Credit Crunch Christmas - how are you cutting down this year?

vodkawitch1

I bought lots of tickets in September for The Nutcracker at the ROH for 27th December, they were £6 each ( only in the slips but still lovely).

Not only are all the neices sorted and the sisters, but we can look at the sales afterwards.

kidcat

I have also decided to not buy any junk this year, just for the sake of giving someone who already has too much stuff, a gift. So far I have been to 4 big birthday parties this year (30, 40 60 & 60) none of them were in need of anything and most people bought them the same gifts over and over. This year I bought things like a cow or some chickens from age concern. They dont actually receive the gift, they get a certificate instead, someone in in the third world get the gift. Everyone I bought these gifts for have loved them and said they would now be doing the same at Christmas for their friends and family. Best of all these gifts start at £5. I plan on adding one each to a smalll gift basket for my parents.

wishus

My family and I have had the dreaded conversation...

It has been a bad year, so although I have a couple of token gifts stored up from the sales, it's nowhere near enough for everyone. I can probably make up one not very wanted present from that... it has been a year where my OH has got further and further into debt due to a bank error and subsequent charges (I've tried telling him about this site and claiming money back from the banks, but he says he as heard how it's not really working any more). I've lent some money, but it has just gone into the pit. Coupled with work I have to do on the house, I'm on the 'sweepings tea bags' and already cutting things to the bone just to get by until I can move in with him. Things will pick up nextyear, credit crunch or no.

... in the meantime, my parents are also finding things hard, and so are my siblings. My birthday was in August, and none of my family were able to afford to get me a present, and my brother's was in October and he has gone presentless too, so Christmas is looking grim.

It might be the last Christmas we get to spend together, though, as my brother is thinking of moving to Hong Kong next year, so we are going to spend time together. We will probably buy gifts for the nephews, but we have made a pact not to spend on us grown-up 'kids'.

I'm working on a book that I can give my family too - full of stories about us and some of the family tree research I've done a sort of miscellany. I don't think it will be quite done by Christmas, but it will be a nice gift that has taken time rather than lots of money. I'll get a few copies of that done on Lulu.

...and hey, in the old days, my mom only used to get an orange anyway!

Desi38

Christmas..is it that time already?!!! Every year as a family we discuss the option of cutting back and spending so much on each other....never works tho! This year my sister has booked us in for a pampering overnighter (only £66 Champneys, bargain) so we get to treat each other spend some quality time together and have a small pressie for the big day!

Another christmas tradition is pacing round boots and getting basket full of there 3 for 2 offers, they have so many gift sets to choose from for everyone it really does work out a bargain...and everyone likes (or at least expects) smellies at christmas, they make good stocking fillers and emergency presents when you have forgot someone.

Have a good one

NAT.B_2

Most years I always buy wrapping paper in the sales, and always gifts for friends ,family that I know I wont be seeing over xmas or boxing day. That in it self saved us loads last year.one of the items was a No7 gift set £15.00 was £35.
If you already know you def wont be seeing them what the point of buying it before xmas.( a family member of mine always hasa pile of prezzies for wks ). I look in charity shops for GC books for my nan, she loves them and it cost me hardly anything!

This year for dinner im cooking but going to ask family members to buy pudding.

We are only buying bigger gifts for our children, and smaller ones for other children and imdaite family (Or not lol)

I did say to the kids this year we was having a themed xmas 1920's but didnt go down to well! lol

Our bigger prezzis for the kids this year are going to be based on going out spending time together, not material items.

Alan_T_2

Being a non-christian (or indeed a follower of any other religion) it's just another day to me... no need to buy any extra crap that's not actually needed.

For those that are christian I definitely don't get why they do the big commercial christmas thing... I'm sure the 7 deadly sins cover greed....

*Louise*

Alan_T wrote: »

I'm sure the 7 deadly sins cover greed....

You may have a point there - but all the posters here are talking about what they are getting for other people, not what they are wanting for themselves

So we are all okay :rotfl:

Lauri_2

Hi,

Just watched this video about the credit crunch which explained what is happening really well - http://bigtom.biz/notebook/2008/10/credit-crisis-as-an-antarctic-expedition.html

Enjoy!

whitesatin

Alan_T wrote: »

Being a non-christian (or indeed a follower of any other religion) it's just another day to me... no need to buy any extra crap that's not actually needed.

For those that are christian I definitely don't get why they do the big commercial christmas thing... I'm sure the 7 deadly sins cover greed....

First of all, why are you bothering to read, let alone post, on a thread so obviously dedicated to this subject? I have been trying to work that one out and can only assume that you have nothing better to do.

It is up to individuals what they do with their money. If it gives them pleasure to indulge their family and friends then that, surely, is up to them? I bet if you listed ways in which you spend your time and money, we would all have our own thoughts on the matter but most of us would keep them to ourselves.

It must be wonderful to feel superior to us lesser beings. Hope you enjoy those thoughts on Christmas day when many others are surrounded by family and friends who appreciate the thoughts and efforts they have put in on their behalf. I am one of the lucky ones who feels appreciated all year round by family and friends and I like to take my opportunity to give something back by providing an atmospheric home for them to take time out from their otherwise stressful lives.

Bring it on..................

coffeehead

We are a family of 3 dd all under 5 and me and dh. We will definitely be cutting down this year. In fact I already did the xmas & birthday presents in January this year. I bought clothes items for virtually everyone. Good quality things that were reduced really well in Debenhams sale.
I bought dd's present last month via Amazon and Tesco with clubcard points I had.Then thru year I've been getting the odd xtra present for about 4 adults we buy for. We already don't buy for most of adults in family anyway it's really about kids which are lots of in my family.
I have been making edible gifts. My dh keeps saying i'ts getting tlike the "Good Life" & so on but I actually think people like homemade pies & biscuits anyway.
Xmas for us is all the family here 8-10 adults 4 kids all mucking in helping hands and moneywise.

Love all your posts and helpful tips. Thanks:D