Scrimping - How to save money & bag a bargain!

tek-monkey

tek-monkey

wanna see my snake?
That-Crazy-Rat-Lady said:
Just wondering if anyone could give me some tips!

I am hosting the family christmas this year!

Family have finally decided I'm big enough and stupid enough to do it myself so I've got everyone coming to me!

Any scrimping tips? I thought it would be really easy but then I realised I needed, a table cloth, crackers, place mats, table decorations, napkins, chairs and thats all I can think of so far!

Help!
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Been having mine over for the last few years, it does end up costing a bit! Best advice I can give is get everyone to bring something for Xmas dinner, as that is the main cost. Luckily I have a decent patio table to use for the extra guests, and lots of chairs. I find alcohol smoothes most other problems over!
 
Trumpet

Trumpet

Well-Known Forumite
Nowt to do with Christmas but I pcked up a pack of cooked, marinated chicken for .75p on the reduced counter in Eccy Co-Op last night. Chopped up mixed with mayo made a cracking sandwich filler with a bit of salad. Eating my sarnies as I type this. nom nom. Enough left for tomorrow too!
Reckon that Asda's oft reduced chicken 65 would work a treat.
 
Trumpet

Trumpet

Well-Known Forumite
Makes a decent quick cheap curry mixed with Bombay aloo if that's on offer at the same time.
 
That-Crazy-Rat-Lady

That-Crazy-Rat-Lady

Well-Known Forumite
Thankyou all! I only have 4 people coming! The joys of having a tiny family! Soup and pudding are sorted by family so I just have to cook the main. Which isn’t too bad, but to be honest cooking isn’t really my strong point so it could go either way....

My main expense will be general Christmas crap, crackers, tablecloth etc as I've never brought them before.

But I've seen wilcos have a pack of 12 crackers for £5, the prizes are naff but hey that’s what it’s all about!

Any more advice greatly appreciated!
 
1JKz

1JKz

Well-Known Forumite
...not sure a ToppsTiles tile, would fit into a cracker!

(see previous post)

joke, Gramaisc is right, makes for good Christmas table banter.
 
That-Crazy-Rat-Lady

That-Crazy-Rat-Lady

Well-Known Forumite
Just wanted to add, that if anyone wants any designer clothes REALLY cheap then head to the Katherine House Hospice in Eccleshall - its well known that the more well to doo ladies take there second hand clothes there.
One can find cashmere and designer names for only a few pounds!
 
Gramaisc

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
That-Crazy-Rat-Lady said:
Just wanted to add, that if anyone wants any designer clothes REALLY cheap then head to the Katherine House Hospice in Eccleshall - its well known that the more well to doo ladies take there second hand clothes there.
One can find cashmere and designer names for only a few pounds!
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For reasons that I'm not prepared to go into, I was once in a ladies' designer label clothes shop on Eccleshall High Street, when a woman came in, wearing what was clearly expensive clothes, in order to tog herself out for a wedding. She selected a full set of clothes, tried them on and handed over a four-figure sum. By this stage she was just too exhausted to change back and merely waved her hand at the changing room as she left, saying "Charity shop".
 
Withnail

Withnail

Well-Known Forumite
That-Crazy-Rat-Lady said:
Just wanted to add, that if anyone wants any designer clothes REALLY cheap then head to the Katherine House Hospice in Eccleshall - its well known that the more well to doo ladies take there second hand clothes there.
One can find cashmere and designer names for only a few pounds!
Click to expand...
There is an acquaintance of mine who used to regularly drive to Ashbourne to scour the charity shops there for exactly the same reason. :)
 
That-Crazy-Rat-Lady

That-Crazy-Rat-Lady

Well-Known Forumite
Revived my sad looking rug by rubbing with a damp cloth, dusting with Bicarb of Soda (eliminates odors and stains),
hoovering up, and to finish off a couple of drops of lemon oil - good as new :)

And saves buying expensive carpet cleaners!
 
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