how do you pay for christmas?

missindecisive

I mean...in our house I left it far too late by starting to save in October. I am now in debt to the tune of £520 on a credit card which I have used to pay for presents. I reckon I will spend more on it yet, and it will take until the end of Feb to pay it off.

What do others do / do you save all year...do you go into debt? :j

madvixen

I spread my items throughout the year. I buy an awful lot in the January sales, especially stocking fillers, cards and wrapping paper but then I pick up the main presents whenever I see them. I never put Christmas stuff on the credit card and if I'm buying a bit a month then I don't really notice the amount missing from my pay. I keep a spreadsheet on with RRPs and prices paid as well, just so that I can feel a little smug on Christmas Day :rotfl:

Sambucus_Nigra

missindecisive wrote: »

I mean...in our house I left it far too late by starting to save in October. I am now in debt to the tune of £520 on a credit card which I have used to pay for presents. I reckon I will spend more on it yet, and it will take until the end of Feb to pay it off.

What do others do / do you save all year...do you go into debt? :j

Wow - you must be very religious to go into debt just to celebrate one day. That's one quarter of the year to pay off one day's religious festivities.

No wonder you are jumping for joy.

Mrs-hoppy_2

I try to buy all year round so it is spread over the year not just concentrated in a few months, I don't notice the cost so much then.

I frequent the deal forums and boards and buy gifts when they are really cheap as i hate having to dash out and spend more as you need something in a hurry. Plus it saves some stress too!

Not sure if this is any help x

Mrs-hoppy_2

Mad vixen we've almost written the same post there! My family think I am mad buying gifts and wrapping etc for the next year in January sales and laugh at my spreadsheet of present stock and RRPs but I love it!

System

Saved for 2 months, and was pretty much living hand to mouth for those 2 months but now have all pressies bought and back to where i was, so it was worth being skint for a little bit.

Sharon87

Well I don't usually have that many spends - no kids, no boyfriend. It's usually train tickets to see family and a present for each family member and a couple of friends.

Usually it's just my November/December wages. Although this year I'm a bit skint, so I'll have to use my overdraft for some things.

weeclick

I physically start buying gifts from around September time, but I buy cards / wrapping paper / tags etc in the january sales. Im even considering buying a few gift sets in boots sales with my points to start gathering for 2013. I have a box under my bed and if I find something throughout the year I know someone would like I would add to it but this doesnt happen lots if Im honest because from the end of Jan onwards Im always aiming towards my holiday and summer clothes etc.

Its been at least 3 years since I paid full RRP on gifts purely by shopping around, getting discount codes online or crafting my own ideas (ie getting materials from ikea to make my own sweet jar for a fraction of the cost of most high street retailers)

I dont own a credit card but I do admit I do have a use an overdraft facility which is just as bad but I always try and use my monthly wages to cover gifts spread over so many months - still room for improvement though

My family of 10 Ive spent a total of £250 which includes 2 small kids!

emweaver

Sambucus_Nigra wrote: »

Wow - you must be very religious to go into debt just to celebrate one day. That's one quarter of the year to pay off one day's religious festivities.

No wonder you are jumping for joy.

Ok so it is going to take her 4 months to pay it off how is that any worse than people who start in Jan and spend 12 months buying presents?

ColinFishwick

Saved money when I can all through year, wouldn't dream of getting into debt. I been there are took years to get out with careful planing on go on free interest rate cards I paid it all back. I dont plan on spending much this year dont buy big presents anyway but that said my kids are older now and in late teens

pink_princess

Can you not just make people gifts?

Home made biscuits or fudge etc.

They would appreciate it and you would not be in debt.

I stopped spending on people years ago except the kids.