Christmas Chat

I thought id start up a Christmas Chat Thread.

So people can post gift ideas, get gift help etc, Share recipes, and ideas

I really need help finding cheap or hand made gifts.

I also want to try make soaps & bath bombs etc this year.

Where did you by Silicone trays from?

Id love a recipe

Flavoured oils with garlic and rosemary and chillies are always good. Start saving pretty bottles or any glass bottle that you use stuff out of now.

Another thing to start is a pot of succulent type plants or terracotta pots with herbs in. If you plant them in the next month or sow the herb seeds they should be ready for christmas.

I made mince meat pies one year and put them on a christams plate with cellophane as a present.

I am so excited about christmas already. Bought heaps of lights of trademe the other day as we had to sell them before moving back to nz. We are also having lots of family over from overseas so it should be lots of fun. Expecting about 30 people for christmas day.

oh my gosh its nearly christmas .
Bums !!!!

last christmas we did the "home made present " thing , I made gift baskets for my parents with fudge and stuff inside, for DH I made a book "50 reasons why I love you " with a reason each page .
Blush , how naff

Well i have had Taylahs Xmas & birthday presents now for months. I got the last of hers at the toy sale. I got her 1st xmas present in Feb, an outdoor table & chair set for $10 at the warehouse. Im one for bargains lol

Ive been starting to save bottles, i might have to try harder, i just always forget. Its a great idea, im sure there are lots you can make with old jars & bottles etc

Awwww thats so sweet Kelly that you made that, jeepers i would really struggle to find 50 things to say about DP, i know that sounds bad but it seems hard to try and think of what i would say.

My baby will be one by christmas!

At least I'll get christmas this year - last year I was home with a very newborn baby

Oh I love xmas, cant wait

mel what are you putting in your gift baskets?

I send boxes of baking/ slices, chocs, nuts to family we don't see at xmas.

I think I might do the herbs or oils for MIL & SIL. We do a family xmas the weekend before at the IL's.

Edited by jazzy

I think ill be doing alot of baking this year too.

Where do you ladies get baskets from?

I got out an awesome book from the library that had a recipe for hair rinses etc. Made with stuff from home, they were really cool.

I get baskets from second hand stores. Habitat in hamilton have heaps at the moment. But sallies and red cross, st vincent depaul etc. I don't think of it as cheap but recycling. Or a box from the supermarket wrapped in christmas wrap and then the cellophane. These shops are good for indoor pots too but bunnings for terracota plain pots is always cheap.

Kids are hard for homemade. You can do bubble mixture. play doh. My mum is knitting snakes for the kids this year. Pictures for the walls. With my first daughter I had her 3 weeks before christmas and had no money or motivation. Someone gave me a flinstone plate and cup set for her when she was born. I liked the pictures on the box so I framed them and wrapped them for her for christmas. I also made a bead and wire toy on a wooden base. I also once picked up a toy cot from a garage sale for $2 and painted it white and made the bedding for it. With a few toys from the $2 shop and some lollies it was quite cheap and fun. I would start trolling trademe too.

75% off Xmas decorations/wrapping paper at the warehouse currently.