Christmas on only £250

[Broadlygotit]

We’ve only managed to save £250 for Christmas (both work but low earners)

There’s DP & I (we aren’t doing presents for each other) then our children aged 15, 6 and 3.

15 year old is a beautiful human who understands that money isn’t what it’s all about, thank goodness, and just loves the whole atmosphere so will be happy with very simple gifts.

Then we need gifts for the little ones. Parents of kids in our 6 year olds class are saying they are buying things like an x box etc this year and I’m too embarrassed to admit that our entire budget wouldn’t buy one of those!

Then there are our dear friends and family and their children too.

Can it be done?
The food, the gifts, everything. For £250?

yes can definitely be done for £250 as long as expectations are brought inline with reality

it doesn't matter what other people are doing / getting

Yes, it can. Tell your friends and family you wont be buying gifts this year, if they are reasonable people they will understand.

The 3 year old wont care/remember so no need to go overboard on gifts for them. No need for your son to have a console if you cant afford it. There are loads of less expensive things a 6 year old will like. You could always check out places like cex though to see if you can pick up a console cheaply.

Food doesn't have to be expensive. Buy a chicken instead of a Turkey. Some frozen veg.

I reckon it's easily done for £250

Yes it can be done :)
It’s sad that we feel like we have to keep up with other people. The sheer amounts of money people spend at Christmas can be absolutely mind boggling.
Christmas dinner for example in my house is literally the same as any other roast with extra pigs in blankets. Kids love the cheap crackers and having Christmas songs on the telly. No one REALLY cares too much about fancy food. And we never bother with Xmas pud because it’s gross :)
You say your 15 year old is a lovely person, so I’m sure your other kids see this example and also would demand a lot less from Christmas than you worry about. Personal gifts and things they wouldn’t normally get given don’t need to be expensive. Lots of small presents always goes down better than one big one IMO.
Christmas is more about the fun of the day, than who’s got what. If other parents want to show off what they got then let them.
With regards other family members, a massive tin of chocs is what I’d do. All the extras and bits and bobs can become overwhelming if you let it but it’s supposed to be relaxing and enjoyable
Hope you manage to get everything sorted and have a lovely Christmas

I am not feeling flush this year, so I am looking at doing things cheaply too. The trouble is, the best way to make up for lack of money is by putting extra time in; shopping around or making things by hand. I am also time poor.
I am looking out some old stuff for my 4 year old; i know one of my older children had some wooden beads, so if I get some new elastic, and find a needle, put it in a nice box, that will be a threading game for him.
To please the older children I am going to clear the mantelpiece etc early and let them loose with the decs.

Usually We wait til 14th ish to put our decs up, but I think they will enjoy having hem longer.

Anybody else got good ideas?

Honestly, a 6 year old does not need an X-box. Even if I had the money I would not buy a games console for a young child.

Keep it simple. Have a look on eBay. There are second hand toys in perfect condition on there or things still brand new in their boxes that people are selling on.

£250 is doable with some lovely well-thought out gifts and nice food as a treat.

Your 3 year old DD won’t know the difference between you spending £20 or £200.

My budget of £50 has bought DD (2.5) the following:

A wooden toy coffee machine (new)
Some second hand BRIO train track in very good condition
Some new Hatley pyjamas (bought for half price on eBay)
2 Julia Donaldson books
A gingerbread man biscuit cutter

DD will be delighted!

I actually find the mass over spending on plastic a bit grim and I don’t feel any jealousy towards families who can afford heaps of presents.

DD would be overwhelmed by opening many more presents anyway.

Honestly, you will have a lovely Christmas. You’re obviously great at creating a nice Christmas Day given that your eldest puts that above material objects anyway!

Who all do you have to buy for apart from your kids? Give us a list we will make suggestions

Lots of small presents always goes down better than one big one IMO.

Lots of small presents can also end up costing as much as one big present if you don’t keep careful track; only you didn’t get them the one thing they wanted, IME!!!!!

One of the best Christmas’s we ever had was when we were quite short one year.
The kids got everything from second hand shops but still had a brilliant Christmas.
Admittedly they were only 5 & 3 so young enough to not notice - or care.
I think we did the entire Christmas on about £200.
Happy days ( & I genuinely mean that )

I always buy a large chicken instead of turkey and some pigs in blankets. The rest is just normal roast dinner veg. I buy frozen profiteroles for pudding as no one likes Christmas pudding and some mince pies. A tin of heros when they are on sale and that’s us sorted. No need to spend hundreds on Christmas dinner.

And tell everyone else your only buying for your kids this year. No adult presents

That’s plenty!

Aldi / Lidl for food shop and adopt the 4 gift rule for the children only.

Spend time now looking round charity shops for bargains and defo for something to read and something to wear!

I live in an affluent town and the charity shops here are full of brilliant / nearly new things. Depending on where you live it might be worth driving to a town like this?

I think you could do it. I like the rule above from squirrel I think I shall base future Christmases on that!

For the youngest two, I would buy some stuff second hand. I know my 3yo gets bored within 5 minutes anyway, so I don't buy him expensive things. He likes crafty bits and they can be quite cheap, he is also starting to like board games which again aren't that expensive. Books are a good one to buy second hand. We bought him about 20 books for a 5er last year all in good condition as well.

Food wise, just think average roast dinner with a few added extras. I bought a normal £5 joint of beef last year for 3 of us, didn't bother buying an expensive turkey or anything.

I don't think spending loads of money = a good Christmas.

I've brought presents from the local buy and sell Facebook pages and charity shops in the past. Little ones don't mind or notice. Also places like Home bargains and pound shops are really good for cheap christmas presents and stocking fillers.

Thanks so much for all your suggestions!

I knew MN would be helpful

Others to buy for will most likely be:

Our DP’s
2 D Bro’s and their families
3 BF’s and their families.

I’m thinking a box of chocolates for each with an explanation that we’re really low on cash might do for them though!

Oh and teachers, I usually like to get their teachers something.

Facebook marketplace is your friend.
I saw a huge paw patrol bundle for £30 today...there will be equal things in your area to suit both 3 ans 6 year old.
Charity shops also have loads of christmas books and toys in too.
Treat your lovely 15 year old and tell all family it will be kids only/token gifts this year.
Iceland have frozen veg on offer as well as cheap meat joints that are lovely.

Also check out the Christmas bargains thread out, lots of offers there posted everyday

Can you crochet? I have done crochet Xmas puddings on a £1 chocolate orange for the teachers this year

I think you're fine too op. My three have had £40-£70 spent on them. The youngest has his first scooter plus a wooden puzzle , the other two (teens) have been offered a gift for £50 or the money to shop for themselves , we've also got them a small £10-£15 gift to unwrap.

As a pp has said , you can tell others to not buy for you as you're a little short and can't return the favour.

Our Xmas dinner with Turkey crown , dessert and some cheeses is coming in at about £75

If you are short then don’t buy anything for teachers, I’m sure they won’t mind
Obviously if the dc really want you to then try and find something but otherwise don’t bother.

If your 15 year old is a reader then Amazon black Friday has the new Kindle Fire 7 for £29.99. Quite a substantial present I think :)

I agree kindle is a great present @ForMySorrow

Big tub of chocs and bottle of wine for each set of parents - £10 each, £20 total

Board game for each family. www.thetoyshop.com/games-jigsaws/board-games/Speak-Out-Game/p/527835?gclsrc=aw.ds&gclid=Cj0KCQiAt_PuBRDcARIsAMNlBdoacdP6XQmvkazW-wpmm7kzlqDI7EnXZPyeAtNwgmFXUjAd1fRRIFUaApy0EALw_wcB £5.50 each. Pack of Xmas sweets if you must - jelly baby Santa’s at £1 each.

That’s £60 tops. Send teachers a card with a heartfelt note don’t buy presents. I’ve never bought a teacher present.

Agree about the meal just being a large roast. £15 tops for food.

That leaves £175. I’d split £75 for 15 year old, £60 for 6 year old and £40 for 3 year old.

God dont buy for teachers if you are short - and I say that as a teacher. A nice message would be lovely.

Are you crafty in anyway? My sister in law always makes my parents a mini hamper - homemade jam, homemade chutney and then some cheese and crackers.

Another friend didnt do gifts one day but did time - one person got an afternoon of gardening, one got an afternoon out swimming with the children. Would you have time to do something like that?

It is absolutely doable and please ignore the competitive buying. There will always be people with more than you, and always people with less.

One of my most memorable christmases was when my parents had very little money.
A couple of presents each and that was it. But we played games, went for a long walk.
The biggest money saver was going to Sainsbury's on Christmas Eve, just before closing. We were able to get everything for pennies. They were giving away bottles of wine with the fresh turkeys. We dined like kings that year. If you have nerves of steel you could try that?

We don’t tend to spend more than that ourselves. We’re not low earners or anything, we just don’t see the need. We tend to get a box of hotel chocolate for grown ups (including teachers) and spend a bit more (about £20) on children. We tend to do Christmas dinner with family so we all chop in on food. And then spend a little of cheap decorations. Your really need not feel bad about not spending more. Most people who spend more either go overboard on gifts, spend a lot on food or just have a lot of disposable income so opt for very good quality gifts, decorations and food.

When my DC were little I used to do 3 for 2 on toys from Argos and ELC. You can get small kids quite big, impressive looking presents for not much money. One year I managed to pick up scooters for something ridiculous like £10 each. Bargains are out there and sometimes you get lucky and find them. There are threads on here which might help.
Definitely give the teachers a miss. They are swamped with stuff and don't need more when you can't afford it. I'd give siblings and parents a miss too and prioritise your own DC.
Poundland and Iceland are good for chocolates and nice deserts.