* It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year * - It's the 2016 Christmas Chatter Thread

MoneyMission2015

3forholidays wrote: »

PrincessKitty Hope you feel better soon (((big hugs)))

Due to having a disability I struggle to write for long periods of time and doing my Christmas cards was torture this year as it took so long. I was thinking about getting an ink stamp made to save me writing and I'll do labels for the envelopes. Any idea where I could buy a personalised stamp?

3forholidays - I ordered all my family cards from moonpig this year. You can have all of it preprinted with everything you want in it, or have parts preprinted. I left the 'To' section blank so I could write this myself, but had the middle message and our 'from xyz' printed. It was so much easier for me & not as expensive as I thought it would be because they always have special offers on.

Nic2075 - I haven't used Park before because I once started saving with that other hamper company (can't remember the name now!) that went bust & even though I got my money back, it put me off those sort of savings schemes. I do use You Need A Budget though and it really helps me to see where all my money is going, where I can cut back & reminds me to put a few ££'s aside for those things that crop up occasionally. Another way I saved a bit this year was that every time I went grocery shopping in Asda I put £10 on one of their savings cards. It soon added up & helped to pay for a few gifts and also for the little extra grocery treats.

FeistyFidget

Hi my little festive elves! It's been wonderful reading about all of your Christmas days

Thank you so much for the shiny new thread, it will be wonderful sharing 2016 with you all!

We've had the most relaxed Christmas ever, however it sadly didn't feel very festive BUT I think that is just because of all the stress over the last month or so. Today was still the only day we didn't have a plan, it's been wonderful lounging around although difficult to find a comfortable position at 8 months pregnant lol.

Well I did the tote up for money spent on Christmas gifts and we were way under budget! That was even with spending almost 3 times the amount planned on the in laws with their tablet to say thank you for all their help this year. However this year needs to be even less expenditure as with me on maternity means barely enough to scrape through the bills, let alone set money aside.

I know a lot of you use survey sites to help with Christmas and I was just wondering what the best ones are?

[Deleted User]

Hi everyone, I'm hoping this is the right place to get some advice. I've hammered my credit card this year and don't want to be in the same situation this time next year. Does anyone know if you can keep topping up a Next gift card? I bought a lot of gifts from there this year and was trying to find a way of saving throughout 2016. I already put a certain amount into a savings fund but that pays for my kids presents and I also plan to buy stamps from our local supermarket to help with the food shop.

murie

lellyo and mrs money penny- yes I am, certainly blessed but to be honest I don't want to use it- it just looks too lovely!


Pixitotts- its a shame that you didn't feel up to it, perhaps you could have mini Christmas later in the year when you feel more up to it? If QVC can have Christmas in July then why cant you have a mini Christmas in any month you want?
Nic- Ive never used a savings club (other than asda card) so cant comment Im afraid.


Princesskitty- sorry wiggle has been unhappy- perhaps its the change in his routine that he's not happy about, or just picking up and not understanding the air of anticipation in the house? My DD teethed for the first time over Christmas day and Boxing day -not a lot of fun for her or us!


Feisty- well done on being under budget! I think Free uses swagbucks but I have never got on with that. I receive and send letters and transponders for a german company that generally pays about £15 a month ( http://www.quotas.de/) . Also Pinecone research, I am sure there is a thread on here somewhere about survey sites.

System

Pinksteps wrote: »

Must admit it was quite nice this morning going downstairs and no trace of Christmas. Took all the decs etc down yesterday. Not even looking at the sales and just re-evaluating everything for a pleasant 2016. I enjoy the build up but think I enjoy the fresh start again even more.

Same here , I had almost all the decs down before anyone got up yesterday.

System

3forholidays wrote: »

PrincessKitty Hope you feel better soon (((big hugs)))

Due to having a disability I struggle to write for long periods of time and doing my Christmas cards was torture this year as it took so long. I was thinking about getting an ink stamp made to save me writing and I'll do labels for the envelopes. Any idea where I could buy a personalised stamp?

Vistaprint do stamps.

freespirit66

Evening everyone, i have just been pottering today putting bits away, trying to find room for Thumpers toys etc and doing a bit of washing. I am taking my tree down tuesday as recycling goes on weds and i dont want it hanging around in the garden for two more weeks, its only a couple of days earlier than i usually do it as i cant stand it up for new year I also added up what i have spent and came £100 cheaper than last year but it still needs pruning, i cut down every year but still somehow spend more than i should and i have also had to get the credit card out which i am very annoyed at, its not a huge amount but enough for me to have to pay off in my circumstances i am just about to update my christmas planner and i am going to write down what i have too much of, FOOD!!!! for instance so i have it to hand next christmas.

MOJOWORKING im so glad you have had your best xmas ever you deserve it yes it definitely is the cost of postage, but also the younger ones dont seem to send cards anymore i have noticed, my kids didnt send any cards to anyone and said mum its not the done thing anymore for our age group yes i have lost 25lb although i have given myself a break from the 1st of Dec to 1st Jan so gawd knows how much i have put on but im not going to worry about it and just get back on track, i am doing SW and have found it brilliant!

NIC that is fab news about your dad you must be so happy! I am the same i tried to save this year but something always came up, its just a good job that i get amazon vouchers for my surveys so i make sure i buy christmas presents and extras with those, but it would be nice to have some cash saved up for it, sorry i havent got any experience of park

HARIBO hi and welcome back

MURIE how wonderful of your lovely children to get you a kitchenaid, they obviously think you deserve it! Ooh no im the same as you i cant get on with swagbucks either

LELLYO brave or silly was it a success???

PINKSTEPS i always cant wait for the start of planning for the next year as well, and i need to re-evaluate this year too, good luck, i hope DS has a better year this coming year as well!

PRINCESSKITTY aww so sorry you had a stressful christmas and are now feeling unwell, best wishes to you all!

3FORHOLIDAYS sorry i dont know about personalised stamps but im sure if you google something will come up

PIXTOTTS aww honey i hope you are ok, sending you lots of hugs x

FEISTY glad you had a really relaxing christmas, not long to go now

POOHSPALS im sorry i dont know anything about next giftcards but im sure one of our lovelys can help you, i am also thinking of buying giftcards for my nieces and nephews but im not sure if i can buy them really early and they still can be used for a while?

MrsBunny

Hi all,

I'm going to be joining in on this and other treads over the next year, I use to be an active member but then I had my little boy and life got in the way. Anyhow we have just had a lovely Christmas and I already can't wait for next year! We have some big things coming up and I need to actively be on this forum to help me save money.

I'm not the type of person to buy presents early, I like to save money then buy further in the year. We are going on a major budget on payday (Thursday) as come April we will no longer get the tax credits that we currently get (I do need to double check this again). The amount we get now covers most of the child care and we still struggle with bills etc, to not have it and pay the bills as well means our 'lifestyle ' needs a huge overhaul. Basically stop eating out and going for 'coffee'. I know these are two big issues in our budget.

Looking forward to chatting to you all and hope you all have a very lovely new year.

Ps, we do have a few 2016 presents already as we do not drink and got many bottles of wine! Yay! :j

Peppapig

Welcome to the thread MrsBunny and poohspals and sorry Lellyo I seem to have forgotten to welcome you. Think it was because I saw your first post on the old thread and by the time I caught up with this one I'd forgotten. Blame it on my age or hormones (or lack of them lol). Welcome back Haribo and Pixtotts too.

I'm another one who de-decs early so mine came down today. Was amazed at how long it took considering there weren't as many as usual. Anyway I've sorted out some for the cs (although I won't take them in until October time) and made a list of all the rest and also a list of new ones I want for next year so feeling very organised. Unfortunately it probably won't last.

PrincessKitty hope both you and Wiggle are soon fighting fit and back to a nice sleeping routine.

Glad you had a nice time Feisty even if it didn't feel very festive. Just think, your last Christmas as a couple, next year you'll be a trio!

Just watching Paul O'Grady on ITV3 and its so sad - how can people treat animals so horribly. I could never visit Battersea it would break my heart to leave them all behind. it's so amazing that these ill treated dogs are all still so loving and trusting.

lellyo

Princesskitty... Hope all goes well tomorrow with your family and that you are feeling better! And yes our decs stay up for the 12 days of christmas too!
Nic...no havent used Park but a friend does & finds saving with them great!
Poohs pals... Yes you can top up Next cards, or you could, as i have in the past!
Free... I too try to make a note of things that i could change for the following christmas! Congratulations on your weight loss, thats fantastic! Yes the sale was a sucess, so i supose it was worth it! Yes i think the gift cards do have a good date on them, my husband gets one from work as a thank you, hes had them for the last couple of christmas's, and i always save them for the following one to put towards DS presents.
Hi Mrsbunny! I' m new here too!
Thanks Peppa for the welocome.... It does get confusing with the changing of threads doesnt it? I too like Paul O'Grady but cant watch his show about Battersea, it is too upsetting, their little faces are so sweet arent they? People can be so cruel cant they?
Well we had a lovely day today, myself DH,DS, my sister and her 2 children came with us for a lovely walk along the prom, DS on his new bike and my niece on her roller boots. weather was lovely up until about 2 ish when it seemed to go quiet cold. Hope everyone had a good day too? Xxxx