What is your budget for Christmas 2012?

moneypuddle

I love christmas and couldn't imagine not going xmas shopping etc. Also my mum and dad do so much already to help me that I wouldn't dream of not buying them something for christmas, even thought they would happily not received anything from us. I also tend to spend quite a while shopping, so avoid buying boring pressies and prefer to get things that I know the recipient will really like, so there's a lot more thought goes into it that just the 3 for s2 in Boots.

mammyof7

glitter_fairy wrote: »

about £2000

Me too. I have half of my budget saved up at the minute. No idea where I'm getting the rest from yet!

glitter_fairy

moneypuddle wrote: »

Wow. Can I join your family?!? Do you have a lot of people to buy for, or do you just spend a lot of each person?

I have to buy for my 2 children, my parents, dhs parents our siblings and friends.

Cake4brains

Moneypuddle, I havent set a budget as such but Ive told all my family and friends they are just getting a few small stocking filler / token gifts this year. I would say Ive spent less than £15 on each person and they all said they wouldnt expect me to get them prezzies anyway with babies being here. I still feel like I need to get them though, I love giving presents!

gingin_2

moneypuddle wrote: »

Oooh it'll only be things he 'needs' anyway, or toys for when he's much older, and maybe a xmas pudding outfit

Every baby needs a comedy outfit for their first christmas. Make sure you save lots of pictures to torment him with when he's a teenager

PasturesNew

£50 for whole family. Mother, 2 sisters, one BIL.

glitter_fairy

PasturesNew wrote: »

£50 for whole family. Mother, 2 sisters, one BIL.

How do you do that? Im serious I cant keep up this year what sort of things do you buy?

minimoneysaver

We've got two fantastic garden centres by us. I plan on hitting them for something special for my parents. Not sure of the budget. I'm hoping that inspiration will hit me.

YORKSHIRELASS

Awww congratulations. My boy was born mid November and that first Christmas was just a blur! Do what you can and dont worry if other things take over the Christmas preparations, you just enjoy your lovely new baby.

These threads always do the rounds at this time of year and I worry they sometimes turn a bit unpleasant. Its nice to compare but I do think so long as you can afford it and dont get into debt you should spend whatever you are happy with.

I actually dont enjoy Christmas much. I have a big family who love going mad and spending money. You either have to try and keep up or admit you cant really afford the same level of spending. I tried to do that once and got the "oh dont worry about it, you just buy what you can afford". Personally I find it hard when you spend £10 on someone and you know they are going to spend £50 on you. Yes I know it shouldnt be about the monetary value of things - but still.

Anyhow, we have saved up £550. £250 of this will be spread between various family members (14 of them) and £300 between our own kids. Hubby and I will buy each other a small token present. I will add a bit on to the November and December food budget to cover a bit of extra food and drink.

j.e.j.

glitter_fairy wrote: »

about £2000

HolyMoly! Do you have loads of people to buy for?

I've bought one pressie so far. Think I've got about another 13 or so to get. I don't have much money to spend so I try and get them something small that they perhaps wouldn't think of buying for themselves. I spend between £10 and £20 on a present, usually.