How do DFWers do Christmas?

MrsGSR

Ok, ok I'm sorry, I said the C word but as a DFWer I think it's best to plan early and I would like to hear peoples hints and tips as to how to rein it in, not overspend or use any dreaded CCs!
Presents-
For the last few years we have saved all our shop and scan points to use on christmas presents for the children. This year we are reining it in even more, one big present per child and a few small ones following the rules.

1. Something to wear
2. Something to read
3. Something to watch
4. Something to do/play

We aren't buying for each other anymore. And I am going to suggest that when the grandparents come over we do a secret santa so we all have something to open.
Also we have asked grandparents to contribute to ballet and swimming lessons for the children instead of just buying mindless rubbish (like my inlaws tend to do!) But if they must they can buy a little somthing.

Food
We are fortunate in the fact that we both work in food retail so we have the advantage of vouchers and staff discount. We have planned what food we are having and have a strict budget. No over buying on biscuits, crisps, chocolates that don't get eaten. Our biggest treats will be a cheese board and some cava:rotfl:
At the same time I will be adding extra items for the local food bank as the store I work in normally does a big drive around christmas.

Keeping it simple

We aren't ones for huge gatherings, especially as by christmas eve both DH and i are exhausted and want to collaspe on the sofa for two days and do nothing. On the main day it's just us and the children, boxing day the parents are round, the day after (which we both are very lucky to have off) it's our yearly pilgrimage to a particular beach, chips on the harbour wall and a wander on the beach. Bliss.
All the food will go from freezer to oven, I'm lazy but I'd rather be snuggling with my kids or playing with them than basing a turkey.

So what are your plans/ideas/thoughts/advice I would be really interested to hear!

iancrt

This years plan:
Presents (extended family):
Pick a day in October and go to local retail outlet village and spend no more than £10 per person.
Presents (immediate family):
Sack Xmas off and put all our money into a family holiday next year.
Food: Don't bother, just eat what we normally do, then visit everyone else for fancy stuff.
Entertainment: Watch some films on netflix, record any interesting xmas TV to watch it when I'm ready (and also skip the ads).
Make a careful note of anything 'xmasy' I don't have or is broke to replace it in the shops January 'xmas stock dump'.

WifeandMummy

We collect supermarket saving stamps throughout the year so we can do a christmas shop in December with ease, we also have a discount card due to working in retail.

Presents, I have a £10 budget per person, I also started picking the odd bit up over the the past few months and getting things on sale / offer and putting it away ready.

Throughout December I do an 'activity advent calendar' for my daughter and it often includes a free or cheap activity per day, for example, put the christmas tree up one day, go and look at the christmas lights on another, bake some christmas cookies, christmas movie night, write a letter to santa, visit santa etc etc

xxx

cat4772

I buy a lot of presents in the sales; I have a budget and I stick to it. If it is out of my budget then I don't buy it.

I keep a list in my diary of who I am buying for, what I have bought so when I'm out and about and see something I can check if I need to get it. I can create pamper manicure / pedicure packs from local poundstores / bodycare shops containing gloves, hand-cream, nail files, varnish etc for about £5. this leaves room in my £10 budget for other little gifts.

I've also started to include something 'made' from my girls. Last year we did Christmas salt-dough ornaments that we decorated, strung ribbon through and wrapped in cellophane - just takes planning to make the ornaments, dry them, paint and decorate before wrapping up.

Food - we go to my parents for Christmas dinner then visit a lot of family. We do have an open afternoon with buffet but we don't go crazy buying food we don't like or wouldn't normally eat.

I also try to save up so that I can buy gifts in the sales and get a head start on next year's christmas. Last year I even did online shopping on Christmas eve for 2013!

debt-freeoneday

Christmas is a tough one. I've said to my immediate family (who don't know about my debt) that money is tight this year and I'll be buying one gift per person. For friends, just cards and I'm only buying for their children.

I'm spending £10 per immediate family member and £5 per child. Probably slightly more for my own child, but she'll only be getting one gift from us because she's only 3 years old and she won't know any different yet (I hope!). Plus she's got plenty of toys and I don't want her to become spoiled! The hubby and I aren't buying for each other this year.

I'm currently putting a little money aside for Christmas and hoping that spending will all go to plan. We'll see!

samtoby

I made a lot of things when I was paying things back. I had lots of fabric and we made some calendars for family with pictures of our year. Its much better getting something made than smellies or socks!

heartbreak_star

I'm making jewellery this year - and hoping friends will buy jewellery as gifts too

HBS x

Caramel147

I've tried to spread out my present buying throughout the year this year, so it doesn't all hit me in one spendy lump!
Otherwise, I've been using some of my survey points for Amazon vouchers to buy bits for people, instead of holding out for Paypal transfers.

poppasmurf_bewdley

MrsGSR wrote: »

So what are your plans/ideas/thoughts/advice I would be really interested to hear!

Quote from Sue Johnson in last year's Royle Family Christmas Special:

"Isn't Poundstretcher marvellous. I did all my Christmas Shopping in there this year!"

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

MrsGSR

poppasmurf_bewdley wrote: »

Quote from Sue Johnson in last year's Royle Family Christmas Special:

"Isn't Poundstretcher marvellous. I did all my Christmas Shopping in there this year!"

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Brilliant!
I must admit I do love that place :rotfl:

MrsGSR

Some fab ideas! Love it!
Like the advent calender idea...