Don't make yourself broke over Christmas

Hi People,

Christmas is meant to be a joyful time, to celebrate the birth of Christ, to bring people together and spend time with your family. However sometimes the pressure can get to much, with many present to buy, many people to see... and only one pay packet to do it all?? 

The best way to get through this busy time of year is PLAN! Make a list of all the presents you need to buy.

Talk with your family and friends to make sure they can also afford to buy present too, or even want to... Example, if you and your friends have young children, only buy for the children. Between you make a budget and stick to it! That always helps. 

If you have a large group of girlfriends like I do, this year for us instead of buy each of us presents we have planned a girl day out to London to Winter Wonderland. It will be a Christmasy day, full of fun. Therefore we aren't buying each other presents but spending time with each other. 

This will also get us in the Christmas spirit! 

At my work to save money between us all we do a Secret Santa, there are at least 10 of us working together and if I had to buy for each that would be a big chunk of my Christmas spending. Therefore by doing a Secret Santa we spread the cost and only have to shop for one present instead of 10! 

Make use of multi buys, or 3 for 2. The best 3 for 2 I know is Boots, as there are many well know brands, and you can always find something for everyone! (Plus i get my Boots points for me!)

Save money also by Home making Christmas gifts, it could be baking such as cakes, cookies, or even Christmas Puddings. If you have children this could be a great way of getting them involved too.

Moving on to the day itself, Food is always a big deal, and can cost a bomb! If you are having a small day with family why buy the biggest Turkey?



Pick a smaller bird if you don't think you will use up all the Turkey, pick  a chicken instead... Just pick three different Vegetables, plus one type of potatoes. Don't over do it if you can't afford it! Think about two deserts that you can have, you can always save one for later.

When it comes to Christmas its about spending time with people, being there for others, enjoying the time of year. Please Don't over spend, as January is only a short time away and you don't want to paying for Christmas for the next 6 months after.

I hope this has helped you rethink on ways to save this Christmas.

Love Lolly
xoxo

Christmas Table Centre

Hello everyone,

My last post was about Christmas, but I didn't include what I made to decorate our table. I'm a trained florist, so there could only be one thing to decorate our table...Yes Flowers. Have flowers on the table, just add that bit extra. Also I enjoy making arrangements, they make great presents for friends and family, so I made two more!!

This is a long and low design, as our table is quiet big on Christmas day. I like a candle in the middle of my table centre, I've included ball balls and cinnamon.

My family's Table.

 

 The next two designs are all round arrangement, more a posy style. I knew they wouldn't have much room on their tables so had to make a smaller design than mine.

A smaller arrangement I made for my neighbour.

An arrangement I made for my Nan.

I hope I've given you an idea for your table next year. Or even if you are having a party.

Love Lolly
xoxo

My christmas

Morning everyone,

It's been a few days now since Christmas, the day we all take days and even months getting ready for!! I had a lovely day with my family, also a perfect Turkey dinner... Without the Brussels.
I was very spoilt by friends and family, with many great gift. Yes, i had a box full of present!!

I didn't get to open them till the afternoon on Christmas day!

I don't know how I waited so long!!

 

I got many gifts, including: DVD's, bath smellies, Chocolate, handbags, Magazine subscription, Jewellery, books and much more. I hope all my friends and family like the presents I gave them.

 

I also got a present two days after Christmas sent by post from across the pond... USA. I had to show you it as it relates to previous posts...Twilight related post.

A hand made Ball ball, which inside has

many quotes from the twilight books!!

Just so me!

 

Christmas is now all over for another year, many people are out hitting the sales find items to buy for next year!!

 

 

Love Lolly

xoxo





London trip - Ballet the Nutcracker

Hello everyone,

This week has been a busy one! Yeah, I know we are on our way to Christmas now, and I've been busy working, but also delivery presents to my friends.
On my day off this week, my mum and I decided we want to get in the Christmas spirit so we headed to London for all the festive fun. The English National Ballet are performing at the London Coliseum their production of The Nutcracker.

 

This is a beautiful production, and perfect for Christmas for all the family to enjoy. The performance is spilt into 2 Acts.
Act 1:
Clara's Bedroom
The Party
The battle
The Land of Snow

Act 2:
The Puppet Theatre

The story starts on Christmas Eve: Clara's family are having a party with many friends invited including Dr Drosselmeyre and his nephew. Dr Drosselmeyre presents Clara with her gift, A Nutcracker Doll. Clara is pleased with her present, however that night she has a nightmare in which her Nutcracker Doll is attacked by the evil mouse King.   - This is just a quick run down of the story, however the program has a beautiful explanation of the ballet.
The dancers are amazing, moving in ways you can only dream, portraying the story of the nutcracker. With many turns, balances, skill and point work, shown by the dancers... Only the females with the point work. The costumes are beautiful, you can tell plenty of hard work and hours of time went in to making them, helping to add to the overall effect of the performance.

This is stunning performance of a well known story, one that you can enjoy again and again.

Merry Christmas,
Love Lolly
xoxo

Getting ready for Christmas

Good Afternoon,

We are well into December now, which means I need make sure I've got everything ready for Christmas. This includes getting the decorations up! Now I think the decorations always start at the front door, that why I love making a door decoration.
I decided this year to have a traditional door garland. However I didn't just make one for my own front door, but for my Nan's, Neighbour and Brothers Work.

A nice Large Gold bow, with added ivy,

ball balls, cones and added snow.

 

Silver ribbon round the design, with a large bow

at the bottom. Ball Balls and Holly added to create

extra detail.

 

Large gold bow, with grouped ball balls, ivy and

cones with added snow.

 

With my three door wreaths made, I'd run out of ready made rings (I didn't have time to make the whole thing, however I do know how to make it) I had to make something a bit different.

 

This design is created by taking three similar size brunches

of pine, tie them together at the top. Place a bow over the tying point.

Attach ivy and ball balls with added snow to create more

of a christmasy design.  



 

 

These make great christmas presents for my family and friends, to help them get Christmas started.

 

Love Lolly

xoxo

Trip to London - "Winter Wonderland"

Evening Everyone,

I've had a lovely day out today with two of my close friends. With Christmas getting nearer, my friends and I wanted a Christmasy day out, so where better to go than London's Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland!!!

The entrance.

 

Claire, Moi in the middle, and Chrissie.

 

There were plenty of stalls, with different foods and drinks to

choose from. But also many stalls with plenty of

gift items.

 

We had great fun, looking around, trying a bacon sausage (German), the girls had mulled cider. I had a hunt through the gift stalls find many hand made items, from Russian Dolls, Jewellery, Christmas ornaments, clothes and much more. I found myself two small items.



A cute little heart charm that I'm going to add to my Christmas Tree.

A beautiful vintage style, necklace watch Pendant.

 

It a lovely day out for all the family to enjoy, plenty to entertain the kids with rides at the funfair.

 

Overall a fun day with my friends, that's got me into the Christmas mood!

 

Love Lolly

xoxo

 

 

Christmas is on its way!!!

Dear friends,

December seems to have sneaked up on me. Maybe has something to do with the fact that I've been away, but before I knew it I've been handed Christmas cards. Therefore this weekend I've spent most of Sunday quickly writing cards and wrapping presents. I am a little bit prepared for Christmas, as I have done most of my Christmas shopping, there are only one or two more I need to get. So I can breath easy on that part, however I had planned to make Christmas cards for my friends and family, but time isn't on my side. Therefore I've got some beautiful cards from Paperchase.

I thought these were really cute. 

 

I just need to get them all written and presents sent in the post or hand delivered to their new owners before Christmas.

 

Hope you all are getting ready for Christmas too!

 

Love Lolly

xoxo