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Special occasions & other celebrations

Discover and share MoneySaving ideas for presents and decorations for all kinds of festivals and special occasions.

Special Occasions & Other Celebrations Index
Relevant content from MoneySavingExpert.com * Birthday freebiesFree ideas to celebrate Valentine's DayDating at a distanceTop designer clothes rental sitesWrapping presents sustainablyFree printable Christmas gift chequesChristmas MoneySaving TipsFree Bonfire Night celebrationsDIY fireworks display
Frosty the Snowman - it's the 2025 Christmas thread!
Hello and welcome to the 2025 Christmas chatter thread! Better late than never I say! If you're new to the thread please pop in for a natter, pull up a chair by the fire and get yourself a hot chocolate - we all love Christmas but are also here to chat about anything else going on in our lives and offering each other…
Not dropping Santa down the chimney!: 2025 Santa, Shoebox & Life Chit,Chat,Chunter! ALL welcome....
Welcome to the shiny new thread which has a slightly different title and I have just updated the date! Now 2025 Santa's Challenge was set up by Mum2one some years ago but sadly she hasn't posted on this forum for a couple of years, so now we are on our own. We remember her, her Mum and daughter with fondness and hope that…
Express Chocolate Cake
Hi everyone Years ago I found a recipe on the forum for an express chocolate cake that was the nicest chocolate cake I’ve ever had. I’ve lost my note of the recipe and can’t find it on the forum. All I remember is that it was a mix of milk and oil rather than using butter. Does anyone know the recipe I’m talking about?
Money Moral Dilemma: Should I stop sending birthday cards and money to my brother's ungrateful kids?
This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks... I don't have children, but my brother has three. I send birthday cards with money in for the children every year. I very rarely get a 'thank you' from any of them and I'm lucky if I get a birthday card from my brother, while my partner of 10 years never gets one. My partner…
Faster payment scam - wedding dress
Looking for a little bit of hope while I wait for the banks decision on a wedding dress scam. I went to my wedding dress appointment, staff were lovely, found the dress and was very happy. I'd replied to an email from the shop to say I'll go ahead with the dress and we exchanged a few emails back and forth. A few weeks…
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer - it's the 2024 Christmas chatter thread!
Hello and welcome to the 2024 Christmas chatter thread! I honestly cannot believe it's now 2024, time really does fly! If you're new to the thread please pop in for a natter, pull up a chair by the fire and get yourself a hot chocolate - we all love Christmas but are also here to chat about anything else going on in our…
A colleague gave my gift to the wrong colleague in my absence, should I have said something ?
I left a few small Christmas gifts in the office for some colleagues (fully named correctly and obviously)- who were initially absent but may receive it when they returned from being ill. I was then ill and was absent for some time too. Upon returning a colleague -A, thanked me for their little gift, which confused me as I…
What are you spending more (or less) on this Christmas?
I'm sure we've all seen things on the shelves and thought 'how much?!' Sometimes a price rise is so big that it makes you reconsider whether you really want or need the item at all. Which seasonal items will you be cutting back on this year? Or which treats are non-negotiable and you'd be prepared to pay extra for? What…
Tiny Budget Christmas (Gifts excluded)
We've had a couple of situations come up and now have to do Christmas on a tight budget. Luckily, we have the majority of our gifts sorted already. However, the problem lies with the rest—food, decorations, festive fun, activities, etc. I am still figuring out where to start, and I'd like some advice or tips on how to make…
Which Christmas traditions from around the world have you incorporated into your family's customs?
Many families have their own Christmas traditions whose origins are lost in the mists of time - for example, in my family we exchange 'tree presents' - small presents attached to the Christmas tree - on Boxing Day. During one of the lockdown Christmases my wife's sister-in-law - who is half Danish - got the whole extended…
Is it a bit weird that I want to visit my old high school?
I really enjoy doing things that trigger nostalgia and I've visited virtually every place of significance I've been to since I was a child. I visited the house I was born in (only the outside), previous holiday destinations, my first job location, other job locations, the place I slept when I was homeless etc. They trigger…
Christmas Card Etiquette
Hi - a bit late for this year - but... I like sending cards - some handmade - but am also mindful not to just keep sending regardless - currently do about 70 and get 40+ back (but some are to kiddies or older folk that I don't expect a return card from). I was wondering what is the way of handling some people that now…
How to send Xmas money to Canada from the UK, safely?
I have a dear friend who is in her 90s so doesn't have online banking. She wants to send £100 as a Xmas gift to family in Canada. How do we do it safely and easily? Possible without asking for the other person's banking details so it can be a surprise. Money Order? Money Transfer? Other method? Best company to use? Is the…
Advice on what to choose
I am looking to buy a cuddle cushion as a gift for someone for Christmas It has to be washable I have looked at so many but they all have mixed reviews. Does anybody have any personal experience or any ideas Many thanks
Need some advice for Gifts !
Hi I am taking part in the Dunelm Delivering Joy and need some advice and ideas as a single person with no children I have picked up the following tags and would like some help with some ideas ! 1. A boy aged 5-6 who likes puzzles I have a wizard and a cowboy puzzle 2. A girl aged 5-6 who likes puzzles I have a fairy…
40th birthday question
Hi i was hoping you might be able to offer me some insight into this. My two close mates are having their 40th and going to London, staying near their supported football club and doing things like going to shows etc. One of them said we could see Gladiator on my birthday but my money is low so I said it’d depend on…
Gifts for Step Grandchildren
My son's two step children are grown and have left home - ages 24 and 19 and I am wondering if I should still buy them a Christmas gift. My son and daughter in law now live abroad so we won't be together as a family with the boys, who live in this country, any more. They live quite a distance away from us so getting a gift…
Secret Santa
What are your thoughts on Secret Santa presents for all adults in the family ( So you just buy 1 gift) then have extra money for children
24 days of grüum advent calendar. Worth over £260 Now £50.
It’s bursting with 24 luxurious surprises worth over £260, but today it’s yours for just £50! With a full-sized product waiting behind every door, this is your chance to grab a glorious selection of grüum gifts. Plus includes free delivery. https://www.gruum.com/offer/advent-calendar/
Wrapping presents sustainably & cheaply 🎁
MSE Rhiannon's blog gives some ideas about wrapping presents for Christmas (or any other special occasion): Wrapping presents sustainably - how to reuse or recycle paper and fabric to save money and help the environment It includes: * Top tips on how to reuse wrapping paper * When is wrapping 'paper' not recyclable? * The…

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Winter Fuel Payments extension confirmed for this winter – watch Martin Lewis' instant response and his message to the Chancellor
Winter Fuel Payments will be extended to more pensioners this winter – though not to everyone – the Chancellor has today confirmed. However, exact details of who will now qualify still remain scant. Watch MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis give his instant response, as well as his key message for Rachel Reeves.
Nationwide Fairer Share: Free £100 bonus confirmed for 2025 – here's who will get it
If you bank with Nationwide, you could get a free £100 paid into your account in June or July as part of the building society's 'Fairer Share' scheme. The bonus will be paid to millions of its current account customers who also have savings or a mortgage with it.
Forced onto a prepay energy meter? You may be due money back as 10,000s to be compensated
If you had an energy prepayment meter forcibly installed or your smart meter was remotely switched to prepay mode without your permission, you could be entitled to compensation of up to £1,000 and may even be eligible to have your energy debts written off.
Tesco shopper? It's your last chance to use £15 million worth of Clubcard vouchers – or extend them with our trick
If you've got a Tesco Clubcard, check if you have any vouchers close to expiring, as nearly £15 million-worth are due to run out on Saturday 31 May. Don't want to spend your vouchers yet? We've got a trick to extend their validity.
Nationwide Fairer Share: Free £100 bonus confirmed for 2025 – here's who will get it
If you bank with Nationwide, you could get a free £100 paid into your account next month as part of the building society's 'Fairer Share' scheme. The bonus will be paid to millions of its current account customers who also have savings or a mortgage with it.
Misleading Child Trust Fund claims ads BANNED after MSE complaint – here's how to trace yours for free
Misleading Child Trust Fund (CTF) adverts that targeted young people on social media have been banned following a complaint by MoneySavingExpert.com. The Turner Lewis Ltd ads claimed savers had "nothing to lose" despite the firm charging possibly £100s for its services.
Last chance: Aged 20 to 25? Trick to get a FREE four-year railcard worth £100 from Santander
If you're aged 20 to 25, there's a trick right now that can get you a free four-year railcard worth £100 via the bank Santander – but you'll need to be quick as the offer ends on Friday 30 May. MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis takes you through it.
Tesco shopper? You've just DAYS left to use £15 million worth of Clubcard vouchers – or extend them with our trick
If you've got a Tesco Clubcard, check if you have any vouchers close to expiring, as nearly £15 million-worth are due to run out on Saturday 31 May. Don't want to spend your vouchers yet? We've got a trick to extend their validity.
Martin Lewis: Are you one of 800,000 parents missing out on up to £2,000 a year towards childcare costs?
If you pay for childcare, whether just for the summer or all year round, watch this urgent video briefing on the help that's available.

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Special occasions & other celebrations

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