Im stressed about the cost of xmas

JimmyTheWig

Just wanted to agree with what's been said, really.

Grown ups are old enough to understand.
Do all your sisters have kids? If not, just buying for the kids is a bit unfair, but I'm sure you can work that out between you.

How old are the kids? Similar age to yours? In which case they're not going to care whether a present comes from Hamleys or Oxfam. If they're older you might find it a bit harder.

But do you know what? I think you're going to be fine. And I'll tell you why.
It's August and you're thinking about Christmas already, knowing that you have got to do it within your means.
That's plenty of time to spot the bargains and find the cheap present that is "just right" rather than an expensive present that will "do".

mum2one

I know it sounds daft, but keep an eye on the Argos website, they always have a clearance section, ite yellow box, black writing, click it and go in, if theres anything you like then if its available you can click and reserve and them go and pick it up from store.
I use cashback sites, as you dont always need to buy to get money back, do daily clicks.
www.mutualpoints.com
www.quidco.com
www.onepoll.co.uk

Sometimes it the little things that add up, my main mobile is pay and go, I top that up montly, always use Boots, get 4p back in the £1.00, sometimes theres offers of double points, triple points, they soon mount up.

Tesco clubcard - if you shop there, or if yours has a recycling machine, ours changed recently so it now gives 2 points per drinks can.

Re family, it sounds daft, but maybe there in the same boat, but stuck financially, and dont want to be the one to suggest it, incase they offend others, we did that with my mums side, when I and my cousin both had our daughters, I just said look with there being grandchild, shall we just get them, its worked a treat, nobody minded, they even said they wanted to say it but wasnt sure how to.

A good tip from a friend of mine, shes 1 of 5, theyve all got partners, so instead of my friend buying 4 presents for her siblings, then another 4 for thier partners, they do the secret santa, and the price you spend is pre set.

xx

melissa75_2

I wondered whether anyone else thinks its a good idea to have a separate xmas bargain thread on this board, where people can write details of any bargains they have found on products that could be put away for xmas. I know there's the grabbit board but nowadays I don't really look on there I just come straight to the special occasions board.

lilly81

I went to the charity shops yesterday and spent £10 on gift sets for my 3 sisters birthdays, I usually spend £10 on each of them!
My sisters have agreed to only buying for the kids this xmas.
im just glad that i finally admitted to myself that this spending couldnt go on!

sethsgran

I think we all see lavish presents as a sign of love but it is far nicer to receive a well thought over gift. I know I don't want my kids to go into debt for me so I'm sure that as they are nice people they will feel the same about what I spend. Lots of handmade this year for us.

full-time-mum

keep you eyes open in places like Tesco. Around this time they often reduce summer toys. The school stuff is all in at the moment so in a couple of weeks you may be able to put together pens/paper etc for not much. Check out the 99p shops for cheap stickers but avoid their felt pens etc as they don't last.

Do you have Tesco days out tokens? We gave our neices enough for them and their parents to go to Cadbury world. We made 'invites' on the computer and stuck them to bars of chocolate. There are loads of other options for Days out depending on where you are. There are also some Kids magazine subscriptions for between £6-£15 in Tesco tokens.

Find out when your local National Childbirth Trust holds their nearly new sale. You can get some really good second hand toys for next to nothing - certainly good for stocking fillers.

rainmac

melissa75 wrote: »

I found this offer: http://www.uwish.co.uk/content/multi-buy-list.cfm?offerid=75 its 7 dvds for £10, and delivery is free. Its mainly kids dvds that you can choose from, a lot of them are old cartoons. There's my little pony, transformers, digimon, inspector gadget, around the world in 80 days. There's quite a few to choose from. I got "adventures in babysitting" for myself too!

Brilliant offer Melissa! I've just ordered 7 for DS1 for Xmas to make a movie hamper for Xmas. He's Transformers mad so got 2 or 3 Transformer ones! Thanks for posting

rainmac

sethsgran wrote: »

I think we all see lavish presents as a sign of love but it is far nicer to receive a well thought over gift. I know I don't want my kids to go into debt for me so I'm sure that as they are nice people they will feel the same about what I spend. Lots of handmade this year for us.

Completely agree! I am making or looking hard to find cheaper things this year. Am enjoying the challenge and to be honest I think people will get nicer gifts from us this year as much more thought has gone into them

rainmac

melissa75 wrote: »

I wondered whether anyone else thinks its a good idea to have a separate xmas bargain thread on this board, where people can write details of any bargains they have found on products that could be put away for xmas. I know there's the grabbit board but nowadays I don't really look on there I just come straight to the special occasions board.

Melissa, I think that's a good idea, maybe two threads, one for adults, one for children? What does everyone else think?

I saw half price playdoh sets in Sainsburys yesterday - Sainsburys own make. Picked up a couple of boxed sets for £3.

SugarSpun

I've just seen a pretty cool Grabbit so if it's ok I'll start the kids' one?