Christmas

[pipsqueak]

I really love b*ying Christmas presents. I think I'm quite lucky as I only really have to b*y presents for my OH, my parents (I'm an only child so no siblings to b*y for) and a for a few friends.

I stopped giving out lots of Christmas cards a few years ago, to the horror of my Mum. Now I just make some for my parents, OH and about a dozen or so close friends. There's a great fabric shop near work that sells things like craft foam and pretty card really cheaply so I normally use some of that or do little paintings and mount them onto a nice card.

I've got my OH's main present already and a couple of little things to go in her stocking. Another thing we're doing is making each other a stocking (or sack type thing in my case) to put our presents in. I'm still trying to work out how to make it at the moment, my current idea is red fleece with nice green stitching (blanket stitch?) round the sides and her name sewn across the top. I'm pretty hopeless at stiching though so I'll see how it goes. One of the stocking presents I'm doing is a the same as destresserai; getting a nice photo album and putting photos of us and of things we've done together in it. I've still got to get the photos printed so I'm on the look out for good offers just now. I've no idea what to get for my parents yet though. It's there 40th wedding anniversary next week too and I've still not got them anything for that either, eek!

I used to spend ages looking for plain Christmas paper but a couple of years ago I gave up as all the nice plain stuff I found was really expensive. So I b*ght a roll of decent brown paper and painted swirls onto it with gold paint (the kind that dries clear leaving only little sparky bits) and used that to wrap presents up with. Then I painted some Christmassy things onto them (holly leaves and berries mainly) and once they were dry finished them off with nice ribbon. It took a bit of effort but they looked really good in the end and everyone commented on how much they liked the paper. I saved lots of money too as I already had all the paint. I've done something similar each year since.

Phew, that was a bit of a witter (sorry!). I'm normally very sceptical about thinking about Christmas this early but this year I seem to have gotten uncharacteristically carried away with it all already.

[anakin]

Destresserai - good idea re the photos - have done the same thing before also - takes ages though as I get caught up looking at the photos and reminiscing! My mum's friend made her a card with a photo of them when they were 15...I think I loved it more than mum did!

Pipsqueak - love your post - so much effort goes into your presents! Might have to give the wrapping paper one a go, but knowing me it'll never happen plus I'd have to b*y the paint!

[anakin]

I went past Paperchase today and they've got heaps of wrapping paper half price. I b*ght two rolls of 4m luxury foil wrapping paper for £3.50, which although not the cheapest isn't bad I thought. Not sure if they are doing this in all their stores, but worth a look maybe!

Also, again not the cheapest but a good idea, Urban Outfitters are doing pens that allow you to write on / draw your own t-shirts. There's also a pack of glow in the dark pens. Got a pack of each for my niece as she's a bit of an artist. Also going to get some cheap t-shirts from Primark. Then it's one present done!

[elmqueen]

I love paperchase at christmas time, they have some really cool decorations that you wont find anywhere else.

Can't believe it is october already, christmas is nearly here and i have only b*ght 1 christmas present and usually i have almost finished. I tend to b*y my presents over the course of months and months so that you don't notice the cash lackage as much! but this year i havent even given christmas shopping a second thought, need to buck my ideas up.

[anakin]

Don't worry elmqueen, there's still enough time to be done before everyone else (with a few exceptions mentioned earlier!)!!

Following my wrapping paper success earlier, I am on a roll (pardon the pun), it would seem. Earlier I was chatting to my mum on the phone wandered into Sainsbury's to avoid the tube a bit longer. I walked out with several packs of 50 party poppers at a bargain basement price of... 44p each (from over £4)!!!! I b*ght far more than I will need at Christmas, but doubt they'll ever be as cheap again! Apparently they were clearing out last year's stock, so I figure they must be doing this sort of thing all over the place. Not really concerned about them being last years... would eat my hat if someone noticed! Haha!

[Diane65]

What a lovely thread I'm now getting in the festive spirit, I always put a christmas decoration on my christmas presents (a tip I picked up when I lived in Germany many years ago) and wrap up difficult pressies in tissue paper and cellophane, they look so pretty.

[BettyBoop]

yes I do the same...tissue paper and ribbons for close family....although the kids get one colour allocated each with no tags on them, or else it would take so long .....maybe, they get too much!

[lovesitx]

I always tend to go to boots or superdrug for friends pressies, you can always get nice bath stuff and make-up and its usually on 3 for 2 at this time of year.

[a_person]

Oh what's the latest update on Christmas?! I haven't heard anyone say anything in a week!

[butterfly]

i have brought half of a present this week (this is ahead of the plan) so am happy plus i have started a list of possible gifts for people might start b*ying too. inspired from all the early starters on here.