Anyone else having a small one ??

[sabby52]

This year we have decided we are having a really small Christmas for 2 reasons. Firstly because when I raided Decs room a few weeks back I found toys that hadnt even been looked at the garage he got is already in the bin as he sat on it and cracked it and the kitchen he got has been gone for weeks as he was bored with it and secondly because we are planning another holiday for next year. I know some people may think that I am being mean by cutting Christmas presents to have a holiday but tbh both boys have already told me they only want 1 thing for Christmas because they WANT to go on holiday

So is there anyone else that is having a small one ?? I am starting to feel bad already (and it is only bloody Sept.) because I have been looking at the thread were people have listed what their children are getting.

Although we are cutting down the boys are still getting £300-£400 each on presents, so they are not been deprived

 

[lauren-kate]

£300-400 is small?? We are having a reeeeaaaalllyy small Christmas this year, mainly because we don't have room for anything more.. and because we just don't have the money.

Don't feel mean. Christmas isn't about the presents.. and you'll be having a fab holiday (a present in itself, I'm sure).

 

[Blah11]

We're cutting back to. New baby and mat leave so wont have a lot of spare money

p.s. £3-400 is massive, lol.

 

[honey08]

300-400 per child ? i think thats a lot , i spend bout 250 on morgan and more on SS cos hes 17 and clothes are more x

 

[Torz]

We are having a miniscule christmas compaired to you then. I'm out of work & my tax credits only just cover my basic outgoings. I dont know where i'm going to find the money for christmas from. But Alfie is still pritty young so wont really know any different, he'll just be happy to have his family make a fuss of him.

 

[Rhi_Rhi1]

I'm the same this year cutting down to about 300, we easily spent 800+ quid last year :/ and lets be honest thats ridiculous he has toys he has only used once :/ and not cheap toys either ! like the tag system and books, -rubbish lol its just all sat there x

 

[Nyn]

We're trying to have a big Christmas, but no where near 3-400 per child.. can't afford that. It's more like 100 - 150 per child if we can...

I think it's a great idea to spend less on xmas and have a holiday instead if that's what everyone wants!

 

[Linzi]

Yeah we are cutting back too but dont think it will affect our christmas too much. im off work so we'll be able to do crafts & cooking with seth, then hubby has a fortnight off too.

We have saved £500 for presents but that is to buy for 24 people and our own 2 kids so doesn't sound like an awful lot.

xx

 

[amie-leigh]

i am having a teeny tiny christmas OH was made redundant last month and we have no money coming in at all just now so can't even cover all the bills

 

[Tasha]

Yes, I am cutting down too. It will be £400 per child because we are going to Lapland on the 3rd December then Butlins on the 23rd.

 

[Reedy]

Yep we're having a small xmas too x
Finley got so much stuff last year & he hasnt played with half of it, plus his birthday is 8 weeks before & we arent going mad then either x
He'll have one main present then maybe 3-4 little ones, he'll get stuff from relatives so we dont need to go over board x
My nieces got so much last year they were opening them & just tossing them aside, it really upset my mum so they are only getting maybe 4-5 presents this year from my parents too x
Dont feel bad about it, sounds like they would much rather go on holiday anyway

 

[Midnight_Fairy]

Last year was ridiculous, my OH got his compensation and we just spent spent spent when in reality all I wanted was a day with my family. I think they got a bit spoilt and it did retract from the meaning of christmas. We still have money left from it but I refuse to spend it on christmas this year. We are going to stick to our normal savings and be more creative with presents and stuff that will have a play value or educational rather then plastic shit (sorry just hate pointless junk that breaks) If its educational or I KNOW they will play with it loads then I dont mind how much it costs but I refuse to buy stuff for the sake of it this year

(we still have a playmobil fire station and farm in BOXES on top of my wardrobe from last xmas!!)

I want us to be really creative this year

I have to add that although 300 sounds alot, as kids get older its harder as games are 40 each for some new ones and everything is more expensive so I can understand what you mean! It is more expensive as they get older. You cant just buy the cheaper stuff anymore so money does not go as far x

 

[Blah11]

tasha im still sooooo jealous about lapland!

 

[sabby52]

Yes, I am cutting down too. It will be £400 per child because we are going to Lapland on the 3rd December then Butlins on the 23rd.

You lucky sod, I would give my right arm to go to Lapland

 

[sabby52]

Yep we're having a small xmas too x
Finley got so much stuff last year & he hasnt played with half of it, plus his birthday is 8 weeks before & we arent going mad then either x
He'll have one main present then maybe 3-4 little ones, he'll get stuff from relatives so we dont need to go over board x
My nieces got so much last year they were opening them & just tossing them aside, it really upset my mum so they are only getting maybe 4-5 presents this year from my parents too x
Dont feel bad about it, sounds like they would much rather go on holiday anyway

Yeah the are more exicted about going back to Florida than they are Christmas Everytime Disney comes on TV Dec shouts thats were we are going, have you booked it yet mummy ? lol and Dan keeps saying he cant wait until Christmas is over so we can go look at our holiday. So tbh they arent really concerned about Christmas this year

 

[Midnight_Fairy]

I think our problem is I buy them stuff all year I know we shouldnt just get stuff, half the time I get it even if they have not asked, so christmas is hard!

 

[Linzi]

aw i want to take the kids to euro disney in 2013 i loved it when i was little so excited to take them! xx

 

[sabby52]

£300-£400 does sound like a lot but it isnt really, not when you are buying for a 13 year old Dans Xbox is £250 and he wants £100 for clothes, so theres £350 gone already, plus I want to get him some cool trainers he has been asking for so that could be another £70-£80, then he will need games for his xbox !! I am no seeing that Dan is going to be alot more than £400 and tbh this is nothing compared to what he got last year.
Dec wont be as bad, his DSi is only £159 thats with 2 games, then he just wants some lego and hotwheels, which will be about another £100-£150

So as you can see although they are both getting very little, it is still going to cost ALOT !!! lol

 

[sabby52]

I think our problem is I buy them stuff all year I know we shouldnt just get stuff, half the time I get it even if they have not asked, so christmas is hard!

Same here

 

[Midnight_Fairy]

Matthews kinect games last year were 40each so 3 games is over 100 but still only 3 things if you get me. Kids are expensive as they get older! x