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

whitesatin

I think it is all about being sensible and, a bit of a cliche, it's the thought that counts. I am just chuffed if someone gives me a little present as long as I feel that they have put some thought into it. I received some lovely presents the other day (not for Christmas), a selection of little things but all so well thought out.

Also, I would hate to think that anyone got into debt to buy me a present and I think that most people feel the same to be honest.

savvy

Hmm not sure if I'm cheating here, as this was what I was going to do anyway before the 'crunch' occurred

I've been getting more and more fed up with the commercialism and pressure of Christmas so have been getting a little bit more green or ethically minded, which has led to making nearly all the christmas pressies this year, some with recycled products AND christmas cards, and saving an absolute fortune into the bargain!! :j:j :T:T So people will be receiving personalised door hangars, raw chocolates, homemade sweeties and reindeer flannels this year

Don't forget to check out this sticky for links to homemade/crafty presents - from chocolate bars and sock monkeys to flavoured vodkas and wheat bags

savvy

LogJam wrote: »

Frankly, this thread puzzles me. Now, there are some people here who have posted that they or someone in their family have been made redundant, but for everyone else what has changed since last year? As far as I can make out in the forest of disinformation and rumour (otherwise known as the media) most of the financial "crisis" that we are seeing is about consumer confidence and isn't all this talk of how we're going to cut back at best a symptom and at worst the cause of this lack of confidence?

Well hang on there a minute, each of those unlucky to be made redundant are in a family, that family is then affected, which will then affect both sides of their families too, in that they may not be able to give as much as they have previously, and so the other sides of the family may want to reduce the amount they give so as not to perhaps cause embarrassment etc

And overall, we're seeing prices rise, call me cynical but I can't help think that some companies are potentally taking advantage of the 'credit crunch' and profiteering..............either way, there's been increases, and some people are finding harder to budget for, so again, they may be looking to cut back, which have an affect on those that they give to and so they may set limits etc too

And then there's my view in that we all spend and stress faaaaaaar too much over a very commercialised Christmas nowadays, so I want to cut back on carp that just ends up in landfill , and give more healthier and meaningful pressies - that actually saves me money that can be used better elsewhere

LouBlue

savvy wrote: »

And then there's my view in that we all spend and stress faaaaaaar too much over a very commercialised Christmas nowadays, so I want to cut back on carp that just ends up in landfill , and give more healthier and meaningful pressies - that actually saves me money that can be used better elsewhere

Totally agree. Credit crunch or no credit crunch, its got way too commercialised. I think its lovely to get back to what it should be, spending time with your loved ones, or on your own, whatever floats your boat, and if you do give presents, giving more meaningful thoughtful presents and just having a nice old time! :beer::D

clouds21

Hello everyone,

Here's a few ideas for the festive period! I really love this time of year, so maybe I can spread some goodwill!:j

A lady mentioned that she spent £30 on her Christmas tree, just wanted to say that my local market (London) sold 6 ft trees last year for £15, maybe it's worth checking out the local market in your part of the country?

Advent calendar:
24 toilet rolls (just the cardboard roll - get your colleagues collecting!!), designed to look like penguins with wee red, crepe hats, filled with litte gifts such as the free Lego toy from the Mirror, Cadbury's minibag buttons for 88p from Tesco, Smarties, little sandbag toys from Tiger, total cost: about £10, not cheapcheap but a great build-up to Christmas and such fun to make! All "birds" are to be arranged on an ice floe made of styrofoam. If I still have the enthusiasm I might make an igloo!! Have done 10 penguins to date.

Sadly, the above cannot be reused, so next year I'll probably do a Christmas tree with golden rings to tie stuff on.

I grew up in Germany and December was so exciting when I was wee, with Christmas markets, carol services, Adventskaffee every Sunday, advent calendars and putting my boot out on 6th December, I think it is so much nicer making it a proper festive season of goodwill than just focusing on one day. That day is more about spending with my family and going to church to sing carols.

Present ideas:
I'm going to make oat cakes and sesame biscuits (dead easy and soooo delicious, and healthy!) and put them in cellophane bags, tied with a nice ribbon - anyone ever made cellophane bags? Also, got some small jars of apple chutney which should be well marinated by Dec, homemade, with apples from my boyfriend's garden, so very cheap!

Chicken liver pate: dead easy and cheap to make but am not sure how you can preserve it, so it lasts longer than a couple of days.

Am really into mini foods at the moment, bought a mini loaf tin at TK Maxx on Sunday. Anyone got any good ideas for recipes? I've tried out welsh rarebit loavies and mini lemon & poppyseed cakes, delicious and very quick!

Boots: the 3 for 2 has to be on the list, but am waiting till next weekend as there's a big point giveaway.

My family really like books and food, so some are getting a bit of each.

Oh, for some of my female rellies I plan to ask a friend of mine who is a beautician to come round sometime between Christmas and New Year and do our nails. That's my present to the girls, and I'll cook them a nice meal. Am going to suggest to my sister that she should do massages for us as she is not working at the moment but she is a qualified masseuse. So it becomes a mini pamper day.

I'm afraid I have little imagination when it comes to some of the men in my family, I usually have bottles of wine on standby (from my supermarket jaunts when they have decent stuff on offer).

My cousin is really into film, so I'll take him to the cinema, using lastminute.com for Vue Cinema tickets.

Some of the younger members are more into their ipods etc, so it's pointless getting them something other than vouchers. We club together as a family, ie mum, dad, sis and I and give each of them a £20 voucher from all of us.

Another suggestion: at TK Maxx you can get some brilliant board games such as Absolute Balderdash or Cranium for half the original retail price and that makes a nice present to a whole family.

I hope I haven't rambled on but writing down all the ideas has got me into a very festive mood and I am raring to go!!!

Have fun and enjoy the festive season!

clouds21
:beer:

Pips_Mum

As my first baby is due on Christmas Day we have definately cut back this Christmas.
I have had to go on maternity leave early as I have been poorly but it has given me lots of time to make my own presents and to really look round town for nice, meaningful presents rather than just buying something for the sake of it.
I think even if there isnt anyone in your family that has been made redundant, every family has been affected by higher petrol , food and utility prices.
I too am looking forward to having a less commercial Christmas.:rudolf:

whitesatin

Pips_Mum wrote: »

As my first baby is due on Christmas Day we have definately cut back this Christmas.
I have had to go on maternity leave early as I have been poorly but it has given me lots of time to make my own presents and to really look round town for nice, meaningful presents rather than just buying something for the sake of it.
I think even if there isnt anyone in your family that has been made redundant, every family has been affected by higher petrol , food and utility prices.
I too am looking forward to having a less commercial Christmas.:rudolf:

How lovely, my first grandchild is due on Christmas day. It will be so lovely for you to have a new baby around that time. Best wishes to you and the baby. I wish you luck in your present hunt too.

Pips_Mum

Thanks for the nice wishes Whitesatin and good luck for your new arrival too.
The present hunt is getting slower by the week!!:D

WONDERFULWENDY

hi...new girlie here...

IRO Christmas, this year I will mostly be writing a list of people and possible presents... then sorting through my draws cupboards and storage for things to sell on e-bay ... I will then mostly be buying presents from the money made from sales of my old stuff....
IRO Immediate family, we club together and buy premium bonds.... a premium bond is for life not for Christmas

Lizbeth

I've started a spreadsheet of presents, which is great for planning what to get this year and in the future... thinking about thoughtful gifts is so much more fun than my usual uninspired rush and it also means I can shop around knowing what I'm looking for!

Looking at everyone's posts I need to start looking into freebie offers, getting loyalty points, doing themed hampers and making handmade truffles yum! I'm also saving to get items in the sales - especially items for next year's hampers! However I've just been to Matalan Clearance and managed to get toddler's t-shirts for 70p each (bogof so actually 35p!!), books for £1-1.50 and wrapping paper for 20p (bogof so 10p!).

Lizbeth wrote: »

I've just bought lots of 5m rolls wrapping paper for 20p at a Matalan Clearance store. And everything in store (except books) is bogof free at the mo... so 10p wrapping paper before xmas - bargain!!

They've also got Winnie the Pooh etc wrapping paper for 50p.

http://www.matalan.co.uk/pages/information/clearance-stores