What's the cost of Christmas?

savvy

rchddap1 wrote:

I'm not actually the girls mother....I'm their dad's fiance / partner. So who is the bigger mug? In the past the girls' families wouldn't sort anything...and so I had to. Couldn't leave it so that he got nothing. Most of the time he knew it came from me. Last year was a wallet (that he'd asked me for). But the big surprise was the photograph inside....had him in tears and I got a big hug (and a few brownie points) :j

However, one is now 16 and the other 13. Dad is trying to get through to them the importance of being careful what you spend your cash on...so it seemed like a good idea. What the results will be who knows.....

Awww nice one rchddap1!! See it's those little inexpensive thoughtful touches that make all the difference!! ANYONE can buy a pressie, but not many can make it special!! But you're def not the mug........................cos you are actually with him.

I now leave it up to my 13 and 17 yr olds to sort their dads out, and their respective grandparents too (yep used to still buy for them too, but last year will be final year now!).

Sarahsaver

about £60 each on the kids, which is double what it was last year! They won't notice, and its more of a challenge getting things they want within a tight budget. Ds1 has a gameboy off ebay, with some accessories, and ds2 has a go-kart i got using voucher codes from lx direct. DD has a karaoke machine. What HAVE I let myself in for? Friends and family are getting bottles of wine, odds and ends from the pound shop and homemade pickles. Makes me a 'B' just about???

Edinburghlass_2

savvy wrote:

AND to celebrate the birth of my biological father on the 25th Dec, whom I have only known for just under 5 years now, and who has survived eternal damnation from my annoying mother!!!!!

And me :hello:

Glad

I'm a (d) and that's after all the savings via MSE, but I love Xmas

Ticklemouse

Whoops - I'm definately an 'E' this year

I don't go for spending huge amounts on the kids when they won't or don't appreciate it. They are getting what they want (bike/scooter) as well as other goodies but have shopped carefully and got some fantabulous deals.

However, this year has been particularly difficult for me, with 2 close family deaths a couple of months back. Mr TM has chosen an electro-acoustic guitar + amp, so I decided I would treat myself too (I'm fed up of not spending on me!!) so I've bought myself a bike (£350 second hand :eek:) plus helmet/clothing etc. I have budgeted hard and I know I will be getting some money from an inheritance soon too.

Also, MIL and SIL are coming to stay over Xmas (better get shares in Smirnoff) I also buy for sisters, BIL's, neice and nephew and 7 assorted other kids as well as 2 mums.

savvy

Edinburghlass wrote:

And me :hello:

......and since WHEN did meet with eternal damnation from my mother?????








Awww I'll be away for your birthday that means!

Former_MSE_Andrea

Below are the results to our previous poll. Thanks to the 1882 participants who took part in this poll.

Previous Poll Topic: Poll Started 15 November: What's the cost of Christmas? How much do you think you will spend this year?

c. Serious Santa: £250 - £500 34% - (641 Votes)

b. Secret Santa: £0 - £250 29.9% - (564 Votes)

d. Stupendous Santa: £500 - £1000 22.8% - (430 Votes)

e. Mother (of a) Christmas: £1000 plus 7.9% - (150 Votes)

a. Santa who?: £0 we don't celebrate 5.1% - (96 Votes)


Total Votes: 1882

ceebeeby

I think I gladly missed this previous thread - £300 per child, £300 for hubby, £50 Mum's and Dad's, £20 on nieces, nephews etc. (lots) and £X,000 on tickets to Africa to visit family. BUUUUT ..... In my defence when chatting at work recently (we've all got kids roughly same age (8, 12, 12 & 17) I was the one that spent the least per child .... one of my colleagues (AND GET THIS!!) spent over £2000 PER CHILD last year, and is planning the same again this year.

What I can say for absolute sure is that my New Years Resolution will be to delve deeper into this website and find ways to keep the quality but reduce the costs next year (we're obviously not skint, but not flush either ... and we do have a very hefty CC bill that I'm not quite up to admitting just yet!)

A very Merry Christmas to you good savers - I'm actually frowning at myself right now!

*Louise*

I went for E....but only just!

Presents for 2 kids: £500
Each other: £150
Parents: £120
Nieces/Nephews:£85
Brothers/Sisters: £30
Grandparents: £40
Cousins: £25
Aunt £10
Food: £150

Quite a large family, hence the cost, but none of it is on CC's, because I saved up since July to pay for it all.

It was worth it!