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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

Preparing for Xmas 2018 - cards, paper etc

28 replies

Dolceandgabbana14 · 19/12/2017 07:48

Thanks to Reastie's bargain threads and everybody's contributions, I've saved an absolute fortune over the last few years Flowers

The one thing that so many of you seem to do is buy reduced items and put them away for next year, like cards, wrapping paper, crackers, decorations etc.

I thought we could have a thread where we share bargains that we can use next year - I always seem to miss them and by the time I make it back to the shops after Christmas it's all been sold and there are a few tatty bits and pieces left. If we know where the bargains are we can all be super organised for Christmas 2018!

I haven't got anything to share yet, but I'm pooping into town once I've dropped DCs at school so I'll update if I find anything Smile

OP posts:
TheNewMrs · 19/12/2017 08:14

Ooo placemarking :) I need to be more organised like this ready for next year!

Roystonv · 19/12/2017 08:18

Good idea I am ok for cards and paper but I try and put gifts/stocking fillers away over the year when I see a bargain. Also when I go away on holiday if I see something a bit unusual abroad I might buy it toiletries for example. Be warned though we will get flack!

elQuintoConyo · 19/12/2017 08:26

It makes sense to stock up on 50% off sales etc. Perhaps decide a day you will go buy some, hit the shops at 9am then have a coffee and a relax before home - minimal crowds and ballache.

Or buy online!

Cards i make (only abput ten and 6yo helps finger painting or cutting out paper etc). Wrapping paper is bolts of festive fabric and drawstring bags. We love seeing the same ones come out every year.

I usually buy tree lights, LED tealights, serviettes and that kind of thing in the sales. Plus anything like (fake!) holly with berries.

ivykaty44 · 19/12/2017 08:31

I used to use boots when they reduced the items to buy two get one free and then collect the boots points

Then I would go back to the shelves and pick up more presents and use the boots points

Same with sainsbury points, don’t use them on the Xmas food shop - keep them until afterwards and use to buy gifts for next year, reduced and then free with points 😂

I think one year I managed to purchase around £120 worth of gifts for £20 by picking half price & three items for the price of two

Original poster
Dolceandgabbana14 · 19/12/2017 09:32

Ooh, that sounds like a good plan, elQuintoConyo. I'm usually either too early or too late, when would you recommend going? I need to put a date in my diary - priorities and all that Grin

Wow, ivykaty44, that's amazing. I've been collecting all my points and haven't spent them yet...

OP posts:
ivykaty44 · 19/12/2017 11:12

I think a majority of people spend them before Xmas but you get a better deal after Xmas and use the points, added to which sainsbury sent me £6 of voucher for this week and next week if I spend over £30

elQuintoConyo · 21/12/2017 18:23

Ooh, i don't know about the best dates Dolce sorry. I'm in Spain and sales don't start until after Kings Day, 6th January. Sales here are bollocks - they last about a week (for Christmas-related stuff), then it all gets packed away until next year. Clothes sales last longer, but they're usually just the dregs of crap from the warehouse.

Unicorn81 · 21/12/2017 20:25

Some onlines sales have started. I buy for birthdays and next xmas and put away in boxes. I hit the shops for opening time on boxing day (no kids so easier). I think this year i will buy less as i have some left over bits in my boxes that i can use. Saved lots over the years doing this

Silvertap · 21/12/2017 20:32

I need to get a whole new set of decorations for a new house.

Where's best?

AdamBarlowsQuiff · 21/12/2017 23:40

Sainsburys have some really nice xmas lights at half price but there weren't that many left yesterday in the one I visited.

Original poster
Dolceandgabbana14 · 21/12/2017 23:57

B&Q have half price online sale for decorations.

OP posts:
Saladtongs · 22/12/2017 03:59

The Range is good for decorations as is Wilko, Home & Bargains, B&M, Tesco and IKEA.

I'll put a few Xmas disposable paper tablecloths in my basket as they're good for wrapping large, wide bulky items for eg tv's etc.

CishAndFips · 24/12/2017 10:39

Place marking. I'm determined to be more organised this year so that I can actually enjoy the Christmas build up with the children.

hashtagelfie · 24/12/2017 11:43

Tesco online has crackers reduced to half price.

cowssheephens · 24/12/2017 12:16

Morrisons had their lovely Christmas cards half price today.

wornoutboots · 01/01/2018 22:26

Where is the best place for wrapping paper bargains?

Fedupithink · 02/01/2018 08:18

I got all of mine over the weekend - paperchade for beautiful Christmas cards all at half price. I also saw some gorgeous black paper wth gold stags and white craft paper with silver and copper stars before Christmas which I've just picked up for 50p a 4m roll and packets of 8 matching tags for 25p all in sainsburys!

I do this every year, it's like a little tradition now.

snowmanshoes · 02/01/2018 13:54

Got my paper reduced to 50p per roll in asda! Tartan, kraft style brown paper with stags and white paper with metallic christmas trees all really pretty. Bought cheap crackers from John Lewis too so very happy!

Mrsmadevans · 02/01/2018 14:51

Half price special cards in the card factory and christmas bags etc
also everything Christmassy will be 75% off before long judging by previous years in Wilkinsons

Chocolatecake12 · 02/01/2018 14:58

I bought some wrapping paper for 50p a roll in Sainsbury’s.
I bought half price crackers in tescos - they were £3 and have wind up toys inside for racing on Christmas Day!
I’ve also bought serviettes in tescos, and a little miss Christmas mug for my niece for next year and egg cups for baby nephew.
It’s my ds birthday next month and I bought him some tubes of sweets for half price and a dvd box set he wanted that was a third off.

susurration · 02/01/2018 22:45

I went into Card Factory and bought two boxes of christmas cards for 97p yesterday!

PinkAvocado · 02/01/2018 22:50

I bought lots of cards from Cancer Research charity shop and still have loads of paper left over from when I bought hoards of it this time last year. I’m not sure how I’ve been buying gifts the last few years is as savvy as I believed. I’ve been picking things up through the year but I think actually just spending an afternoon in November looking for specific things each person wants and the best place to buy would be better. I’m sure I ended up buying more than I needed this year.

Butterymuffin · 03/01/2018 11:55

Paperchase have lots of paper, cards and bits on sale. I always buy my wrapping paper in Jan.

Troubleinstore · 04/01/2018 00:46

Bought my new summer sandals already in the Christmas sales. Reduced from £55 to £12.50. Best time to shop for winter boots is June. Jones the boot maker have buy one get one half price then. Always lovely when you get them out in early November.
Also buy from cox and cox in the last of the Christmas sales. Got some amazing wrapping paper last year and ribbons and Christmas decks at silly prices. Was lovely opening them all up this year and I’d forgotten what I’d bought so a real treat.
If you can buy reduced Christmas puds that last until Jan 2019 they’re always a good buy.

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