Frugal Christmas is here

Don’t know about you, but as we tear November from the wall calendar, a sense of foreboding sets in — December: Christmas only weeks away!

Frugality often requires planning, and three weeks or so doesn’t seem like enough time. Never fear, oily rag suggestions are near!

Here are some ideas for a great frugal Christmas.

One oily ragger writes, “During the year I have accumulated lots of reward points which I am giving as gifts. In addition to the vouchers, I will make a food item for each person so they will get an edible handmade gift, and a recycled card. That’s what I call a frugal and stress-free Christmas!”

We reckon gift cards are a great way to go, especially when a suitable gift for that someone is not obvious. The great thing is that many oil raggers have squirrelled away reward points during the year, which can be converted to gift cards. So no cash outlay, and the lucky person receiving the card can use them in the post-Xmas sales to maximum advantage. It makes so much sense. Just a reminder that you need to allow a week or two for the vouchers to arrive in the post — so get redeeming!

We have also been having a think about what to do with all of those presents that are simply not loved. In days gone by, the prezzie currency used to be a bottle of wine — if not wanted it was simply given to someone else. Nowadays we notice that fewer people are drinking alcohol, so wine doesn’t always make the grade when trying to make an impression — unless it’s really expensive and the person receiving it knows it’s expensive! We think the new currency is a bottle of olive oil — a good quality cold-pressed boutique variety, produced locally. Locally produced honey is another great idea, and, even better, honey comb — yum!

But here are some suggestions to deal with the problem of unwanted presents:

■ Sell them and save the money or use it to buy something you need.

■ If you do give the present to someone else be careful that you don’t give it to the person who gave it to you! The easiest way to keep track is to keep the card it came with — or write the name of the giver on the parcel.

■ Return the gift or exchange it at the store, but you will need the receipt or an exchange card.

■ Donate the gift to a relative/friend or to a charity shop.

■ Use it for some other purpose. For example, if someone gives you an unusual shirt you could put in the fancy dress box.

■ Swap the gifts with others who also received “unwanted” presents. Here’s an idea: Christmas swap meetings — everyone gathers around on Boxing Day and exchanges stuff they don’t really need!

We have a challenge for you. Do you have any ideas for generic gifts that suit the person who is impossible to buy a present for? The oily rag community and millions of frantic Xmas shoppers would love to hear from you! We will post your suggestions on our oilyrag.co.nz website as soon as we receive them!

One great idea is a basket of fruit and veges — and eggs if you have hens or ducks — from your own backyard? Add some home-baking, and, hey presto, you have a perfect gift! National has supported the second reading of the Medicinal Cannabis Bill with future support requiring the Government to accept a number of changes proposed by the National Party.

National voted in favour of this Bill (last week), outlining that National’s future support depends on the Government’s acceptance of a number of Supplementary Order Papers (SOPs) that I will introduce during the committee stage.

This Bill, in its current form is loose and unworkable and has been widely criticised by the medical community, stakeholders and the wider public.

Ridiculously, the

Bill would make it legal for people with a terminal illness to possess and use cannabis but illegal for people to supply it to them.

Our SOPs will significantly improve this Bill and are based on the significant work that I have done on my Members’ Bill.

We want to that ensure New Zealanders in need can access high-quality medicinal cannabis products to ease their suffering.

The changes we are seeking would improve access and affordability including fast-tracking provisional MedSafe consenting of new medicinal cannabis medicines and pharmacist dispensing as well as creating a workable licensing regime.

We would not support the Bill permitting the smoking of loose leaf cannabis and have concerns for any medical conditions that are included in the Bill.

This should be left to experts and not politicians under the guise of medical need.

If the Government won’t work with National on making such improvements to the Bill we will not be able to support the Bill at any further stages.

The Government’s bill is poorly designed, rushed legislation which the media has called ‘legislative laziness’ and raises more questions than answers.

We want to work with the Government to fix this Bill to ensure that medicinal cannabis products are made available to New Zealanders who need them with an appropriate regime in place in a fraction of the time of their current plan. ■ Health Minister David Clark has proposed changes to the medicinal cannabis legislation that will extend its use to all people needing palliative relief, rather than just those with a year or less to live.

“It will mean many New Zealanders living in pain will have another option to find relief,” Clark said. Clark outlined the planned changes during the second reading of the Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill in Parliament last week.

The changes include extending coverage to those in palliative care; extending coverage to those with debilitating pain; and extending coverage to those with terminal illnesses.

"The great thing is that many oil raggers have squirrelled away reward points during the year, which can be converted to gift cards. "

"The changes we are seeking would improve access and affordability including fast-tracking provisional MedSafe consenting of new medicinal cannabis medicines and pharmacist dispensing . . . "