Countdowners 2014

[Farrowandbawlbauls]

Yes I know it's still Christmas 2013 for a few more days, but technically, the countdown started this morning.

So..Here we are again.

We will need:

Links to other threads about bargin hunting
Links to sales throughout the year
Links for decorations
Links for days out
Links for any good electrical sales
Links for budgeting
Links for really good gifts for men as they are generally the harest to buy for and grandparents/in laws.

There's no harm in starting a list now either for what you need to get next year, learning from this year and previous years.

The top of my list I must remember to write a card to SIL T&S, every single year they have sent a card and I've failed to send one in return for the 3rd year running now. Ditto Claire.

Must remember to buy crakers from M&S again, they were fantastic.

Ooh I love baileys lattes!

Happy new year countdowners. DH is at work, I'm on the gin with a chocolate orange on the go. Not too bad though as I'm planning to watch Jools and DH hates him.

Brought my first Christmas present today Bayliss & Harding gift set £5 down from £10 in Asda for my MIL. Love a good bargain.

Okay I mainly lurked on the last thread, I want to jump into this one. So far I have bought all gift wrap, ribbon and tags for presents as well as all cards both family and packs for friends, school, work and neighbours.
Already started saving my stamps at morrisons and have a tin that I put £1 in on week one and £2 on week 2 then so on and so on, I seen it on pinterest and am giving it a go.

Hello peeps,

Well, that's it. It's over. Tree is outside, needles hoovered, decorations back in the loft.

DS cried as I had to put his tree up in the loft as well.

So, onwards and upwards..

Christmas 2014.

The kids have already decided to have another Pork Pie, gammon in Dr Pepper and a lot more Matchmakers need to be bought this year. Both mint and orange.

Less Cheese for me but more Wine - will have to get that in ASAP.

Ribbons are already bought.

Penny jar for the next tree is already coming on well - even the kids are putting in what they find or have left over.

I will pick up a tin tomorrow for £2 coins to help with the food shop. Will have to be strict about it though.

On the list already are :

Ipads (as long as the kids look after the cheap tablets they already have I promised tham an Ipad - exp will be buying them)
Amazon vouchers for their kindles
Ipod for DD
Lego LOTR Volcano thing

I think this year I will do the same as I did last year - less presents but stuff they will actually use and want - nothing spur of the moment or the latest fads. As they've made very good use of everything they have got this year. Makes the scrimping worth while.

Hi worn out and queen [wave]

Farrow how lovely are your dc saving for the next christmas tree

Yesterday we were all set to take down the decs but I really didn't want to because they were so pretty, so I told dp I would do it by myself today. The funny thing is I was totally happy about taking them down today and actually kind of glad because when I see them next it will be the fun build up part of christmas again!

They'll ask for it back tomorrow

"The funny thing is I was totally happy about taking them down today and actually kind of glad because when I see them next it will be the fun build up part of christmas again!"

That's exactly what I said to the kids today when I was in the loft!

"It'll be like Christmas has come early as I'd have forgotten about all the decorations I have, after I've been out and got more and doing other stuff throught the year for it."

I hate taking them down but I love shopping for it all too and I get to that all year round.

Oooh, that reminds me. I've got this glittery white star for the top of the tree but I'm not too keen on it. What I want is a big red bow instead. Can someone help me find patterns or ideas on how to make one?

I know I'm going to need wire in the ribbon or sew it in so it holds, it's just ideas on the type of bow I'm lost on, and how the hell do I fasten it to the top of the tree?

A lot of the time bows are in two parts with some kind of wire cinching in the middle bow bit, you could then use the wire to attach it to the tree and stick something decorative in the middle of the bow? There is sure to be a better way though!

Yes getting organised early does mean christmas lasts all year!

Went to get a new blind today from Dunelm Mill and came out with a load of Christmas decorations as well. Including 3 large baubles, which are clear but have red glittery star shaped confetti in. All half price.

Farrow is it worth buying christmas yankee candles for dec 2014. Do they still smell after a year?

Yes. I could still smell mine. I've got a couple that I've had for over 2 years and can still smell them. Just keep the lids on and keep them upright, and you're laughing.

Hi all. We went too mad this year. Next year I'm scaling right back but we are contemplating a much more traditional Christmas. Advent will be mostly calm preparation. Might not even trim up until Christmas Eve but planning on celebrating the full 12 days of Christmas. You may have to remind me of this when I'm desperate to buy the tree at the end of November!

Definitely need to be organised with buying presents throughout the year when there are good deals on, found out yesterday I'm expecting DC4.

& Congratulations your so brave having the DC one after the other.

Hmmm Yankee candles now that's an idea.

Congratulations Seven!

Congrats seven! lovely idea for more traditional christmas - was thinking along those lines too.

Btw we did an elf on the shelf in the end but only when dc broke up from school - so less than a week and that was def enough for me!

there is 30 % off yc online, 25% in clintons but its cheaper there anyway and no p&p

Marking place! We're going away for a week over Christmas 2014, so will be different this year!

Brought 2 more presents yesterday. Paint your piggy banks...£5 knocked down to £2 each in Asda. So good for my girls.

I got some wrapping paer in sainsbos for 25p yest!

seven congratulations how lovely!

Wow your all sooo organised!

I def want new decorations this year, teal, silver and white. Really should have shopped in the sales

How many sleeps?

Too many Chesty

347 :(

I've started a list of present ideas, DS has been pointing out lots of Lego City sets he likes the look of so need to make a crafty note of them. If anyone sees any online Lego sales throughout the year could they please let me know? I'd like to get him the Lego fire station but it's £70

I will Seven. DS wants the Lord of the Rings volcano thing so I'll be looking out for deals too. That firestation is brilliant!

I've ordered a couple of presents today via occado - the triple pack vaseline lipbalm thing for just over £3.00 for DD and the Nivea gift set for DS (he likes his smellies). They can go in the loft with the baubles I bought the other day.

I'm going to go to the other side of Sheffield this week to get my fave wine and store that ready for Christmas.

Aldi got some good craft bits in at the mo..I picked some stuff up today for birthdays & Christmas today

Gotta love the charity shops. Some great books in there this morning. Got DD1 who is 9 this year Charles Dickens A Tale of Two Cities - excellent practically new condition 25p and Flat Stanley Egypt The Great Tomb Robbery 25p - that one will be for her 9th birthday in March as they have started Ancient Egypt this term.

Thanks for that Queen.

I've just arranged to go to Aldi with a mate tomorrow and DD loves crafts. Will pick some stuff up for her.

Argos until tomorrow have the following on sale:

www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9349243.htm for girls who like sequin art. £4.99 down from £9.99 so a £5 saving.