What's the biggest Christmas waste of money?

spudxjnr

Sprouts! Just.....sprouts! You start boiling them in November, yet what do they taste of? Sprouts!!!!!!!!!!!!

dancingmaster1651

Decorations.
This year's fashion (not that I normally give tuppence for fashion unless it's what we wanted anyway) was fake presents: 2-3 boxes wrapped in boring silver with huge bows, which are plonked 'artistically' on the floor. The Range price: £28, & similarly elsewhere.
Twenty-eight pounds for three empty boxes! Why not get three grocery cartons from the supermarket, £3 worth of paper, £1 of shiny ribbon (Poundland or 99p Store), and make your own?
What saddens me about this is not just the money but the commercial pull towards having exactly what everyone else has, and having it instantly. I've run children's activities for many years (church, school etc) and had enormous fun with them making our own decorations: lace-doily angels, silver-card napkin rings, paper chains, etc. Every home-made decoration is unique, has a personal touch, costs very little, fosters social and creative skills, and makes long-lasting memories. Including the time you shook the glitter glue and the top came off . . . 

adamp87

Not sure if it’s been mentioned but plastic novelty gifts- especially for secret Santa’s.

It’s just crap and ends up in the bin before the seasons even over

skull

My family and I had a discussion, and we decided on only giving Christmas gifts to children under 18, and elderly parents. (We do something similar for birthday gifts, but add in Special birthdays/anniversaries). We still send a small amount of Christmas cards as we think it brings cheer to those who are alone at Christmas. The Christmas cards we receive are kept and put in a scrapbook. It's a pick-me-up, if one of us has a bad day/is ill, to look through it, especially the funny cards.

Re-using gift bags instead of wrapping paper is a good idea that I have also been using, (remember not to write on the gift tag attached to the bag, so that your giftee can re-use it too. Also be creative about the gift wrap, tea towels or pillowcases as gift wrap, or with a ribbon or tied with string/twine & a little decoration around them is always useful as another gift as well as wrapping.  

I have had a fake 'natural look' Christmas tree for years and still enjoy it, no trees were harmed and it has many, many years more use in it.

My late gran always used to buy her Christmas cards/gift wrap in January, so I guess we learned to economise from her.

bundlebob

We dont eat turkey any other time of the year, so refuse to spend lots of money on one just for a day and instead have a regular roast. I make my own xmas puds, which is the treat of the season. 
My family all live over 300 miles up north, so dont mind postal costs, but when i can, i order online and the presents get wrapped at the destination, which saves me more dosh.
The only cards i post, are all made by myself, so they are worthy of a stamp. I wont buy 50 cards for a fiver and spend 20 quid posting them. 
Stopped buying crackers years ago. 
And i have had the same christmas tree since 2014, which always looks good when its lit up. But even that doesnt come out every year, as no one really appreciates it. 
Lights around windows are the only decorations, apart from a glass jar filled with baubles and tinsel on the sideboard.

iamthrifty,you_are_mean

MSE_Kelvin said:

MSE_Rhiannon said:

MSE_Kelvin said:

Dates. Date farmers probably don't even like dates, really.

WHAT I eat dates every day. If we weren't wfh I'd challenge you to a duel in the office 

I've tried to like them, I really have - but they have the texture of greasy sand and my face goes weird when having to chew them.

What about sticky toffee pudding?

iamthrifty,you_are_mean

What about sticky toffee pudding?

Brie

iamthrifty,you_are_mean said:

What about sticky toffee pudding?

Are there dates in it??  I don't mind just wondering.  Then again pour a hot butterscotch/toffee sauce on styrofoam and I'd be happy to eat that.

Woods22

100% Xmas cards, use your phone to wish everyone a happy Xmas, oh and Xmas jumpers!

kimwp

Brie said:

iamthrifty,you_are_mean said:

What about sticky toffee pudding?

Are there dates in it??  I don't mind just wondering.  Then again pour a hot butterscotch/toffee sauce on styrofoam and I'd be happy to eat that.

Not always. Agree about the sauce though.