What is your budget for Christmas 2012?

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

This year, about £50 all in.

lushlifesaver

It's me and my boyfriend's first Christmas together so we've decided to splurge on each other this year as an extra treat. It's my first proper Christmas where I'll be spending it with someone else rather than just family and it's his first Christmas in what he's calling a 'real relationship'

We have arranged it so I buy for my lot (as below) and he buys for his (mum, dad, grandad and grandma, two brothers, brother 1s gf, nephew and baby which is due in november) but we give them from us as a couple
So mine is:
£15 dad
£15 mum
£10 brother
£5 close friend
£5-10 for auntie and uncle *only if we go see them*
£80 boyfriend

Although £80 is a maximum budget he has set for me, he is spending about £20 on each person and a jaw dropping £120 on me apparently. His birthday is in November so my equivalent is split between both Christmas and his birthday.

We are driving to my parents Christmas morning after a couple of hours at home then heading from theirs to his parents where we will eat etc

There's some real logistics for a Christmas when you're in a couple isn't there?!

lovebugfamilly

Around £200 each for kids , £75 for OH , £30 for parents , £30 for inlaws . £20 for two nieces and £20 for nephew , and £20 for best friends 2 children :-) so £615 in total got £550 saved so far will try to spend less though get deals etc but these are max amounts I will spend

lostinrates

This year my (separated) parents are both here for lunch. We will be providing them with a stocking full of small gifts.

Dh and I give each other a stocking too.....varying values, but this year will be cheap and cheerful, we have spent a lot of money on the house and we are buying a puppy before now and Christmas. (the dogs tend to get new stays at Christmas and a plate of 'rich pickings' of pet safe left overs.

We have a new baby arrival in the family (a niece) this year and so will be sending a gift to her, even though she is not born yet we know what we are sending her.

*Twinkle*

About £300 each on my 2 eldest, £80 on my 3rd and nothing on my youngest ( ages 14, 5 13mth and 10 weeks) £150 on my OH, then £100 split between my mother, 2 neices and sister.
I have been saving very hard all year and have used vouchers and bogofs, i've got little stocking fillers as the year has gone on and bought cards and wrapping paper in sales. i do tend to splash out more on food at christmas but again i've been putting away saving stamps so it's not all coming out as a big chunk of money.
i do have to buy a new tree and decorations though so i can see that costing me a few bob!

SingleSue

About £30 per child (I have 3 - 19, 16 or will be by Christmas and 14), maximum of £10 each on my parents, £5 per niece and nephew (I have 6) and between £5 and £10 per couple for my brother and his wife and my sister and her husband. There will also be a token pressie for my ex mother in law which would be under a fiver.

Edit - We go to my parents for Christmas day and I usually home make the Christmas cake and buy a few extras for the meal...so maybe around another £20 or so. I don't drink over the Christmas period so no alcohol needing to be purchased.

Tupperware_Queen

I think its all relative. A few years ago after my husband left me, I had to move out of the family home, it was being repossessed and I had to go bankrupt due to the state I was left in. That all happened Oct/Nov, so Christmas was a rather budget affair, I think I spent £100 for everything, and went to a relatives for dinner. However budget was not synonymous with miserable, we still had a good time, the kids had lots of presents (bargain/ebay/charity shop/crafting buys) and we did all our usual preparations, real tree (just a much smaller one) and gingerbread house building etc.

This year I am in a much better position, I have saved in a credit union Christmas club and have about £500 all in, for food, decorations and presents. I will not be going mad, and have carried with me the bargain hunting ways of my budget Christmas's of the last few years. To me, having £500 available to spend is a huge amount, and I am trying not to 'blow' it, but I am well aware that to some, that would be peanuts. The bottom line is, if you have budgeted for it, and can afford it, and want to - spend what you like. If you can't afford it, don't spend it!!

his_wife

Afew years ago i used to spend thousands on christmas, for my four children, one year it was £6000 ,,, took me three years paying it off, wont do that one again. This year, i will spend £1000 maximum, that is for, my four, husbands two, grand children 4, parents , siblings and each other, that is also inclusive of food, tree and decorations.

Money is no longer important, we have had a really bad few years, money and emotional wise, this year i have saved and saved, and hopefully , whatever is left will go into a holiday fund.

moodydonkey

I spend £100 on my two daughters, either cash or if they want something in particular for their main present they know that is the budget and the remainder is money. I then do them a stocking each which has a £50 spend so £300 on them is a fixed amount.
My mum, dad, nana and sister then get a token present. Something made usually.
I normally 'do christmas' but my mum and sister bring wine and nibbles and stuff.
This year my sister is hosting but I will obviously contribute. I would expect £500 but I save £20 a week after the girls back to school things and 500 litres of oil have been bought so it is more or less paid for.
LOVE CHRISTMAS!!!

Charlie23

my ds is a september baby. he got lots of presents. its not about whether he'll 'know' it's about your first christmas as a family. There's something amazing about waking up on christmas day when you have a child (no matter the age) Enjoy your first christmas together :-):-)
i think my budget is- £450ish
3 nephews and 1 niece £40(already bought in the year)
my mum £20-£25
my dad £20-£25
me and DH ?£60 altogether. though depending on how flush we are, maybe £0.
ds £140ish!
dd £140ish!
i do buy though the year and save with hubby's work christmas club but depending on how we are doing will depend on what we get.
:-)