Wonky but mine
I could swear that December rushes past faster than other months. My son has his birthday towards the end of November, then the next thing I know, oh hey, it’s Christmas next week. How did that happen? Where did the days disappear in between?
Do wish I was better prepared for Christmas. But one way or another we’ll muddle through the maelstrom of carol concerts, end of term, panto, presents, birthday celebrations and all the visitors over Christmas itself.
And after making the wreath I mentioned, while watching ‘The Muppet Christmas Carol’, it’s finally beginning to feel much more like Christmas!
So here are five more festive frugal things from the last week.
Turkey sandwich tastic
Used up turkey leftovers
After reviewing the Muscle Food Christmas recipe box last weekend, we had half a ton* of turkey left over.
*slight exaggeration
So we spent last week doing our best to eat up the remainder of the roast. Turkey sandwiches, turkey with leftover red cabbage and roasted parsnips, turkey with ratatouille, turkey curry using a handy half price jar of curry sauce. I finally cracked and froze 400g in chunks, ready for futher curry or a turkey pie. I also froze slices of turkey, doled out in three different freezer bags. Hopefully now we’ll be able to face up to the real meal on Christmas Day…
Leaning tower of cranberries
Cranked up the cranberry sauce production line
Every year, I make cranberry sauce. We use one jar for our own Christmas meal, but I also hand out other jars as Christmas presents. (One younger cousin nodded with great appreciation about the ‘ham with jam’ after trying it).
So I swooped on a Morrisons offer for two 300g packets of fresh cranberries for £3, rather than £1.75 each. Luckily, this recipe for cranberry sauce is super simple, so there’s less chance of disaster than my attempts at strawberry jam…
Previous post: How not to make strawberry jam
All for charidee too
Snapped up half price Christmas cards
Usually, I recommend buying Christmas cards in the January sales, but I didn’t see any I liked earlier this year. I’ve been cutting down our Christmas card list, as the price of stamps has soared, but I do still like sending some! Turns out one of the benefits of being so behind this year is that Morrisons had already cut the price of Christmas cards on Sunday, so I picked up packs of 10 for £1 rather than £2. I also got some for the kids last week using Boots Advantage points, so they could hand them out to classmates before the school holidays start.
Measuring stick in action
Opted for a less expensive Christmas tree
My husband checked out the prices of Christmas trees here in Hadleigh, and we were looking at £40 for a five foot tree. So we headed over to Raydon Christmas trees instead, where you choose a tree growing in their field, and they cut it down for you. They charge £5 a foot, and give you a measuring stick to wander round with, so you know what height you’re buying. This meant we could get a bigger tree for less, as a six foot tree cost £30. Plus, you can admire their magnificent turkeys while walking over to choose your tree!
Check out that turkey
Bought discount theatre tickets as a present
Keen to give experiences rather than things, I decided to buy some theatre tickets as Christmas presents. The Official London Theatre website runs a January sale every year, where you can buy discounted tickets for performances of a whole range of plays, musicals and ballets between 1 January and 15 February.
We went to see School of Rock in February, and now I’ve lined up a new family outing. All will be revealed after Christmas!
I suspect sale tickets for the biggest productions, like The Lion King, Matilda and Aladdin, may well have sold out, but it’s still worth looking. Tickets cost £10, £20, £30 or £40, with no booking fee, credit card charges or delivery fees. Expect to pay more for the more popular productions and seats closer to the stage.
Now over to you – any festive frugal triumphs this week? Are you all prepared for Christmas? Or desperately scrambling to catch up, like me? Do share in the comments, I’d love to hear!
I’m linking up with Cass, Emma and Becky in this week’s ‘Five fabulously frugal things I’ve done this week’ linky.
Pin for later:
You are very funny! Love wonky but mine
I lost my job and there was no way to get income for my family, things was so tough and I couldn’t get anything for my children, not until a met a recommendation on a page writing how Mr Bernie Doran helped a lady in getting a huge amount of profit every 6 working days on trading with his management on the cryptocurrency Market, to be honest I was skeptical at first but I took the risk to take a loan of $500, and I contacted him unbelievable and I was so happy I received a profit of $5,500 with an investment of $500 within 7 days of trading , the most joy is that I can now take care of my family, i am just sharing my testimony on here. I don’t know how to appreciate your good work Mr. Bernie Doran, God will continue to bless you for being a life saver I have no way to appreciate you than to tell people about your good services. He can also help you recover your lost funds, For a perfect investment and good return on investment contact him on Gmail : Berniedoransignals@gmail.com or his whatsApp + 1 ( 424 ) 285 – 0682
tell hi i referred you
I read a lot of posts but the topic covered in this is the most comprehensive & helpful. This is really wonderful post. I would definitely recommend it to others.
I read a lot of posts but the topic covered in this is the most comprehensive & helpful. This is really wonderful post. I would definitely recommend it to others. Thank you for sharing this valuable information with us.
Respect to op, some excellent selective information.
Great web site. A lot of useful info here. I am sending it to some friends ans also sharing in delicious. And naturally, thanks for your sweat!
Right now it appears like BlogEngine is the best blogging platform available right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using on your blog?
I saw a lot of website but I think this one contains something extra in it in it
Some really great posts on this internet site, thank you for contribution. “The difference between fiction and reality Fiction has to make sense.” by Tom Clancy.
Good write-up, I am regular visitor of one¦s blog, maintain up the nice operate, and It is going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.
I saw a lot of website but I conceive this one has got something special in it in it
I discovered your blog site on google and check a few of your early posts. Continue to keep up the very good operate. I just additional up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Seeking forward to reading more from you later on!…
You really make it appear so easy along with your presentation but I to find this matter to be really one thing that I think I would never understand. It kind of feels too complex and very vast for me. I am taking a look forward in your subsequent post, I will try to get the hang of it!
I like this blog its a master peace ! Glad I detected this on google .
Good info. Lucky me I reach on your website by accident, I bookmarked it.
You can certainly see your enthusiasm in the work you write. The world hopes for even more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to say how they believe. Always follow your heart.
As soon as I noticed this web site I went on reddit to share some of the love with them.
Have you ever thought about writing an ebook or guest authoring on other websites? I have a blog centered on the same subjects you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my viewers would enjoy your work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to send me an e-mail.
I have not checked in here for some time as I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are good quality so I guess I’ll add you back to my daily bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂