cruise number 2. Can’t believe I’m saying that. Two cruises in two months. The mother in law bought this for us all as a big treat. After that, we are home for a long while and in one place.

I can have a nosey in the sales in Orlando before we get on this ship, for anything to put away. Usually some good bargains there. Especially clothes. (I remember getting a Calvin Klein jacket and Vera Wang PJs at Macy’s for equivalent of £5 each).

And when we get back, I start a new job, part time around nursery. A long time since I’ve done anything like this. I’ve been off work since having our little girl. It’ll be a nice treat to have money again, though I’m very nervous/anxious/excited. It’ll be a big change.

crazy-cat-lady
Have a great holiday, followed by , hopefully an equally great new job!!
Clearly lots of excitement : enjoy!!

Anglea as someone once said to me, things will get sorted in their own time and they are not important compared to the important things currently going on in ur life right now and she was right. Be kind and patient with urself. The house will get sorted, but u r dealing with so much at the minute. Sending hugs.

CCL u lucky thing with the cruise. Enjoy! Im sure u will be just fine in ur new job. It just settling into the new routine and change. I bet u will be great!

Katiehound even had a look in the factory outlet store but nothing. Will be calling tomorrow!

Did pick up a couple of items for charity auction today to put away and had a bargain with debenh@ms. Someone had posted up about socks being greatly reduced and next day free delivery. Managed to get 6 pairs reduced to 2.40 for my boxes.
Thinking about buying a couple of storage boxes for charity items and to pop the box stocks in which are finally buiding up

While getting some charity items i spotted something for Dsisinlaw so she is now finished.
Just created some space sending items to charity organiser only for it to be filed up again! But all for good causes

Luggage tag and travel wallet pinched from Chanies list for besties birthday

I've been very lucky over the past couple of days.

I went to get some storage boxes this morning and they were reducing christmas bits further down to 50p. Picked up one prosecco bubble bath bauble for a friends daughter and a few bits for the charity auction i support. One box is full of items for the charity.

Also managed to get hold of a lovely top reduced in the sale with free next day delivery for Dcousins daughter from Debenh@ms.

DD has been very lucky with reduced cuddlies in the Disney store.

Ive been able to speak to the amazing Katiehound who has very kindly picked up hotties for my shoeboxes. I am so grateful. I also got to see some of the amazing projects Katiehound has done. Thank u katiehound

Think i might have to buy more storage boxes for my shoebox stocks as they are finally building up again and have a sort out to see what ive got as ive just been throwing things into bags

Need to parcel up and send the second birthday present of the year. Bought last year in the sales, i know its something the person will love and its nice that i dont have to go rushing about for a present. Not sure whether ive got a birthday card though, need to sort about cards for this year

Hot water bottle challenge completed today!

If you would like to see this is what the real Katiehound did before rehoming:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PnkdFvRSMg

You can see my existing hounds here- 1st story:
Katie's story- 6th
http://www.trailhoundwelfare.org.uk/category/stories/

Looks like my 1st story needs updating- Shay has passed his KC GC silver, now he's 7!

Today got a letter about my visas- won't be allowed on the ship without them- smug feeling. I have them (and the correct ones too!!)