Christmas Misery!

RAS

Rach2007 wrote: »

My DMP is with payplan, and my husband has been saying for a while that it's too tight. I've dipped in and out of the DMP mutual support thread and whilst people say how relieved they are since starting the plan, I have felt worse. Fact is we do little more than just survive really. Gas, electric, phone etc are all on cheapest tarriffs we can get and I cook most things from scratch so my grocery bill is next to nothing.

You should have a decent allowance for food and clothing and allowances towards emergencies and presents included in the plan.

A number of people on here seem to find that the PAyplan allowances are less generous than CCCS.

maybe post up your current allowances and see what other suggest?

pebblespop

try looking in home bargains/ quality save - they have good branded toys for very low prices

Uniscots97

Rach2007 wrote: »

Thanks everyone for all your lovely replies. Got tears running down my cheeks that people are being so nice!
Silly, just hadn't thought of Ebay for my son's presents, I'm sure there's loads of stuff on there for his age (3). I also loved the other suggestion about helping him get into the spirit of it (food for reindeer, baking etc). Most of my fondest memories of Christmas were things like that, not just the presents.
I'm still undecided about what to do for the nieces etc, they are all close and I do know them quite well. They are only very young though, ranging from 6months to 4 years so it's not them that I'm worried about upsetting, it's their blummin parents. But I will be re-reading all your answers again before deciding what to do, so thanks so much again.
Rach
x

Rach, get yourself onto the freebies board. There's lots on there including some free soft toys. One for your son another for one of your nieces and nephews. The other idea is Poundland, they do lots of the lovely old style wooden toys and wooden puzzle and jigsaws perfect for little ones. For the 6month old they have lots of lovely bibs and little socks and rattles. Not sure how many you have to buy for but surely this would be a saving. Also go onto the up your income board and check out the ideas there. I don't have it but I'm sure someone else might, there is a spreadsheet for daily clicks which might give you a little extra cash too.

TurnaroundSue

Hi Rachel - could you ask your in-laws if they would pay for your petrol as your xmas present? That way you get to see them over xmas, you will save money on food for the time that you are up there and you little as well as heating costs!!

Your nieces and nephews are so young that they have no idea of money - and don't worry about the parents. My MIL always spends a vast amount on my kids for xmas but then doesn't bother with them all year round (she only lives 10 miles away) and I know that I would rather her give them her time on an annual basis instead of 'wasting' all that money on them at xmas.

You could give them a gift of a 'sleep over' for the older ones and then when they come make a tent up in the bedroom and let them have a mednight feast (although most probably at that age midnight is a bit too late.... but you get the jist!!). The younger ones just buy them something to wear - a lovely little top in tesco will only cost a couple of pounds.

My brothers and I always have a silly theme for xmas - last year it was who could buy the worst jumper - we weren't allowed to spend anymore than £3 and it was great fun!!! We also had to wear the jumpers all day on xmas day - what a laugh we had.

Good luck and hoping you have a great time with your family.:grouphug:

humblebumble_2

Rachel, don't despair sweetheart, Christmas is much more about happy family memories than the cost of gifts. I don't think anyone had mentioned car boot sales. My hubby and I were at one just last week and spotted SO MANY lovely, good condition baby and toddler games and toys at such reasonable prices we could have bought loads. We did manage to restrain ourselves though-our grandchild isn't actually due until January 2009!!!!! But you get the picture. I think people will be clearing out lots of toys at this time of year ready for the new Christmas ones.

clearmydebts

Hi Rach,

What about doing some reviews on https://www.dooyoo.co.uk and then using the miles saved up to redeem vouchers on Amazon for presents. If you write 2 reviews a day (recommended amount) you should earn about £10 a week after other people rate your reviews. You could prob buy a CD and a DVD for £10. That's how I have gotten most of my Xmas presents, well that and AQA but not sure if they are recruiting at the moment.

I think everyone else is giving you great suggestions so not sure I can add anymore.

PS - if you do decide to do dooyoo can you PM me your email and I will refer you. You get 500 points (50p) for each person you refer. Maybe you could refer someone else on here then etc etc

Best of luck

MILLYMOLLY

Hi Rachel
I've not got much money to spend this year either but I think your priority should be your son. Your family should understand and the children are too young to realise.

I'm a lurker really but have picked up some great ideas from the hamper thread. You could try a baking hamper for a lot less than a fiver!!

fudgecat

Clearly your priority is your son, and I doubt that any family member worthy of the name would want you spend money you could ill afford on presents for them. Buying for the children (nieces and nephews) might be an idea, but make it a themed box (shoe box or 99p basket from the 99p stores) such as art and craft - NOTHING plastic and NOTHING branded. Shredded tissue paper and bit of cellophane and most kids would be delighted - including your little boy.
I used to buy my kids presents from car boot sales all the time - brilliant for things like duplo which really don`t need a box - or you can make one.
The secret santa idea has been used by a friend`s family for years where they set a budget limit for one gift only and put names into a metaphorical hat - they can even give a broad hint as to what would be desirable.
A family get together at Christmas maks up for a lot of non presents, so your petrol is a must.
I agree that no DMP should be as tight as yours. I thought cost of living allowances atc were quite generous?
We are not on a DMP, but I have ruthlessly made up baskets for all family members filled with poundland stuff on a theme (all ideas pinched from this website). I thought I would include a card saying "a present from Iceland" as our family know why we are short at this precise moment!
With careful thought, a loving family and a little creativity, you will have a lovely Christmas. Best of luck to you all.

[Deleted User]

Hi, try not to worry about christmas - it's become a big present hype over the years and the pressure to buy lots of good things has taken over the true meaning.
Spend your time and money on your immediate family. This year no-one is expecting a lot and if they are then they are greedy!
If you must buy for your other family kids, then set a budget and buy them character bubble baths etc on 3for2 at Boots, or check out the supermarkets as they do good cheap stuff - or just get them selection boxes! x

RoxieW

hi there
just to reiterate what alot of others have said. If I were you I would
1) Stay at home and concentrate on your own family. We've done this since we had our second child as it became a squeeze to stay with inlaws and much prefer it. No travel hassles, no petrol money, no sleeping arrangment hassles and the freedom to spend the day exactly as you'd like it with your nearest and dearest - not entertaining some old aunt or other rarely seen apart from at xmas relative.
2) Focus on your boys gifts and get everyone else token presents. There's a thread on the special occassions board about making 'snowman soup' - they're basically little hot choc kits. I'm making these for all the cousins in the family. Am going to put them in a cheap xmassy mug with some 'reindeer poop' (maltesers in a little bag), cellophane it up so it looks pretty and viola - a gift for few pounds. Incidentally, the 'snowman soup' sets sell in john lewis for £4.50 whereas you can make them for about £1. Also, keep eyes peeled on the grabbit board for special offers. I've got 2 free silver jewelry sets (worth about £20 - I just had t0 pay £4 p and p), yankee candle gift bags 5 for £8 (rrp £35), calin klein candle sets £6 (rrp £25) and lots more. I also just bought my sons some toys from woolworths. I bought them on the 3 for 2 offers, used a 10% off code and also went through quidco (type into the forum search if you're unfamiliar with this) for a further 8% cashback. In the end I got the toys I wanted for near to half price