christmas is depressing me due to gifts and money problems how do you all do it?

[Tegans Mama]

I don't really think it's fair to say other people are depressing you since we're not responsible for what you've bought, only you are I remember you saying last year that Christmas was not a big 'thing' over there anyway, so there is no use in buying a lot of gifts?

 

[sabby52]

I don't really think it's fair to say other people are depressing you since we're not responsible for what you've bought, only you are I remember you saying last year that Christmas was not a big 'thing' over there anyway, so there is no use in buying a lot of gifts?

Agree most of the ladies on here including myself save hard to have a nice Christmas, it really doesnt come easy, you have to work at it.

 

[Tegans Mama]

I don't really think it's fair to say other people are depressing you since we're not responsible for what you've bought, only you are I remember you saying last year that Christmas was not a big 'thing' over there anyway, so there is no use in buying a lot of gifts?

Agree most of the ladies on here including myself save hard to have a nice Christmas, it really doesnt come easy, you have to work at it.

Yep, so do we!! It costs a fortune, but if you don't put the money away or make the effort it doesn't work And other people should not have to keep quiet over the stuff they've done/bought. We all buy/save to our means and should be proud of ourselves

 

[Lianne1986]

we also started early, i think august? both my kids birthdays are right nears xmas too.

28th november and 21st december.

its about being organised and knowing ur budget!

i went to poundland yesturday and got my kids stocking fillers, they had £15 each. tht 15 presents. so it looks like loads to them but didnt really break the bank iykwim.

im lucky my kids loves books, pencils and colouring stuff cuz thts mostly what i got. but i also go stuff like bubble bath (fifi and spiderman) bath mitts and flannels! it all mounts up!!

 

[honey08]

i save all yr

 

[honey08]

infact as frm 2day im saving for next xmas started doing PARK £10 a wk 45wk and ill get £450 back , plus in jan i start my morrisons saving stamps £1-2 a wk = £75 ish at xmas for food shop

 

[amazed]

I start straight after the kids birthdays in July then straight after Xmas I start for there birthdays lol

 

[MiissDior]

I've planned ahead this year..
started in May, everyweek since may..
not easy but stuck at it.. i knew come
this christmas paying for everything all
at once was gunna be easy, so started back
in may when i had the chance..xx​

 

[Midsomer]

I'm more impressed on how organised everyone is and I am taking notes for next year.

I want to be an organised mummy too.

 

[princess_bump]

I don't really think it's fair to say other people are depressing you since we're not responsible for what you've bought, only you are I remember you saying last year that Christmas was not a big 'thing' over there anyway, so there is no use in buying a lot of gifts?

Agree most of the ladies on here including myself save hard to have a nice Christmas, it really doesnt come easy, you have to work at it.

Yep, so do we!! It costs a fortune, but if you don't put the money away or make the effort it doesn't work And other people should not have to keep quiet over the stuff they've done/bought. We all buy/save to our means and should be proud of ourselves

i start early and plan well. i split our buying year into 2 parts - jan - june is buying, saving and sorting maddi's birthday and normally august to December is sorting and saving for Christmas.
this year was slightly different and i've not quite finished as we had our wedding/florida trip in september/october to buy for and sort, therefore i haven't finished my christmas shopping yet xx

 

[Midnight_Fairy]

I feel like I have to justify the money we spend at xmas to one of my friends. I should feel like that but I do. grr

 

[Boothh]

i start buying after jesses birthday in august and just got things as i seen them, and i got high street vouchers of £450 so that helped alot, i still havnt finished though, but i plan and plan to make sure we have a great christmas! it doesnt just happen! x

 

[dizzyisacow]

I don't really think it's fair to say other people are depressing you since we're not responsible for what you've bought, only you are I remember you saying last year that Christmas was not a big 'thing' over there anyway, so there is no use in buying a lot of gifts?

im sorry,will rephrase.
no it isnt a big deal over here but i was raised by my mum who is english so i dont feel like people over here do and want for my son what i had when i was growing up.

 

[lornapj83]

i start in january if theres things in the sales also i took park out again 2 days ago for next year £650 £15 a week i also get stamps for iceland £5 a week i do £5 a week for asda saving cards i also pay £5 a week on the wilkinsons saving cards and last but not least i put a couple of quid on my butchers card a week so thats food and meat and prezzies sorted for xmas xx its hard work but if you stick to it it always works out for the best xx

 

[x-Rainbow-x]

this year i was good and started buying super early and ended up with ALOT more than i would normally get for alex

Last year we had hardly any money at all due to me being on maternity leave
all i done was do personalised things

like i got alex to draw on an a4 piece of paper with lots of colours - laminated it - and stuck one of them calender things on (u get 5 for 50p ) and made calenders for people for less than 30p each - everyone loved them !!!

i also made people biscuits and got alex to help decorate them then put them in some cellophane (florists - maybe 50p-£1 a metre) they looked a right mess but no one cared because alex helped make them and it was all about the thought and time we put into it rather than just going and buying something and wrapping it

i have found that people appreciate personalised hand made things alot more at xmas

this year we are saving for the new baby so all my sisters are just getting a stocking i have decorated myself with their names with glitter glue with a film they like in (from play for like £2.99 in the sale) with popcorn, chocolate, a bottle of pop . I have made it into a xmas movie stocking - i think they will love it !!

i bulk bought the stockings from ebay and glitter glue from the £1 shop xxx

have a think i bet theres loads you could do with ari xxxx

 

[faun]

I start saving for xmas in May and then start buying after the boys birthdays in September, if i didn't start early there is no way i could afford nice pressies for everyone.

 

[v2007]

whats B&M?

Its B&M Bargains.

Its fab loads of really excellent products far cheaper that everywhere else.

V xxx

 

[Midnight_Fairy]

I expect its like the range? In-store? Wilkinson's?

 

[amylw1]

like alot of others have said i start early - as in boxing day (if shops are open) or jan when all this years gifts are at half price or less.

PLUS i try and buy at least 1 item a week - whether its a gift or tub of sweets that are on offer (just check date is a yr in advance). that way come december i only have few bits to do and fresh meat/veg etc to buy.

its sooooo much easier buying throughout the year with 3 kids

 

[Georgie90]

I have spent a small fortune on Christmas this year, but its only because I can afford too…last year I didn’t get paid as much so didn’t adding up everyone’s presents I have spent way over £1,000. Christmas isn’t all about presents and money, you shouldn’t let it depress you because of that, its about your little family xxx