Christmas conundrum

Mike_parsonnage

Hi Ruby .

Do not spend any more money than you have . As for the works Christmas do and New Years Eve , why not just go on one of them. New years eve is a big con everything including travel is overpriced . You might feel a bit left out on the night of the 31st but the next day it is January 1st when it is all over and forgotten.
Thinking again about the money, Christmas is upon us the build up is happening whether we like it or not we are forced to all be included in it. However fast forward to January what would you rather ? be in more debt when the whole thing is but a memory and you still have money and debt to deal with or not be in more debt. January can be quite a low time for many people and more money worries will not help .

Christmas is for kids and your 3 children are the priority where you and your money are concerned . They are going to have enough from grandparents ect but you can still get them ample from yourself with the money that you have . You do not need to go over the top thinking about what to buy and shopping around will lead to presents that they are very happy with that fall within your budget. As for family and friends they are adults , explain to them that you cannot afford to buy for them they MUST understand ( people on a tight budget is the order of the day ) and they will.
If you do not overspend you will be less stressed and your children while enjoying their presents will also enjoy your company more as kids can pick up on stress very quickly.

Enjoy your and your kids Christmas but do not get sucked into overspending this year. xx

Sue-UU

Mike_parsonnage wrote: »

If you do not overspend you will be less stressed and your children while enjoying their presents will also enjoy your company more as kids can pick up on stress very quickly.

Enjoy your and your kids Christmas but do not get sucked into overspending this year. xx

Hi Ruby, I really do feel for you right now, you're in a horrible situation money-wise, but are blessed with 3 kiddies..they are the gifts tat a lot of people can only dream about. Christmas will come and very quickly it will be gone and your kids will be thrilled to bits with whatever they have, no matter what the cost!

Kiddies the age of yours need 3 things, a loving Mum, warmth and food..a tender Mum to turn to turn to for a cuddle..listen to their woes, their hopes, their dreams - THAT - is far more precious to a child than any gift - and will be remembered when they're in their 80s. I'm sure that's what you give them throughout the year..so why should Christmas be held so high that it pushes so many parents to desperate measures?

We all aim high for our youngsters, but not too high, Ruby, keep it simple and affordable and in so doing, keeping you happy knowing you're giving them more than some kiddies dream of - because their parents stuff expensive gifts at them..all too often to keep them quiet. Sad, don't you think?

As for entertaining, that can be extremely over-rated. Work at getting your debts off, Ruby and love and friendship will happen..when it's meant to. Meanwhile, give your loved ones who have given so much to you, a HUGE hug and words of appreciation for all they mean to you. If they love you back that's real family and true friends and that's you giving something that cannot be bought..gratitude and love, just as you received.

Have a joyful Christmas and thank God for all that you have in life - it's a lot.

Love and hugs, Sue x

RubySewSew

Thank you, I'm really overwhelmed by so much positivity and kindness. I'll let you know how I get on x

MrsTinks

Last year my birthday present from my mum was her coming over for my birthday to spend the weekend with us and her grandaughter doing christmas things like we did when we were kids... this was FAR more valuable to me than any present
I don't remember much of what I got as a present (I remember vividly what my younger brother got as he always got the games consoles etc and I had boring stuff like clothes...) - but I remember making decorations, baking, cooking and going to pick the tree on my uncles farm. I remember the blisters from trying to chop a large christmas tree with a small handaxe and I remember the hot chocolate in his kitchen after we had manhandled the usually by then slightly less attractive tree on top of the car
I remember playing board games and watching old films, eating sweets and cakes we'd made...
I'm not going nuts on our daughter (2 1/2) this year - she's getting a wooden dolls house (£35 from Asda) and that's her big present from her daddy and me
I've told friends not to bother about christmas presents - whilst we're not loaded then I know most are either struggling or saving for weddings etc and I don't want them wasting money on presents for us I'm doing loads of home made presents and I'd much rather than something they'd made if they insist on giving us something As they say... something money can't buy!

Memory_Girl

Couple of years ago I was in much the same position - I made a Xmas day treasure hunt with the kids where the whole day was spent fining little treasures hidden around the house. ............... a few chocolate coins, a santa lolly, tangerines, hand knitted gloves, sock monkeys, packets of cards, dominoes, a scrabble game, a set of paintbrushes, some paints, some bubbles.

Every 30 minutes right through the day the buzzer would go off and they would dip their hands into the "clue stocking" and set off on another adventure.

DS1 has asked if we can do this again this year as he had so much fun - he doesn't even remember what else he got from rellies that year - just the fun he had with the treasure hunt.

I hope you all have a magical day

MG

FireWyrm

Hey Memory Girl, what a fantastic idea...mind if I nick that?

OP, it's not the amount, but the quality when it comes to children. Personally, I spend the majority of money on food, the kids help make the Christmas cake, mince pies and puddings. Presents for the wider family are £5 each max and on the immediate family £10 usually. The kids fair better with £20 each and my husband and I usually make do with socks or other tokens....we make up for it later, after the kids are in bed....

Good food, good company, laughs and togetherness are Christmas for us...not the monetary value of presents. They are almost an after thought.

Hiddenidenity

I have (will have when I actually get them) £10 between my two, Fair enough they are younger than yours. I wont go in debt for xmas infact for anything. We are living off £9.68 for food etc for 3 months at least. You can make xmas happy without needing to spend money. We dont really have family to visit, although my mum may call on xmas day. We will have potatoes and veg and gravy for xmas dinner so i wont be spending any extra that what i already do.

They will appreciate being warm, having food and you more than you stressing over money becuase you have overspent on gfts

Cherryjack

i would say just concentrate on the kids.. really its just having something to open which is nice.. gold coins, selection boxes, puzzle books, really get down to poundland.. and do them stockings(route out yr old stockings and fill them with little goodies).. do you have any tesco clubcard vouchers to cash in? ebay stuff this weekend..fast. ive put clothing on just used newlook stuff.. and im upto over £150.00 in profit. You can even pick up a few poundland bargains for the adults..i have and they look great! x

Mort

What worked for me.

1. Go to one works function only, have a budget for the night, leave early enough to get bus home. Do not get a taxi.
2. We came clean to family about debt and together we came up with a bran tub or secret santa with a limit of £10 for all the adults.
3. Children were teenagers, and in the know, so we gave them £15 cash.
4. Remind everyone that Christmas dinner is just a Sunday roast with crackers.

remote_control

I grew up fully aware of the financial situation and I therefore learnt not to expect much from mum as I knew what it involved. The other posters are right, when I look back now time spent together is what I remember more than presents.

Have a lovely christmas