The financial nightmare that is christmas...

thriftylass

Tea-and-Cake wrote: »

I have just been to the sainsburys toy sale and spent £200:eek: on the 3 children that we have and assorted friends/neices/nephews and that doesn't even cover half of it. I used to love spending money on christmas presents, now it fills me with horror at the dent it will make in the bank account. Not to mention the adults we need to buy for and the food etc. Feel very unfestive about it all for the first time

My childhood christmases were so lovely with loads of presents under the tree that I want to do that for my children but we can''t really afford to. Also, I know that most of it will be forgetten by the end of January, my children already have enough toys to cover all the bases...puzzles/arts and crafts/dolls/dressing up etc etc so mostly it is just a variation of more of the same.

How do you all "do" christmas?

So why do it that way?

Buy second hand, make themed hampers for friends with homemade stuff, little beauty hampers for nieces etc. It's more the thought that counts. Sth home made/or assembled/selected by you like a hamper will maybe be more appreciated than sth bought.

Adults you NEED to buy for, says who? If you feel you need to spend on people start earlier in the year, make lists, look for deals and save a bit each month rather than buying from one pay cheque.

If your children already have enough stuff why buy them more of the same, they are your kids, you're in control. How about getting them a day out instead or stuff they need anyway like clothes (most people used to get clothes for xmas when I was little).

hgotsparkle

I don't have kids so its relatively cheap for me, though as my OH never really gets much from his parents, and I'm quite spoilt by mine, I like to buy him loads as I feel bad for him.

When I do have kids, when they are young they will be getting loads of very cheap presents as its the fun, imagination factor for small kids, not the pricetag.

jellyhead

deannatrois wrote: »

I have had an idea for my younger son (7).., he's mad on dinosaurs (really mad and has been for two years).., I know someone who loves painting dragons so I'm going to ask if he can paint a dinosaur pic for my son. I know he'd love something like that. Hopefully it'll be a truly memorable gift and not too expensive (mates rates). Only problem is my son really is an expert so if anything is wrong (wrong type of vegetation for the era) he might spot it lol.

Thanks Jellyhead, I'll have a look at that thread. I've not had much luck with survey sites so far because I don't seem to fall into 'wanted' categories but the thread is certainly worth a look at.

I did have some people come round today.., and they might (might being the operative word) be able to give me constructive help getting into council housing (in private rental with an awful landlord, council so far giving nothing but knock backs) so have been really happy this afternoon.

The Dinosaur pic sounds nice Do you live near any attractions with a dinosaur land? You could make an IOU invitation for a family day out at the attraction, and if it's one that's closed over winter you'd have until March or April to save up the entrance fee :T

I meant £10 a day, not 310 :eek: I didn't read much of it but the crowdology thing has worked out well for me because when you are screened out of a survey they usually try you with another one. Yesterday I was screened out of both but that's the first time it's happened.

Opinionbar give you 10p if they screen you out of a survey, but I doubt you'd make the £10 payout threshold before christmas.

Good luck with the council housing

jellyhead

hgotsparkle wrote: »

When I do have kids, when they are young they will be getting loads of very cheap presents as its the fun, imagination factor for small kids, not the pricetag.

Kids are generally pleased with small, cheap gifts. On my 8 year old's birthday my sister had given him a magazine that he'd wanted when he saw my nephew with a copy. He thought that was his gift from her, and said thanks with such delight She'd bought him something else too because she didn't think a £2.99 magazine was enough of a present, but she hadn't needed to.

hgotsparkle

jellyhead wrote: »

Kids are generally pleased with small, cheap gifts. On my 8 year old's birthday my sister had given him a magazine that he'd wanted when he saw my nephew with a copy. He thought that was his gift from her, and said thanks with such delight She'd bought him something else too because she didn't think a £2.99 magazine was enough of a present, but she hadn't needed to.

Exactly, I've seen great toys in places like Poundstretcher that I would have loved as a kid! All these expensive interactive toys now don't need much imagination to play with. I'd much rather encourage a child to use their imagination than be told what to do by a toy.

victory

Christmas should never be about the amount of presents, the amount of money spent on just one day...

I know of a friend that spent ££££ on one xmas and was still paying it off the following year:eek:

Xmas day is a show, masses of food and presents and best wines and expensive chocs when all year round no one buys those types of things, it is commercial hype, you have to have lobster or you have to have a £££ turkey when it is not about any of that, it is about all the family being together, laughing, making memories and looking back on hopefully a good year and looking forward to the future:D

I buy from gumtree/car boot sales/ebay/charity shops/ the boots 75% sale/throughout the year and when it comes to food the 2 tins for £7 from morrisons, discounted boxes of biscuits etc etc.

There is no need to spend a huge amount on plastic toys that they do not get there moneys worth and is only bought because the TV is advertising them.

I make fudge, hampers, gingerbread men, home made gifts.

The amount of times we used to buy someone something and they open it and thank you but really you know they are going to put it at the back of the cupboard, they didn't really need or want it, for you it was a waste of money and for them it is not what they would have wanted so maybe re-gift to someone else, what is the point to that?

Now it is children under 18, everyone else a card which you can get packs of for just a few £, the xmas day dinner my OH says is a glorified sunday roast with a few extra special add ons, it really doesn't have to cost a lot.

Someone said they would rather have a holiday, I agree for the one day the cost if you let it can be massive, if you reign it in, it still can be the most fantastic day with all your family however much or little you have had to spend.

arbroath_lass

jellyhead wrote: »

I would feel rude not to give a gift to everyone who gives one to my children.

Please, please don't! It's not rude at all. People love giving to kids at Christmas. I do. That's where the joy comes from. I don't need, expect or want anything from parents in return.

pukkamum

In our house christmas presents for kids are something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read.
I used to go overboard with presents thinking it wasn't the same without huge piles of toys but after years of watching expensive toys being unused, bits of tat I bought to bulk out the piles broken within a day or so I no longer do it.
Last year I followed the above rules and I can honestly say the only one who noticed the smaller piles was me.
The kids have played with and used every gift they got, they appreciated things so much more because they're weren't 20 other gifts to distract them my house is less cluttered and I didn't get into debt.
Ask yourself why you are buying all these gifts is it because the kids really need or desperately want these things or because of the feeling it gives you?
We don't buy for adults only kids, and it's a relief for everyone.
Part of the reason I bought for adults was to have gifts under the tree, now I wrap empty boxes and put those under.
Christmas memories don't come from gifts, I certainly only remember a handful of giftsI got at christmas as a child and they were the things I really wanted not the mountains of other stuff, they come from the time you spend together as a family.
Try it the first time you do it you will have a mild panic at the diminished pile of gifts but it gets easier.

Netwizard

I remember as a kid being made up with a few new dinky toy cars and a new board game! Probably £30 all in!

My friends nowadays are buying their kids the latest ipad or newest mobile phone :eek:

No wonder christmas costs a fortune!!

MadDogWoman_2

I have a DD 6, there is a dolphin toy that she is asking for plus we have decided to ask for Amazon vouchers to go towards getting her a Kindle Fire.

She will get enough tat and choclate off my DH's family so we won't add to it.

Presents for the rest of the family will depend on money as DH is trying to set himself up in business and I only work part time so money is very scarce atm. But if we can get them anything it will be a sweet bomb from our local traditional sweet shop, as there are too many nieces and nephews to buy them individual gifts and tbh they love getting the sweets.

Food wise I have been saving my nectar points which will pay for some of it. We only have chicken as a turkey is too big, the rest is bought over the weeks leading up to Christmas so my food bill isn't a big shock.