So, how do YOU budget for Christmas?

TimBear

jtr2803 wrote: »

I am really curious about all the people that have already bought gifts for next year...how do you know that's what those people will want next year? I could imagine doing this for my mum as she generally likes the same things every year - PJ's, slippers and that sort of thing but my boyfriend and brother normally want computer games or newly released electronics. Yes, I could go and buy some bits now but I think I would be buying them for the sake of having a gift to give them rather than something I know they really want. I also have absolutely no room to store presents here really

I generally don't put money aside for Xmas but generally start buying things in September/October, going to try and change things a bit this year although it wont be until the summer as I have almost every penny allocated for the next six months due to holidays :eek:

In my family, and between my friends, not one of us writes a list we just buy things we think they will like.

The things I've already bought for next year (birthdays as well as Christmas) are little handbags, perfume, jewellery, make up bits, belt, wash bags, slippers etc...

So fairly generic things but that I know people will like. I tend to have certain people in mind when I buy things too so I don't end up with lots of stuff but no one suitable to give it to.

cleggie

jtr2803 wrote: »

I am really curious about all the people that have already bought gifts for next year...how do you know that's what those people will want next year? I could imagine doing this for my mum as she generally likes the same things every year - PJ's, slippers and that sort of thing but my boyfriend and brother normally want computer games or newly released electronics. Yes, I could go and buy some bits now but I think I would be buying them for the sake of having a gift to give them rather than something I know they really want. I also have absolutely no room to store presents here really

I generally don't put money aside for Xmas but generally start buying things in September/October, going to try and change things a bit this year although it wont be until the summer as I have almost every penny allocated for the next six months due to holidays :eek:

I think the same, thats why i am saving a regular amount instead of buying anything now.
Not only that, but i love Christmas shopping in November/December, as we walk through the market and smell all the nice food they cook there, listen to the carol singers, and it FEELS Christmassy if you see what i mean?

Always_after_a_bargin

We plan to this year, Put money away into a e savings account every month, I will top up my tesco clubcard for my food shop, Will also pick up a small amazon and marks and spencer voucher aswell every month, I spent a small fortune on amazon plus marks and spencer i bought some luxery items like our christmas yule log,mince pies, christmas cake, smoked salmon, our sauces etc. We never held back this year, we could of reined it in slightly but we had a rough year and we have just moved back home so thought to hell with it, Never year will be budgeted. We enjoyed every minute of it this year, We have eat out, we have had days outs, panto etc, The kids had a ball!

Wendy5704

jtr2803 wrote: »

I am really curious about all the people that have already bought gifts for next year...how do you know that's what those people will want next year? I could imagine doing this for my mum as she generally likes the same things every year - PJ's, slippers and that sort of thing but my boyfriend and brother normally want computer games or newly released electronics. Yes, I could go and buy some bits now but I think I would be buying them for the sake of having a gift to give them rather than something I know they really want. I also have absolutely no room to store presents here really

I tend to buy in the sales for birthdays and Christmas. I mainly buy jewellery and smelly sets for my sister, sister in law, nephew and nieces. I tend to give the adults a token gift and some money so the smelly sets are ideall as they get a decent pressie for a little money. I know the sets I buy can do a couple of different people so it doesnt really matter if I see something at a later stage but do be honest this has never happened. I also go quite a bit overboard too as I love Christmas and find it easier to pick thinks up as I go along to spread the cost.

mabelmoo_2

Hi

Last year I calculated an individual budget for each person (including myself) for Christmas (& the 4 birthdays we have to buy for in December!) I then took an estimate of how much I spend on food/ nights out etc over Christmas and worked out the grand total.

I then split this into 12 monthly payments and then divided these by 2 so that my OH & I both pay the same amount towards Christmas. This money goes into a seperate savings account called 'Christmas'.

The money goes out of our bank accounts when we get paid, so like many others have said we don't really miss it.

We saved £800 this year and managed to get everyone some really good presents after reading all the ideas on here. We even managed a weekend away to do all our shopping & really enjoyed not having to worry about where the money was coming from.

I'm going to keep the budget the same again this year as £800 was more than enough and we even had some money left over for a bit of shopping in the January sales :A

HTH

StartingAgainKayla70

madvixen wrote: »

Camelcamel is a price checker who email you when the price of an Amazon product reaches a certain price. For example, if you were after a certain lego product and it was currently at £60 you'd log onto camelcamel and enter the web page along with the amount you are willing to pay eg £40. They will then email/tweet you when the price drops to your price. They will also show you a graph with the items prices on for the last 6 months so you can see what the lowest price has been. It's a great wee site.

Hope that helps

Brilliant, I have just registered with Camel, thanks for sharing.:j

sethsgran

Excellent TimBear will check out the Card Factory, must be a store somewhere near me.

candjsmum

I always buy in the January sales especially the Boots one. I tend to buy loads of stuff here and then use throughout the year. I give a small token pressie to hubbys nieces and nephews at xmas so this is ideal for that kind of thing. Also great for secret santa. I spent a fortune at Amazon this year so I have thought about buying a £10 gift voucher every month to do this with. Already bought cards, wrap and crackers for 2012:beer:

cleggie

For the people who buy throughout the year- do you have a lot of people to buy for? Do you get each person quite a few presents?
I only have My kids (11 and 7), my niece (15), my younger sister, and my mum.
Maybe this makes a difference?

Savvybunny2009

I buy throughout the year but I think I can get away with it as my daughter is two so does not have a stong opinion of what she want's yet. My family, one sister and her boyfriend, three brothers, mum, dad, grandad and the my husbands side mum, dad, three nephews/nieces, nan and uncle.

Hubby buys for family about a week before Christmas but I buy for my side throughout the year. The reason I do this is that no one gives a list of things they want or asks for anything in paticular, it's up to the buyer to find something you know the recipient will like. If I see something in the sales or on offer throughout the year that know they would love I buy it otherwise I buy closer to the time.

Not as easy for Hubby as he has a list, I get surprises for him and he chooses a couple of big presents he wants.

Also sales are great for gifts for friends birthdays, mother's day, fathers day etc.