saving for xmas, i know its only june.

Lady_S

I started Christmas shopping in the January sales and now I am almost done for the kids birthdays/christmas. I have also got most of the adults christmas presents aswell.

Last year I had only just got with my OH, he was paying out morgage and CSA and basically we had no money to buy chrismtas presents, it was horrible and I said to myself I am NEVER going through that again, hence we started really early.

Imelda

Hi all,

since joining MSE I have been putting aside £50 per month for xmas, not just food and presents but for the extras, work drinks, taxis, a new outfit. I usually spend about £250 on presents (mum, dad, OH, friend's children) so the extra £150 will mean I can enjoy myself and not worry about getting into anymore debt (and next year I should even have a little bit left over....)

mintymoneysaver

I have got all my cards ( half price in the Pier sale at Easter!) but the rest of it will just be put on the credit card in December and cleared straightaway!That way I get cashback on it....We usually spend about £400 including children and family...

Ali-OK

Superstar41 wrote:

:eek: :eek: Sorry but I find it really amazing that people who are in debt judging by the signatures are talking about spending money on one day 6 months away. Im not a "bah humbug" either honest but I cannot imagine buying things for distant relatives when I had a credit card bill that large.

Ok I can understand if its about the children and making sure they get something but wouldnt it better all round (including kids) if that money went on paying the debt off NOW considering the difference between debt interest and saving interest??

It is only one day and I have a good friend who every year gets herself back into debt in order to keep up with all this years christmas necessities - its madness when you cant afford your debt to be spending on c**p. but then thats just my opinion I guess - sorry:o

I understand your opinion and it's not until you get into individual circumstances that these things become a bit clearer.

For me, it is mainly children and there is an element of feeling obliged to do the distant relatives (though we're in discussions to stop some due to there being 6 x 4th cousins by the end of the year).

Credit card interest for me is 5.5% LOB, 4.95% LOB and 0%, savings is 10%, 8% and 5.2% ISA - the first 2 are small regular savers. I'm extending my DFD date by less than 2 weeks in reality, as I pay @ £720 to my cc's a month and Xmas should come in @ £300 in total due to the buying I've already done and I'll throw the spare at the cc debt.

What I don't understand is why everyone says don't save anything - how an earth are annual bills/school hols childcare and also Xmas, supposed to be paid for otherwise?

I'm still using my artificial Xmas tree and decs from 1989 - now that's money-saving!

BoltonMinx

I save all year round - £50 a month. I spend any surplus on something purely for me. Just have 4 presents to buy and Im done, already got my ma something from Avon (they had a free bag, which was a bonus!) and my brother a tomtomgo from work. Thanks to Martin Ive been well organised for the last couple of years :j

chevalier

Usually, I am really organised. But I have been ill for the last 12 months, and so my present box is dry. I also aim for £20 but as it has been this for about 4 years now, I am going to up it this year to £25. Most of my nieces and nephews now are at the stage where they would rather have £25 top up on their mobiles rather than a present, which is a relief. But there are still some younger members of the family to buy for, plus my own children.
Note to self, must start sorting out presents....

dinkylou

Well I spend between £15 and £20 on family and then £10 on close friends.

My family have never gone overboard on presents for xmas. And now that we're all adults, we appreciate that getting expensive gifts is not what its all about. Makes me feel ill when friends talk about spending £50 on each person!

I try to get something they will enjoy and appreciate rather than spend loads. Also shows I've thought about them and not just rushed round the shops.

My friends and I do a secret santa (not so secret though) and spend £15 on 1 present rather than on each person. Much better and it means we all get something nice.

domestic_goddess

I have never been organised about christmas, always doing stuff at the last minute and ending up skint in January. This year I am starting to get sorted!
I have saved £50 so far and am starting to get sorted with a few pressies.

I am not religious but I think that christmas is an important time for families and for my children to make some happy memories for them. I think it is worth pushing back your debt free date slightly for christmas. We all need something to look forward to!!!!

lady_fuschia

I find it really distressing that people (particularly teenagers, actually) judge the worth of presents by how much is spent on them. It makes you feel like leaving the price label on them just to prove how much you think their love is worth!

In all honesty I think its the thought that goes into choosing a gift, and the element it reflects your relationship with the recipient that matters. Old fashioned idea?? It also gets a bit depressing when you hear people trying to guess how much someone will spend on them, so they can spend the same amount. Why not just swap bundles of cash around if that's all that matters?

I will put a little bit aside for Christmas once we get to September or so, but this will be mainly to afford extra food and drink so I can invite the people I love around and enjoy spending time with them- not so I can spend huge amounts of money on presents they don't need (or probably want). I will make some presents: cakes, mix CDs, homemade jam etc. Its true I've had friends who think this approach "cheap" or "stingy", but I've cut most of these people out of my life, seeing as the extent they value my friendship clearly has a pound sign in front of it.
Still, I think its more difficult when you have kids- with peer pressure at school and all the "what did you get then?". But I also think its a bad idea in the long run to give in to that kind of pressure. I dunno- difficult situation...