how do you pay for christmas?

melanzana

missindecisive wrote: »

So it seems the secret is with a little forward planning, perhaps I should be more organized earlier in the year. Think the sales is a good idea, and only buying for the children. How do people know what their children want though, so early on? mine seem to change their minds in a flash! I actuallt bought some presents for them in november, now theyve made a santa list with a whole load of other stuff on it....I can't keep up !

Ask them in January LOL!

If they are not Santa age, well, that's that!

Kids need to accept what's given after Santa age, within the Parents ability to pay.

A hug and a loving environment means everything to kids. That cannot be bought eith expensive pressies.

ilovebargains99

Hi OP,

January sales shopping as others have mentioned is good for wrap, cards and some gifts (eg. perfume gift boxes). I also buy gifts for people as I see them through the year. I think I find meaningful gifts then, instead of panicking in December.

This year I've used offers on Snapfish for photo mugs, found deals on the "Grabbit Now" part of the forum and bought in sales such as Early Learning Centre and Tesco (I've found what I wanted and waited for the deals!!).

My hubby goes mad at the boxes in the loft, and presents in the wardrobe, but Nov/Dec wages are just for a (pretty normal Sunday roast with a few extras) food shop, and no presents.

Good luck for next year! Get to those sales!!

As an aside, I love Lancome mascara, but it is too pricey, so I buy the gift sets of 2 mascaras in the sales with Christmas money received as a gift and stock up for the year. They are the same price as L'Oreal then :j

emweaver

Sambucus_Nigra wrote: »

I've not said it's worse or better than people who spend all year round. Both are as incomprehensible as the other.

Unless you are ridiculously religious then why are all these people spending all year or getting into debt for one single day's festivities?

Maybe she has a big family or a few children, a family with 3 children can easily spend that on their children alone

Anyway I don't think anyone has to justify why they spend so much.

sarahlasvegas

I wasn't great with saving this year, but tend to get a couple of pressies with Septembers wage, then Oct, Nov and Dec...

In previous years Ive collected Tesco savers stamps, just basically getting £3 or £4 everytime I do my shop - Morrisons do them, not sure about the other supermarkets. Saved a good £200 last year which got a massive Dec shop and all the kids toys presents.

For 2013 I've got one of the large sealed tinned saving jars from B&Ms, which I'm saving 50p's in and aiming for £150 of tesco stamps. Basically just putting a few quid a week away so 1st weekend of December I'll have it all saved and sorted to get everything in.

saterkey

We have an ongoing word file for the kids each pressie list and anything books etc get put on here, i doublecheck with them about sept time what they want all on the list and what else,

same goes for partner and myself we have an amazon wishlist, get best price, order comes in two days or so. fab, get majority of my presents this way particularly books which are not in the shops and quite a lot cheaper.

I use my tesco points double up every xmas to get a about 30-40 quid of clothes for the kids that they need or other bits and bobs like stationery that can be made into pressies.

Matalan for teenager clothes, ebay bundles of books and games as we have older consoles. generally lots of small stuff spend about 120ish on each kid/teenager, all gets paid off at the end of the month, as we spread the load.

xmas cards bought when reduced before new stock came in, wrap at poundland.

partner and i are putting 100ukp into the pot to buy stuff from homebase for the house and only getting a couple of small pressies.

people go too mad its only a day, when i hear how much goes into charity shops after, its barmy, people spend get themselves into debt for some people to dump the presents after anyway because they dont want it, the worlds gone a bit mad!!

missindecisive

I do have a larger than average family but was too afraid to say that incase I got slated for it.....ah well ive said it now! (dives for cover behind the settee)

pink princess is right. In theory if christmas spending is put on a credit card then perhaps I can't afford it. But its Christmas and if I didn't then the children wouldn't have presents..I doubt if home made jam etc would make them truly happy! So until I devise a better plan for next year I am now in a small amount of debt for a few months. Its interesting to see how other people manage this time of year. Thanks again for all the advice.

dippydooda

What about a regular savings account? I do one with HSBC, if you start it now, it will end november next year and you'll have a lump sum to play with.

missindecisive

brilliant idea Dippy- thanks

SUESMITH_2

one thing that amazes me is that quite a few of our kids friends are getting things like laptops and ipads. I think I must be old fashioned but to spend that much on one thing is obscene. we have never had cash to throw around and i think the kids would think we had lost the plot if we spent that much on them.

good luck with next years forward planning!

Torry_Quine

melanzana wrote: »

Buying presents for those over 18 or 21 is daft in this day and age.

I stress that is just my opinion. Those of that age couldn't care less, as long as they can escape the clutches of the family for a gig or a night out over Chrimbo.

Eaten bread is soon forgotten.

The important thing is to be with those you want to be with. Send a card, a text, a FB message or whatever, but this present buying carp is unbelievable. Mostly is forgotten next day, or recycled for someone else.

Krist Kindle (secret Santa) Is hilarious amongst family and gets everyone laughing, and the little inexpensive gifts have to reflect whom you are buying for.

There are no children in my family so if I went by your thoughts there would be no presents at all to get.

Presents are always bought from money in savings or income at the time and I would never get into debt for them.