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

Mrs_Rachel_Trelfa

My motto is think what the person would appreciate/want/has mentioned in the past that they want or need? I am a big fan on getting people useful things that will be used. Using this as a starting point rather than this is the amount I want to spend.

For example the year before last my sister spent £5 on me and I got 2 pairs of Disney socks, a Disney princess cereal bowl (I am 25 but a die hard Disney fan), a sleep mask (I can't sleep when its light in the summer) and the Secret garden DVD (I loved that story when I was younger) all from poundland. My mother-in-law-to-be at the time got me a bath set type thing that basically had no thought put in it (not a huge bath salts and creams sort of girl) and cost aprox £20.

3 guesses which present I loved and which one I have not used...

whitewing

Mrs_Rachel_Trelfa wrote: »

which one I have not used...

Which reminds me, is there anything that you have in the house that can be carefully regifted?

Mrs_Rachel_Trelfa

whitewing wrote: »

Which reminds me, is there anything that you have in the house that can be carefully regifted?

Making sure that you do not send it back to the same person that gave it to you in the first place...almost did that once.

pmduk

Be very careful about buying vouchers for high street stores. Many people have been left with worthless gifts when companies get into trouble.

Miss_Fox_2

Thanks everyone, some very valid points. I better do some re-thinking!

whitewing

If you use Tesco, their clubcard vouchers are online now today and can be used on (selected?) toys without any hassle.

I have just ordered a £12 (that was a sale price too) toy online to be picked up from the local store. £5 clubcard, boosted to £10 so I have only paid £2. Am very pleased.

Mulder00

That really is extravagant for Christmas. My family has a rule that Christmas presents are only for kids. Adults do not get Christmas presents. I used to defy the rule and get a small box of chocolates (no more than £2!!) for each couple we would see over Christmas.

I have to say, I look at other families and I just think it's terribly wasteful to spend so much on Christmas presents.

I suppose it's difficult to change "the rules" if that's what your family does, but I really like the way we do Christmas much more. For me, Christmas is about being with people you love and just enjoying the time (personally, this is best done with lots of food and drink), for me it's not about presents.

kerri_gt

Mrs_Rachel_Trelfa wrote: »

Making sure that you do not send it back to the same person that gave it to you in the first place...almost did that once.

or to someone that might show it to the person you got it from :eek:

Mulder00 wrote: »

That really is extravagant for Christmas. My family has a rule that Christmas presents are only for kids. Adults do not get Christmas presents. I used to defy the rule and get a small box of chocolates (no more than £2!!) for each couple we would see over Christmas.

I have to say, I look at other families and I just think it's terribly wasteful to spend so much on Christmas presents.

I suppose it's difficult to change "the rules" if that's what your family does, but I really like the way we do Christmas much more. For me, Christmas is about being with people you love and just enjoying the time (personally, this is best done with lots of food and drink), for me it's not about presents.

i have a more or less set list of people i gift to, there are kids on there (nephews and nieces) but also some chosen adults too.

Hamper type gifts are good for people who have everything, I often theme mine, i've done teas and coffees before, jams and chutneys and this year I'm doing oils. Sometimes I make the gifts and other times I buy them. I try and put a twist on them though for example buying locally produced jams /honey.

Try listing out who exactly you need to buy for, have a browse on the internet and then note down ideas for things against the relevant person as you seen them - planning is key on a budget.

Not sure who you need to 'buy' for but is there anyone on the list you could offer your time to instead? Perhaps an elderly relative for an afternoon watching an old film together, or a voucher to spend an afternoon doing their garden. An afternoon babysitting for someone who has children etc.

queenlizard45uk

I got my sisters best mate (hes like a brother to me) a deaodrant/hat gift set - I thought it was brilliant, and just him.

My boyfriend received it the next Christmas. I was heartbroken!

Needless to say he doesn't get anything reusable now - just chocolates/drink etc

queenlizard45uk

... and also my boyfriend refuses to use it or even open it because of this. Which is even worse, because now 2 people haven't used a present ive bought and ive wasted my money!