What is your budget for Christmas 2012?

Cake4brains

moneypuddle wrote: »

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.

I know what you mean, I absolutely love Christmas shopping and could spend hours choosing just the right gift for someone. However, this year Ive just had to accept that I wont have the time to do that, and I will have to make up for it next year
I always make little gifts too, both craft and food wise, but again, not this year. Though I have got some fruit soaking in some brandy if I ever get around to making some cakes for people. I have to say I have found Vistaprint a godsend this year. Personalised prezzies for minimum effort & price :T

Metranil_Vavin wrote: »

I have to say I really wouldn't bother buying stuff for a 10 week old baby. He won't have a clue what's going on, and will in all honestly be more interested in the wrapping paper and sparkly lights!

Plus he'll no doubt get pressies from relatives. My DS was only 11 months old last Christmas so we didn't really buy him lots of stuff. he got a load of toys from his grandparents/uncles/aunties etc. this year he'll be almost 2 so I'm hoping he'll 'get it' a bit more, but I still think he's too young really.

I agree, we arent going to buy presents for our babies (they'll be between 9 & 13 weeks by Christmas depending when they arrive), as we have spent lots on preparing for their arrival already and its not as if they will know the difference anyway! Plus family members will definitely be spoiling them as it is

Mrs_Ryan

I'm skint this year due to being on half pay for most of the year so not much. However the other half is getting about £100 due to the fact he spent about £80 on me for my birthday and I feel very guilty... god only knows what I'm going to buy him though!
Mum and Dad are getting about £80. Got a fair few bits already for them - perfume and nice smellies for Mum so going to buy her some PJ's and a nice necklace, and Dad has some Nivea for Men stuff and some Old Spice, plus a personalised whisky glass so I'm getting him a bottle of whisky to go with it and a voucher for his Kindle.
Sis, BIL, and bro and SIL are getting a tenner each (Boots 2 for 1 probably )
Suspect I may buy best mate an Otago Highlanders shirt

Erinnire

Think it will probably be about £500 this year, I have to cut down from usual spending! Only token presents between me and my boyfriend and about £100 each on the kids. Then rather than setting a budget for people I am just really thinking about what they would like this year.

Have brought my mum a scarf from the recent uniqulo deal and a cute crochet book, boyfriends nan some satin pajamas and I'm stumped for everyone else!

Own_My_Own

I buy my presents in the Jan Sales and throughout the year.
According to my Christmas app I have spent £239.35.

I still have £121 to spend (£120 cash and a £1 calendar)

So £377.92 in total.

This is for Dd and Ds, my Parents, 6 Nieces and Nephews, 1 Gt Aunt ,1 Elderly Neighbour (who takes in parcels for me), 2 little boys next door and DDs best friend.

I also have £100 to spend on food in stamps, although I do have a Christmas Stock Cupboard (Box)(which I start in Sept), so this is just for nice stuff.

BobQ

Children should have a Xmas to remember but as none will be in my home I am going to do something I have never done before. I am going to spend Chritsmas alone, spend nothing, do nothing, cook nothing, and read a good book.

Make-it-3

Scrooge enters stage left:

About £5 on a box of cards, just to keep in touch with a few people.

Don't do Christmas, try to be out of the country as the dark, miserable days around then are too depressing. The one year we were here was when I was nine months pregnant and we still probably spent less than £200 in total on food and a few treats for each other.

I think its silly to buy babies pressies when they don't understand the concept. My 20 month old has never had a birthday or Xmas gift from us. Better to put your pennies away for when they are asking for every gadget and designer this and that going.

ikkle87

Think we've spent around £150. That's for gran, grandad, mum, stepdad, dad, 2 brothers, OH and baby x

mum2one

I bargain hunt and buy sales in jan, knit some items.

How I try to budget

Mum £50
Dad £50

DD £100 main present - £50 for odds + sods

Cloeser friends £20
Friends, £10

general prezzies
£5 and under

gregg1

*Twinkle* wrote: »

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!

It's a shame you didn't buy your tree in the sales straight after Christmas. We got ours at a garden centre for £50, it was down from £200. Got lights and decorations with 75% discount as well. Saved a fortune.

outtawork

I hope to spend £150 only this year, 4 grandchildren, 3 adult kids, some close friends. I start my shopping in the xmas sales, I save my boots points all year & spend them in the sales. I get some really nice presents I wouldn't usually be able to afford.