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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
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…
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…
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…
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…
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?
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…
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
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…
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…
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…
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…
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/
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…
Free Kids Summer Events
I've just seen that John Lewis are offering free kids events over the summer in all their shops, if you google John Lewis Events you can find them and book them.
Dress code question
Hi folks, I've been invited to a wedding that has a 'black tie' dress code. I don't own a tuxedo and nor do I even have a regular black suit! I enquired about hiring from Moss Bros - they said it's £160 for everything. I think that's quite expensive. Anyone else had a black tie do? If so, any tips on how to save money but…
Ninja Woodfire Outdoor BBQ question
Can anyone tell me how I can grill burgers on the Ninja Woodfire Outdoor BBQ and at the same time use the combo crisper to air fry chips? The Ninja website video shows a happy family doing just this but there is no info on what sequence of buttons to press. Someone wise, please advise me
Last night of the proms tickets
Hi all, Wanted to take my wife to the last night of the proms in London so was wondering if anyone could help with how I get tickets or any other tips on what to do and how to do it
Autistic 6 year old party
My Autistic daughter would really like a farm experience again for her birthday this year. The price at the city farm has gone from £90 for 10 kids to £140 for the same package. Doesn't include food; space hire & animal experience. Any ideas for something similar on a smaller budget? We're based on the outskirts of…

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MSE News

Warning. Five holiday booking scams to watch out for as over £11 million lost to travel fraud
Booking your summer holiday soon? Protect yourself from scams by watching out for clone websites, fake deals and bogus cancellations, as fraudsters to continue to use a variety of sophisticated methods to trick holidaymakers out of their cash.
Santander Edge customer? It's axing its 1% cashback on spending
If you've got a Santander Edge current account, you'll no longer earn 1% cashback on supermarket, fuel and travel spending from 9 September. The bank has today (20 May) confirmed it's axing the perk, though it will continue to pay 1% cashback on bills.
Martin Lewis: I'm a bit teary – we just got a win on changing hideous Council Tax debt collection
Miss one monthly Council Tax payment and within six weeks you can have bailiffs at the door asking you to pay the whole year's bill, plus extra on top. But in a win for MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis and his charity the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute (MMHPI), the Government has agreed to investigate these "catastrophic" debt collection practices.
Buy now, pay later protection one step closer – but Martin Lewis urges caution as rules not yet in force
New rules to protect over 10 million shoppers who use buy now, pay later (BNPL) services are on the way to becoming law. However, MoneySavingExpert.com (MSE) founder Martin Lewis, who has long-campaigned for BNPL regulation, is urging people to remain wary until the law changes take force.
Tesco shopper? You've less than two weeks 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: 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.

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Special occasions & other celebrations

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