Xmas support?

gailey_2

Got thinking about the downside of xmas whilst being a dfw when reading another thread.

Sometimes think being dfw in december like being a overeater in a choc shop.

I have had a few xmas invites

school pta night out £35-not going , was discussed in meeting and said everyone ok with that and no one spoke up seems like reasonable amount dident include transport/drinks:eek:

group night out £15 food, drinks not included so say £30min cant go as hubbys working.

2other nights out-costs unsure

hubbys wortks night out-costs unsure

mum wants to go xmas shopping

I havent even started my xmas shopping.

last few weeks been mega sales but not had the money.

doing same as last year and making a lot of stuff.
did buy reduced cards/wrapping paper in jan sale.

So thourght I ask the question.

Are freinds/ family less supportive at xmas than other times.
as a lot of people their busiest non food shopping time is dec and same with social life everyone wants to see you.

Havent been out at new year for years as soo pricey.

going to try and enjoy the festivities as cheap as possible.

will maybe meet for dinner at somewhere cheap like weatherspoons or ember as 2course last year cost £9.99!

want to take eldest iceskating
watch xmas movies with basic popcorn @home
make hubby huge batch of mince pies
find a cheap santa!
go to xmas markets with mum but just browse and soak up atmoshere.
take kids to church-so they dont forget true meaning

Its not that im totally antisocial.
its just what little spare money do have would rather do cheaper things dont understand why people arrange so many expensive nights out all time even in times of recession

making a decision to not go to all the nights out and save the money for family holiday next year as presents aside its too easy to get sucked into whole season and end up feelng worse than before dont want to wake up new year with financial hangover.

BEAT_THE_DEBT

Hi i know what you mean i am only going out once for christmas with some mates to a local pub no food!
Your plans for iceskating and church and christmas films sound much better than money fulled nights out that will give you more than a financial hangover lol x

rising_from_the_ashes

I tend to have one night out - I miss the works lunch but go to the evening disco (£5). The lunch is usually around £30 + drinks + I'd have to go home & get back to town again (need to feed / walk the dog) which would increase the cost hugely - and I just can't justify this.

I will be spending very little on presents again this year - my friends are all in a similar financial situation so we tend to get together one night & have a buffet / drinks (bought on offer) so this works out very cheap.

Yes it might be nice to go to a few more - but they usually cost £100+ and I'm afraid I've better things to do with the little money I have!

elsiepac

Hiya

My friends aren't prepared to go out and spend loads of money either, but we've decided we do want to go out for a group Christmas meal. We've each exchanged some of our Tesco vouchers for Strada vouchers, and we've planned to go on the 10th December. All the food will be covered, and taxis will total no more than £10 each for both ways as there is 5 of us. Then it's just drinks and even if I have a whole bottle of wine (!) that's £14 ish so £24 for a really lovely night out in a part of town which we don't normally go to, for a special treat, I don't think is unreasonable and I'm really looking forward to it!

The only other thing for me is the work night out - on the upside we get the meal and about 2 drinks funded. I also have a hotel room booked for me through work as I live over 20 miles away and they do it so that people can come (to be fair, they got a great Premier Inn deal for £27 B+B!). So all I have to pay for is drinks and if any of us go on to other venues where you might have a small cover charge to get in. But actually, overall the control will be in my hands as all the big costs are covered.

I'm not doing anything else as I can't afford it!

Ooo! Forgot about New Year! We're doing what we have done for the last couple of years, and my friend is hosting us and we all bring wine/champagne and food contributions. Works out a pretty cheap night and really good fun. Plus no manky drunken louts to contend with!!!

LC

gailey_2

Elsiepack sounds fab idea might pinch for next year .congrats on being nearly debt free.

Theres only really 3mates want to see before xmas and will do that cheaply at local pub.
might have few freinds round for dinner as thats what we do throughout the year so be nice havent done much in ages not kiddy related.

find organised large do,s the hardest and worry they may think me antisocial but its just too much money to spend in 1 night.

Beat the debt-I mainly enjoy xmas now seeing the kids exited little faces.
They not getting huge amount will keep to budget.
want to go too enchanted forest in woods but its national trust and even thats pricey plus milage to get there.

not very mse but we always have real tree we love the ritual of shopping and picking a tree each year.
jan sales got monsoon xmas decs 75%off so tree look grand this year/
1 present brought 2nd hand rocking horse for £12 was £300 new.

looking on old style and xmas boards.

making food hampers again.

ohh another grumble is xmas collection for the teachers and the assistants!

Standingtall

I know it's very naughty but...

A small bottle of very cheap vodka slipped into the handbag. After all, it's unlikely security will be looking out for such deviant behaviour at work do's:beer:

It won't solve everything as you will still have to buy the extortionately over price coke, or other mixer. Still a good move though I think:rotfl:

WelshWoofer

I've boycotted the official works do this year too - its not just the £20 cost of the ticket, its the new outfit (posh do clothes), taxis there and back (next town) and drinks after the free ones run out - all in all its probably the best part of £120 ish (including new clothes).

I really want to get the lounge decorated in the new year and this extra £100 will pay for the curtains!

And after all that we finish for a half day on the last day of term and all go to the pub for the afternoon/evening so that can be my informal xmas do.

natlie

I am avoiding work stuff this year as I am on maternity leave. Friend has asked me to go shopping. But think it will be a no. Have done my shopping and homemade hampers. This had been my poorest Xmas ever and I love Xmas but not this year feeling a bit down about it all

gailey_2

natlie wrote: »

I am avoiding work stuff this year as I am on maternity leave. Friend has asked me to go shopping. But think it will be a no. Have done my shopping and homemade hampers. This had been my poorest Xmas ever and I love Xmas but not this year feeling a bit down about it all

Dont be down its babys first xmas which is cute in itself.
I used to have baby 1st xmas bauble with my 1st then my stepson broke it.

Least they want for nothing at that age.:)

cant resist the cuteness of a novlety xmas baby outfit.

my youngest is 10months old at xmas, my 2year olds easy but my 5year old and 13year old stepson far more expensive.

I sometimes get down shopping seeing everyone with their bags.
I envy you being so organised im so behind this year and left everything far too late vowed was going to be done by xmas dec 1st but thats not going to happen.

Just find people odd at times as other times of year you dont go out much then expect to condese lots into one month as well as funding presents.

Welsh woofer sounds like good idea much prefer informal drinks at pub rather than fancy golfcourse and disco.

standing tall-havent smuggled drinks out in ages.
do wish soft drinks were cheaper as thats what encourages people to drink more!

sounds sad but my fave xmas shopping is buying reduced food on xmas eve and boxing day as manage to feed whole family for under £100 last 2years for jan due to so many bargains!

YORKSHIRELASS

I never had too much trouble avoiding the works Christmas do because ours was a bit rubbish - its when you really want to do something for Christmas that stretches you financially. Thats hard. Its our turn to visit family just before Christmas this year and its almost a 450 mile round trip. Never mind other expenses when we get there. I so want to go and how do you explain you cant afford it when we take it in turns?

I also find that many people are less understanding about being sensible with money at Christmas. "What do you mean you cant afford to go? come on, its Christmas" Sighs.

I have saved up for presents this year which is great, its just all the other stuff that crops up and catches you out.

80sGirl_2

I agree -Christmas always seems to end up costing more than budgeted, as I often forget about work parties/ taxi costs etc.

Luckily, at my new job, the staff are all averse to Christmas do's, so although I did try to plan one, nobody paid their deposits in time, so it has now been cancelled.

At my old place of work (mainly due to clinic pressures meaning we couldn't all trot off for the canteen Christmas meal) we set aside one room and all brought buffet style items in.

This was a) really cheap and b) better than a sit down meal, as you had chance to talk to everyone, not just the 3 people sat around you.

The main downside was clearing up the room & airing it before patients could use it again!