Doing Christmas on the cheap .... is it even possible?

Miss_Fox_2

Is it possible to do Christmas on the cheap? I have a budget of £230 for 15 people. My options, for getting the most for my money are 3 for 2 deals like Boots and Thorntons chocolates, but I almost feel it's buying gifts for the sake of it...if that makes sense!

It's possibly worth telling you how that budget breaks down...
Boyfriend £75
Dad £25 - wants iTunes voucher
Mum £25
Step Mum £15 - wants book vouchers
Step Dad £15
Sister £15 - wants vouchers for Next or Oasis?

The rest is then split between 9 other members of my family... Current idea is Boots or Thorntons on the 3 for 2 deals...

Perhaps you MSE savvy experts can advise me on the best way?

chanie

Start by thinking about what people want and find the best price. Although 3 for 2 offers are great, they aren't so great if the recipient doesn't like it.

The problem with getting vouchers is that you normally can't get deals so you can't save much there. Instead of getting £25 in vouchers, get £15 and a 'little something to open' e.g. spend £15 on iTunes vouchers and a pair of earphones for £5 (saving £5).

Instead of single gifts, how about family gifts e.g. a board game.

Or cutback on who you have to buy for. It could be worth suggesting it - I bet some of them will be relieved.

tibawo

Sometimes iTunes vouchers cost less than their face value e.g. Argos have had 25 ones for 20.

Have you a home bargains near you. They have some good offers on at the mo. I always poo pooed the idea of hampers. Last year a made a cardboard sledge and filled it with biscuits etc and it went down so well I am doing another this year. I also advanced to my first candy tree which was gratefully received.

whitewing

I have a set budget per person and then challenge myself to get the most I can for the money (unless there is something within budget that a person desperately wants).

So I have spent around £33 on my sister but she has a present worth £70 at full price (she knows what it is as I had to check with her first).

If you make a list of what people will want within budget, you can find it cheaper sometimes if you research online and wait two or three weeks.

My DD wants a particular toy that costs around £19. It isn't one that I would spend that much on. I started looking online a couple of weeks ago. I am actually quite hopeful now that I will be able to get it from Tesco clubcard vouchers early next week. If it isn't sold out.

Toys now is a fairly good time to buy as there are toy sales on for most places at half term.

Themed presents are quite good for a limited budget as you can get a bit more creative e.g. there is a pots of gold on one of the other forums.

I do find that I want to keep splurging. I buy something and am pleased with it, then worry it's too little, add something else and then am surprised myself at how impressive it is.

With DH, there are things that he likes that would be too much out of his budget eg if the spend for a present for him would be £75, he may want a new football shirt but wouldn't want to spend £40 of his budget on that one item. But another relative would spend £20 on him so he buys the shirt, the relative gives him the £20 and then the relative keeps it and wraps it up for him for xmas day.

DH and I have joint finances so we have a set budget and choose our own presents for ourselves - usually thro the year - and the other one wraps them up and presents them.

Westywoodpecker

You should get lots of ideas here


http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=101

clarryd

I went to TK Max and got really expensive presents for a fraction of the price.

I bought 2 x facial cleaning machines which should have been £114 each and I got them for £19.99 each - what a bargain and the present itself looks like I have spent a fortune.

I does take a little bit of rummaging but it can be done.

Also TK Max have a clearance section and there are some good bargains to be had there also. Last year I got my sister a pair of straightners should have been £99.99 for £15.00.

You should just pop in and have a look nothing lost lots gained.

Good Luck.:A

Spendless

Do you have any loyalty cards with points on them? Tesco are about to change the departments you can boost from tomorrow

http://www.tesco.com/clubcard/deals/

What discount shops do you have eg Home Bargains or B&M?

As said the trick is to buy cheaper whilst the 'value' is a lot higher than you've paid. I also agree that your issue is that you've got people wanting vouchers and that's more difficult to pay less than the value is.

Tesco do a 3x £10 of itune vouchers. If you were to give your Dad 2 of them and the 3rd to a different family member, then maybe your £5 left for your Dad could buy something that 'looks' a lot more than £5 or you have bought something for less than a fiver but looks a fivers worth of stuff- iyswim.

clarryd

I went to TK Max and got really expensive presents for a fraction of the price.

I bought 2 x facial cleaning machines which should have been £114 each and I got them for £19.99 each - what a bargain and the present itself looks like I have spent a fortune.

I does take a little bit of rummaging but it can be done.

Also TK Max have a clearance section and there are some good bargains to be had there also. Last year I got my sister a pair of straightners should have been £99.99 for £15.00.

Also get one of the adults a £9.00 bottle of Baileys from Morrisons if they drink alcohol.

You should just pop in and have a look nothing lost lots gained.

Good Luck.:A

cef66

There are usually offers in the run up to Christmas for iTunes vouchers at supermarkets. If you look on the music board there was one in September for 15% off the face value. Keep an eye on the music and grabbit boards and you should be able to get a deal before Christmas.

dandelionclock30

It most certainly possible to have a nice christmas on the cheap. Just dont do any of it. Think of it this way, most people get gifts they dont want and cant afford to be buying for all friends and family etc. Just say your not doing it this year and also all the food is really fattening anyway and most people are best off without it.
Just take pleasure in things like a nice walk and get yourself a few things in and thats the problem solved. Family and friends will be greatful as they dont have to return the gesture.

liney

Do you really need to buy for that many people? We only buy for immediate family, but obviously your family may be bigger. We also have an arrangement with some to only buy for the children.

Can any be sorted with a bottle? 25% off if you buy 6 bottles of wine/champagne at Sainsburys at the moment.