I've just finished all my Christmas shopping except for DH!!!

[soapbox]

I did it all on line!

Used Boots for most of it - and got £600+ of stuff for around £300 in total! Used a combination of there 3 for 2 offer and the discount codes from Hotdeals. DD got a camera that was £99 reduced from £240 and DS got a football table reduced from £67 to £31.50 and then was 3 for 2! Got him some magnetix and lego too!

I did a bit TK Maax shop a couple of weeks ago and that's me finished now!

DH wants some tools for his carpentry hobby so will tell me what he wants, and I've already got his stocking fillers

I hate shopping round christmas time with a passion, so lovely to get it all out of hte way!

Try here this looks easy and I am sure you can use any mixed nuts spicy nuts

I've gone nut and seed mad lately as am on a diet-might try that recipe.

I bow to thee oh Crunchie

I absolutely adore shopping for Crimbo-start in July normally although can be seen buying earlier if I spot a bargain throughout the year!
I take great pleasure in giving loads of thoughtful,(yet inexpensive),presents so people feel like they are getting lots of small treats they would never buy themselves. T K Maxx is a great place for picking up the odd cheap pressie every time you go in there and stashing it under the bed-especially ornaments and photo frames and kitchen paraphanelia.

Have recently stumbles across one of those £2.00 bookshops-needless to say-people will be getting alot of literature this year!

btw-Am loving the jam idea-wish I had the knowledge to do and the resources on tap!

lol at easy sad git

Actually - I have some pressies already - but - you have focused my mind - thanks!

I don't really hate you!

Thanks for the jam/chutney inspiration too!

I'm going to do the Boots thing as well, most of the older kids get Woolies vouchers (cheaper on postage too) I never know what 10 year olds are into.

BTW I am no earth mother or anything I promise. I just like cooking and find jam making theraputic - and remarkably easy.

All you do is put apples/blackberries in a pan (qual quantities) with the same amount iin weight as sugar. Boil for a bit and put into jars. Bingo. Sterilizing jars is easy too. Wash in hot water, put on oven tray and cook while jam is doing.

I just do it to feel smug here on MN You should see the state of my house

Thanks soapbox....you just saved me the hassle of christmas shopping for all my extended family members AND saved me £100....plus all those lovely points to shop with the next time I hit boots.

Oh goody - someone to join me in smugland

I shouldn't do these threads- every time I post something even remotely smug on here something wings in out of the blue and smacks the smug grin off my face!!!!

(Soapbox, apologies if that was me.. I was just a wee bit stressed when I posted that and my fingers typed faster than my brain worked! Well done you actually.. if it was me, I'd be smug too )

Jess - no, no no

Didn't mean anyone on this thread - just meant in life in general when you get too smug it means there's something nasty waiting for you round the corner!!

I'm aware that if you post threads like these on MN you can expect a bit of hustle and bustle!!

Ive already bought for all the kids I buy for. Generally very easy to do female presents but Im really really stuck this year on dad, grandad and mums dh.

I got a fab catalogue through the door yesterday - junk mail style - but it has so many inexpensive novelty type presents in. (Altho could still spend a scary amount of money if I had it as there are so many quirky gifts for difficult-to-buy-for men in the family.) It's www.presentsdirect.com. Not been on the site yet.

SJ x

What happens though if you buy electronic goods or battery operated toys, and they don't work. Are you likely to get a refund even though you've bought it 2 months previously?

Presume so.. I'd bl**dy well demand one.. or send it back! Lot of hassle though.. best to clariy before I suppose.