How much on Christmas spending?

louise30_2

Hi all

Thanks for your insight.

I think I will stick to my guns on this one - christmas just gets crazy. It's a real role reversal for us. When we met, BF didn't do Christmas at all and I went totally overboard. But since my LB moment in about February I have saved £2k (£2,250 on wednesday) towards a £4k debt I want to pay off next year and am trying to keep Christmas calmer.

Got a friend coming to stay at the weekend - anyone any (cheap suggestions to keep her and her new Bf who I've never met) entertained.

My BF wants to go to the pics on Saturday (Cineworld) and for a Pizza at Pizza Hut - anyone know if there are any vouchers or deals floating about?

oops_a_daisy

I have 4 cousins and we get present for eachother every year, there have been times that I couldnt afford to buy for them and so I havent and there have been times that they havent been able to buy my DD & I presents and I am really not bothered. I would rather not get a present, than them have to go into debt to get us one each, and it is not fair to expect them to buy presents for both my DD & I. I always get them gift sets in the Jan sales and put them away so it probably looks like I have spent more on them than I actually have. Last year they all got gift sets, choccies and a home knitted scarf - this year its the gift sets again, choccies and I picked up some nice umbrellas in the Jan sales too. I probably spend about a tenner on each. My Aunt & Uncle are difficult to buy for so I have spent £20 on a family game that I know they will appreciate on Christmas day when the family are round. My Mum & Dads birthdays are in November so I spend about £50 on each as a joint Birthday and Christmas presents. I wouldnt dare add up what is spent on my DD - but I have cut back this year The only others that I buy for is a friend of mine & her 2 little ones - I get a bottle of something alcoholic for the adults and pick up bits and bobs cheaply for their kids.
I hope everybody has a nice Christmas :santa2: but it really shouldnt be about how much is spent. Christmas for me is family time

luckylukey

I agree - its not how much you spend but what you give. I am making personalised calendars for everyone in my family and then buying them a small present each . All the presents will be from Boots as I have vouchers from Pigsback that I have saved up. I am only going to spend £10 per present and I am only buying the 3 for 2 presents so presents will only cost me the paper and ink for the calendars!

luckylukey

louise30 wrote:

Got a friend coming to stay at the weekend - anyone any (cheap suggestions to keep her and her new Bf who I've never met) entertained.

My BF wants to go to the pics on Saturday (Cineworld) and for a Pizza at Pizza Hut - anyone know if there are any vouchers or deals floating about?

Instead of going to the movies - cant you try a free dvd trial at home and make home made pizzas? you can let everyone make their own which is fun and an ice breaker!

And a long walk on saturday morning/afternoon around your local park/ town showing them the best bits - you can act like a tourist guide!

Storm

Well, I went Christmas shopping at the weekend - I had a budget of £85 as that was my overtime pay last month & I did pretty well. Most people I'm spending about £8-£10 on, but I'm making sure I'm getting them something they'll really like and appreciate. My family know that money is tight for me at the moment, so they wouldn't like it if I spent loads on each of them.

I've used Boots points & a loyalty card from Virgin too to boost the amount of stuff I can buy slightly, but I think I'm going to come in on budget! Just simple things like checking around the price of a CD has saved me £3 - last year I would have just bought it in the first shop I saw!

louise30_2

Thanks - I'll suggest it, but BF really wants to go to pics - is the pics about £6 these days (used to have an unlimited card, but it ran out)? And I'm hoping that teh blokes will pay for pizza (is that sexist?)

We are also going out for tapas on friday night - but it's my fave local restaurant, so I am really looking forward to it!

karren

We have lost the meaning of Christmas somewhere along the way, its just one mad shopping spree now with people still paying for it next Christmas![/QUOTE]

I agree, i am always careful with my money but hopefully not mean, i was a hamper agent (but thats another story) but we have christmas pushed in our faces from sept onways, its not about religion or caring its about greed now and it needs adressing, when the govt are too scared to put religious cards out from them it shows how far it has gone.!! (rant over)

lynzpower

pigsback does some pizza hut vouchers, I believe. but yu are cutting it fine to get them for the weekend- ask on the vuchers board

Cinema, well round here its more like 10+ booking fee, youd have to find out locally what they charge

KatrinaC_2

louise30 wrote:

Got a friend coming to stay at the weekend - anyone any (cheap suggestions to keep her and her new Bf who I've never met) entertained.

My BF wants to go to the pics on Saturday (Cineworld) and for a Pizza at Pizza Hut - anyone know if there are any vouchers or deals floating about?

If you go to the cinema then you have to spend the whole night in silence and you don't really get to know the person you are sat next to - the DVD and home made pizza idea sounds much more sociable (unless you find out you really don't like her new BF, in which case a couple of hours in silence might be a blessing! :rotfl:)

Kat

louise30_2

I think that's why my BF suggested it. He wants to be seen to be making an effort, but isn't very good at mixing - so pics means he gets some peace and quiet!!!!