Christmas on a budget

xmas_angel

Wow thank you all for your comments! There’s lots of ways in which we all celebrate Christmas and some lovely memories people have. It’s mad that for the boys birthdays they either get a present, a party or a day out. For the last 2 years they’ve both chosen to have a day out and we’ve done some fab days out visiting the London eye, history museum, rugby games, science museum etc. For some reason I always felt like they needed lots to open on Xmas day, however, I’m coming to realise that’s my perception of the day, not theirs. I think this year I’m going to rethink the amount of presents they get and concentrate on the fun things we can do instead as a family, more board games and presents for the family as a whole rather than just the children. This could be my last year that my eldest ‘believes’ so I’m hoping his Christmas list gets considerably shorter when he realises Mum and dad have to actually buy the presents and they’re not made and magically delivered by Santa and his elves :rotfl:

charmed1318

I kind of wish kids wanted book these days lol

V2-Schneider

charmed1318 wrote: »

I kind of wish kids wanted book these days lol

Regrettably, there's just too much competing for their attention. Which is going to win out: dopamine-hooking, adrenaline-fuelled video games (or other similar types of multimedia designed with user addiction and the easy-fix in mind) or old fashioned novels?

datlex

Personally I have an account for Christmas that is funded in the main by money from reward accounts, it also has a small direct debit going to meet the requirements of one of my reward accounts. That plus any rewards from Top CashBack, Tesco Vouchers, Nectar Points or Boots points. Then I have a budget per person I buy for. £20 each for family.

tori.k

charmed1318 wrote: »

I kind of wish kids wanted book these days lol

Mine does but unfortunately it's a Haynes manual and he wants the car to go with it

louby40

I save for Christmas all year. I spend £200 on my boys each, they are 14 and 17 (soon to be 18 on 10th Dec) - they, sadly are into gaming and designer clothes neither of which are cheap. In the past I've tried to buy clothes in the sales and also used cashback sites then buy a bit of chocolate, socks as extras.

My eldest son will soon be 18 and has got an apprenticeship so doesn't earn a lot. My younger son has a Saturday job, they don't ask for much throughout the year really so I don't mind.

I spend about £100 on my DP and £20 each on my parents, and I have 1 nephew and niece I buy for. I also buy for my teaching assistant.

I love Christmas!

Miss_Penelope

We usually have a low cost Christmas. Not because we are trying to be extra frugal we just buy what we need. There is my DH and two children DS aged 8 and DD aged 5. This year DS wants a microscope (he loves nature and science) and DD would like a life time supply of hand bags! Oh and a chocolate reindeer. Other things they may have mentioned we will let grand parents and aunts/uncles know about so that they get something that they want. So all-in-all they get around 6 decent presents (usually between £10-£30 spent on each present. They also get a stocking each with pens, a book, DVD each (usually from charity shop) and chocs. So as parents we spend no more than £50 each on each child including stockings. Although I can understand if you do not have others getting presents for your children then you will probably spend more. We are lucky I guess. do not bang on to my kids about the cost of things, unless they ask me to get them something ridiculous like an iPad or iPhone. I just do not know how parents can keep that up year on year getting bigger and better stuff. I know my kids are going to cost me more in the future but at least at that time they will know the REALITY about where Santa gets his presents from! Just spend Christmas with your families and have a nice time!

[Deleted User]

Miss_Penelope wrote: »

This year DS wants a microscope

Here you go.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Paladone-PP2951DIS-Discovery-Channel-Microscope/dp/B01G6QAYHU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1509227664&sr=8-1&keywords=discovery+channel+smartphone+microscope

Miss_Penelope

Thanks Bedsit Bob. I will look into this. An amazing price and great reviews!

zenshi

For the last 20 odd years, I have made and given Xmas cakes to my adult friends, parents and in laws. Home made are nicer and boozier than shop bought, it saves the recipients buying one and they all say how thankful they are

I buy one item in my food shop over the year so I'm ready to go when it's time to make them and no major outlay in one go