Thinking about xmas. i know it's only august

Red_Fraggle_3

Hi This is my first post - I have always put £20 away a month with my mum for Christmas then do a shop at half term. However now I have been buying things as I see them - Boots this time of year is great lots of offers on the web, and Quidco points too (just started those)

It's about the thought not the gift - my daughter understands that now but is 12 so that could change :-)

Boomdocker

Very similar to CFC. I shop through the year as and when bargains appear in sales or offers. Maximise store offers and shop around. Check MSE for grabbit offers, discounts, vouchers. I built up my WHSmiths points by using vouchers found on MSE and now have over £20 to spend for prezzies at Christmas.

With my Boots points (only around £16 so far) I will purchase the gifts when they go on 3 for 2 so I can maximise my spend.

There's still plenty of time to do that, save a pound or two and loose change in a jar it adds up. Save your store loyalty points all year to use at Christmas. I do this and I have enough (see my siggy) to buy enough presents for my immediate family.

HTH

1012donna

arnie&caseysma! wrote:

Thanks Jessie, unfortunately our nearest Primark is 80 miles away (unless I spend the same in petrol money in a return ferry crossing to Belfast!) and Au Natural 50 miles away! We life at the end of the earth! Our only 'chain stores' are Argos, New Look, O2, Mackays (Scotland only and very few and far between now), and, erm, I think thats it!!! I'm only occasionally away to other towns these days so I don't have much choice! Have a friend that works in Argos tho so will see if she can get me a hold of the RO list. DSD is quite a problem as she is a bit of a tomboy - don't know how I managed to get her to have a 'pink'room!!!

arnie&caseysma,

just read your thread and thought you might like to know that Ayr has had a new shopping centre built and Primark is in it. If you want to know any more details just pm me as my mum lives just outside Ayr.

Ronankfan

I too collect pigsback vouchers and i just received a voucher this morning which now makes a total of £30 in boots vouchers which will hopefully buy 3 presents. I also have been saving £40 per month since last november so when i get the money out this november it will be my first christmas that i dont have to worry about where the money to buy presents is going to come from.

LJD1_2

Have you thought of trying a carboot? On Sunday I went to one and got a dance mat for the playstation (playstation 1 as i'm to mean to upgrade!) for £4, two ty kittens for 20p each and lots of robowars robots for 20p each. I've put them away as stocking fillers and the dance mat will be one of my daughters main presents.

We went to the car boot on the way to toysrus for a bike for my son as we'd not seen any second hand. Guess what, perfect bike for £6 at the carboot!

Queen.Bess

Mum and I agreed to only spend £5 on family members last Christmas and I think I was the only one who managed it successfully! We'll try it again this year and I have confidence on being successful again!

Am clicking away furiously on pigsback for a Boots voucher so that I can get 3 for 2 gifts (hopefully they'll do it again!) and not spend anything.

With friends last year I made gifts - biscuits etc and I grew some hyacinths in pots for them as well. I also recycled some unwanted gifts, which I will probably do again this year - OH and I already have a box with gifts in!

But as others have said - it's the thought that goes into the present not the cost, and I wish my nieces and nephews were told that!

Queen.Bess

Red_Fraggle wrote:

Hi This is my first post - I have always put £20 away a month with my mum for Christmas then do a shop at half term. However now I have been buying things as I see them - Boots this time of year is great lots of offers on the web, and Quidco points too (just started those)

It's about the thought not the gift - my daughter understands that now but is 12 so that could change :-)

Just also to say: HI to Red Fraggle - Welcome on board!! Hope to see many more posts from you soon!

CAFCGirl

Just wanted to add, have a look on a sight called Hawkins bazaar.

Especially great for kids. Has a section called stocking fillers, under £3, under £2 and under £1. All pretty silly but really entertaining stuff on there. Like explanding flannels etc which are great for kids and all sorts of things like that. I've got put £10 of stuff in my basket for boyfriends stocking at xmas, big child at heart u see

mondbond007

We have a large family so we do the £2.50 game. Which means we are only aloud to spend this amount on the adults.
We have done this for the last 3 years. Have to say I didnt realise how many things you could get if you look in the right places. Adds alot of fun to christmas and takes the strain off of the old bank balance too!!

arnie&caseysma!

1012donna wrote:

arnie&caseysma,

just read your thread and thought you might like to know that Ayr has had a new shopping centre built and Primark is in it. If you want to know any more details just pm me as my mum lives just outside Ayr.

Thanks Donna, I knew they had a new Debenhams etc but first I heard of Primark being in there. Will have a look in the next time I'm up!