Hi Everyone

wannabee_in_credit

Hello
I used to be a regular on this forum until I was stopped from taking my work laptop home - then I fell off the radar a bit regarding getting on here. I won't bore everyone with the full details but I am just entering the last year of a DMP. I finally feel as though there is a light at the end of the tunnel and I'm starting to get somewhere.
However, I'm running into Christmas almost on empty this year. My emergency fund is long depleted due to having to replace the car, television, washing machine and four car tyres this year, as well as paying for a boiler repair.
I have next to no money for Christmas and I'm starting to stress with it looming. I'm sorry to disappear for months and then reappear asking for help - but I really need your help to stay on the straight and narrow. I'm becoming tempted to try and get credit and I'm worried I'm going to end up 30k in debt again if I am not very careful indeed.
I'm not all take though - I'm back to try and offer my own support. And meet some new people and catch up with old friends.
Hope everyone is doing well...
wannabee

moohound

Does Christmas have to be all that expensive, its one day after all, send small token or home made gifts. I am debt free and spend less at Christmas than I ever have, because the amount you spend it not important.

It's not worth jeopardising your debt free day for a two day assault on the digestive system.

poppasmurf_bewdley

Unless you have children, then cancel Xmas.

It's not important and spending money you haven't got on one day is silly in the extreme.

If you have young children, they'll be happy with a few trinkets. If you have teenagers, then they should be able to understand when parents don't have any money.

Getting all hot under the collar about not being able to afford all the tinsel and baubles that seems to be Xmas these days is futile and will benefit nobody, least of all yourself

enthusiasticsaver

Don't buy into the consumerism of Christmas. If you have no savings to pay for presents then just buy a small present for children and explain to everyone else you will be either not doing presents or only something small. Put a cash limit per person or tell friends and family not to buy you stuff if that makes you feel better. You are so close to the end of your DMP it would be such a shame to put yourself back by overspending and going into debt for one day.

wannabee_in_credit

I do have kids. They are 10 and 6 and have always understood that they get what we can afford to pay to Santa. It just seems more difficult this year than ever before. Me and my husband don't buy each other presents - it's all about the kids. After 5 years though I am just getting a bit demotivated. This is why I've come back here - to try and get my head back into the whole frugal thing...

judi24

I find it really hard too at Christmas - so get exactly where you are coming from - I am trying really hard to keep to a budget but It is not easy at all after years of overindulgance. I do find beng around here helps keep me a bit more motivated (not perfect!) so that has to be a good thing - good luck

tori.k

I've had to get inventive over the year's and especially this one so decided to make it a day of games my kids are older teens so it far easier for me to make it a proper cheesy Christmas like when they were small

My lots gifts are just cheap treats and free-bees have been made into huge lucky dip boxes should kill half an hour digging thru shredded newspaper to find them, maybe consider a bit of a treasure hunt around the house for younger kids or those with less gifts we usually play table games during and after dinner then the evening is followed with a Christmas DVD or board game, get the laughter flowing and thoughts wont be about what they've had/had not just that they've had a really good day TBH it will make a lovely change to be together the whole day then the kids clearing off to their bedrooms to play new computer games.

Have a wonderful Christmas

FBaby

Have the children said what they want for Christmas? Would they prefer many little presents for the sake of the fun of opening many presents, or are they keen on one thing and they will understand that in that case, that's all they can get? Will they get presents from the rest of the family or are you the main present giver?

Where will you be spending Christmas? Is there costs associated with travelling somewhere, or will you be having the dinner at home? How much do your kids care about the Christmas meal?

If I were in your shoes, I would try to provide the one thing that means a lot to them. If it is one present, then that's all it will be, or many cheap ones, or a very nice dinner (expect that presents will get priority but you never know).

Check charity shops for some presents (especially games and books), discussing joining up financially with other family members if the request is for an expensive toy. Can you use shop vouchers? Any friends with older children who would be happy to get rid of some toys in preparation of receiving new ones?