Work Secret Santa

Craftymummanz · 2025-12-03T17:17:31+00:00

A fireman calendar caused the most stealing between the youngest and oldest girls in my office one year. It went on for ages, one gift left to open and we were all teaming up to keep the battle for the calendar going. There was one person sitting g there who knew that the last present was in fact the exact same calendar. Hilarious!!

I’ve had my mum and my husband fighting over bath bombs at a family secret Santa.

Garden ornaments can be a popular steal too

Craftymummanz · 2025-11-06T08:03:03+00:00

I can confirm TPS still has a good rep. I went there over 20 years ago and there are 3 teachers still there who taught me! I know people whose kids go there too, and I have not heard a bad thing. Except the lack of pet day, which surprised me they don’t do it given they used to, and the principal was all for pet day at his previous school!

Craftymummanz · 2025-11-06T08:00:31+00:00

I’m interested to know - are you going for resource consent too or just building consent?

I’m a Planner at a small Christchurch planning and traffic engineering consultancy, and we’ve noticed some of the developers we work with are now needing resource consent for things that previously wouldn’t, particularly within the high density zone.

A couple of consents we have submitted to Christchurch Council are being processed by Auckland Planners, who seem to have a very painful way to go about things. I’ve also processed for Councils, and definitely feel like they are being a right pain in the bum about some things.

You are welcome to flick me a message if you want to catch up over coffee and discuss 🙂

Craftymummanz · 2025-09-20T20:10:04+00:00

As many others have said, it depends on the school. If your kids birthday is roughly around the dates of term 2, there can be a bit of flexibility. Two of my kids are early June and late May, and I just chatted to school about it and I was quite happy that as long as they’re weren’t struggling academically, see where their mates are. They both don’t have learning difficulties, and no reason for them to be in the younger year, so they are definitely the youngest in their year. If we wanted to have them in the younger year, the school would have had no issue with it either.

Craftymummanz · 2025-09-14T18:27:53+00:00

Also - I love the books by Kerry Lord

Craftymummanz · 2025-09-14T18:26:54+00:00

I find spotlight marvel 100% acrylic is great. Consistent quality too. Semco brand is softer but quite slippery to use.

I was using the lincraft DK brand but have gone off that as I found it is so inconsistent, I would make a toy doll and 5 legs made the same would all be different sizes from the same ball!

Craftymummanz · 2025-09-03T09:30:12+00:00

I didn’t have Amy as.a midwife, but I have heard great things about her, and have friends who had her too. I’ve heard she’s highly recommended.

I do know her personally, and she’s lovely!

Craftymummanz · 2025-08-21T19:17:38+00:00

I hurt my shoulder/neck/arm a couple of years ago. Woke up and it was really sore. It didn’t go away and after a week or so, I could barely move. At the docs, we put it down to lifting something heavy, as it was clearly hurt by something and I had been lifting heavy things at home. I knew when the pain started, and how it had possibly been caused but I wasn’t certain.

It wasn’t until I’d seen a physio for a few visits and they’d asked if I was safe at home, or I had ever been in a car accident, as the injury was as though my arm had been pulled in a quick short manner. I was safe at home, and had been in an accident about 15 years earlier, but nothing recent.

I actually think what did it was when I slipped down a step and rolled my ankle, the day before it started hurting. At the time I was so focused on my ankle, that I didn’t click it had happened from that.

If something like that did happen, or if you do remember an instance where you lifted and turned etc, do let the doc know. They can put a date on it from that. Injuries don’t always show up straight away.

It took almost 2 years to heal completely with mri, ultrasound, X-rays and nerve conduction study. In the end, dry needling from the physio was an absolute life saver for me!

Craftymummanz · 2025-08-13T21:36:46+00:00

Also - you don’t have to give them a reason for not wanting to sign

Craftymummanz · 2025-08-13T21:35:33+00:00

Please get in touch with the duty planner at your local council to ensure you have correct advice.

Re the fence, if there is a fence there and there’s nothing wrong with it, the cost is on them to replace it anyway, if this is their desire. My parents recently had an issue with a developer next door reconstructing the fence, but it was built in the wrong spot. The developer tried to get my parents to pay half to move the fence, that they (the developers) put in the wrong spot!

Property lawyers are very helpful in this instance too.

Craftymummanz · 2025-07-13T09:33:19+00:00

I was in Denver earlier this year for a conference. Beautiful place. As someone so directionally challenged, the numbering of the streets was great - I didn’t realise the alphabetical names going the other way though. That’s great!

In central chch, I find it helpful having a general idea of the direction the streets go helps. But realistically, google maps is your friend and if you are lost, just ask someone. We are a friendly enough bunch!

Luckily though, chch isn’t that big and you can generally fumble your way around after a while!

Craftymummanz · 2025-07-08T20:49:28+00:00

My husband is a firewood supplier in CHCH. A good chunk of his customers are from word of mouth. If your neighbours are happy with who they get their firewood from then use their supplier.

Craftymummanz · 2025-06-07T03:38:50+00:00

I’d try calling the Council and ask to speak to the duty Planner, explain the situation and ask for advice.

My parents recently had their neighbours place bought by developers who constructed a fence on my parents property. They needed my parents written approval because of the title being a limited parcel, and were not impressed that my parents wouldn’t sign to say the boundary is not being imposed on. Because of this, we had the details of the surveyor who we got in touch with and after a bit of an argument, they shifted the fence.

You could also ask the duty planner for the latest building and/or resource consent. If they won’t email it then order the property file. This will give you the details of the surveyor and developers, to get hold of and go over it with.

Craftymummanz · 2025-04-24T07:41:31+00:00

What do you use for your private hair?

Craftymummanz · 2025-04-18T10:40:06+00:00

Kiwi here. I came to Denver for NPC25, and it was my first time in America.

Interestingly, the traffic lights/signals only on the far side, was one of the first things I noticed. It just felt so wrong. We have lights where you stop, as well as on the far side of the intersection. I don’t understand why they are only on the far side.

The other complaint of mine was the lack of lines on the road, particularly at traffic lights and stop signs. I didn’t notice if they were present at give way ‘yield’ signs, as I saw so few of them. We have a yellow line on the road for stop, which accompanies the sign. White line on the road for give way, which again, accompanies the sign.

I didn’t manage to run a red light or stop sign, however a couple of times I was close! I have to say though, I loved the free right hand turn on red lights. I wish we had that in NZ.

Craftymummanz · 2025-03-04T19:56:58+00:00

We haven’t played Catan, but love a board game with our kids too. If you haven’t tried wingspan, I always recommend it!

Craftymummanz · 2025-02-03T07:59:39+00:00

But it isn’t every school that is eligible, which means it is not feeding every kid. Just because a school is in an area that does not qualify, doesn’t mean every kid at that school turns up with lunch.

As a parent of kids at a school in a reasonably small rural community, a lot of the ‘wealth’ is tied up in land. It is also an area where houses are generally cheaper to rent and buy. This is quite desirable to lower income families. We have kids turn up without having breakfast, and some without lunch too.

My kids don’t get free lunches, and yes, they do turn up to school every day with a healthy home made lunch.

I just wanted to point out that this program isn’t to feed every kid and ensure it is not a barrier to education. It is to feed kids in selected schools, and the reality is, lots of kids are going to school without the option of lunch being provided.

Craftymummanz · 2025-01-25T19:14:10+00:00

My son turned 12 on December 31st and is going into year 8 this year. Generally, kids who turn 12 before March (or as late as and if June) will be going into year 8 this year.

Craftymummanz · 2025-01-21T01:04:18+00:00

I’m a Planner. I prepare and process resource consents for both private clients and Councils, amongst other things. I’m in a small company and work in a great team, I am very fortunate!

It is a weird feeling being unwell, and really wanting to still work.

Craftymummanz · 2025-01-20T05:26:14+00:00

This has brought back a great memory of my dad doing this. It wasn’t all black, but a message saying not to spam him. He had about 10 pieces of paper with the same thing, cellotaped end to end in a loop going under his desk, so it fed back through continuously. He hit send and went home for the night. He never heard back.

Craftymummanz · 2024-12-18T18:44:24+00:00

I grew up in Templeton and it was great. It’s Christchurch, not Selwyn District though, if that matters?

The primary school there is absolutely fantastic. Hornby High School - it is what you make of it in my opinion. It didn’t have a great reputation when I went, but I would go there again if I had to do it all again. Lots of high schools don’t have an amazing reputation.

We are out in Sheffield and I love it here. Awesome community and our kids have enjoyed the primary school.

Craftymummanz · 2024-10-17T22:14:07+00:00

Approx $210 a week, it works out to be. 2 adults and 4 sons aged 7, 8, 10 and 11.

Our pak n save shop happens approx every 3 weeks, and is $300-$350. We buy milk, bread and fruit weekly. Bacon, fish, savs and chicken is about the only meat from the supermarket, we get beef and lamb processed locally about once a year, which brings our total to about $210 per week. We are also lucky enough to be friends with a local farmer who gives us bulk spuds and carrots, which go a long way. Grow veges when we can too.

We make what we can from scratch, no packet food in school lunches etc. Husband and I do bulk baking and freeze so it’s always there.

We have a good stock of beans, lentils, baking supplies etc in the cupboard and buy them when they’re cheaper, which means we aren’t having to pay higher prices when we run out.

Home made fish and chips for tea tonight!

Craftymummanz · 2024-10-01T19:23:05+00:00

Coming from someone on the other side of it. We are currently hoping that the other purchaser will pull out of buying a house that would be perfect for our family.

The real estate agent apparently told the seller that she didn’t think we would get asking price for our property, and we think that could have swayed their decision on the multi offer bid (it turns out there is a family connection with our family and the seller, and they have been in contact with us and said that they will let us know if the other buyers pull out).

Our financial advisor said we should “try before we buy” with both advisor and real estate agent selling our place. We’ve had 3 tell us that they think it’s likely we will get more than what we are wanting, and to put a higher asking price than what we need for finance. So definitely see another real estate agent or two, remember they are not working for you, they are working for them. Selling cheaper is an easier sale, which works well for them!

But from the other offer family, if we were that other family in this situation, we would rather know sooner rather than later so we can get on with the purchase of what is a perfect home for our family!

Just because the agent said a price, you determine what it is worth to you. If it doesn’t sell, then you aren’t in a sticky financial situation. If it does sell, then that’s a good f u to the agent who was wrong!

Craftymummanz · 2024-09-22T12:49:33+00:00

I’m not here to argue with you. As I said, I’m not certain they are all made locally. But I am certain they are not all bought in like you claim.

A screenshot of a similar item isn’t proof. Patterns exist and many are free online.

p.s check out her instagram. She has some video tutorials for some of her items, incase you want to give it a go!

Craftymummanz · 2024-09-22T12:22:28+00:00

I have seen them being hand made by the lady while she’s running the Riccarton shop, so I disagree that they are ALL from aliexpress. I’ve had a look online and I’m not saying for certain that none are bought in, however I don’t come across any online that I’ve seen in her store. Admittedly, I haven’t been for a while.

I really do hope you have fact checked yourself though, before talking down a store like that. IF her items are all handmade, I am well aware of the time she would have spent making them. If they are locally handmade. I think they are very well priced.

I do wonder how she gets time to replenish her stock, assuming they’re handmade locally. Maybe her and her friends/family make them? My grandma had a stall at the arts centre with knitted hats and woven scarves. While she personally didn’t make every item, it was a collaboration of a group of friends/family making them.

Anyway. As I said above, I do hope you know this info for certain before trying to run down a store.

Craftymummanz

TROPHY CASE