Planning for Christmas

When it comes to planning for Christmas, I like to be ahead of the game and start my organising by the end of October.  I usually start putting money away for presents in September.

Whilst this may sound a very long time to be planning for Christmas, believe me, the alternative of buying everything last minute is not something you want to experience.

I have only done this once.  A few years ago I spent the last three days before Christmas buying all of my gifts and Christmas cards.  It was hell.  A twenty person queue in the card shop, daggers at dawn with the person who wants the same gift as you with only one left on the shelf; your bank balance telling you that you cannot afford to buy all of the gifts that you want.

I swore that the next year I would be ultra organised and I have been sticking to my plan ever since.

So what are my top tips for planning for Christmas?

"Have a Budget"

First things, first, before you even start to save up to buy gifts for people, plan your budget.  Decide how much you are going to spend on someone and stick to it.  Work out how long you will need to save for and add another £20.00 to it, for that one person you always forget to buy for.

"Print Your Recipes"

If you are going to be the one cooking on Christmas Day, why not print out some recipes ahead of time so you can start planning your food shopping.  This link for the BBC Good Food is brilliant.

"Be Savvy"

Once I have my budget in place, I tend to start looking a couple of months ahead for ideas of what I want to buy and for whom.  I create a document on my laptop with links to potential presents and check the sites regularly for any sales or discounts that appear.  For toys, electricals and beauty I tend to wait until Black Friday to get a potential bargain.  

"Post Early"

Did you know that accordingly to a recent study done by Datalabel, almost £750,000.00 worth of cards go missing every year?  In the study, found here, 15% of the respondents had had cards go missing that they had sent out.  So always label as clearly as you can and ideally, factor in postage costs into your budget so that you can sent parcels by Special Delivery to give you some insurance if anything does go missing.

"It Ain't All About the Money"

You can always tell when someone puts real thought into a gift.  It is the thought that matters, not the price tag.  A last minute "that will do" gift screams lack of thought a mile away.  Like buying bath oil for someone who you know doesn't have a bath (me).  

If you have a very small budget, how about making some Christmas cookies or making something that is personable to both you and the person receiving the gift?  The best present I have ever received is a homemade photo album filled with photographs of myself and my dad who died when I was young.  I will always cherish it.

How do you plan for Christmas?


*This is a collaborative post 

Drive Safely in Winter

When I started to learn to drive I was a very cautious driver.  Very cautious.

It took me about a year and a half to learn how to drive because I was so scared about being on the road with other drivers and what could potentially happen.  The reasons why I feel like that can be found in my blog post THINK

Over the years my confidence grew and I became, much to my surprise, a pedal to the metal kind of driver, but safely.  I loved speed, but on  a motorway, with a clear road; no traffic in sight.

That said, one thing which, in highsight, probably lead to the fact that I sadly, no longer drive, is an incident that happened when the country was enveloped in snow and ice.  

I remember the day very clearly.  I had successfully negotiated the 30 minute drive to work without incident.  I was feeling proud of myself for not slipping or sliding on the roads and was, looking back, feeling a little cocky.

The road leading to my car park at work ended with a hard corner and a downward hill.  Feeling (overly) confident in my abilities I took the corner faster than I should, hit black ice and as a result, completely lost control.  The car span 360 degrees about seven times down the hill, narrowly missing a brick wall and stopping, luckily without collision at the entrance to the car park.  I was lucky.

Whilst recently doing my Google magic (as my mum calls it) for her, I recently came across the car insurance from Chill website.  In their blog, they talk about driving in Winter and give tips in how to stay safe.  

One of the most important advice tips that they provide is about black ice and keeping your distance.  You cannot see black ice so have no idea if you are speeding along and suddenly hit a patch.  

Driving slower and more cautiously when ice and snow is on the road is so important.  Remember, when on the roads, you are not just responsible for your own life, but also others if you are driving irresponsibly and end up causing a collision by driving too fast or not maintaining a proper distance.

Make sure that your tyres are in good order and that your MOT and regular service checks have been completed.  Find a garage that you can trust and stick with them.

I hope to return to the roads soon.  I missing driving so much and hope to overcome the fear that enveloped me by the end.  Driving provides so much freedom and independence.  There is nothing like being on a clear motorway, your favourite song coming on the radio and that speedometer rising a bit.

But we have to be safe.  A risk you take on the roads is not just a a risk for you, it is a risk for everyone around you.

I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles

In the spirit of a "Getting to know more about you" type post, I am inspired today to tell you a funny, but embarrassing story about myself.   I would love it if you would share one of your stories in the comments.  So here goes.

When I was 17 I was working for a small law firm.  Whilst I was a simple office junior, often crawling around in cellars and attics for files or making a coffee for everyone in the building; working in a office at 17 for me felt amazing.

You did of course have to dress smartly for this position and as a result, I decided that a new pair of shoes was in order (some things never change).  They were a tiny bit too small and needed stretching so I asked for some advice of what to do.  

This was before Google.  Before Youtube videos that explain how to do everything.

I was told, from someone who used it in his Doc Martins, that washing up liquid around the edge you wanted to stretch would do the job perfectly.  You simply wore the shoes as normal and the leather would stretch to fit your foot.

I can see how this works and indeed it did.  I could feel the leather stretching slightly as I walked.  But then.  You know what is coming don't you.  It started to rain.

I was walking from the bus station to my office which was a 10 minute walk.  The rain began to pour and at first, I did not even connect the dots in relation to the washing up liquid lining both my shoes.  I simply hurried on to my office to get out of the wet.

Then I received the first double take by someone passing me by.  Then another.  Both seems to be looking at my feet.  I looked down and to my horror, bubbles were pouring, and I meaning POURING out of both of my shoes.  Picture what a bottle of coke does if you shook it and then opened and you would get a fairly accurate representation.

I quickly swept away the bubbles and rubbed at my shoes in vain to try and get rid of the washing up liquid which by now had rubbed off on to my tights too.

I spent the next ten minutes of the walk having to stop every few metres to wipe the bubbles away.  I cannot tell you how many people stopped and stared at me.  Either in disbelief or just laughing at me.  I was utterly mortified.

One shopkeeper who saw me that morning proceeded to call me "Bubbles" for the next year.  He would without fail ask me what my feet were growing this morning.

Looking back now I laugh so much about what happened.  I more than likely used far, far too much washing up liquid and would definately not have looked at the weather forecast.

We live and learn!