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

LouBlue

Amanda65 wrote: »

This is really interesting as it seems that everyone I speak to, as well as loads on here, are all talking about going back to the real spirit of Christmas ie fun with family and friends, rather than a major spend-fest.

That's what we do every year anyway. Granted, there are only 9 of us to buy for, in total, thats the whole family (including relatives) and we spend a little more on the kids (3 of them in the family), but we just spend token amounts on adults. Its not about amount of money spent on each person, but about spending time and having fun with your loved ones. Well it should be anyway.

Myrtle

I'm trying to shop smarter, buying presents from places like Home Bargains. I've also got lots of tokens from various survey/click-through sites. I use brown paper and parcel labels for wrapping. I think I'll raid the kids craft box and get them to help me make cards. I've got enough decorations to fill two houses anyway but I like to keep up the tradition of the kids choosing a new one each every year.

All my family come to us on Xmas day. This year I'm going to ask them to all contribute something like food or drinks. I'm a veggie so usually make a chestnut roast. This year I'm going to pick my own!

1sue23

I have decided not to do Christmas this year I am opting, out egg and chips lolling around on the sofa with a glass or 2 of wine ,now that I have made the decision I am looking forward to a stress free holiday.

furrypig

Well I gave over 70 Christmas presents last year!! Frightening really but I get very carried away with getting something for loads of people!! This year I have taken about 12 people off the list to buy 'big' presents for. Also I'm planning (if I ever get round to it!!) to make some of the smaller presents I'm giving people eg flannel reindeers snowman soup etc etc. Have meant to make them in the past but my good intentions go out the window, have bought all the bits to do them this year!!

zulubabe

Cutting down on presents as we always have dinner at OH's parents

jackomdj

I spread the cost by buying throughout the year & almost always get things just in the sale. I do have a lot of people we buy for & I enjoy getting just the right present at a good price. Started in the Next & Boots sales!

We always get a huge free range turkey from the butcher which works out expensive but we have stew for a few days after (one of my favourite bits of Xmas - turkey stew & dumplings).

This year it looks like it is just the 4 of us for Xmas day & boxing day so we won't be getting too much extra food in. I always get the food Nov & Dec & get whatever is on offer, ie already picked up a tin of sweets. Basically I start food shopping once DD has had her birthday on 24th Oct.

Nicky

spankymonkey_2

to be honest i don't think there is any scrimping to be done when it comes to cards and wrap when poundland sells it so cheaply......making presents is a good idea though, it does make the present more personal! :T

papworth

OK I confess - I have been Christmas shopping at the car boot. In my defence I got a Champagne bucket that I'm going to include with a bottle of fizz and wrap up in cellophane. I got a Debenhams glass set (last years I assume as he was selling loads) marked £10 but I paid £2. I got some toys for my children some of which were still sealed/never used. I got quite a lot of new/nearly new books for presents. The new ones were from a trader again and were slightly shop soiled - they cost 50p each and the children's books were 10p each.

mummyof2girls

We are spending less on our daughters, and buying things that we know they really want, not just what we think they'd like! Basically they are getting 2 main pressies & some little pressies, to a budget of £100 each.

I'm making hampers for MIL, granny & my niece, and budgetting £20 each for our nephews & FIL.

I'm doing a simpler Xmas dinner this year, and not buying as much Xmas food that we never eat!! I might even give the tin of sweets a miss.....we always polish them off way too quickly!!

Pookie_lou

Like many others, I shop in Home Bargains and Bargain Madness, its so cheap and brilliant for children that I have to buy for.

My family have put a budget in place this christmas, and we are making hampers for OH family, and adding a few hm things in them like relish, fudge and shortbread to keep the costs down.

I think preparation is the key this year for me, plus being organised and of course shopping around for the best deals.