Well, Thrifty's Christmas shopping is done and wrapped and is sitting under her tree. It all came in well under her usual spend and this year for once doesn't sprawl out from under the branches and threaten to be trampled to fragments before distribution to relevant recipients.
The reason for this pleasing phenomenon is quite simply that she didn't buy very many presents! She knows this sounds Scrooge-like! But when she took from last year's list the presents that are really quite rubbish, because they fall within a budget that doesn't buy very much for the teenagers/distant relatives/people she doesn't see but has always bought for, suddenly the whole business was transformed. The cumulative amount for her was vastly more significant then the token sum on an individual level.
This was openly discussed with the folk/parents of folk concerned, all of whom were (mostly) in very enthusiastic support. And in some cases Thrifty has been making presents with materials from the box under the bed. And that has certainly been giving her much fun over the last two weeks.
It all stems from here, and culminates in her annual Mince Pies and Mulled Stuff bash on Sunday afternoon, when time and presence (and yummy things) will be offered to friends instead. So, that's Thrifty's confession, in lieu of an actual Top Tip!
8 comments:
Hurrah for Thrifty. The fewer things that swap hands the better, other than a few lovingly made or carefully chosen items for children and people held dear. I send you my exquisitely wrapped congratulations and admiration.
I wouldn't say a confession...more an encouragement to others to think outside the box...or giftbag...or envelope...or.....
Jane x
Well done! We've got a huge sorting session to be done - jars to be washed, re-labelled and wrapped (had a bit of a mouse problem in the utility room), herbs to to put into bundles, smoked chillis to be crushed (need to find jars!) and a bit of sewing to be finished. But in theory, all the presents are already in the house. We just need to sort them out!
It sounds eminently sensible to me.
Hope you have your innkeeper sorted out, I think I would suggest that he brings his own costume?
getting together with someone and enjoying one another's company, wins everytime for me..
Gill in Canada
Love the sound of your Mince Pie and Mulled stuff bash - lots of fun and not at all Scrooge -like!
May we all find the joy of following her example this year!
Blessings, Debbie
Thrifty is very smart! I warned my older children that it was slim pikkins in this house this year. They seemed unconcerned.
Blessings!
Deborah
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