Christmas 2013...anywhere apart from Park...

angelfacecuti75

Hi
I don't know whether there is anywhere apart from Park, and aside from a quick google, I cant find anywhere that I can pay monthly for Xmas presents (bit like an Xmas club)...last Xmas was really hard. Am on a DMP and last xmas people saw how much I was struggling (have sorted it out a bit now as repayments were too high, we were living on £150 a month, for everything, and needed at least £200...). So my question is really, is there anywhere else I can pay for (specifically toys) Xmas presents monthly without credit? Like an Xmas club?
I am useless at saving, I am good with the pennies but not the pounds, got everything set up on DD or standing order so I cant spend it... have learned my lesson the hard way. Am very unlikely to get credit anywhere.

fatblackandwhite

http://www.postoffice.co.uk/christmas-club

How about this?

Sorry - just noticed they are updating it, you could pop into one though as they arebound to have leaflets.

Tigsteroonie

I manage my Tesco clubcard vouchers like a "christmas club", they don't send me the vouchers quarterly but instead save them to send in November. I also used to be able to top up the vouchers (as in, add to the saved value) at the checkout, not sure if that option still exists.

However, as it's now September, isn't a bit late to think of saving for this Christmas? You won't get much saved before you need to spend it.

Own_My_Own

Is there nobody you could trust to give the money to, to keep if for you. I only say this as my best friend used one if these Christmas clubs a couple if years ago and found she was restricted on where she could spend the vouchers.
Your choices are far greater if you have the cash in December.

I understand this is not always an option. x

System

the post office savings club restricts where you can spend it , what about an amount of amazon vouchers each month or on a supermarket savings cards/stamps.

redcard

Credit union?

I know MSE doesn't like to promote that option, possibly because they don't advertise much, but it's as safe as a regular bank.

jemtom

I can't get credit either (but having learnt the hard way too i dont want to) so just being organised knowing who you have to buy for and what your getting them. Could you not buy one present a week/month to spread it out? Its a bit late now but doing it throughout the year means its not one big splurge in December. But definitely being prepared helps especially if you have lots of people to buy for

duloch

I save vouchers with variety, I know you are limited to certain shops but its shops that I would usually buy from eg toys r us, argos, boots, superdrugs to name a few. You can also save for asda with them as well. I also save a couple of £s a week on tesco stamps when I'm shopping as well.

Rebel_Hedgehog

Get yourself saving stamps at Morrisons or Asda.

Mrs_Huggett

Make a list of all the people you think you need to give a present to, then wittle it down, its easy, and guess what? everyone will still live!!! seriously though, if you start with a list and lower the expectations you will find stuff in charity shops, pound shops, boot fairs, you may even be able to make some things if you are crafty at all, we cut back a little last year, and we are cutting back again this, not because we can't afford it, but because we are just sick of the spending out for stuff people probably wont even use. If you have to buy for people, then let them know beforehand that you are cutting back, do a goody hamper for a family instead of buying individual pressies, with things they can share, and maybe an age appropriate dvd that is current, or at least this years title? in fact there is a hamper thread you could look at.

kingfisherblue

You could also try Freecycle for gifts. Last week I got some great stuff for my boys - Playmobil pirate ship, castle, fort, police station, and masses of Lego. If it is for your own children, they won't worry if their toys aren't in the original boxes - you can just put them into crates. For other peoples children, ask if you really need to get presents for them, and if you do, make up a toy hamper.

Other items that have come up in the past week on my local groups have included a toy kitchen, lots of smaller toys such as cars, board books, a cut out doll book with cut out clothes, and a very large garden set that included a slide, three swings, climbing frame and treehouse. Now that last one would make a brilliant present! The others, depending on condition, would be fine too.

For an older child or teenager, there have been several working computers, TVs, a DVD player, DVDs.