Great "How to have a cheap Xmas if you've kids" Hunt

RoxieW

I agree with susan frost - people are over thinking this completely. In my house its simple - we buy the gifts, send them to santa and he delivers them IF the children have been good. If not he gives some of the gifts to other good children. My boys ask for everything they see off of the tele but most of it is long forgotten as soon as the advert finishes and I just buy them what I think they'll enjoy and get use out of. If they ask for something specific repeatedly in future then I'll get them it. If they ask for anything that we cant afford I say that its too expensive and find an alternative.
I dont really agree with all this talk about financial crisis/debt etc. they're grown up worries. Xmas should be magical. Although we always do charity shoeboxes and send a gift to the child we sponsor to keep things in perspective of how lucky they are, there's no need to go OTT.

damncat

I have managed to escape the stocking scenario for the last 11-odd years...eldest daughter at one stage went to an Italian nursery and came home full of tales about classmates having an embroidered advent calendar (with name etc) and a small present each day. Needless to say, the other two followed suit and I have just finished making a calendar for my three year old grandson with small stuff to send to France - along with 24 bits for original daughter to hang on hers! My daughters get things all year and have never made a fuss about Christmas or birthdays, though for the latter I always take them out to dinner at a 'proper' restaurant. My younger one has read the print off the Argos catalogue this year but is in no doubt that it just is an amusing way to spend time. I have one good thing this year though; their father has reappeared after 13 years total absence, so I decided that expensive requests should be directed thataway. I don't have 13 years' savings, obviously; they all went on electricity bills and food. So I hope they get something they want from him (I vetoed the idea of a diary - his suggestion - as being paltry) and eldest daughter here in England has put in a plea for a rat. I reckon he thinks she's joking....

JimBear

I have always found loads of Christmas presents in Charity Shops, especially books. In fact, I got a load which the library were selling off the other day for 10p each. My best buy was a huge box of K'Nex for £4! Our Santa also tends to bring lots of things which the children need anyway, but which I have not yet got round to buying. These will be things like new hats and gloves, wellie boots, equipment for various sports, clothes, etc. Check out the internet for cheap stocking fillers. There are many party websites selling the kind of tat which goes in party bags, and I find £10 goes a long way there.

elainew

Lots of newbies on this thread--welcome

forever_skint

I have 4 girls aged 2,4,7 and 9. My budget for them is £100 each. I have spent £80 on each of them so far and they have got 10 presents each, no tat, just really good presents that they will play with, so I have decided to leave it at that. They never ask for anything really. I have picked up a few bits from car boots, but they usually go on brithdays throughout the year, I think my best buy for this Chrstmas has to be a Lucy Daniels Animal Ark 10 book box set, brand new, might I add for £1.50.

In October we get a Woolworths catalogue and they circle everything they would like and I see what I can do! I save £10 per week for Christmas via Standing Order from my current account into my ISA so I end up with around £500.

We spend £20 on parents, £10 on grandparents and £10 each on my niece and nephew.

The other useful thing I have done over the last few years is buy my mum and dads presents to my childen on their behalf and they pay me back. Ditto with my grandparents presents to them. My mum and dad work full time and have little time for Christmas shopping. They would rather I buy the presents and then at least he children get what they want, rather than a previous poster put "stuffed reindeer that end up in the bin on boxing day!".

Thanks for all your ideas too, I will definitely make Christmas Eve more special now and stop stressing about the mess on Christmas morning and play with my beautiful children instead!!!! In fact I can't wait.

bestpud

For those with younger children, start wrapping their presents without the box (even if they are new) as it makes it easier for them to start playing without the faffing and it also means you can get away with buying second hand presents as well, or in later years, because they don't get used to seeing a box!

pippy100

I agree with big gay kirk a little on this. Us parents have only got ourselves to blame! If we didn't give whenever they wanted we wouldn't have to be explaining how we can't afford as much now. Children do believe money grows on trees!!! After all it is made from paper as my son would say! The parents who have maintained the gifts are for xmas and birthday only, are probably not worrying as much as some of us.
My son now gives his unwanted toys to charity and believe me, if you find them they will be bargains as some have never been used! or if there is something he wants he has to earn it (i.e by doing chores etc) or he will sell whatever he no longer uses on ebay!
But like alot have said let's not forget what Christmas is about!

HappySad

I was growing up with a single mum who worked part time and was on benefits . She explained about money with my and my sister from when our Dad moved out. She explained that she has too spend wisely and get the best quality and value out of her money. We were encouraged to help her find good deals when we shopped for stuff and food also save around the house by being more eco. We also knew that if we waited until the Jan Sale we would get a better present for ypur money.. so would wait for boxing day. When it came to Christmas we new without being told not to ask for very expensive stuff. However ...when I did want a Computer for Christmas (v. v. expensive in those days) I asked if I could have if for two Christmas and birthdays. My mother teamed up with her x-husband (my Dad) & got it for my Christmas + Birthday present with him.

My son now 5 is getting quality mainly 2nd hand toys for Christmas. £4 large box of Lego- 2nd hand. New discounted "Ben 10" books- £7. 2nd hand Lift the flap book about the body- £1. I am already teaching him about the recession & pointing out shops that have closed down. He knows that if things are cheaper it is easier to buy.

To save money we are wrapping the presents in newspaper that my son has decorated and painted. So its free and eco friendly.

npw32jnw

Planning is the key to everything, including Xmas. We knew that our 2 eldest kids (8 & 6) would want a wii, so we have been buying things over the past 4 months for it. We have also sold loads of stuff (including DS's main xmas pressie from last year, which he played with twice and then never looked at again!!) on ebay. However we made it clear that if they wanted a wii, because it would be expensive, then it would be for the whole family, and there would be nothing else bought for them. Manage their expectations early and you have no problems. Letter to Santa will be short (they are allowed to ask for a game too), and we write the response each year anyway so no cost there. In reality, they will get little extras such as books (either from the Book people who are really cheap for great books - we are still drip feeding our DD Roald Dahl books from that bundle bought last year - or from second hand - OH has a book stall at her work and she has just got a load of great ones for 50p) for their stockings. I am looking forward to playing the wii with the kids, hence the games we have got will be ones the whole family can play. As has been said earlier in postings, Xmas is not worth getting yourself into debt over, we have never extended ourselves just for one day, and will not start now. The most important thing for us will be spending time together, for several days, when no-one has anything else to worry about (i.e. work, ironing, cleaning, swimming lessons, dance classes, football etc etc).
happy

ticklepenny_2

1.. the only reason kids expect to get loads is because parents give them loads... so don't even start.. spend a tenner max on each of them... if they ain't happy, then they're ungrateful greedy little bu**ers and don't deserve anything....

True!

2 follow this up by using the magic word "No" more often.. and mean it.. if they want games consoles, make them work for them.. and not just for you... cutting granny's hedge, or washing cars never hurt anyone...

I dont think you have to say no more often just by appreciating the value of money they are less likely to ask.

3 Don't even start the Santa lie.... lets be honest... when they find out the truth it either hurts them or reinforces the image of "adults as liars.." surely as a society we are past lying to kids in this way... my son never had Santa.. he didn't grow up sick and twisted... Santa is mainly a commercial ploy to get you into the shops.. he even switched to wearing Coca Colas colours in the sponsorship deal of the 19th century..

No, santa, the tooth fairy and the easter bunny rock! And they shall live forever!

4 If you must use Santa, enforce the "he only comes to good boys and girls..." that way yyou can explain any lack in the presents by saying, "Yes, well, remember that time you had the tantrum in the shop.. well thats why Santa didnn't let you have a wii..."

I like the idea of this in theory, but kids may get disheartened if they have horrible kids at school getting loads of pressies.

5 Don't bother with Christmas.... or at least don't let it be as big or commercial.. millions of people in this world manage without.. it doesn't seem to hurt them...

I think it is better to bake with your kids and spend quality time with them rather than running round the shops spending too much money.