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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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MSE News

Martin Lewis: Just got a win on hopefully changing hideous council tax debt collection that hurts millions
"Catastrophic" Council Tax debt collection practices – that can see bailiffs at your door within six weeks demanding payment for the whole year despite missing just one month – are to be investigated by the Government. It's a win for MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis and his charity the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute (MMHPI) who've campaigned against this rapid escalation.
Martin Lewis: Mobile and broadband mid-contract inflation hikes are BANNED – but there are winners and losers
Inflation-linked broadband, mobile and TV price hikes have been banned. It means some will see bills rise by a specified amount in pounds and pence going forward. However, MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis has warned that many WILL still see above-inflation rises in future despite the new rules.
'Catastrophic' Council Tax debt collection practices to be investigated by Government – Martin Lewis says move is 'brilliant news'
"Catastrophic" Council Tax debt collection practices – that can see bailiffs at your door within six weeks demanding payment for the whole year despite missing just one month – are to be investigated by the Government. It's a win for MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis and his charity the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute (MMHPI) who've campaigned against this rapid escalation.
MoneySaver's 'unbelievable' £675 refund from Complete Savings – how to check if you can claim too
MoneySaver Ray secured a £675 refund from Complete Savings after reading our warning about the 'cashback with a catch' site's misleading 'click to claim' ads. And Ray's not the only one, as we've been swamped with similar successes.
Origin broadband customer? You'll soon be moved to Utility Warehouse – here's what you need to know
If you're an Origin broadband and home phone customer, you'll soon be automatically transferred to Utility Warehouse – but your service will continue as before and you should keep paying your bills as normal.
Bank of England cuts base rate to 4.25% – here's what it means for your mortgage and savings
The base rate has been cut to 4.25% from 4.5% by the Bank of England. This rate is used by the central bank to charge other banks and lenders when they borrow money, so the move can impact mortgage and savings rates.
Is now a good time to fix your mortgage or should you wait? Brokers answer as rates continue to fall ahead of expected Base Rate cut
Interest rates on fixed mortgage deals have continued to be cut ahead of this week's decision by the Bank of England on whether to change the Base Rate. But will fixed rates move much further – and should you fix now or wait?
Fixed-rate mortgages continue to fall ahead of expected Base Rate cut – so do brokers think now is a good time to fix?
Interest rates on fixed mortgage deals have continued to be cut ahead of this week's decision by the Bank of England on whether to change the Base Rate. But will fixed rates move much further?
Martin Lewis: How to call your bank by dialling just three numbers
How to call your bank by dialling just three numbers… simply dial 1-5-9. Then you know it's legit. Watch MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis' video below, which explains it. And please share – the more people know, the fewer will be scammed.

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Special occasions & other celebrations

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