Worried

Jennykins

I'm worried about christmas & how to pay for presents. I dont want to slow down on repaying my debts but at the same time I'll need to get gifts for family members. I have so many people to buy for & cant cut the list anymore as everyone I will be buying for is people I am spending christmas day with.

I have always given expensive gifts & gotten into debt doing so :rolleyes: Cutting down seems so hard. I hate this time of year so Im not the type to browse the shops which is why gift vouchers often feature & then I feel the need to give a "decent" amount. Expensive make up & toiletries are also frequently on my shopping list!

How much does everyone spend on gifts?? Any ideas of cheaper gift ideas? I have no idea what is a "normal" amount to spend but am aware that I spend waaaaay too much!

LeeSouthEast

I've cancelled Christmas this year.

Problem solved.

(Seriously.. Christmas has lost all meaning anyway).

pink_numbers

I'm doing cost-free christmas this year (except for a present for a friend that I saved up for previously).

I'm extending my hobbies which have accumulated lots of "ingredients", and making "make your own kits", such as lip balms, bath bombs, soaps, eyeshadows.

Might crochet a shawl or two for those close to me too, with yarn that I already have.

Have a look around your house, do you have anything in excess? can you turn them into presents? for example, do you have books that you know someone else would really enjoy? A plain clock or photo frame that you could decorate to give?

There are so many ways to make presents with what you have at home

How much have you been spending on average before?

talana

I'm spending next to nothing on presents! :j
I have an understanding with most family members that we simply won't bother, except going out for a nice meal together.

Talk to your family members. Would friends or family members want to see you slip further into debt just for the sake of this one day a year?
Not if they have any sense, they'll be sympathetic.

frosty

We have cut right back,most adults will be receiving a bottle of Torres wine from the Tesco offer(£1.50 ish a bottle)and I managed to buy some jewellery sets off halfcost (glassbeads)they look very expensive and only cost £2.10.

Tixy

I know what you mean if you have been generous in the past (and especially if not everyone is aware of your debt problems).

I'd recommend trying to buy things that aren't just financial in value, so sentimental and thoughtful items should figure
e.g someone in my family collects old corkscrews and I have found an interesting one for £5, its monetary worth might be a fiver but he will like it and won't know (or care) that all I've spent.

My other suggestion would be to look on ebay - its not just secondhand items, there are plenty of new products and if you start earlier enough you might find some bargains (you might even find top brand make up there).

Another thing I'm doing this year (which I must get started on) is I'm going to make a calender with 12 different family photos, you can order them online quite cheap and if you buy a number they don't cost much individually. Several of my relatives will like them (I hope!).

firesidemaid

you can do it well for less but you will need to spend a little time to source the right gifts for the right person at the right price!

depending on where you live have a look in home bargains, tk maxx, t j hughes etc etc for good stuff at lower prices.

poundland can have some hidden gems too, particularly in books and cds.

marks+sparks have good half price lovely chocs and biscuits on offer.

supermarkets can also be good - scan the shelves for random reductions (i got some excellent rose wine for £2 a bottle in asda last week. bottle bags either from poundland, home bargains, card factory/warehouse).

what kinds of things are you looking for?

mumto2monkeys_2

I completely understand how you feel. I'm a crazy gift giver; I like to spoil people. And, like you, it has cost me a lot in the past.

What we have actually done in my family this year is a secret santa with a £30 limit, so that everyone gets one present from the whole family. I am in debt, but other family members have things like holidays planned next year and would like to try and cut costs. We are all still buying for the kids though.

If you still want to get presents for everyone, shop around to source them cheaper (as other people have already suggested) - I was very excited in my local factory shop to find things like labelled makeup at around half the retail price . Most of it is last year's Christmas stock. I've been getting things for pre-teen daughter from there.

I used to spend around £50 per person, and like you, had many to buy for. It is strange not getting everyone gifts, and Christmas does feel different. it makes me feel a bit sad, but I take solace in the fact that once it's all sorted I'm going to treat everyone to a super special Christmas as it will be within my budget to do so once the nasty debt overheads have gone for good.

I hope this helps. Best wishes.

Jennykins

Thanks guys. In the past I have spent a lot - I'll do a wee list now & see what the total would have been roughly....
Mum - £40/£50
Dad - £40/50
Aunt - £30
Uncle - £30
Cousin - £20
Cousin & wife - £30
Grandmother - £30/£40
Big bro & wife - £50
Little bro - £20
Nieces & nephews (4 of them) - £50 each
Niece's mum - £10
Total=£530 :eek: not including the other random bits n bobs i'd get along the way......

I have £200 set aside at the moment (one day of being an extra plus all my loose change that I have been saving up) & cant really afford to add to this. I guess I need to shop about & see what I can find. Is internet shopping any good for bargains?? I'm never very sure about it. But, I am getting my tonsils out tomorrow & will be recovering for the next 3wks so wont be able to get to any shops until Dec!! I'll get on ebay & see what I can find there. Any other websites people would recommend?!

If I can get through this christmas without adding to my debts, I will be over the moon!

pink_numbers

Well done for setting aside money for it already. You have over £10 per person/pair, which is PLENTY if you shop carefully

Deep_In_Debt

I've done things like free clicks on Pigsback and various other websites and earnt some vouchers which I've then used in the relevant shops, such as Boots.

Also have a rummage around in some charity shops - you'll be surprised at what you find in them!