O come all ye festive frugaleers, gather round for festive chat and frugaleering

[northender]

Haven't been on the old thread for a few days so thought I'd start a new thread as it's nearly full.

Ursula My dm does the same and in recent years I've figured out a solution. One the dc is old enough to know about Christmas they get super-excited about a week before the big day and it get really hard to keep them calm and happy because of the anticipation. The last two years I've been using the massive stack of granny presents to solve this problem. I get them out one at a time on the days of the week before Christmas and use them as entertainment on those days. In a way it makes those presents more special to dc as he has a whole day to just think about that one present and to think about Granny who took all the time to choose them individually and send them to him. It means that by Christmas day the stack is smaller by 7 presents, which means it's still fairly epic, but not actually bonkers. Granny knows about the scheme and is happy about it. Perhaps that would help with your situation too?

I've had a useful frugal learning experience this Christmas. I bought two cheap but nice looking toys, and a set of crackers in The Works. Both toys were really too rubbish to be worth the almost-nothing that I paid for them, and the crackers inexplicably had nothing in them. Fortunately three days before Christmas I found three crackers in the shed that must have been there for about 8 years and were still in mint condition.

Anyway - if you're thinking of buying something in the sales in The Works, then it might be best to stick to things where you can examine the contents before buying.

Ursula we have the same issue with my PIL and presents. We decide to just go with it as if we had said anything, however sensitively, it would undoubtedly have caused offence. Hopefully if you can speak to your mum then she will take that on board.

We managed to get out for a walk between spells of rain, it was lovely to move and get some fresh air. We haven't been flooded but are surrounded by areas that have. My heart goes out to them. It looks even worse in Yorkshire this morning.

I've got Turkey stock simmering in the slow cooker. I'll use some for soup and some for a Jamie Oliver Turkey, ham & leek pie I'm going to make later.

We're going to try to go for a walk later if we can find enough not flooded paths, fields would be completely no go at the moment. Should be no spend. Tomorrow dh is taking the dc to Devon to see his parents for a couple of days. I'm here on my own as I'm working but still it will be nice to have a bit of rest time on my own!

Morning all, merry christmas!

We hosted my family on christmas day and DHs for a party yesterday so today its time to chill out! There is a lot of leftover party food / alcohol but not much actual food in. Will have to make do

The kids did very well present wise, and DH bought me things I needed (makeup, some day to day jewellery, candles etc). My DP gave us some cash which I will put in the kids account for future purchasing.

Payday was early so savings have been topped up (now 25% of way to target) but a long jan stretches ahead so may end up dipping in! Hate January.

Might try and do what I did last year and sort the years family birthday gifts ahead in the sales!

Have a lovely christmas everyone :)

We need flea stuff for the cat so not a NSD. I also bought myself a £7 dress from Surfdome.

Watching the York floods makes me so sad.

Not an NSD, as I am en-route to the airport with DS, who is going away with his dad for a week! Even though I don't have much interest in the sales, I'll have a browse and lunch after I drop him off.
It feels a bit weird being up and out this early, after three full days in the house.

North, glad you are still okay.

Blueteapot, nice to catch up with you.

North I did try asking dm about toning down the presents a bit but she really really likes buying them and wasn't happy to cut down so we're in the same boat as you. The weird thing is that I spend the whole year wishing I had more things to do with ds, like children's magazines and activity books and things, and it seems so weird to suddenly be deluged with them on Christmas day. I wonder if maybe it would be good to ask dm to send some during the year when they would be a huge help, since she clearly enjoys buying them.

I've also had a frugal realisation this Xmas which is that I spent ages choosing something nice for several relatives who all got me toiletries sets of the sort that are 3 for 2 in Boots before Xmas. I'm giving them those next year and saving the effort.
We have already made and frozen turkey stock, almost eaten all the leftovers too. Last reheated roast tonight and making curry tomorrow.

Good thought pointless.

I need to be better this year about buying things like crackers in the sale. I totally forgot last year and it saves such a lot. I don't really want to sale-shop though as it's so nice just to enjoy being on holiday with ds and dh.

We are between York and Wetherby. It's dreadful here

Hopefully a 3rd NSD in a row here.

Hope those of you in the north have managed to avoid the worst of the flooding.

Good luck with the exciting salad hunting Em. Let us know if you find any good ones.

So far I'm veering towards spicy Asian salads. Roasted butternut squash and cashews. On leaves. With chilli, ginger garlic and orange juice dressing. Orange segments thrown on top. Sounds. Delish. Might have that for lunch. my body is a temple

Have also found a recipe for gingerbread cupcakes.

Stay safe need

spmepne uothread mentioned "kids account" I'm assuming that it's not your kids bank accounts but one you've set up for things for them? Great idea. I'm doing a bank overhaul next week. And want to do this. No dc yet. But no harm in saving for them right...?

And you creme! (And all of you guys!) Been so busy back at work but I miss the frugaleers!

Was it me em? We have a kids account (just one for both of them) thats for medium term purchases (eg shoes etc) x

Just reread and seen you have no DC yet - maybe make it a maternity fund?

Yes. blue it was you. That's what I'm thinking. Just something set up so we don't struggle have to give up things 2016 is going to be the year I finish with a whole heap of savings

Stay safe need and other fellow northerners. We are flood free but happy to help anyone who is stuck.
Going to the sales later dc got Argos vouchers so I'm buying them and giving therm the cash I had saved for the vacuum. Retail park after skate park today

My body will be a temple by the end of 2016. At the moment it's more like buddha.

We are fine em, and will continue to be so, but I can't quite believe how far the flooding has got. I have lived in this area all my life. I have never seen the centre of Leeds under water. I wouldn't be able to get to work, and the DC probably to school. The centre of our local small town is flooded. I am a reasonably tough cookie, but this is heartbreaking.

at Rafa. I feel a bit the same. I will embark on Dry January and healthy eating too. Start running again.

Had a busy few days and we are out again tonight at a James Bond themed party.

Managed to blag some disco lights for our NYE party!

It's just awful need was watching on the news.

We were talking to people over Christmas who live very close to the sea here. There is talk of the sea wall being built up a bit as in recent years the area has flooded when very high tides have coincided with strong winds and rough seas.

They will petition it. Because it will spoil their view I think personally I'd want something which stopped sand seaweed and a fuckton lot of water sloshing over and into my kitchen.

to all those dealing with floods

I think you just end up getting used to the flooding as a thing that happens, Em. You get so used to putting out the boards and sand bags on a high tide that toucson't think about there being another way.

I think the problem here is that the folk affected as not used to being affected iyswim? It's come so much further than it ever has before that it's devastating to so many people.

Yes. Totally different to what's happening at the moment. Unexpected and probably a different volume of water I expect. It tends to recede with the tide as well rather than just get higher with more rain IME.

It might be an idea for those of you surrounded by flooded areas to make some preparations even if you don't have flood warnings yet. Unless you live on high ground and are certain it isn't going to be a risk.

I was joking with dh the other day about that. We're inland a bit. But near a reservoir and its dam. We're first floor flat. So are safe from rain flooding, sea flooding and probably flooding if the worst was to happen and the dam broke....

I'm angry at dh. I've just been told off and spoken to like a child because I didn't out the lid on the toothpaste properly.

Have pointed out that there are many many things he doesn't do (put clothes away, wash up etc) but I don't treat him like a child.

Also just found out that he spent our Amazon voucher on some shit for the house which is previously said we didn't need. Sigh.