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Original poster

Treating ourselves to a huge Christmas blow out - how would you spend £1000?

278 replies

Christmas25 · 08/12/2025 19:08

Posting for traffic.

We have had a crappy year for various reasons so have decided we are going to go all out this year.

We have earmarked £1000 to spend for Christmas (ignoring presents) - how would you spend it? We’ve already ordered the Tom Kerridge beef wellington from M&S (not part of this budget), but I’d love to know what other things Mumsnetters would recommend. I don’t know where to start!

OP posts:
DuchessofStaffordshire · 08/12/2025 20:17

frozendaisy · 08/12/2025 20:14

Hotel chocolate Christmas wreath
second champagne as well

I would get a hotel chocolate velvetizer and plenty of sachets (keep you going into new year)
a hand press orange juicer and sacks of juicing oranges for fresh orange juice (can mix with champagne for Buck’s Fizz)

Who goes and ruins champagne with orange juice?!

frozendaisy · 08/12/2025 20:16

Outdoor fire pit with stack of logs and giant marshmallows

dairydebris · 08/12/2025 20:16

This is an utterly bizarre thread. Buy the food you want, then save the rest til you find something you want... so odd to have to try to figure out a way to spend...

I'd have a whole fillet of beef and some decent wine and chocolate for sure... but what more do you need if theres nothing you want?

Pay for a close friends hotel? Charity? Spending for spendings sake... just odd.

TerrysCIockworkOrange · 08/12/2025 20:15

@IdaGlossop do you think people on a shoestring budget only encounter things they cannot afford on Mumsnet, instead of being confronted by it daily in real life?! Trust me, this thread isn’t going to break anyone’s heart. Cop on will ya.

Enigma54 · 08/12/2025 20:15

EveryKneeShallBow · 08/12/2025 20:11

Well, I’ve recently been awarded PIP, so I’m going to have a spiffing blowout and then put my feet up and choose my sparkly new car!

Good for you! 😊

IdaGlossop · 08/12/2025 20:15

Penisbeakeralltheclassics · 08/12/2025 20:13

Oh for gods sake. No one can enjoy themselves EVER then. Someone is always suffering.

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Killjoy I am not.

frozendaisy · 08/12/2025 20:14

Hotel chocolate Christmas wreath
second champagne as well

I would get a hotel chocolate velvetizer and plenty of sachets (keep you going into new year)
a hand press orange juicer and sacks of juicing oranges for fresh orange juice (can mix with champagne for Buck’s Fizz)

LifeBeginsToday · 08/12/2025 20:14

I'd upgrade my decorations if you haven't already. A good quality large tree from somewhere like Balsam Hill, decorations, runners, candles, chair covers etc there won't be much change from £1000 and can be used year after year.

Mumofmarauders · 08/12/2025 20:14

Titasaducksarse · 08/12/2025 19:26

Is there a musical or panto you could all go to Christmas Eve and get amazing seats?
Buy in everything! Seafood platters, champagne etc.
Rent whatever films your kids want.
How about hot tub hire!

What about a box? I’ve always wanted to sit in a box at the theatre (with just my family)!

Penisbeakeralltheclassics · 08/12/2025 20:13

IdaGlossop · 08/12/2025 19:16

OP, we are in the middle of a cost of living crisis, with some people struggling to afford Christmas. Having £1,000 to spend without presents or the main part of your Christmas meal puts you in a position thousands cannot even imagine. Some of them will read your post.

Oh for gods sake. No one can enjoy themselves EVER then. Someone is always suffering.

ranoutofquinoaandprosecco · 08/12/2025 20:13

Go out for supper on Christmas Eve and have a lovely meal meaning your house is lovely and tidy!

As mentioned use your local supplies and get good quality meat, seafood, wine, cheese, tea, coffee, baked goods.

Invest in some lovely crockery, cutlery, glassware.

Lovely smelling candles.

Winter/Christmas bedding.

Then maybe some experiences for over the Christmas period?

Book a cleaner for the New Year to do a deep clean, so you don’t need to!

SkinnyOatFlatWhiteForMePlease · 08/12/2025 20:11

A weekend away would win for me.

EveryKneeShallBow · 08/12/2025 20:11

Well, I’ve recently been awarded PIP, so I’m going to have a spiffing blowout and then put my feet up and choose my sparkly new car!

KilliMonjaro · 08/12/2025 20:09

Nevergotdivorced · 08/12/2025 20:00

Get a Kelly bronze turkey, they are worth every penny.
Laurent Perrier Champagne.
Do an extra shop and donate to a food bank.

This!!!!

IdaGlossop · 08/12/2025 20:07

This is the first time I have posted in the way I have today, despite reading numerous posts of the kind you cite. What prompted me to do so was the fact that you don't know how to spend £1,000 without suggestions, the proximity to Christmas, and the fact that the budget happened very recently.

HeyThereDelila · 08/12/2025 20:05

Dinner at the Ritz one night for you all over the holidays. It’ll be a night to remember. Don’t waste it on buffet items from M&S!

SorrySalamander · 08/12/2025 20:04

I'd consider something that sits outside the official present budget but which you can all do together. Obviously depends on what you already have been maybe something like a Nintendo Switch and some fun games you could play together (also, board games! But they won't take much of chunk out of the budget). I hope you have a wonderful day.

ContentedAlpaca · 08/12/2025 20:04

I would have a night or two away. Somewhere that feels Christmassy - Edinburgh, York etc and lots of treats while there.

ScrambledEggs12 · 08/12/2025 20:03

Enigma54 · 08/12/2025 19:59

Agree! Shit year here too ( possible my last Christmas) but very intrigued to read how £1000 can be wisely spent.

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Really sorry to hear that, and I hope it isn't your last Christmas x

Nevergotdivorced · 08/12/2025 20:00

Get a Kelly bronze turkey, they are worth every penny.
Laurent Perrier Champagne.
Do an extra shop and donate to a food bank.

Enigma54 · 08/12/2025 19:59

ScrambledEggs12 · 08/12/2025 19:38

From what I read on here a lot of people on Mumsnet have children in private schools....it doesn't bother me reading about it. It's out of my budget!

Edited
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Agree! Shit year here too ( possible my last Christmas) but very intrigued to read how £1000 can be wisely spent.

Clefable · 08/12/2025 19:57

I would definitely do a nice trip somewhere lovely and festive. I think I’d struggle to really find the value in spending all of that on food, so I probably would use some of it for some extra presents or something special for the whole family to use or have.

Also not everyone is struggling to pay bills or in a cost of living crisis. It’s okay for those who aren’t to discuss their lives and finances without having to pretend they are hard up. It’s an easy thread to avoid if it upsets you - the title is very explanatory.

Original poster
Christmas25 · 08/12/2025 19:55

IdaGlossop · 08/12/2025 19:16

OP, we are in the middle of a cost of living crisis, with some people struggling to afford Christmas. Having £1,000 to spend without presents or the main part of your Christmas meal puts you in a position thousands cannot even imagine. Some of them will read your post.

I appreciate that, but at the same time everyone’s circumstances are different. I read the countless posts from people on here earning six figure salaries and have a slightly envious eye at times but who am I to tell them not to post.

OP posts:
luckylavender · 08/12/2025 19:55

If you are really keen on meat, buy more than just one. Turkey / goose / duck. A ham. Beef. Lamb. Pork. That’s what my family would love.

ISpyNoPlumPie · 08/12/2025 19:54

I wouldn’t. It wouldn’t make me happy.