I ignore the whole Xmas thing--

I don't leave it until the last minute.  I buy things during the year and also make things for people, baking, making jams etc and sew some things, do some crochet things and knitted things to add to each parcel.  Something homemade is  always welcome and comes from the heart,  as each thing is made with love and thought for the person you are giving to.

My quince paste, chilli jam and apple mint sauce (all made with ingredients from the garden) are very welcome especially for the younger working adults as they cost heaps to buy and they love them for their parties.

I use the quinces from my tree, chillies from my chilli bush.  The mint is also in the garden and the apples are from a tree in my daughter's yard which are not good eating apples so  I cook and freeze them until I need to make them into whatever.

There are always things you can make to lessen the expense of Christmas.

This week I have been picking grape vine leaves and freezing them ready to make into Dolmades.  Sometimes I also make the mix to go inside them and freeze that as well and then only have to assemble them later.

I agree Sandy. It is easy to have a Cupboard full by Christmas or Birthdays with things bought all year and fun buying all year  rather than leaving it until near the date. Anything we can make ourselves is lovely. You sound very clever.

Christmas is a great time for children and something to look forward to for months. It really is up to us how much we want or can spend and work with it but leaving everything until the last pay day and then using Credit seems madness to me.

Even saving every $5 note in a jar or even gold coins gives a tidy sum to spend at Christmas time or maybe $10 notes and then even a holiday lol but best in Australia :)

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It is nice for children to know why we have Christmas also and a great birthday.

Have a lovely Thursday folks.

Some very good ideas there........thanks ladies! I'll make sure that next Christmas isn't so stressful.

Yes I agree Phyl,

I buy things throughout the year, especially when they are on a good special.

One way I save towards buying all the Christmas food is collecting all the bottles, cans, and cartons.  Take them to the bottlo and put the money in a jar ready for christmas goodies.  Unlike other states we have a 10c deposit on all these things and this year just getting bottles etc from our 2 kids (who throw them in the recycling bin) and our own  I've collected over $ 400.00 and that goes a long way towards buying things.

Then I make the homemade things  to give as an extra to each parcel and funnily enough it's always the extra parcel they open first to see what goodies I have made for them.  I try to think of something different each year. 

For my grand daughter I pay her  RAA   for her Birthday and Christmas,so if her car breaks down she able to call for help

That is also a good idea Jessej

As Christmas is a wonderful time for giving, and

the generous giver receives a rich blessing,

I have raised my children , grandchildren and lately

convincing my grt grandchildren that by giving to

the elderly, 'like me' they will be blessed.

Also I have stressed, no gift is too big.

I am also expectantly waiting for an invitation from

Sandikay, I just happened to notice the mention of

$400 which by giving to me, would bring great joy.

Just goes to show why you are SO wealthy Seth with your big home and pool etc. etc. I am sure Sandy knows what you are like but better fill her in,  just in case she needed any concreting done. Sandy,   Seth's concrete is like jelly lol.

I hope Mrs. Seth has a nice list ready for you to go buy her for Christmas Seth,  as just a husband's good looks is   not enough, so handbags and shoes and perfume etc. are quite acceptable :) And you have to cook Christmas Dinner.  Belonging to the OEC does not cut it you know. 

For the last few years I started giving the younger grand children  gold coins, the advent calender is a good place to start, hence  each child will get say for eg a dollar a day and by the 25th they each get $25/- or more depending on one's budget When the sales start on boxing day they are able  to buy the toys of their choice.

As for the adults, gift vouchers are still my best option, the problem i encounter is impulse buying through the year and most end up not fully  appreciated... thus ending up eventually in the garage sale :)

Since my husband's demise, X'mas is another event I then to not make a big fuss like I use to in years gone by, in fact I believe I am becoming more like a scrooge...ouch.

cheers,

jessie w.

 Rare pics of Seth........ Would you give this man a christmas gift???

I cope very well on my budget, I make sure any gift I receive

is the best, and I do not have the expense of changing them,

or claiming a refund.{Although that sounds like a good idea.}

As for that Zapot and his libellous attack on my generousity,

I have placed it in the hands of a solicitor, who informs me that

we have such a good case, all my money worries will go.

Yes Phyl, I knew about Seth's concreting.  If he would like to come over here I could show him how it's done. I could put him to work making my concrete statues and then I could do the easy bit by spray painting them.

That's it for now as I'm off to the airport to take eldest daughter there as she's off to Sydney for work till next Thursday and then YIPPEE I'm off to New Zealand next Friday.

More news later.

Good luck to your daughter and her job Sandy.

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I can feel your excitement travelling to see your daughter and family and especially that wonderful Grandbaby who will need a bigger box to surprise you this time lol.

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I sold around 250 statues I had handpainted when we moved here but still have quite a few amongst our roses and pelagoniums. We had an extra block of land with roses and huge hand painted by me,  statues and life size German Shepherd Dogs etc. etc. and around 20 huge spotlights came on at intervals all night and it looked like fairyland and I miss all that :) It was a lovely hobby my painting all the statues. Really good times but life goes on and we adapt don't we.

All the very best.