Christmas Savings 2014

myonlysunshine · 2 January 2014 at 7:03PM

Happy New Year Everyone :j

I LOVE Christmas! And since being a child I have always loved to spoil other people, ..however trying to get organised during the year I seem to spend a fortune from making the most of 'bargain' deals on HUKD on Grabbits board etc etc this has led to a huge 'present' cupboard which is great but still means I spend too money on things that are not necessarily saving me money!

I had made hampers for most people this year and they were just ridiculous, my husband rolled his eyes at me and said that I need to cut back (I agree) I still hadn't finished buying my own kids presents by December so I'm Definately not getting my priorities right either!!

I've just started a Direct Debit with Park Christmas Saving Scheme to run till November as I thought I will save money THEN just buy one present per person rather than buying 'bargains' during the year!

I have also opted to have all my tesco clubcard points saved till November, as I do most of my shopping there, does anybody have any more ideas with Christmas saving? I don't want to become a Scrooge as I still enjoy the giving aspect of Christmas, but its affecting our family finances which is just stupid!

Thanks for reading

littleredhen · 2 January 2014 at 7:05PM

I would use your tesco vouchers for going out through the year to save money I.e cineworld and pizza express, then you could put the money you have saved into a pot??
I would also make a list of what you want to buy people and tick off throughout the year as you get it

Linda32 · 2 January 2014 at 7:57PM

I would try to get out of the idea of making hampers or home made things. Its a lovely idea I know but I imagine costs an absolute bomb to put an hamper together.

Don't we all talk about BOGOF's, Whoopsies and 'wasting money on food shopping' etc then attempt to make an hamper to save money on presents.

Stick to a limit, say £10 per person and keep your eyes peeled all year. Make a list of people to buy for and put it somewhere where you will see it and keep it updated. Remember Birthdays as well

Regarding Tesco's vouchers, I save mine to use before Christmas and Summer Holidays. The double up scheme is no good to me so I spend them on normal shopping, (not buying a zillion extra things for xmas then never using them). Then use that weeks shopping money on presents or to top up holiday spending.

Jacksmummy · 2 January 2014 at 8:18PM

I also fell into the trap of buying lots of bits throughout the year last year and realised I spent an absolute fortune when the total costs were added up, so this year is going to be so different I'm determined to stay away from sales not even bought my usual stash of wrapping paper, cards or crackers

I too have joined park hampers this year, I've ordered £750 worth of vouchers, this will cover Christmas presents, food, ds's birthday presents which is just after Christmas and a few birthdays in feb, march, april and June.
I have my tesco club card points sent to me once a yr normally they arrive around Nov, this year I had £30 odd pound whe doubled up and a £20 off a £100 spend I managed to get ds a hudl tablet for xmas for a total of £24 so that was his main presents sorted but next yr I want to use the points to put towards a new tv for our bedroom, that will be mine and dh's xmas present to ourselves.

I've also started the £1 per day challenge the tin will be opened on new yrs eve along with another savings tin that any money made off sales either from eb@y or faceb00k for sale pages.

zippychick · 2 January 2014 at 8:20PM

Hi, we move threads if we think they’ll get more help elsewhere (please read the forum rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board. If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com"]forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL].

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myonlysunshine · 3 January 2014 at 12:58AM

Really appreciate your advice and ideas, think I will start the pound a day challenge too! :T

Reen73 · 3 January 2014 at 1:48PM

Hi I am a newbie, have been lurking on the OS and Christmas boards for a couple of years. I. LOVE. CHRISTMAS!!! But this year spent way too much on son and husband so this year I am joining you and will be keeping a sealed pot, selling on eBay and saving all supermarket points for the festivities.

I am also going to cut back completely as we are currently on a single low wage!!!

duloch · 3 January 2014 at 1:56PM

I save with variety for christmas vouchers, have done for a good few years now and it makes such a big difference for me. One thing I am changing (so far so good) is not to buy any stuff in the sales for birthdays and christmas. I usually find that I buy for the sake of it and come December I buy more presents, so this year I plan to just buy one present per person and take adavntage of the offers come November/December. I also plan to do the £1 a day challege

richardvc · 3 January 2014 at 1:59PM

We save and list all year - picking up bits and pieces as we go and it means Christmas is never a worry.

Please don't think I am being critical here but why do you need to save with Park ? Just open a small savings account and that way you are not giving your money to someone else.

One present we have done a number of times which is great is take people out for afternoon tea. We have a nice hotel around here that does it for £12 per head and it makes a pleasant afternoon out and you get to spend TIME with people rather than just a gift.

Anyway, good luck !

carlamarie_2 · 3 January 2014 at 3:04PM

I am going to give my mum £10 a week starting next week which she will look after until early December. I work it out that I will have £470. This is earmarked for panto, cinema, Father Christmas trip, any other trips, new clothes for Boxing Day (were a pj wearing family on xmas day) food and anything extra we want or need. £100 of this will also be for my nieces, nephews and little brothers christmas and birthday gifts. Anything left over will get family gifts.

I am also going to start the £1 a day challenge, until early December. This is with the hope that I can get my hubby and rest of my families gifts.

In a Addition to this, I am going into bank next week to open a savings account, any spare change at the end of the week will be transferred into the account. This is more an experiment to see how quickly it adds up.

Other than that, I will continue to pick up gifts throughout the year for my own kids which I find cheap and I know they will like. Then dh and I will make a list of what the kids want in November and he buys the bulk of their gifts.

I have struggled this year and hopefully these challenges will make next December a lot more comfortable for me, I just hope I haven't bitten off more than I can chew!

IrishRose12 · 3 January 2014 at 3:29PM

I'm thinking of looking into the Park Savings scheme also. Have to do a bit more research on it as I know nothing about it. I'm also going to look into the Tesco stamps saving scheme. Thinking of doing 4 cards, one for myself, one for my sister and one for my mum and one for mum-in-law, which will be £4 a week, then come December that will be £50 off the Christmas Shopping.

Am also going to do the £1 a day for Christmas presents and that should have me covered with money left over to spend elsewhere

I've already picked up some gifts for nieces nephews and other family members in Boots and Superdrug half price sales, and put them into a suitcase for next Christmas. The boots sets I paid with using my Boots points I saved throughout the last year.

Christmas Savings 2014

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