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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
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…
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…
A Jolly Holly Christmas - It's the 2022 Christmas Chatter Thread!
Hello and welcome to the Christmas chatter thread 2022! Don’t be shy, come on in, take the weight off and enjoy a little chat! We are all Christmas lovers here and Christmas can be talked about at any time of the year, but there is also general chat from our day to day lives and it doesn’t always have to be Christmas…
The 'Happy Christmas' noteboard
Is there a Forumite you'd like to wish a happy Christmas to? Please tag them below by typing @ followed by their username. ✉️✉️✉️✉️✉️ I'd like to publicly send big thanks and best wishes for a merry Christmas to the MSE Forum Ambassadors: @BlueJ94, @Browntoa, @Misslayed, @Dizzy_Ditzy, @Dobbibill, @enthusiasticsaver, @Glad,…
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…
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…
Are you planning a community event/street party to celebrate the Queen's platinum jubilee?
During the lockdown in 2020 our street managed a very enjoyable socially distanced street party to celebrate the anniversary of VE Day, by setting up our own picnics on our driveways, and wandering down the middle of the road chatting. Children danced and rode their bikes or roller skated around everyone. We all made…
* Driving Home for Christmas * - It's the 2021 Christmas Chatter Thread!
‘I'm driving home for Christmas Oh, I can't wait to see those faces I'm driving home for Christmas, yea Well I'm moving down that line And it's been so long But I will be there I sing this song To pass the time away Driving in my car Driving home for Christmas’ Hello and welcome to the 10th Christmas Chatter Thread.…
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/
30th Birthday Present Ideas?
Hi there. A work colleague is turning 30 very soon and our manager is organising a collection for her. There will be 7 people in our department contributing (she may ask some people in other departments as it’s quite a big company). She has also said if we have any ideas for a gift to please let her know. Does anyone have…
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…
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…
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…
Fun and cheap advent calendar
This is a cheap alternative to all those expensive chocolate filled advent calendars. Great for crafters, who will enjoy making and decorating the calendar and far more fun for little children, as they make Santa's beard grow every day. Perhaps a sweet or other treat could be given for every cotton wool ball that's stuck…
Jingle All The Way - It's the 2023 Christmas Chatter Thread!
Hello and welcome to the 2023 Christmas chatter thread! I'm a little late in setting it up this year but it's here and and ready to talk all things Christmas and not Christmas! If you're new to the thread please pop in for a natter, we all love Christmas but are also here to chat about anything else going on in our lives…
Posting for Christmas.
I'm a postie and every year we get cards and presents that we can't deliver or more importantly return to the sender. If you are unsure of the address please, please put your return address on the back. Especially if children have sent the card to Grand parents. I remember I had one letter addressed to Nanny and Grampy,…
Christmas cake
We made several Christmas cakes last year. Usually we make about 12 to give as gifts but last year, we cut it to 8 as obvious travel restrictions meant we weren’t seeing the same circle of friends/relatives. I have just found 3 full 8inch cakes, in tins while clearing out the cupboard getting ready for this year’s. One…
Receiving presents for partner in the post without them knowing
My partners been through a rough 6 months with her elderly mother and I'd like to order her a few gifts as a surprise without her knowing. The only issue is she works from home so is usually her who takes any parcels/post/deliveries in. We don't really know our neighbours enough to ask them, and I'm quite a lone worker in…
Need help over the Christmas/New Year period? Some resources:
Christmas can be a difficult time for many. If you’re struggling and need one-on-one assistance, these resources may help. --- If you’re feeling down and want to speak to someone, you can contact the Samaritans. Call free at any time on 116 123, or text 07725 909090, or email jo@samaritans.org. For information about…
Ring door bell thwarting Secret Santa
Santa tells me he has two Secret Santa presents to deliver to recipients who have ring door bells. He is struggling to disguise his identity. (I know all Santas dress the same, but you know....). He can obviously park his sleigh round the corner, it's the walking up the path that is the problem. The elves are too busy to…

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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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