Are you having a 'cheaper' Christmas this year?

System

we are cutting out the tat also ,no more crackers , tins of sweets that you eat because they are there and no traditional lunch, im buying gift bags to put sweets in [cos selection boxes are the biggest rip off ever !] at least then i can buy what i know they like .

arthur_dent_2

I am trying to be careful with what I spend, but then I am always very careful with what I spend. Family presents are limited to a fiver each for most and a tenner for the grandparents. This may seem mean but we are a very low income family and just cannot afford to spend a fortune. It is amazing what you can actually achieve for a small amount of money if you shop around.

As it happens however the children have had around £130 between the pair of them, which is a lot more than normal because they are getting a 1 off present of a dolls house.

Olliebeak

Mutter wrote: »

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?

Mutter - how I wish I lived near you! I'd join you because that's how I feel Christmas should be .

I WILL be in Church for Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve and I will walk home again afterwards singing carols (albeit under my breath ). Then I sit down with some Christmas music playing while I sort the veggies out for the next day and indulge in a glass of sherry or Bailey's. OH is a real cynic when it comes to festive music - so this is a bit of ME time.

cuddlymarm

Hi :xmassign:

We also will be cutting back this year. Mainly cos we've moved into a really small house so the tree will have to be a lot smaller (I have bought a new decoration though - its one of our traditions) Its also our 1st year where both kids are living away and they will only be here for 5 days so I'm buying a lot of food as we go along. No room for loads of fresh stuff. We're going for quality this year rather than quantity. Well thought out gifts that people need and will like and will get used this year. The most important bit is seeing the ones we love.

:rudolf: :xmastree: :rudolf: Ps I absolutely love Christmas and still plan to really enjoy it

mary43

We're cutting back this year due to finances so I'm working to a budget on presents for all - my teenage grandchildren are having odds and ends I've either found from charity shops (unwanted pressies) or stuff I've concocted. To them it'll be fun and make a change from the usual cheque.
I've done well I think so far but could have done better if I really think about it. Still, at least I've been getting bits and bobs since January and its nice to know now that pressies are all bought and paid for so I don't have that worry.
As for food............we always seem to end up throwing stuff away......supermarkets aren't closed for that long so we can easily replace stuff we need. I don't see the point in eating ourselves silly just because its christmas. It really does make a mockery of what its really supposed to be about.
mutter - yours wasn't a miserly post at all. I feel very 'bah humbug' normally as christmas seems to be slung at us from the shops from September onwards but getting involved in doing/making things, particularly for baby grandson who's not yet 2, has made me feel just that bit more festive if you know what I mean. We normally do the 'santa run' couple of weeks before Christmas so have a sort of christmas, (crackers-the lot) with sons girlfriends parents and the grandchildren........all very hectic and its nice then to get home and have some kind of 'normality'

glitterycloud

Im cuttin gback this year but more due to the fact that im trying to loose a bit of weight. No chocs, cake, biscuits, christmas tree chocs or nuts. I bought a new 6ft tree last year and all new decorations so I won't need any. I am making hm wreaths for me and my family and will be having christmas dinner at my mums so no expense there. Mum has told me that she is cutting back too which I said was great she has lost alot of weight and doesnt want to put it back on in a few days.

I have put more thought into christmas presents this year so I haven't got to make that mad rush to the shops to buy over inflated gifts that no one will really want.

chalky_75

Sock monkeys for me !!!

ellionic

I am also cutting back a LOT this christmas my bf has just lost his job due to the credit crunch at first i thought christmas was going to be rubbish but since i started looking on mse i know its not going to be infact i think this is going to make christmas better and i cant wait christmas is not all about spending ££££.
I have started making hampers for family members with all my bargains off the boots thread. I am making gifts in jars, my own chocolates and sock monkeys. I had £50 vouchers for boots from pigsback with i spent on xmas night plus extra points on 342 kids toys then spent all my points on toys to so saved quite alot there.
No more £15 crackers i will be getting some cheap home bargains one they only end up in the bin. I am having 12 people for christmas tea and this year plan to make everything from scratch instead of buying the frozen christmas snacks from asda. for 3 for £5. I am planning on buying a small turkey crown instead of spending £30 on a huge one like i have done in the past there is only 2 adults and 2 kids for christmas dinner what the hell was i thinking.
I think this credit crunch is what everyone needs christmas is about family not £££££ and tons of presents.

kazwookie

We leave the country and go on hols to Asia, the kids go to school on xmas day, the shops have miminal xmas stuff on sale it is great.

Xmas meal is chicken and veg and we take a xmas pudding with us, and that is it. Wonderful.

No stress or arguments, and the morning is spent on the beach. The kids nearby are given small gifts by us age appropiate ie colouring stuff, lego stuff that is light and easy to pack and they are so grateful even though they don't understand fully what christmas is, as they are Buddists

Sugarhunny1

I have decided that I'm cutting back on food this year too. As a previous poster said 'its only one day' and we've actually been very lucky that we have been invited to go out to a Restuarant for xmas dinner so will not be buying anymore food than normal and no extra treats as i'm watching my weight and the kids eat enough junk anyway!

Sugar xxx