We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
The Forum now has a brand new text editor, adding a bunch of handy features to use when creating posts. Read more in our how-to guide

17 weeks until the big C word.. CHRISTMAS!

So as the title reads, its 17 weeks until Christmas and I thought I would post a fun little challenge! Nothing too exciting so I am sorry! 😂

How are you preparing within those 17 weeks? Are you budgeting, savings some coupons? Deciding to rip out the whole kitchen like my OH did last year! 

In those 17 weeks I plan on setting myself 17 mini tasks! 

Week 1 (ends 7th) - plan and budget set amounts on people as i always spend too much!


 I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on Debt Free Wannabe boards and spending & discounts boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.

Debt owed;

Abound - £0/£7,092.16

DFW Challenges! 

365 Day 1p Challenge 2026 #9 £104.30
Pay off all your debts by Christmas 2026! #14 £0/£7,092.16
Make £2026 in 2026! £602.40/£2026

Savings goal £162.79/£1000

Comments

  • Mark_d
    Mark_d Posts: 2,748 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    My partner and I have agreements on the cost of presents at Xmas, about the activities we get involved in etc.  We start shopping from Mid November onwards.
    New bathroom would be nice.  Boiller could do with replacement.  But none of these are essential so we're not spending money on them.
    This December flights will go on sale for our Australia holiday in December 2026.  I want to be the first one to book so that I get our preferred seats out of the limited number in the first class cabin.
  • I set a rough budget for Christmas and save 1/12th of that amount monthly. When December comes around I have enough saved for the stuff I need to buy

    As is stands right now I have £490 in my Christmas "pot". I've only really got my two sons to buy for plus a few other bits and bobs. 


  • I have bought small presents for the people we see on St Nicolas day (6 December) because it really tripped us up last year being earlier than actual Christmas! I really want to spread the shopping, it doesn't help that we have lots of birthdays in October.
  • victor2
    victor2 Posts: 8,409 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Bought new outdoor Christmas lights over a month ago, having had them on my watch list since last year!
    Other than that, will put everything off until mid November at the earliest.

    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the In My Home MoneySaving, Energy and Techie Stuff boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. 

    All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.

  • My Christmas budget is £100. I’ll pull that out of October’s pay.
  • Got my tree out already.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 354.2K Banking & Borrowing
  • 254.4K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 455.3K Spending & Discounts
  • 247.2K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 603.8K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 178.4K Life & Family
  • 261.4K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.