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

h007

hello

i started my xmas spread sheet a couple of months ago as i also have alot of birthdays on the run up to xmas. i put all these on the same spreadsheet so i can see exactly what i have got and i also check last years to make sure i dont give people presents that are too similar.

i have been using the woolworths 342 offer along with the 10% off code so makes it extra worth while - along with in store delivery for free.

i made an early start this year ordering kids stuff from amazon in sept - which was extra handy as i got in just before the price promise ended and some of my items did go down in price too!

also collected the mirror vouchers for lego but having to send off as local woolworths never had it in. also will be trying to get some of the free books the mirror are giving away next week.

i think there is a general consensus this year not to go mad with the present buying too.

nataliejane1981

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....

Charming, I don't think! You may not understand the concept but it's nice to buy things for & spoil the people that you care about, and even more wonderful to have a good excuse to spend quality time with your family in this hectic world we live in when time is such a precious resource... Incidentally you may have heard of the "three kings" also known as the "three wise men" in the Christmas story who brought gifts to the infant jesus. The tradition of gift giving in Christianity is based on this but the midwinter festival is traditionally a time when gifts have been exchanged in many, many cultures & not even based on religion. After the harvest people used to have more time on their hands to spend on making gifts for their loved ones.. These days we sadly have less time but more money so it has become commercialised but not for everyone as you'll see from reading the boards....

On a related note - a lot of cultures exchange their gifts of twelfth night when Jesus traditionally received his. conveniently this is into the post-Christmas sales so perhaps a handy tradition to take on!

Nessa56

H007

i have been using the woolworths 342 offer along with the 10% off code so makes it extra worth while - along with in store delivery for free.

Where can I find that 10% off code please?

v
x

nataliejane1981

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:

Congratulations ) Though in a way you must be hoping the baby arrives on a different day so they get their own special day - a lovely time of year to be on maternity leave though!

We're expecting our 2nd child in April & DD is 2 at the end of January so all the more reason to cut back. Try telling DH that as he just loves to spoil her, little does he know the gifts we have for her are split between the 2 events! xxx

elastigirl

Hi im a long time lurker but i no longer work so have had time to join hoping to get lots of lovely ideas for xmas as we have 10 children and about 20 adults to buy for and with only one wage is going to be hard. It is really silly and i would like to just buy for the children but my dh's family who are better off than us don't like the idea. I haven't even started xmas shopping yet!

Pips_Mum

nataliejane1981 wrote: »

Congratulations ) Though in a way you must be hoping the baby arrives on a different day so they get their own special day - a lovely time of year to be on maternity leave though!

We're expecting our 2nd child in April & DD is 2 at the end of January so all the more reason to cut back. Try telling DH that as he just loves to spoil her, little does he know the gifts we have for her are split between the 2 events! xxx

Yep quite nice to be on leave and have the free time to make some presents and look in the shops for bargains and presents that really match the person not just something to give them!
Really hoping baby doesnt appear on Christmas day, unless Santa brings it all nice and pain free and gift wrapped of course:rotfl:
I am an April baby and I have always loved it, everything is spring and fresh and new. Congratulations x x

RoxieW

Nessa56 wrote: »

H007

i have been using the woolworths 342 offer along with the 10% off code so makes it extra worth while - along with in store delivery for free.

Where can I find that 10% off code please?

v
x

i think its saver10 - but google the forum and check

Primrose

Definitely no Christmas cake or Strudel type items this Christmas which don't get touched until January and then can't be eaten because I'm on a diet.
Overseas contacts will be getting an emailed letter instead of excessive postage for Christmas cards.
And we've all agreed amongst the adults we've got all the stuff we need so presents are being cut out.

pollys

We have agreed to buy a "family gift" instead of individual gifts for 5 families we usually buy for. We have set a limit of £5 per family and suggested biscuits or sweets!

clouds21

Hi everyone

Not sure whether this fits onto this particular thread but I have been doing this for the past couple of years with some girlfriends to organise a Secret Santa:

www.elfster.com

The modern version of pulling names out of a hat without the organiser knowing who's got who! And you can set your price limit, even do it for birthdays.

Just a small thing but it's free and quite useful for helping to organise a bunch of people!

Best, clouds21