is anyone else worried......?

Bestthingsinlifearefree

mrslawrence2003 wrote:

about Christmas this year and how they're going to manage with it moneywise? i personally am petrified. we are only just starting to get back on an even keel financially (meaning that instead of getting further into debt each month we will rather be staying level or even managing to clear some money off!) and it means that i have no money saved for christmas or presents. have to buy pressies for 14 ppl (not incl my husband), pay for train tickets between london, somerset and portsmouth.

now i am busy collecting points on pigsback but so far only have 1,030 and trying to get somewhere with quidco (but not so easy as have no cash to buy anything with) but this is a huge weight on my mind!!!!!

I know it's tough but I think if adults stuck to the line christmas is for the kids and no adults bought presents for each other that would help every one all round.

Murtle

it is the thought that counts, the pressies still talked about in my Family are the ones I've made over the years.....the rest are forgotton about or a challenge to remember, but for example the beauty pack I put together for my Mum is remembered over the perfume we've bought her over the years. The pack was a fraction of the price but she was thrilled with it!!

mrslawrence2003

Bestthingsinlifearefree wrote:

I know it's tough but I think if adults stuck to the line christmas is for the kids and no adults bought presents for each other that would help every one all round.

i'd have no problem with that - my OH's family would.

Lucycat

Do they understand the situation you're in? I've found since we 'came out' (as it were!) as DWD, family are a lot more understanding.

For the last few years I've suggested just buying for children, but while the rest of the family have been more or less in agreement, the sticking point has been my lovely younger sister who adores Christmas & puts an awful lot of thought into what to buy everyone (really splurging in the process.)

Since she now knows we're DWD she's been much more amenable, and we've agreed to buy each other one small gift instead (one cd, book or DVD)...and if it's second-hand, so much the better!

Lucy.

mrslawrence2003

Lucycat wrote:

Do they understand the situation you're in? I've found since we 'came out' (as it were!) as DWD, family are a lot more understanding.

For the last few years I've suggested just buying for children, but while the rest of the family have been more or less in agreement, the sticking point has been my lovely younger sister who adores Christmas & puts an awful lot of thought into what to buy everyone (really splurging in the process.)

Since she now knows we're DWD she's been much more amenable, and we've agreed to buy each other one small gift instead (one cd, book or DVD)...and if it's second-hand, so much the better!

Lucy.

My family do and so that would not be a problem. not sure bout my OH's family tho and tbh i would not like to interfere there - if he wants to tell them then fine but i would guess that he wouldn't be comfortable with that. and tbh, we are not in a diabolical situation where we can't afford anything - we just have to be extremely careful - much more so than we've been before.

climbgirl

mrslawrence2003 wrote:

My family do and so that would not be a problem. not sure bout my OH's family tho and tbh i would not like to interfere there - if he wants to tell them then fine but i would guess that he wouldn't be comfortable with that. and tbh, we are not in a diabolical situation where we can't afford anything - we just have to be extremely careful - much more so than we've been before.

If you can't get them to agree to just buy for the kids, or to all only buy for one person in the family etc, then I guess you need to just really hunt around for bargains or make presents yourself. There's some brilliant suggestions here and on the christmas thread.

For next year, I'd start in January - saving points like Boots, pigsback etc and starting a present box. Buy cards and wrapping paper in the sales and keep them. Buy things and use your points when you see BOGOF specials and in sales. I started my present box about 6 months ago and it's working brilliant, saving me a fortune.

Lucycat

mrslawrence2003 wrote:

My family do and so that would not be a problem.

Well, that could be half of the expense solved!

Could you suggest visiting one of the two families in the New Year instead, to spread the cost slightly - I know you said SIL was due to pop shortly, could you combine the two visits?

Someone higher in the thread suggested getting crafty - another fab & thrifty idea. I've done lots of crocheted oddments (sometimes quite literally!) over the last few years - scarves, throws & baby blankets - for my granny I've done tapestries & made her a very simple patchwork blanket for her lap. My sister has had mason jars of HM bodyscrubs, & muffin & biscuit mixtures, pour & melt soaps, and since I started making jewellery a few years ago I don't think anyone has escaped!

Back me into a corner & I come out crafting! :eek: :rotfl:

I really can empathise - not only is Christmas marching swiftly towards my bank balance, it's also my daughter's birthday on the 26th Jan & my partner's on the 28th. And did I mention I'm also due to pop at the end of Jan? You have to laugh, don't you? :rotfl:

Lucy.

GardenMillie

There are some great threads on the Old Style board, with great tips on how to spread the cost, where to get bargains and even making your own presents.

I would keep a look out at supermarkets if you have any ladies to buy for they do some lovely fashion jewellery at a fraction of the high street prices.

Good luck.:T

Goldielocks

mrslawrence2003 wrote:

have to buy pressies for 14 ppl (not incl my husband)

Hi there Mrs. L,

Just stumbled on your post & wanted to make a comment.
Why do you HAVE to buy presents for 14 people?

I hate Christmas, I'll be honest. It has become such a commercial venture. At the beginning of September we already started to see the shops filling the shelves with their festive goods. September??!!! That's nearly 4 months till Christmas Day.

Have you ever looked around you when you go out Christmas shopping? Look closely at the majority of people. See their grey, tight, pinched faces - do most of them look like they are enjoying the experience? No. They are probably thinking to themselves that they can't afford this and how they dread the credit card bills in January. They look stressed and miserable.

Years ago I used to spend a lot of money on my family & friends at Christmas - I always used to regret it afterwards when the bills came in. Do my family and friends love me any less because I didn't buy them lots of nice pressies at Christmas? No of course not.

I am now bankrupt and I will not be lining the pockets of the greedy commercial vultures this year. I shall manage a few small/cheap token gifts to my family and that is it. It does not make me tight or a 'meanie' - I am just spending what I can afford (very little) and also i do not buy into this whole big EVENT that Christmas has become. Where have the days gone when families would gather together over the festive season and enjoy each other's company and be thankful for small little gifts, bought with thought?

I feel very sorry for families with children - most of them are under extreme pressure to keep up with the kids demands for 'what I WANT for Christmas' - purely because someone at school has it or they have it consistently rammed in their faces with the shameful advertising that goes on these days, especially the TV.

Sorry to rant, I am not an old duffer by the way, I'm in my early 30s! I'm not a Bah Humbug - I just feel sad more than anything that there is no real meaning of Christmas for most people anymore it is just about spend, spend, spend which then results in debt, debt, debt!

Mrs. L - in order to avoid undue stess and anxiety - why not cut right back on your gift buying, especially the adults? Christmas is more a time for children to enjoy.

G