❄❄ Let It Snow ❄❄ :: Christmas 2012 Chatter Thread

chirpychick

Possession wrote: »

I have spent a lot on my children in the past, but DH was made redundant and until he finds another job the children's presents are kind of on hold. I have no idea what DS will want as he seems to have gone completely off lego and star wars, and DD changes her mind like the wind and has just de-cluttered a few of the things I got for her last Christmas. i'm glad that she's decluttering but it feels like rather a waste of money! So other then stocking fillers, which I've already got, I'm not getting them anything at the moment.
I have however pre-ordered Arthur Christmas, to be paid for with Valued Opinions surveys.

I am going to be pre ordering Arthur Christmas shortly for Christmas Eve, I am stupidly excited LOL

I think you are wise, even as adults there have been things we (hubby and I) have brought each other that have ended up at carboots in April!

Depending on their ages I'd almost be inclined to give them money as their main present, that way they get to learn the value and the mistake if they waste it - but also they will be able to get more for their money in the sales. This is what my parents did, we would go somewhere different and big (like Bluewater) between Christmas and New Year to spend Christmas money and I enjoyed that so much more. It could be worth considering if you have teenagers.

carlamarie_2

had a funny little argument today with dh which me me laugh, thought u might like to hear it!

DH; did you put the bins out?
ME; !!!!!! i forgot!
DH; you have 2 jobs in this house, making sure the gas and electirc are topped up and putting the bins out! how can you forget?
ME; its not the end of the world ive got over things on my mind, get over it!
DH; whats things on your mind? christmas? thats your problem, your heads too far up santas @rse :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:
ME; yeah, but have i ever given you a bad christmas?
DH; never, but as much as i like christmas, i also like to be able to fit rubbish in the bins and have heat during the year!!!

Then, right on cue the electric ran out
DH; see what i mean?!

lol the head up santas @rse comment cracked me up!


on another note i recieved the buildabear delivery for my nieces present/ my avon was delivered today minus two items which had sold out :mad: of course they were the only presents that i had ordered; dd's barbie wash set for her xmas eve hamper and my nannas perfume. so its back to the drawing board on them.

chirpychick i think your presents sound fine! dont worry!

last yearwe spent about £200 each on the older 2 (they each got bikes) and last year spent £50 on the baby my full price n these was over £500 each on the big ones and £200 on the baby.
this year will probaly be the same as dd is getting a tv/dvd combo and a vanity table and ds is getting a wii. these are obviously expensive presents and it soon adds up.
with the baby i just need to get a couple more things and hes finished. so far i have spent £32.odd with a full price of £192.odd. this includes a tricycle.

Possession

They are 10 and 7 so while the 10 year old (practically 11 by xmas) would like to get money I don't think he'd like not having a pile of presents to open. He's going to have to give me some clues though, and come up with some cheap ideas as I have no idea what to get him. He'd like a cheap tablet I think but a) that's too expensive for him to have much else at all and b) he & DD share a laptop so he really has no need of it.

chirpychick wrote: »

I am going to be pre ordering Arthur Christmas shortly for Christmas Eve, I am stupidly excited LOL

I think you are wise, even as adults there have been things we (hubby and I) have brought each other that have ended up at carboots in April!

Depending on their ages I'd almost be inclined to give them money as their main present, that way they get to learn the value and the mistake if they waste it - but also they will be able to get more for their money in the sales. This is what my parents did, we would go somewhere different and big (like Bluewater) between Christmas and New Year to spend Christmas money and I enjoyed that so much more. It could be worth considering if you have teenagers.

dropsofjupiter

chickywiggle wrote: »

you're either very close to me or the other end of the country. i'm 1h 20. but don't drive so it'd be a train then bus trip.:D

Other end of the country!

lunar wrote: »

It it well worth an hour and 37 mins!

I think you've probably convinced me, it doesn't take much! Now that Bridgemere has been taken over, we've been looking for a new garden centre to visit.

onriebaby

Chirpychick - just echoing what everyone else has seen - your list is fine.

I dont set a budget to aim for as such for anyone in my list. I have 36 people plus teachers and one family to buy for (usually just buy a tin of celebrations or alike for this family). What I do is buy gifts that have a 'orginal' price of at least £5 - 10 (up to anything) that I have managed to get a bargain price. On average I manage to get everyones pressies for under a fiver but the way I look at it is if it is something they like and they think I spent more than I did then so be it (although I nearly always spill the beans to close family and friends because Im so proud of my bargains :rotfl:). I really dont believe in setting a budget and making sure I buy however many things till I reach that target - my parents are like this and as I search out bargains for them my kids (and other grandkids) probarly think they spend hundreds lol. For instance, I dont know if anyone remembers the tesco 3 for 2's of gift sets recently and they were already reduced - well I got loads of those and therefore averaging it out each gift cost me £2.24 rather than the £5-£10 they were orginally and a decent size (size matters to me lol)- Im happy with them for most people as full gifts if you get what I mean. Also managed to get some of the young boys I buy for the Geomag sets recently for just over £3 (orginally about £15 I think) and thats them done as far as Im concerned. Another thing I did recently (that even I think is abit cheeky) is ordered the Disney doll/ buggy sets from Tesco at £6.50. As the boxes were so huge and I buy for alot of siblings (so for example the brother is getting the Geomag and the girl the disney set) I felt the size difference made it look like I spend so much more on the girl ( only £3 odd in fact lol), so I have split the buggy and doll to make 2 seperate pressies; meaning that thats 2 girls pressies at £3.25 each. The way I look at it is they are both individually wrapped and could have easily have cost me £10-£20 each (doll is so well made - its beautiful, as is buggy) and the girls will love and appreciate them without the other half of the gift (if that makes sense) - after all they dont know it came in a set.

There are only a couple of people I spend more on - my 1 nephew, almost 15 years (who is being raised by my parents as his parents arent around) - he usually gets between £50 -£100. I know this is alot but my parents dont have the kind of money for the things he wants (they are pensioners) and definately cant afford the kind of clothes he wants and we all kind of raised him in a way as he first came to my parents when me and my siblings were teenagers (so we all kind of take responsability for him - actually translates as he gets spoilt rotten! lol). Plus the fact that my parents are much older they get stuck on what to buy him and his 'need' for more expensive items (eg to fit in with some of the other kids). For the last couple of years I have brought him a small token pressie (like lynx set or alike) and given him money for sales. Want to buy him Dre headphones this year but even I have to admit defeat on that one as cant find any less than £170 :eek:. Mum and Dad usually get about £20-£50 and my little sister (shes the baby and recently got her first place ) gets about £30-£50. Last year we all clubbed £50 each together and brought her her first tv for her flat which she really appreciated.

Again with my own 2 kids I dont set a budget as such but rather aim for about 20 presents, but again at the bargain prices I usually get pressies for I diont think I spend more than £150 each including hampers/ stockings. OH is probarly about the same money although he only usually gets about 5 pressies. He usually gets new aftershave, boxers from next (I hate paying £20 knowing they will be reduced the follwing week :mad: ) and a few other bits.

I have never actually added up what Christmas costs (although I always make lists and ensure I dont double buy etc) but have got a spread sheet this year and am looking forward to finding out exactly how much it all costs me (holds breath). Havent put a 'original' price column in but might add it to see what I saved also.

onriebaby

OMG - thats long lol. Sorry guys

Oh yeah, and I dont see a problem sharing pressies. We got a wii a few years back for everyone to share.

butterfly2001

hello secret follower here. Just a thought about dolls houses keep an eye on ebay and post an ad on freecycle. I posted this weekend for one thinking id never get one- i have recieved a beautiful vintage one (needs a bit of repair) for free. It's an awkward size 1:16 but i've found some dolls i think will fit as they are 9-11cms tall. then I will probably just use furniture that is slightly too big or small- as long as they fit i dont think it will matter. Well i hope that is the case as i want to do it up for god-daughter! Dont give up hope on one, i really hope you find one!

carlamarie_2

unfortunatley i now have no boots points left but as a plus as i have just ordered the following
hello kitty alarm clock - DD £7
hello kitty photo frame - DD £7
peppa pig sticker machine - DD £19
imaginext batmobile - DS1 £15
postman pat letterbox bath toy - DS2 £12

(plus a couple of big packs of nappies and 3 packs of wipes)

full cost £60 (thats not including the nappies n wipes!) obviously they cost me zero, so very happy

Pixie_Fairydust

butterfly2001 wrote: »

hello secret follower here. Just a thought about dolls houses keep an eye on ebay and post an ad on freecycle. I posted this weekend for one thinking id never get one- i have recieved a beautiful vintage one (needs a bit of repair) for free. It's an awkward size 1:16 but i've found some dolls i think will fit as they are 9-11cms tall. then I will probably just use furniture that is slightly too big or small- as long as they fit i dont think it will matter. Well i hope that is the case as i want to do it up for god-daughter! Dont give up hope on one, i really hope you find one!

My parents got me a 2nd hand dolls house (well technically it was a bungalow on legs) for Christmas when I was about 6. It was huge and I loved it so much. My mum must have been buying/making bits of furniture for ages to fill it. Kids don't mind 2nd hand when they are younger.

Freecycle is brilliant. My DD got a hotpoint fridge and freezer for her house when she left home, they needed a clean but are excellent :T

This weekend I am going to try and make a comprehensive list of items to make/buy and really try to stick to a budget. Only 4 more pay days before Dec :eek:

I want everything bought and wrapped by Dec 1st so I can enjoy all the brilliant xmas tv. I too circle the TV listings, so does my mum!

Night night, Pix

carlamarie_2

4 more pay days? WOW!