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

3plus1

Our family are playing the festive fivers game this year. You can't spend more than £5 on the present, including p+p if you get it online. However, if you happen to have any loyalty points or old gift vouchers lying about, you can use those as a 'free spend'. I've got some ipoints, Boots points and Amazon vouchers that will help.

Have been trying to blag as many freebies as possible - got an Aptamil polar bear the other day that will go towards my niece's present.

I'm really enjoying the challenge of getting as much as possible for free or cheap! I think I'm going to make some presents this year too - have been sending off for fabric samples, so maybe some stockings.

I've lived in Scotland too long, I think!

tartantotty

I am determined not to overspend this year, as as well as christmas we have a wedding to go to on dec 27th, which involves a 2 night hotel stay! My OH is best man, so wants to give a decent gift etc.

Presents this year - my OH and I have agreed a £60 limit for our presents to each other, I am going to making flavoured vodka and retro sweet boxes for friends and family, and doing most of the other pressies in New York, as I am going there next month so will be getting make up/scarves for the ladies and t-shirts for the lads (using my ebay and carboot money!!)

I have made my christmas cards, and bought one pack of charity cards as I have benefitted from their support in the past and wanted to help the, although its in a small way!

Going to be at the OH's for xmas dinner so will take a tin of sweets that are on offer

As for wrapping - 2 years ago I was in a bad financial situation, so used the Financial Times as my giftwrap as an ironic twist to my situation! I used lots of cello and ribbon that I had too, and it looked great! SO I am going to do the same this year!! :rotfl:

Lillibet_2

We're having a 2nd hand/recycled/home made Xmas this year. all presents have to be either 2nd hand from charity shops/ebay/car boot sales etc, or recycled in (some way (hubby is making bird tables etc out of an old wardrobe) or home made like paintings, knitted items etc. No point me making cakes & goodies as I come from a family of chefs but otherwise this would tick the box too.
Food as much as possible we are going to support local indpendent businessess who need the trade instead of the supermarkets so butchers, greengrocers, farm shops etc, to balance this out against cheap supermarkets it's a case of buying sensibly & making sure meals are padded out with home made rolls, stuffing etc. Wine comes from friends of my parents who own a share of a vineyard, otherwise we'd go the Lamberhurst vineyard in Kent & buy direct from them.
Decorations we tend to reuse every year anyway. I've never honestly understood the need to buy new decorations when the last set are fine? The only one we buy new every year is the Sworvski annual Xmas star which is an ongoing set which we are buying for our son for when he is older, this will be our biggest single expense at £45.
Cards are always home made, either a computer printed festive family photo or made with love by my 3 year old (so it doesn't matter if they are "rustic"!), plus I'm going to recycle some old Xmas PJ's into reusable gift bags intead of using lots of gift wrap, and really big pressies don't get wrapped at all.

HTH;)

whitesatin

I use a John Lewis Partnership card all year long and keep the gift vouchers I earn towards a huge Christmas shop in Waitrose. I usually have about £100 worth of vouchers which, added to a normal week's shop, allows for a good few indulgences.

Last year, I sent a JL hamper to my son and daughter in law. It was full of lovely stuff and, here is the best bit, I got it half price online a few days before Christmas. It arrived in good time and was a great surprise for them.

I will look out for similar bargains at the last moment this year.

whitesatin

Can I ask, what is Home and Bargain, I like the sound of the Thornton's mis shapes. Might even have fewer calories. LOL

Lenny_bun

For me, it's pretty much same as usual. I'm not a tight wad but I don't go overboard at Christmas and never have done. I'm never in debt the following January - here's how I've coped through student life, unemployment etc.

- Instead of unrecyclable wrapping paper use red or green tissue paper and use stamps to decorate.
- re-use things like present bags, bottle bags
- ask people for what they want and buy that - not lots of things they won't want and won't use
- set a budget for each person and make a list of people you're buying for
- start saving as soon as you can even if it's only £10 a week or something
- save up clubcard points etc
- make things for people who are difficult to buy for e.g. my uncle loves my homemade fudge which is very easy and quick to make.
- Set menus for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and only buy what you need and will use.
- the earlier you shop the more you can take advantage of 20% days in the lead up
- if you have kids; £1 shops are great sources of stocking fillers and hardly anyone can tell, also, get them creative and making biscuits, tree decorations etc
- if you don't have kids you can still do the above
- collect fir cones to decorate your house with and spray them silver.
- buy locally produced food. A little good quality food means you'll enjoy it but won't be moaning about putting on weight.

I could go on, I love Christmas! And even with a large family it rarely costs over £400.

deano1964

I write down things people mention they want/need throughout the year and buy what I can on ebay or in sales. Have to make sure to tell their other half not to let them buy it after you have! Doesn't always work, but at least they get what they want.

Chelsea-lou-lou

We all got together this weekend to chat about the dreaded C day!!! And we came up with a plan....

We are a little bit competative, our family, so we have set christmas as a competition!!

We will all buy each other gifts, bit no one is allowed to go over £2.50 per person! The challege is "Who can get the best/funniest/biggest present for £2.50"

I think it should be quite amusing! Although - thinking on that, Boots have great 3 for 2, so you should be able to get a few items there! And the Debenhams sale is BRILLIANT at the moment....

We are all a little older and I appreciate that this may not work if you have little ones, but it's a good idea I think for slightly older families...

Make Jam?
Make Biscuits?
Revamp old photo's of the family and put them in a new album for Nan?
Make baubles out of old Christmas Cards?
Primark is great for accessories for young girls?

Anyway - just an idea.

But most of all - have fun!
xxx

Nessa56

Lenny_bun wrote: »

- make things for people who are difficult to buy for e.g. my uncle loves my homemade fudge which is very easy and quick to make.
quote

Any chance of the recipe please, my OH loves fudge

thanks

v
x

Chelsea-lou-lou

Sorry - one more thing!!

DON'T send chirstmas cards this year. Set aside 2 eveings (I know it will take me that long) and PHONE the people. I bet it's months since you last spoke to some of your Christmas card list, and how nice a phone call it would be!! Catch up before Christmas and save a few pennies (and trees!)

(Only if you have free eve and weekends on your phone tarrif!!)

xxx