i LOVE christmas but .........

System

almost lost hubby 3 months ago still in hosp but on the mend thats why we are doing things differently from now on ,both hubby + DD want chicken + rice for christmas day lunch ,we dont like christmas cake/pudding so for the 1st time ever im not stressing about it .we dont buy for over 18s so my pressie list is down to 5, next year it will be 2 + DH/DD .

glitterycloud

we are going to Yorkshire for christmas to be with dh extended family, therefore we wont be getting any christmassy food in, also trying to loose weight so dont want any tempting things around!

I started shopping for xmas presents a few months back so i pretty organised and have enjoyed every minute of bargin hunting!

I agree with going back to basics at christmas, shame my extended family dont agree! there is an agreement that we only buy for others children in the family but as i dont have any they buy for me and dh.
If i go to my mums (as i have done past couple of years) there is always enough food and alcohol to last a month for the one day, which is totally rediculous!!! - give me a normal meal any day

shelovestobuystuff

I agree with the OP on cutting out tat,I usually spend a good deal of cash on rubbish,novelty gifts,humerous gifts and such like,the stuff you only ever see at xmas, and will not be doing any of that this year.Instead I will be spending my money on quality gifts and not worry so much about giving an impressive volume of stuff.I want to cut back on what I spend and will make savings where I can.I will also be cutting out the many dessert choices we normally have with xmas dinner as most people are too full to bother.MIL always makes fruit dumpling and apple pie anyway so no need to spend on puddings.
We may not have a real tree this year either although that will be a difficult item to drop from the xmas spend,I do so love the smell of a real fir tree but at about £50 for a 7ft tree it is a big expense.I do use the lower branches to make my own door wreaths and mantle decoration though so maybe I will be able to validate the spend afterall?