tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1140894823591123770.post6284688514985990095..comments2024-02-15T17:21:26.481+00:00Comments on The Rubbish Diet: Who's on your Christmas List?Almost Mrs Averagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566374419318255177noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1140894823591123770.post-31070627026715278142008-09-17T06:48:00.000+01:002008-09-17T06:48:00.000+01:00Hi Lisa - I love the idea of the membership ticket...Hi Lisa - I love the idea of the membership ticket and indeed tried this one with some of our family yesterday, but hadn't considered that living in the north of Scotland the choices are a tad limited LOL...and annual membership of a Whisky trail might not appeal to the little boys (yet). But it's a great idea for us. We are lucky to have a few places withing a short driving distance, so thank you for sharing. I hope everything's settling over where you are.Almost Mrs Averagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03566374419318255177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1140894823591123770.post-37691857007966536532008-09-15T22:45:00.000+01:002008-09-15T22:45:00.000+01:00I've been meaning to write a post on this for my b...I've been meaning to write a post on this for my blog this week but Hurricane Ike knocked that idea right off of my list. <BR/><BR/>One fun way to cut waste and give an unexpected family gift is to give event tickets or memberships. I gave (and got) a zoo membership to a family and they loved it! It was a gift they used all year long and didn't fall out of favor with the kids like some of those "must have" toys. Bonus: the membership cost less than it would have to buy each family member an individual gift. I've given tickets to sports events, touring plays, even a water park.Lisa Nelsen-Woodshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13731962631056727458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1140894823591123770.post-22488746098791118972008-09-15T18:39:00.000+01:002008-09-15T18:39:00.000+01:00Hi Anne - I wonder what you'll get this year, heeh...Hi Anne - I wonder what you'll get this year, heehee. ;-DAlmost Mrs Averagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03566374419318255177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1140894823591123770.post-83932751734996619672008-09-15T07:21:00.000+01:002008-09-15T07:21:00.000+01:00Me again - love Gai's idea of Advent teas, and kat...Me again - love Gai's idea of Advent teas, and katyboo1's seed idea is great but made me laugh too!<BR/><BR/>One friend often gives me home made - the year she said she hadn't had the time and it would have to be shop bought I was really disappointed - and told her so! (she is still a good friend)<BR/><BR/>A xStrawberry Jam Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13695110960213262472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1140894823591123770.post-68067577930923505172008-09-15T06:46:00.000+01:002008-09-15T06:46:00.000+01:00Hi Just Gai - I know what you mean about the way i...Hi Just Gai - I know what you mean about the way it's all overblown. I woke up to it all a few years ago.<BR/><BR/>I'd been suffering from a chest infection that I'd picked up just before Halloween. I felt rough and couldn't do things as quickly as I could normally. I was disorganised and everything came to a head when I found myself staying up late one December night to wrap parcels ready for the last post the following day. I eventually got everything ready for the post office at about 3pm that day, headed off and was faced with a huge postage bill too. I think it was doing everything at once brought home the enormity of it all. I came home, had a cup of tea and pondered the madness.<BR/><BR/>I really love that idea about the Advent teas. That sounds really fun and I am sure the kids would enjoy themselves. Christmas to me is definitely about people. <BR/><BR/>Thanks for the tip about the book as well. It sounds absolutely the ticket and just what's needed.<BR/><BR/>Thanks too for the reminder about the Secret Santa. My husband does that at work and I think they limit purchases to a fiver. Perhaps this year they should limit to a fiver and no packaging.<BR/><BR/>It's an interesting point about the hand-made gifts isn't it? I too now prefer something that someone's made. I never used to be like this though. I wonder if it's got anything to do with age or just a sign of our times.<BR/><BR/>Whatever it is, Christmas is an important time that children remember and I really want ours to grow up with memories of the fun times and not the number of presents.Almost Mrs Averagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03566374419318255177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1140894823591123770.post-90886861515468071162008-09-15T06:26:00.000+01:002008-09-15T06:26:00.000+01:00Hi Katyboo - your mum's gifts sound beautiful. I ...Hi Katyboo - your mum's gifts sound beautiful. I reminds me of my friend you gave me some tulip bulbs wrapped last year. They were wrapped in a piece of organza which can now be reused. Hope the poor kid who ate the seeds didn't start sprouting brocolli or anything like that, poor thing. Thanks for the tip about Ryton too. I'm going to check that one out. ;-DAlmost Mrs Averagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03566374419318255177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1140894823591123770.post-2555716625912945852008-09-15T00:47:00.000+01:002008-09-15T00:47:00.000+01:00Back again with some more thoughts:Ideas from prev...Back again with some more thoughts:<BR/><BR/>Ideas from previous years include Secret Santa (where a group of friends place their names in a hat and then draw out one name and spend no more than a set amount on buying a present for that person), and a joint card which everyone in the workplace signs in return for a donation towards a chosen charity.<BR/><BR/>Like others I have started to give homemade presents - florentines, truffles, eastern european iced biscuits, mincemeat etc - which are always well received. I know I would much rather receive something someone had taken the time to make rather than something snatched off a shelf late on Christmas Eve (which is not to detract from the value of a well thought out purchase).<BR/><BR/>I favour practical gifts myself, two of my favourites from my husband being a pizza stone and a cast iron griddle pan.Ideas from previous years include Secret Santa (where a group of friends place their names in a hat and then draw out one name and spend no more than a set amount on buying a present for that person), and a joint card which everyone in the workplace signs in return for a donation towards a chosen charity.<BR/><BR/>Like others I have started to give homemade presents - florentines, truffles, eastern european iced biscuits, mincemeat etc - which are always well received. I know I would much rather receive something someone had taken the time to make rather than something snatched off a shelf late on Christmas Eve (which is not to detract from the value of a well thought out purchase).<BR/><BR/>I favour practical gifts myself, two of my favourites from my husband being a pizza stone and a cast iron griddle pan.just Gaihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17410006899511613020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1140894823591123770.post-17362510989831484372008-09-15T00:45:00.000+01:002008-09-15T00:45:00.000+01:00The rampant commercialism of Christmas has increas...The rampant commercialism of Christmas has increasingly got to me over the past few years. What was originally the simplest of events, ie the birth of a child, has been blown out of all proportion and threatens to consume us. So this year I have bought the book and decided to do December differently (Doing December Differently by Nicola Slee and Rosie Miles). I'm still working through the suggestions but one that we plan to include is Advent Teas, when we will invite friends round for afternoon tea on each of the Sundays in Advent. There are 4 of us and 4 Sundays so we will all take our turn in chosing the guests.just Gaihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17410006899511613020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1140894823591123770.post-26937967517277918722008-09-14T18:54:00.000+01:002008-09-14T18:54:00.000+01:00My mother was always big on us making presents for...My mother was always big on us making presents for our friends. One of her nicer ideas was seeds. She would save all her seed heads etc during the year and then would put the seeds in beautiful hand made envelopes and decorate them with the name of the seed in calligraphy and swirls and stuff. Us kids did it one year. Our friends were horrified. One of them ate the seeds!<BR/><BR/>Also, Ryton, the organic garden place used to run an adopt a vegetable scheme, if you didn't fancy adopting an animal! You got photos and everything. My friend's husband got given a cauliflower one year.katyboo1https://www.blogger.com/profile/00182125401184061843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1140894823591123770.post-33852488170819648632008-09-14T17:32:00.000+01:002008-09-14T17:32:00.000+01:00Hi Anne - It sounds like you've got it all sewn up...Hi Anne - It sounds like you've got it all sewn up, so to speak. Making things for other people is fantastic, it breathes that extra bit of life into presents which otherwise could just be picked up off a shelf. I make wire and bead jewellery, and always look forward to making a few treats for some friends and family. Not sure if I'll get a chance this year though. I love the idea of a Santa Express ride. It's moments like that which make memories so special. Talking of special moments, hope you enjoy your trip over to see your brand new grandson. :-DAlmost Mrs Averagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03566374419318255177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1140894823591123770.post-66262315931433938912008-09-14T13:11:00.000+01:002008-09-14T13:11:00.000+01:00What a great idea - and a fabulous opening line. ...What a great idea - and a fabulous opening line. <BR/><BR/>I think I've mentioned e-cards before and will definitely be making use of that method especially to those who are now ex-colleagues but to whom I would like to send a seasonal greeting. <BR/><BR/>I've already knitted some little cravat style scarves for some older ladies I generally give to, and some of the younger ones who have admired mine. <BR/><BR/>And my daughter has had the idea of treating some of the family to a "Santa Express" train ride, so that should be fun and of course comes under your category of something to do together. <BR/><BR/>Every little helps!<BR/><BR/>A xStrawberry Jam Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13695110960213262472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1140894823591123770.post-32232645264044956462008-09-14T11:13:00.000+01:002008-09-14T11:13:00.000+01:00Hi Mrs G - yep, it's that time of year isn'...Hi Mrs G - yep, it's that time of year isn't it. We've just been talking about plans over breakfast and little J mentioned sending just one card too. Great idea to create a decorated board. Thanks for sharing, I think that's perfect and I'll add that into the mix. <BR/><BR/>Of course the other aspect is Teachers' presents. The parents have been great in Little J's class, because the very first Christmas someone suggested a collection and the teacher got one well-thought out present, plus the odd one or two where people wanted to make an independent contribution.<BR/><BR/>All this is perfect timing, as it's our PTA AGM tomorrow and they will be delighted to know how much money could potentially be raised, without hardly lifting a finger.<BR/><BR/>As far as other presents go...we've also been laughing over a catalogue of gadgets this morning. Even though I'm not really into gadgets, even "green" ones, Mr A has found something perfect for his Christmas list...a solar powered charger that can be used for mobile phones and digital cameras. Glad it's not a wind-up one, he'd be there all day...could you imagine him making a phone call, it would be like one of those black & white movies. LOLAlmost Mrs Averagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03566374419318255177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1140894823591123770.post-18262396931005351722008-09-14T10:35:00.000+01:002008-09-14T10:35:00.000+01:00Christmas has been on my mind already too. You'll ...Christmas has been on my mind already too. You'll see a bit of a solution coming up next week :)<BR/><BR/>With the class Christmas cards. Dd used to go to an eco school. What they did there was have a notice board, available for all to see that the kids decorated.<BR/><BR/>Each child could put one card on there wishing the entire class or whole school if they wished a happy Christmas. <BR/><BR/>Charity donations were collected for the other 30+ cards that each child was saved from sending.<BR/><BR/>It also cuts out the kids who don't get many v's the really popular ones who get hundreds. Plus, the parents could view them too, which bought a sense of community to the whole season of festivities.<BR/><BR/>This was great for the older kids, but not so for Little Miss green who, at the age of 5, cards were a big thing. So we hand made all of hers from old materials and she sent them out.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps that is a couple of ideas for you to put forward........Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com