Oh, for the good old days when people would stop Christmas shopping when they ran out

mary-op

I get whatever freebies I can and make some sort of collection of creams etc. for a 'pamper pot', had done the 'name a star' and name on mars -this year I've gone for the 'face in space' but haven't had the certificate through to print out yet.......second attempt so not sure I'll get it.
Whatever I can make I do and if I can recylce stuff I've already got all the better (unwanted gifts I've had that get stuffed in a drawer-transforming something thats past its prime into something else etc.)
Amazing what you can do to cut costs if you need/want to.:)

vickym

Some brilliant ideas on here - well done everyone. I have also made a few christmas cakes this year and one of them I am cutting into 2 halves and decorating each in the style of a snow hill with sky and at the base of the mountain I am gonna make penquins and snowmen out of icing. I am gonna given them to 2 couples with a bottle of wine. I am confident that they will go down really well as everyone loves my christmas cake. xx

sharronloves2spend

My tip is this

Christmas comes the same time every year, most people spend roughly the same (unless circumstances change) so PLAN!!!

I always spend £200 each on my kids (£800) and £100 on others and £100 on food which means Jan-october £100 a month gets put away. I will dip into the fund if a bargain pops up throughout the year and put it away for christmas, but generally the first week in November all presents are bought leaving the food for christmas week. If i shopped throughout december i would simply spend needlessly.

Sharron xx

PasturesNew

My mate had 2 kids and was on the dole (1982/3 time) - each week, from early September, she'd buy one "Xmas Thing" and it'd go in a pile beside the telly, building up the excitement. One week it was a tin of pineapple I remember. The growing pile of treats the family could enjoy over Xmas kept them excited for months.

prosaver

SurfBowlSC wrote: »

There is literally NOTHING that I want for Christmas......... and there's no point her just getting me £50 worth of stuff that I'll never use.

I feel the same ...however if you get presents you dont like
give them to someone else for christmas or birthday but dont get mixed

up and give it to the same person :rotfl:
(or you could do if you hate them)

Gemmy_2

Buy good deals throughout the year. By the time it gets to October you're done.

prosaver

Tamster150 wrote: »

Don't go mad food-wise
It is basically a Sunday Roast Dinner,
Buy a few goodies, but really do you need to fill your trolley (or 2 - this I have seen)

and the shops are closed for ONE day - you do NOT need to stockpile and fill every single cupboard and space in the Fridge & freezer. It is Christmas not a nuclear war!

thats we we say but sing the durran duran song "Is There Something I Should Know?"


Don't say you're easy on me you're about as easy as a nu--clear war

Winged_one

I ahve 2 presents left to buy, (one I am helping someone wearing red with), and a couple of food items for hampers closer to Christmas (making most but want some cheese for one). We are not cooking turkey this year (in MIL's for dinner), and I think I have all the things I want for hampers for the local church and ourselves.

I am actually looking forward to some quiet time writing cards, enjoying wrapping, putting DD's new room to rights, and going into town to enjoy the atmosphere rather than be frantically buying this year (I haven't managed it the past 2 years, but I really enjoy the Decembers I have time to meet friends and relax over coffe and mince pies, or long leisurely lunches! or do things I WANT to do).

prosaver

I went to Wilkinsons 2 christmas eves ago and all the toys were half price and got loads of bargins
so last year I went there with a hand full of cash and guess what? they weren't reduced.
as catherine tate would say
how very dare they!

Sambucus_Nigra

prosaver wrote: »

Oh, for the good old days when people would stop Christmas shopping when they ran out of money.
anyone got any tips how to enjoy Christmas without money being involved
:j
1. use last years decoration and dont buy any new

Loads!

Don't send cards. I stopped years ago.
Only buy a few presents for the kids
Minimal decorations - we have a one of these http://www.muji.co.uk/ trees and 2 small decorations; they do us well - no need for all the bling.

We have a chili and nachos for christmas day food with pancakes at some point - the main spend is travelling to relatives; but we don't buy presents for any adults; they may get a jar of HM jam or bottle of HM wine; and of course a jar of Nigella's chili jelly - but that's it.