Christmas. It's 25th December this year

chuckley

i started my xmas shopping in the summer sales. the relief feels AMAZING! none of this 'last payday before xmas' stress for me this year!

ILW

Phil_rich wrote: »

What wrong with people borrowing some money to have a good fun time and keeping the kids happy? If they can afford to pay it back over the next two months then whats the problem? Only difference is that your saying to put money away 2 months before instead of 2 months after.

Maybe they should just not spend, have a Christmas with no real presents, no nice food but be happy in the knowledge that they have some money in a savings account for a rainy day. Whatever a rainy day is?!!?

Life is for living, not saving for when your too old to enjoy it.

I eat nice food all year round and also buy presents on occasions. One of the main reasons I can do this is that I am not paying any interest on loans.

BugsyBrowne

ILW wrote: »

I eat nice food all year round and also buy presents on occasions. One of the main reasons I can do this is that I am not paying any interest on loans.

I have 2 takeaways a week which works out at £35 for the week think how much I would save over the year if I cooked for those 2 nights instead.

LadyWinebag

Including my partner's family, we'd have four parents, two sisters, one brother, two brothers-in-law, two nieces and two nephews to buy for. I know others have much bigger families but it's a lot for us! Last year we decided to do Secret Santa among the adults with a £15 cap, meaning we all get one nice gift (it isn't a random raffle-style thing, each of us is assigned a person), but no-one has to spend a fortune. It was such a good idea and Christmas is so much less stressful financially now - we'll be doing it every year from now on. We still buy for the kids (but only what we can afford), but it means my Xmas present bill will probably come to around £100 including my partner, which I plan for in the quarter running up to the event. I'd really recommend it if you have a family with a lot of adults. A lot of people like the idea even if money is no problem for them because it saves time and effort on planning and shopping - much nicer spending that time with loved ones than in a noisy, crowded shop in a queue of frustrated sweaty shoppers!

tell_it_how_it_is

BugsyBrowne wrote: »

I have 2 takeaways a week which works out at £35 for the week think how much I would save over the year if I cooked for those 2 nights instead.

Blimey, how many are you eating for?

ILW

BugsyBrowne wrote: »

I have 2 takeaways a week which works out at £35 for the week think how much I would save over the year if I cooked for those 2 nights instead.

I don't mind mind paying for things I want. Hate just handing over interest for stuff I have already had though.

BugsyBrowne

tell_it_how_it_is wrote: »

Blimey, how many are you eating for?

Just me and the good lady order a takeaway but we also have kids which we cook for.so a Chinese normally a Wednesday when the missis comes home from the gym and Saturday night indian takeaway.

Oh I also pay £2 delivery for the Indian and its only a 3 minute walk so that's not a moneysaving tip.

MABLE

Originally Posted by BugsyBrowne
I have 2 takeaways a week which works out at £35 for the week think how much I would save over the year if I cooked for those 2 nights instead.

But Bugsy people will get the impression I am not feeding you well!!!!!

Malky

Only a month to go folks

margaretclare

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

Because I don't do Christmas, Birthdays etc.

You and my DH should be brothers. His opinion is 'If you want to buy someone a present you can do if any day of the year, not just wait for a "special occasion" '.

I don't know why everyone is surprised about Christmas, because as far as I can see we've had it rammed down our throats at every opportunity since Guy Fawkes' Day. Tesco were wishing 'A Merry Christmas' to anyone who went through their doors, that was about Hallowe'en. There is no excuse for anyone to 'forget' about it, even if you want to!

My pet hate about Christmas is getting those 'round-robin' letters inside a Christmas card. 'Our eldest has got a first, we've just got back from the Maldives....' you know the kind of thing. There have been some particularly painful occurrences in our family this year - on my side, although some very good news from his side. No one would want to know even if I wrote it all down so why should others think I want to hear all about people I've never met?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-20427021