Saving or Scroogeing?

StephenUK

Hey,

I'm a bit stuck with what I should do over this Christmas as I need to budget to stay on top of my debt.

I'm definitely going to be buying gifts for my Mother, Grandmother and younger brother. There are also three good friends that I will also buy small gifts for also.

But this whole extended family of mine (Cousins, Aunts, etc etc), there are so many of them and I don't really see any of them ever. I'll usually get something off them and I usually get them something but my circumstances are slightly different this year and I really cant afford to be spending a heap of money on gifts like I usually do.

Any ideas on what I can do? Just nothing home-made please, it'd probably raise a few of their eyebrows.

browneyedbazzi

To me the best thing to do would be to tell people that your circumstances have changed so this year you're only going to buy gifts for immediate family and ask anyone outside that circle not to buy for you.

Or you could suggest a secret santa (with a set budget) among the the extended family.

Bella73

This year we have agreed with everyone to just do a nice card and are only buying for each other and DH Dad. We refuse to get into debt over Christmas gifts.

quinechinoise

StephenUK wrote: »

Any ideas on what I can do? Just nothing home-made please, it'd probably raise a few of their eyebrows.

I have in excess of 2 dozen to gift, excluding immediate family. What's wrong with home made gifts? We are definitely the "poor" ones of the (extended) family and, in my opinion, home made ensures it's something they don't have and also that it's something affordable.

If you must buy something, either go for a charity gift (one of those "buy a goat" type donations) or something small but practical or personalised e.g. a photo frame with a picture of you/kids/hometown landmark or attractive stationery (small notebooks, nice pens, etc).

You should also consider gifting to the family instead of individuals, which will reduce the number of gifts required.

Remember, what's important is that you are thinking of everyone at Christmas and that you are marking that remembrance in some fashion (even just with words) - it's not about how much you spend.

Finally, if you'd simply rather not gift at all, give them a heads up sooner rather than later. Most, if not all, people will be perfectly understanding of your circumstances but if they are left expecting a gift that never turns up then they are likely to feel upset. While you don't give to receive, it's hurtful to think you are being ignored. An email costs nothing and a card or phone call is inexpensive.

spam88

There's some nice tins in Home Bargains at the moment. I've bought a few of those and then some cheap boxes of chocolates and sweets that I'll split up amongst the tins.

Athome1

Bella73 wrote: »

This year we have agreed with everyone to just do a nice card and are only buying for each other and DH Dad. We refuse to get into debt over Christmas gifts.

I agree with Bella 73.

2 years ago I decided I wasn't going to buy for people that I never see! So now it is just OH, 3 grown up children and their partners, last remaining auntie and 3 good friends. I buy chocs for the 2 sets of neighbours children either side of me and that's it. I didn't find it too hard to broach the subject with extended relatives and I did it almost immediately after the New Year so everyone had almost a yer to get used to the idea!:p It isn't just the money (although that is a consideration) it just seems a pointless exercise. Their are cousins and even nephews and nieces that I don't see for years on end and I like my present giving to mean something, to me and the recipient.

This is not a critisism but I often read posts from people who are really struggling but seem to buy for everyone that they know! Of course that is entirely up to them and is none of my business and I can only speak for myself but I feel a lot happier since I've taken my decision.

midnightraven3

this is the tins mentioned earlier from Home bargains, they are 39p
and this is 2 of the 6 designs
(pen is for size ref)

I have already finished shopping this year
these are for next year :o:o:o
please dont judge meeeeeeeeeeeee

i am going to stack 3 and fill for my "aunties" (extended people i dont see often)
1 with home made tablet
1 with herb seeds, plant labels & a "garden shed" keyring
and i havent decided the 3rd one yet (maybe sewing kits,)
and tie with ribbon in a stack

could you not do as suggested and buy them one each and fill with some sweeties
who wouldnt like a personal tin like that?

weeclick

Midnightraven has done exactly what Im doing this year! Well kind of. I do family hampers and my auntie, uncle and cousin who still lives at home will get one joint hamper. The hamper itself cost a few pound and Im adding in little things as I see them, swiss roll, chocolate cookies, handwash, candles, home made fudge, sweets, chocolate slabs etc and the chocolate slab will go into a tin like midnightravens just to add some appeal and value I hope. The whole lot for the family is working out to about £20 and its jampacked, looks like its worth more and they all get something out of it!

Princ_ess

I agree that perhaps you should either make one family hamper or not gift at all. My husband and I are buying for our parents and the children in the close family. In past years we have had 20+ to buy for and it was just too much. We have told everyone and they are fine with it and they won't be buying for us any longer so saving money themselves too! We will still do cards

krissymas

This year we're saving and scrooging!

We're making homemade hampers so that the cost stays low, but the gift itself is thoughtful and has taken time to put together.

Without sounding cheap (?!), we've also included some smellies and flavoured teas that we've collected from our hotel stays. Only the classy stuff like Twinings and Pecksniffs though, nothing that says 'Travelodge'! lol

Homemade all the way this year. And it took a while to get H2B on my side, but he's on board now too