What Are You Doing For Christmas

nagger_2

Christmas is a bit different for us this year, when it comes to paying for it that is. Typically we have just bought presents for the kids until:

a. They have a reasonable amount (I don't know what is reasonable)

b. They have an equal amount.

c. We have spent around the same on each.

So there we were trying to decide what we should get the kids this year. After a short while we struggled to think of more than a few things and then it hit us. They have loads of stuff already and we are buying for the sake of it rather than getting things they need and will enjoy. So a challenge was set.

We have allocated each child £100 and it is up to us to get the best value for money whilst ensuring that it is useful and chrismassy.

Eldest daughter (11) wants a mobile phone, that is just not going to happen, talk about peer pressure! The younger (8) wants a Nintendo DS, again I don't subscribe to the computer game generation so that one is out.

To date we are doing ok, No1 daughter has started playing hockey at school and all her friends have got their own hockey sticks. £15+ for a new one and I'm not sure she will stick (no pun intended) at it good old eBay 99p for a stick and a bag. The Book People are doing some great deals and we have built up some points with them so we can get some freebies. CDs from Bang in Singapore seem to be the best deal, they are into their music so that helps a little.

We are determined to keep along these lines, any surplus ( I am convinced there will be) cash will be given to the kids to add to their savings accounts. We always find that relatives tend to buy them quite a bit so that helps too.

I am trying to think about Jan and Feb 07 and pushing through those months without trying to 'recover' from Christmas spending.

Right must go and see if I can get a horse for under a tenner!

Regards,

Nagger

bride2be2006

Daughter is getting a lap top, she asked for money from everyone for her BD in October and has £220 to put towards it, we are shelling out the rest £130 and then she is just getting very small surprises to open on the day (prob about £50 worth) I know what you mean they all want really expensive things these days - not the chocolate coins and socks we got!!!

immoral_angeluk

nagger wrote:

Christmas is a bit different for us this year, when it comes to paying for it that is. Typically we have just bought presents for the kids until:

a. They have a reasonable amount (I don't know what is reasonable)

b. They have an equal amount.

c. We have spent around the same on each.

So there we were trying to decide what we should get the kids this year. After a short while we struggled to think of more than a few things and then it hit us. They have loads of stuff already and we are buying for the sake of it rather than getting things they need and will enjoy. So a challenge was set.

We have allocated each child £100 and it is up to us to get the best value for money whilst ensuring that it is useful and chrismassy.

Eldest daughter (11) wants a mobile phone, that is just not going to happen, talk about peer pressure! The younger (8) wants a Nintendo DS, again I don't subscribe to the computer game generation so that one is out.

To date we are doing ok, No1 daughter has started playing hockey at school and all her friends have got their own hockey sticks. £15+ for a new one and I'm not sure she will stick (no pun intended) at it good old eBay 99p for a stick and a bag. The Book People are doing some great deals and we have built up some points with them so we can get some freebies. CDs from Bang in Singapore seem to be the best deal, they are into their music so that helps a little.

We are determined to keep along these lines, any surplus ( I am convinced there will be) cash will be given to the kids to add to their savings accounts. We always find that relatives tend to buy them quite a bit so that helps too.

I am trying to think about Jan and Feb 07 and pushing through those months without trying to 'recover' from Christmas spending.

Right must go and see if I can get a horse for under a tenner!

Regards,

Nagger

Well we've only currently got one child(Unless you count the one in my belly but it's not like she can open presents just yet, ) so we've got her quite a bit, as it's our last christmas with just her to buy for so we've spoilt her a little bit (But everything paid for outright, no more debt for us this xmas!) and all the family members/friends that we wanted to buy for have had presents worth about £10 each. Dh and I are spending £30 on each other and no more.

climbgirl

I'm skipping Christmas this year, I'm flying on Christmas day (the flight was £400 cheaper this way ) So my christmas will be pretty cheap and straightforward. I've got 5 people to buy for and so far they've all come in at under £20 because I've been hunting for bargains for the last 3 or 4 months.

Quite excited about skipping it, I love the build-up and all the parties but I find Christmas Day itself a real anti-climax. So this is the perfect solution!

nagger_2

Daughter is getting a lap top, she asked for money from everyone for her BD in October and has £220 to put towards it,

I often wonder about this, I bought my girls a (cheapish) MP3 player each last year and they just don't look after them. I suspect that is they had put something towards the cost they would appreciate them more and understand the value of money a little better.

I live in hope.

Regards,

Nagger

Avogirly

I will be having a quiet christmas this year, as xmas day is my only day off. My second job is working in a theatre, so it's a very busy time for us. Boyf and I will be having a sleepy one with the dogs and he is going to cook (hooray!).

As for money, I have saved all year for present buying, I have kept freebies and my lightspped points to put towards presents. We don't have a massive family, so not too many presents to buy either.

immoral_angeluk

nagger wrote:

I often wonder about this, I bought my girls a (cheapish) MP3 player each last year and they just don't look after them. I suspect that is they had put something towards the cost they would appreciate them more and understand the value of money a little better.

I live in hope.

Regards,

Nagger

Just tell them they'll have to pay for any repairs that need doing on it... when they find out how much it costs to repair things like that they'll start looking after it!

Pobby

Well my wife has to work on Christmas day and Boxing day.I will go to the pub to meet friends,cook a goose and have that with my wife in the evening.5 days later we will be on our way up country to relatives and 10 days off!

Storm

I had £85 overtime money at the end of October which combined with a £10 Virgin voucher & about £15 Boots points has bought all my Xmas presents (10 people) What I've done this year is rather than thinking I've got to spend the same on everyone looked at what they really want - it's actually made it far more fun going out shopping!

I should have about £40 overtime at the end of this month which I will be giving to my mum as my contribution towards the food & drink bonanza (I'll be staying there for several days)

First time in many, many years I've not used a CC at Christmas, and I'm loving it! I'm hoping to clear everythin by next year so I'll spend more on people then.

black-saturn

Were having 2 christmasses!! :eek: I'm going to my boyfriends with my 2 children for christmas and opening one half of the presents and then we are going to my mum and dads about a week later and opening the other half.

Jumps

I will be having Christmas Day at my parents and then Boxing Day at DH parents so no cooking for me!!!
This is the first year that I have not touched a credit card for Christmas but I have planned all my spending. I have made myself a spreadsheet so I know exactly how much I have spent and what I have left. I am hoping to come in under budget after some very careful shopping.