christmas

danielleindebt

just wondered what you all do for christmas. im a planner and i like to plan 6 months ahead. (physco i know)

what do you do for food when on a budget?

what do you buy for presents?

any good tips?

i have £20 in pigsback vouchers i am giving for birthdays before christmas.

dubgirl

Hi, i have started to budget for Xmas by putting money aside every week. I basically worked out what I have spent last year on Xmas and gone from there. Have you got a Boots advantage card, I used my points last Xmas to by pressies such as cosmetics. What about Tesco vouchers as well for food. I shop at Morrisons and buy a couple of saver stamps every week to work towards £100 which will be used for Xmas. Hope this all helps

hypno06

Things that can be frozen will last for yonks - so don't be afraid to buy stuff when on BOGOF and bung it in the freezer. At the end of BBQ season, they will be selling loads off dead cheap so stock up on finger food and do a big buffet at Christmas!

Sea78

I don't worry too much about the food part - I think I don't really go mad in that area - it's the presents I fall down on. I've made a list of people I would like to buy pressies for already and when I see something or have vouchers etc for things I'll use them. For example, my ipoints balance will be used for a mag subs present and nectar points etc for getting gifts.

Hopefully this will help me to avoid spending a small fortune!

piglet6

Hi Danielleindebt

While I'm sure that the folks on here will give you lots of good ideas for Christmas, try popping over to the Special Occasions and Celebrations board where they have several threads already well-established dealing with Christmas (including a sticky at the top of the board about saving for Christmas:D). Its full of tips and advice and, believe me, nobody over there will think you're strange for thinking about Christmas in July - the majority of us over there have been on the case since the end of December 2006!! :rotfl: :rolleyes:

Piglet

Sea78

oooh and I forgot to say, there are some great threads in the special occasions board and OS board on christmas and presents etc.

evab_2

I have a bag at the bottom of my wardrobe that has been getting full of items from magazine covers, used advantage points to buy sale items and will put in any comp winnings (when I finally win one!).

I brought cards in sale after Xmas so none to buy, also making gift tags out of cards sent to us last year.

Having been doing surveys like other people have mentioned and vouchers are stacking up nicely!

SUESMITH_2

i do lots of shopping at boots on their xmas shopping nights so i get lots of extra points.i have already started buying presents and bought cards and wrap in the sales last year.shop in netto a lot and gradually build up a stock of stuff, if anything is reduced in sainsburies (good for 10p bargains) that i can freeze i buy that and chuck it into the freezer.i make my own cake and all the xmas dinner is prepared freshworst bit is hiding it from everyone otherwise it can get eaten before the big day.best advice is trim down your present list - most of our families are very aware how hard up/poor we are - i only buy for the kids now and a couple of very close friends, kids make biccies and stuff for people. whew thats a long post

betti911

I've started to think about Christmas and build it into my new budget. I've saved £8 aprox on pigsback so far so hopefully by then I'll have a little more.

Gemmzie

We have £60 saved for food in actual money, £25 in Tesco vouchers (none of the deals are really any use to us here) and £30 in Nectar points so far.

Present wise, using the Christmas part of the Olympic challenge I already have £90s of presents for my dad which only cost £10.41 :money:

I use find-dvd/cd/games . co. uk , kelkoo (through Quidco of course) and hotdealsuk to find some absolute bargains.
Smellies, ornaments, candles etc I buy in January sales. Anything like the above (CDs, DVDs, games) most places have the best sales in July/August as their sales slump off so you get amazing prices

taxi73

I have decided to make hampers this year...you can use any theme...ie...night in...a dvd....bottle of wine and popcorn/chocolate and couple of nice glasses...wrapped nicely..or pamper ones....toileties/face pack etc...the list is endless...as gift sets you are paying for the wrap