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

sistercas

I have started xmas shopping early this year to spread the cost, I have utilised sales ( pyjamas from la senza for £10 for SIL!)
I have made baskets for people
sock cupcakes and bath bomb reindeers
I have taken up knitting too

for xmas day I shall meal plan but wont scrimp and save but try and take advantage of the offers in the supermarkets

i thought i would do without a real tree but OH is adamant he wants a proper tree but at £30 a go I am quite happy to dig out the pretend one from the loft

rethom

I am with you. All this doom and gloom we might as well add to it. Forget Christmas and make all our lives a misery.

smithsj

cuddlymarm wrote: »

Hi

We've moved from a set ammount to something that we think the person will like. The children get more spent on them and everyone else gets small and thoughtful.

Foodwise it should be cheaper this year because both my boys now have their own places and are welcome to stay as long as they want but I plan to buy as I need it rather than be still eating Xmas food in March.

Also I'm buying bits every time I shop so that its not a total shock the week before.

Cuddles:xmassign:

Like you i have started buying food for xmas with my weekly shops to cut down on the massive bill the week before xmas. What caught my eye most about your post was your weekly shopping bill i would love to be able to spend that amount. I shop for two adults and use the moneysupermarket website but it still costs me £65 every week (food, toiletries etc) and thats without any alcohol!!!! I but a fair bit of fruit and veg but there must be a way of reducing the bill!!!! Please help with any advice.

Annie2_2

Hi new to this but need to say christmas will be bad for us. Been carer to both parents last 17yrs (part time 8yrs) and looked after own family to. Now need work and find that I dont exist. All employers want experience which I cant offer so no work yet. Still am tryer set up ebay account, bootsales ect. Oh and got that £5 for direct line quote!

whitesatin

Annie2 wrote: »

Hi new to this but need to say christmas will be bad for us. Been carer to both parents last 17yrs (part time 8yrs) and looked after own family to. Now need work and find that I dont exist. All employers want experience which I cant offer so no work yet. Still am tryer set up ebay account, bootsales ect. Oh and got that £5 for direct line quote!

Annie2, you must have lots of skills to offer an employer. The years spent as a carer must count for something, it takes true dedication to do what you have done. Unfortunately the caring services don't pay very well but it might be worth trying something like that, to begin with, if you haven't already done so. Also, schools are employing more and more teaching assistants both in mainstream and in special schools, so again, worth a try. You could even offer your services as a volunteer to get a foot in the door. Would need a CRB check of course but that would be up to the employer, I think.

I don't want to sound patronising, I am sure you have thought of these things for yourself but please don't give up hope. Times may be hard in the workplace but there is usually always a lot of work in the caring services.

Annie2_2

Thanks and sorry just having bad day!! Yesterday was a good day so who knows about tomorrow? Thought I might try to get work at Asda at least would have discount on christmas shopping! Husband works in Leisure and is stressed about credit crunch (up most of night saying he could be made redundant). So having to be strong one when I dont feel strong. Anyway will keep on fighting. Have to go to school play Charlie and the chocolate factory daughter not in it, just acting as make up artist. I might need making up as after last night I look like an umpah lumpah! Anyway thanks for letting me moan on

76rosie

i have been buying small gifts in the matalan clearance store buy one get one free.Also wilkinsons 75 percent off sale. But also my husband is now jobless too. My only real problem is i want to buy a laptop for my sister in law in Uganda who is at uni. Have no choice to wait for a bargain. Fingers crossed for some xmas cheer.

bargain-hunters-r-us

I started buying my xmas pressies in january so i'm pretty much done all but a few last ones... i collect Morrisons miles thru the year so that cuts my shopping bill down... i also support a little local business (pop man) in a van who i buy a few stamps from a week and i get childrens hampers so the kids are sorted... i also do online surveys and get vouchers ( 90 pound so far to buy other last min bits i need... i buy my warpping paper from poundland and i cut up last years xmas cards for tags then recycle the rest... also places like home bargains for families presents saves me a fortune

all in all a pretty cheap xmas

whitesatin

Annie2 wrote: »

Thanks and sorry just having bad day!! Yesterday was a good day so who knows about tomorrow? Thought I might try to get work at Asda at least would have discount on christmas shopping! Husband works in Leisure and is stressed about credit crunch (up most of night saying he could be made redundant). So having to be strong one when I dont feel strong. Anyway will keep on fighting. Have to go to school play Charlie and the chocolate factory daughter not in it, just acting as make up artist. I might need making up as after last night I look like an umpah lumpah! Anyway thanks for letting me moan on

Don't worry, we all have days like that. I hope things do get better for you soon though.

maiasopohie

Not stictly true, I have have got tickets for Mamma Mia in London so hope it will be a fabulous day out. But my 5 & 9 year olds will certainly wonder why there are no presents under the tree this year!