How much does Christmas cost you?

ironman1

I hope no one sees this as some sort of boasting thread by the way! I know there are people who will spend less and those that will spend alot more than me. The point was to see if people really are spending more despite the recession. Me and the gf rarely by things for eachother apart from at Christmas time and Birthday's. We both prefer the seeing family, eating and drinking etc but it's still nice to see them smile!

butler_helen

ironman1 wrote: »

but it's still nice to see them smile!

in the few seconds before the xbox is launched...:rolleyes:

star222

Boyfriend - £500
Mum & Dad - £150 each
Boyfriend M+D - £50
Friends - £10 - £20 each

Seems ridiculous after reading over what other people are spending. Feel like I have to spoil my mum and dad and always end up going overboard on the boyfriend every year and forgetting what I've already bought.

pavlovs_dog

star222 wrote: »

I always end up going overboard on the boyfriend every year and forgetting what I've already bought.

my OH used to be the same whereas i'm slightly better at deciding on a budget and sticking reasonably close to it.

this year we've decided to put a price cap on stocking fillers for each other and the rest of the money is going on a few days in edinburgh.

pretzelnut

ironman1 wrote: »

I hope no one sees this as some sort of boasting thread by the way! I know there are people who will spend less and those that will spend alot more than me. The point was to see if people really are spending more despite the recession. Me and the gf rarely by things for eachother apart from at Christmas time and Birthday's. We both prefer the seeing family, eating and drinking etc but it's still nice to see them smile!

I dont see this as a boasting thread.

I was quite aware that money might be tight this year, DF almost lost his job in June so i began to shop early and pick up bargains when i saw them. Just in case he did loose his job. As we wouldnt be able to rub 2 beans together if he did. Plus i was also expecting a baby in September, so i knew i had to get a head start.

SO because i was organised and planned in advance we have been able to spent a little more than if i left it until the end of november which i normally do, rush around paying top whack for things and getting super stressed in the process.

My mum used to buy presents for everyone and i mean everyone, even those relatives we hadnt seen in years, neighbours we hardly spoke to, she would say - oh it's christmas ive sent them a tin of chocs, she's come round this year though and see's it's pointless and like us has just decided to buy for close family and very close friends, so she has wiped about 50 people of her list.

jetty

mary-op wrote: »

:eek: Ooops................just gone over budget on teenage grandson!!!!!!!!!!! Couldn't resist it for him........he loves Michael McIntyre and I've just ordered the latest DVD - we both had such a laugh at him on the tele last year and no-one else liked him so it seemed to be a 'must buy'...........then felt really bad that I hadn't spent more on his twin sister. I ordered one of those Pashmina things from the Grabbit board a while back..........it's purple and I'll never wear it...........only got it because I knew I'd be able to give it to someone.............she's 17............is it the sort of thing that age group might wear ? She's really into fashionable stuff, it's purple which she loves -didn't cost as much as the dvd for her brother but it is brand new................(they both know I do the charity shops for everything and don't mind a bit. They live with their mum and her family seem to be able to afford the earth........they know we can't and are never bothered about it.
So, shall I give grandaughter this Pashmina thing ?

My 12 year old bought one recently, so i would say yes

*Louise*

ironman1 wrote: »

I hope no one sees this as some sort of boasting thread by the way! I know there are people who will spend less and those that will spend alot more than me. The point was to see if people really are spending more despite the recession. Me and the gf rarely by things for eachother apart from at Christmas time and Birthday's. We both prefer the seeing family, eating and drinking etc but it's still nice to see them smile!

It all comes down to how big your family and friends group is really. (Especially if there are children involved)

One rule we have is that we stop buying for adults once they have kids, which is why I only have 2 siblings to buy for now

The spending would be super-crazy otherwise :eek:

mary-op

jetty = thanks. I'll do that. I'm sure she'll love it

jetty

mary-op wrote: »

jetty = thanks. I'll do that. I'm sure she'll love it

Np My mum was so impressed with my daughter's that she bought herself one too

mary-op

jetty - I| only ordered it cos it was postage paid apart from that was free and knew I could give it to someone.
Not really up on modern fashion so had to look up on the internet how these things are worn..............lol:rotfl:
Think I'd just have looked like an old biddy in a shawl................lol Grandaughter will carry it off a treat