Are you having a 'cheaper' Christmas this year?

Steph998

Not just because of recession etc.....we have decided to cut back this year. (Perhaps it helps that my son has moved out and I no longer feel the idiotic need to rush around on Christmas Eve, looking for stocking fillers that will not even get a second glance come Boxing Day.)

My plan is to buy a smallish turkey crown, instead of the usual heaving, gargantuan thing I can't even fit in the cooker - even after grappling with legs and rubber bands - it only gets turned into soup no one can face. I also plan to miss out the sprouts with pine nuts that I think look lovely, glistening in butter, but always end up in the dog bowl. (Do I even have to mention the farts in the kitchen until New Years? Not to mention the agonised, yet perplexed look on the poor dogs face, and subsequent vet bill.) I shall NOT buy any new baubles, no matter how often I read that this year is 'purple and silver', and I will not end up with 100 more Christmas Cards than I actually need because Asda reduced the 'good ones' by a few pence. I will NOT elbow old ladies out of the way to get the last grinning, padded Santa I don't need for the front door, and I will not buy a present for anyone who doesn't actually deserve one.

Any one else got any tips for a thrifty Christmas?

Savvy_Sue

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Mutter_2

All those and more Steph.

Last year I bought a 15 ft high tree and the Kelly Bronze turkey cost around £60 with only one here to eat it. (have to buy free range for the animal rights activist visiting)

I cannot stand the Christmas season but for countless years I've done it all for others. Enough now.
I shall cook a roast dinner and husband can buy whatever meat he wants.
If there were a more spiritual feeling such as us all attending a Carol service, then I could accept the over consumption more.

My favourite part of Christmas Day is when it's over and we are looking towards Spring.

Steph998

Well said.

We do actually go to Church as a family....but I definitely feel more spiritual around Easter. Christmas has just become one big spend.

rosekitten

just keeping it real as well
no daft over the top spending
so many are doing the same and
I know lots out there are finding it harder.
But its like everyone is you speak to
is doing the same and trying to avoid
going into debt like they would normaly,
I am hoping this is the start of people
realising that there are more important
things about christmas than going on a
buying frenzy.

Mutter_2

Frankly Steph, had I known that your thread would be moved here, I'd never have written such a miserly post. Wish I could get more into the spirit as others do.
Truth known, I dare say come the week before Christmas I'll be doing all the things I said I would'nt.

Why does it have to start so early though? and when the supermarkets on Christmas Eve take down the festive stuff to replace it with sale goods, while the Carols are still being played. Eugghh, the cynicism.

My ideal Christmas would be this; Carol service/Midnight Mass with a visit to the Nativity scene (no one else here believes, so that's out) Home to a Christmas pie and mulled wine.
Next morning, put on the festive music and cook a delicious lunch. After which open presents chosen for novelty value only, we have all we need.

No television allowed until well into the evening, fat chance. Board games and silliness instead, oh and all the family come for a walk in the woods with me and dog. Not just me, whilst they watch yet another re-run of The Great Escape.

Is that such a tall order?

Bibbitybob

I bought a flat earlier this year and am really feeling the pinch at the moment. All my Christmas gifts are either bought cheap (but looking substantial!) or handmade...am leaning towards the latter, especially for close family who I know will appreciate it.

I'm getting creative with my decorations too this year - eg. raiding a friend's garden for foliage instead of buying a garland for my mantlepiece.

I can't afford to cook Christmas dinner this year (last year we had my parent's & brother over) and my kitchen is way too small, so I've apologised and explained why I'm not inviting them again. I'm going there instead, which will be lovely. With this in mind I'm not going to faff around buying many of the usual Christmas treats - tins of Roses etc as there'll be very few people to eat them. I do like my Bailey's at Christmas though, but I've found a cheaper version which tastes nearly as good so that'll do me just as well.

I just think that this year getting creative is the key, which I find is actually a lot more fun anyway

Mutter_2

You are so right rosekitten regarding going into debt.

As I remarked elsewhere, it scared the lights out of me when I saw families stacking their trollies sky high full of toys.
I so hope that they were paying cash, as it seems the nation is still asleep to the deep crisis we are in and it's going to get a lot worse.

---

"I am hoping this is the start of people
realising that there are more important
things about christmas than going on a
buying frenzy."
Well said rosekitten.

Steph998

Mutter wrote: »

Why does it have to start so early though? and when the supermarkets on Christmas Eve take down the festive stuff to replace it with sale goods, while the Carols are still being played. Eugghh, the cynicism.

My ideal Christmas would be this; Carol service/Midnight Mass with a visit to the Nativity scene (no one else here believes, so that's out) Home to a Christmas pie and mulled wine.
Next morning, put on the festive music and cook a delicious lunch. After which open presents chosen for novelty value only, we have all we need.

Ah. Sounds like my perfect Christmas. (Except the film would be 'It's a Wonderful Life'. I would forgo the dog walk for that)

Matalan put up their Christmas tree in October this year. Alongside the grinning skull and headless ghost Halloween gubbins.

I spent a good few days filling two or three shoes boxes for the Christian Blytheswood Appeal this year....only to find that the organisers split the boxes to make them 'go further'....?

Cynical....? Moi?

Mutter_2

Back to the core of the OP and thrift, as reminded to me by Bibbitybob regarding foliage.

Across the mantelpiece I drape greenery, some fake, plus some fresh ivy and cones. Then I pile on the fruit. Oranges, shiny red apples, tangerines, limes and in the centre a large pineapple. Also at the sides would be draped fresh bunches of grapes. Last year though in an arty shop I found some great fake grapes.
No waste, as all fruit can be used later.
Anyone else do this?

Mutter_2

Bibbitybob wrote: »

I bought a flat earlier this year and am really feeling the pinch at the moment. All my Christmas gifts are either bought cheap (but looking substantial!) or handmade...am leaning towards the latter, especially for close family who I know will appreciate it.

I'm getting creative with my decorations too this year - eg. raiding a friend's garden for foliage instead of buying a garland for my mantlepiece.

I can't afford to cook Christmas dinner this year (last year we had my parent's & brother over) and my kitchen is way too small, so I've apologised and explained why I'm not inviting them again. I'm going there instead, which will be lovely. With this in mind I'm not going to faff around buying many of the usual Christmas treats - tins of Roses etc as there'll be very few people to eat them. I do like my Bailey's at Christmas though, but I've found a cheaper version which tastes nearly as good so that'll do me just as well.

I just think that this year getting creative is the key, which I find is actually a lot more fun anyway

Christmas is a day. A flat is forever.:j