Thrifty Christmas Wishlist?

miss_emmajane

I have relatives, and friend's who are asking me what I would like for Christmas - some giving me specific budgets such as £40 from the in-laws. I don't need/want anything at the moment as it has just been my birthday yet I also feel rude asking for money, and don't want store specific vouchers.

Can anyone help me think of useful items I could ask for, that will help us in 2014 with living thrifty/saving money? Kitchen items, or household things maybe? Or an item that you think is a godsend in thrifty living?

sonastin

Hard to say without knowing what you already have and what you might use. There are all sorts of kitchen gadgets that I'd like which would help me to be thrifty by making cooking from scratch pleasurable rather than a chore. I know what you mean about "just give me the money" sounding rude. If there is a high value item that you'd like but its too expensive for any one gift-giver, perhaps getting them to club together to contribute towards it is less demanding. Or if you truly don't need anything, ask them to make a contribution to a charity on your behalf.

meg72

Its hard to advise without knowing what you already have or want to do, for instance do you have a slow cooker, saves a fortune in fuel, halogen oven breadmaker etc.

miss_emmajane

meg72 wrote: »

Its hard to advise without knowing what you already have or want to do, for instance do you have a slow cooker, saves a fortune in fuel, halogen oven breadmaker etc.

We do have a slow cooker, although I haven't had too much success with it yet We got a breadmaker from a car boot this year - we have basic stuff other than that, like 1x large pot, 3x pans etc

Perhaps I am finding it a struggle as I do already have the thrifty stuff I need, was just really hoping to think of something new as a thrifty treat

Broomstick

Do you have/could you use:

hot water flasks,
really snuggly fleecy throws or blankets,
hot water bottles,
safety kit for the car,
table top gas cooker (power cuts)
really good torches
wind-up radio
annual season tickets for nice local places to go so you can have a trip out without spending money?

Could go on and on!
B x

babyshoes

You seem to be thinking in terms of kitchen stuff. One present I had a few years ago which I love but would never have bought for myself as it's expensive is a Le Creuset casserole - a really big one. I can make many portions of a dish to turn into lunches and frozen instant meals - if I'm going to have the oven on anyway for a slow cooked recipe, I might as well make lots all in one go.
Good quality cookware is not moneysaving in and of itself, but will last longer before you need to replace it, and also less likely to stick and burn easily.

Perhaps think about practical things you may need this winter - a new coat, thermal underwear, warm pyjamas, wellies, warm socks, gloves, hat, scarf, jumpers etc as well as the suggestions above.

Are you planning something big in the next year or so like home improvements, a family holiday, a new appliance or piece of furniture etc? If so, it's easier to ask for money towards something rather than just asking for the money in general. It's also not always about 'stuff' - most of us here in the UK have more than enough of the physical items we need to survive in modern society. Some of my best presents have been experiences rather than 'things' which get lost in the clutter before long. Memories and a few photos don't take up space in your home!

Remember, it doesn't all have to be about saving money. A few real treats will help you feel good about yourself and more likely to stay on track / less deprived when you have to say no to something else that you'd like.

flyinggiraffe_2

Is there a more expensive gadget you particularly fancy?

For Christmas last year I was given vouchers to spend at the local cookery shop.

I'd mentioned I was saving for a food mixer and everyone said they would rather give me vouchers towards something I wanted so I could get myself a slightly posher model than I would have gone for otherwise.

littlegreenparrot

I would also think about mentioning a specific thing you might save up for. This year for our joint xmas/birthday (both in jan) we have asked family for money, so that we can buy a new computer in the sales. Our current laptop is getting on for a dinosaur, but more urgent priorities always overtake it.

I have also asked in the past for cinema/theatre tokens, they're usually valid for a year, and its so lovely to see something you like the look of - and then be able to go! You can often also get tokens for beauty salons/hairdressers.

[Deleted User]

My grandchildren always want to buy me a little something and at my age there is very little I need,so DGD Holly who is at Uni buys me some nice hair shampoo and conditioner and shower stuff.DGD Katie usually gets me some really nice ground coffee.Ben bless him who is in a permanant state of 'brokeness ' :) gets me a nice jar of jam or marmalade.These are things that the children buy as they want to have something wrapped up for Granny to open and I am always pleased to have little things that mean they have thought about what I may like.My DD usually buys me a nice cardi or some gloves.There is so little that I actually need that I would rather have something usefull.My eldest DD bought me my subscription for the National Trust last year which has been invaluble to me as I take 4 of my DGS out on picnics and day trips and they are on my card as well for no extra cost.I think with so many folk feeling the pinch this year a lot of people will be cutting back.after all its not the cost that matters but the thought behind it that's important.My sis-in-law always makes me a tiny Christmas cake as I am the only one who eats it in the family.I usually get her some bulbs or seedsfor her garden.I try to think of the person and their interests.My DD loves books and so she is easy to buy for.We have decided that we will all have a budget of a set amount for each person this year and try to stick to it.I have already bought DD a thing from Hawkins bazarr in Maidstone and it looks like a large cookie and you can plug it into your PC or lap-top and it keeps your mug of coffee warm while you work..
Getting through Christmas without getting into debt is the best thing you can do.Afterall can you honestly say you can remember every gift you received last year I know I can't.A nicely wrapped present given with the person in mind is the best thing you can get.

maman

Personally I wouldn't want kitchen stuff but I'd enjoy things like expensive toiletries that I wouldn't buy myself so Clarins when otherwise I'd be using Nivea.;)

A bit OT but, in our family, we stopped buying gifts for adults a few years ago. It was DD1's idea. Like you, both my DDs have birthdays late in the year, so don't 'need' anything for Christmas. We often ended up buying 'stuff'. So we buy for the two DGDs and everyone else just gets birthday presents that tend to be clothes in the case of the girls with a nice lunch out while we're shopping for them.

So what I'm saying is, if everyone is trying to save money, wouldn't the most thrifty thing be to spend less on Christmas or do a family secret Santa or have really small budget per head?

good_advice

Thrifty in my books means nothing plug in.

A luxury food hamper , cheese and wine, chocolates and Baileys
Dressing gown.
One of those sleeveless jackets, Really warm. Thermal vest.
12 bottles/months of shower gel/Radox bubble bath
Craft items/books
New watch
Hot chocolate, mug and biscuits
slipper boots