Christmas Stress

joeblack066

Hi all! As you will know, I am well in debt, and have taken the first steps to sorting this mess out, as have all the MSE'ers on here. One recurring theme that I have noticed is that many of us are getting stressed over how we are going to manage Christmas on very little money. So I thought I'd just take a moment to say this; Christmas is about the spirit of giving, not the cost of the gift. You can give your time, your love, and your attention without it costing a bean. If you feel that you can't face telling people that you can't afford it this year, try telling them that you are not going to buy into the commercialism by doing Christmas on credit cards, but that you have decided to revive the old fashioned spirit of Christmas this year. Make gifts, give people items that you know they admire of yours, be personal. But overall, forget the adverts, the spin, and have a truly Merry Christmas knowing that you haven't done it on an overspend. That's my plan! Debs :rudolf:

LookingAhead

And so say all of us...

Inviting some people around for some warm spiced mulled wine would be very festive, and social too without going mad (cheaper than presents by a long chalk) and it's so good to get people together & talking.

Nice post JB!

taxi73

I agree with you...christmas isn't the same anymore...I have been swept along with the commercialism for too long...but have now decided enoughs enough...I have told my family and ironically they felt the same...so this year non of us will be burdened with the guilt and none of us in a worse debt than before...nice post

Xbigman

I saw something interesting last week. It was a pack of cardboard, glue, glitter, etc for children to do home made cards for xmas. It said 'recapture the spirit of xmas and save money with this incredible pack that will keep your children amused for hours (contents sufficient for 3 cards)' cost - £5.99.

So saving nothing and your kids will be amused as long as you are there to oversee them. Big deal.
Regards



X

LittleL_4

Yep I totally agree. I'm off today and i'm going to try and buy as many bargain christmas presents off ebay as I can. I have about 14 to buy and before my LB moment I would spend on average about £350 - £400 :eek: This year my budget is about £170

I'm also listing about 10 items, so if they sell then even better.

I also make my own christmas cards (well I have a small business in this line) and I save about £30. I think, on average, a decent card can cost £4!

Everything is a rip off and I for one aint buying into it anymore :j

Little L
x

gettingitsorted

In previous years iv gone totally ott with christmas presents for the kids (4 of them ) i used to spend at least £600 just on them but this year after finding this site iv managed to cut it right back using the grabit while you can thread and have only spent £150 and got more for my money.

:j

Smashing

I'm thinking of trademarking the term 'christmas has become so commercialised...'

Reckon I'm onto a winner there.

joeblack066

I agree totally re the Commercialised 'Make your own ' kits for kids..........but with a bit of glitter and glue from a £1 shop, some printer paper and last-years-cards, the kids can have hours of fun! Debs :rudolf: :rudolf: :rudolf: :rudolf:

gettingitsorted

I think its also difficult for the kids nowdays as i know mine have alot of friends who are always going on about what there getting latest games consoles, mobiles.ipods etc, i must admit mine are fully aware of my financial situation so dont go on at me for them but i imagine many families over stretch themselves just to buy the children these type of things so they fit in so to speak.

melaniec_2

I can totally understand how people esp with kids get upset about having to be thrifty at Christmas.

My family and I always do christmas lists in Oct/Nov and only spend around £15 - £20 on each other. We think of little things that we'd like and if we would like some thing big we ask for money towards it.

My sister is a single mum so everyone asks for some thing around £5 from her.

We all live miles from each other so each year the sunday before Christmas my Nan does Christmas and we all get together its my favourite day of the year.

Christmas can be thrifty.

OneSpike

>Gets on soap box< I have to say, as a mum and step-mum, that I think lots of people make a rod for their own backs by getting their children used to very expensive or prestige gifts. I love giving my daughter presents (the stepchildren are teenagers so want less cutesy things), don't get me wrong, I'm no anti-fun Scrooge, but we've done very well this year from Freecycle and eBay. I've spent £8 on some dolls I know she wants, and from Freecycle we have a combined swing, slide and climbing frame (which we dismantled in the rain yesterday, urgh!) and a fairy-decorated magnetic note-board, not a bad haul for any little girl. My stepdaughter is having one £16 hack paid for (she would love riding lessons but we can't afford it) and being carted over to the other side of the county to her favoured stables for it, and my stepson will probably get a financial donation towards bits he needs for his computer - £20 or so. For his birthday in October my stepson got our old semi-dead digital camera (one of our last pre-LBM purchases was a new one after being stuck on an unprecedented European holiday with a tetchy camera) which he can fiddle around with, being that way orientated, as obviously use if he can get it working.

Sorry, off on a rant and a tangent. I'm a big believer in the 'other' side of Christmas and love making presents and cards, making food and seeing people and generally having a magical time. The presents are the least of it, but I must admit to a childish thrill about my stocking!