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?

And for what its worth your eldest sounds lovely and you have done a great job bringing them up to not be materialistic in this world of excess and keeping up with the Jones! That is a real gift to hear to me x

Thrifty Lesley Christmas Meal Plan
Can I just recommend this website. The lady writes meal plans, feeding people for £1 per person per day. I've linked her Christmas week meal plan, but she does have loads others, including a vegetarian Christmas week plan.
You may like it for Christmas, or for a couple of the weeks before to help save a bit more cash?
Good luck!

Definitely possible! I'd put £50 aside for nice xmas food..roast, treats, some baking with the kids. For the younger kids have a look at Facebook selling sites..some great bargains on barely used toys. No presents for anyone else. Make the kids a stocking each but with small things some chocolate, tiny toy, satsuma, socks, book from a charity shop. For your older child it's a bit harder but talk to her about what she would like and again shop for a bargain and again make her a lovely stocking up with a few bits. The joy is genuinely in being together as a family, watching cheesy films, play a game. I hope you have a lovely day and dont forget some nice chocolate/wine whatever your thing is for you and dp!

Buy a box no chocolates as present for a family, no one needs anything and most presents only ends up as clutter, rubbish or in a charity shop

But one thing for the DCs.

Best thing about Christmas is having time to go for a walk, do a puzzle, watch a mindless film.

Assuming all the adults in your list come as a couple, you have 14 adults on your list! Even at a few quid each, that's a significant dent in £250 that has to cover everything. Talk to them about no presents.

Failing that, one board game or tub of chocolates for the whole family. Check local Gumtree out, there are hundreds of board games available for free or next to nothing. As long as they are complete and in good condition they'll be fine.

Some fantastic suggestions on here already. Just to reiterate what others are saying - don't buy presents for adults. I don't know if you've seen this Martin Lewis vid before, but it's so true:

He also did a money-saving programme last night (or Monday?) with Christmas stuff on - worth a look on catch-up if you didn't see.

As others have said, vouchers for baby sitting, for an invite round to yours for a home-cooked meal in the new year, or homemade cards from the kids. Or suggest a family walk or board game session (if you already own a game) or card game (you can learn a new one on Youtube) in lieu of presents. Your family love you, they will understand.

If you get a pack of tissue or crepe paper from Wilko, the kids will enjoy making paper chains and snowflakes to decorate the house. You can get blank cards from Wilko too for the kids to decorate as presents.

We've had years that were tight and We had one really bad year , we had nothing, I mean I think we had about 50 quid. I was trying to sell stuff to buy some things.

Food can be done cheaply if you shop around, buy what is cheapest in each store. Maybe someone could have you for Christmas ?

Don't buy for friends and relatives, be honest and say that you are not doing gifts this year. People will understand. Teachers don't expect presents, a card from a bumper pack of cards will be enough. I'm sure they would hate for you to get into debt for them. If you must buy, then a coffee shop voucher for a fiver , or a couple boxes chocs for staff room.

The year we were so hard up, we knew that the following year would be better financially for us, and I know it's not ideal but it saved Christmas for us, I joined littlewoods and oxendales, I was able to get the gifts for my kids. The repayments were low and when I was in a better place Money wise I paid what was owed off.

Have you a town freebay
I’ve just given away a huge box full of early learning centre type toys
The Fantasy monsters, some of them were £20 each, knights on Horseback, safari animals, action heroes etc

The other month was a massive Storage box of Lego..not only does it never date but it never looks the worse for wear.
Both would’ve been great for a 6 year old.
My grandkids, youngest are now 10 just don’t bother with the toys any more
I think I only have the stickle bricks and the train set to go.

I was in a toy shop the other day and found it a bit depressing
Loads of cushions with faces on ..since when were they a toy

Yes definitely

toys on all the sites mentioned- think 15 year old is the possible worry but love the kindle idea- and as a teacher, loads of the 15 year old I know love Primark make up and accessories, Tiger novelties and Wilkos and Poundland stationery- even £25 would go a long way in those shops. Also in Wilko (I don't work for them- I was just in there yesterday) they have 3 for 2 at the moment on their Christmas decs- I got 3 lovely secret santa presents - all Nordic style wooden signs/ ornaments for £8- they could do as a family gift- they really are lovely and look more expensive than they are. They also have lots of deals on chocs and stuff at the mo- and these gorgeous Pannetone in tins that are only £6. Their toiletries are nice as well- The 'Fruits' range is nice. I think you can do it OP!

Start getting a couple of food bits put away too- my Mum was brassic my entire childhood (one year we had to choose between a chicken or a Christmas tree) and I could not fault how lovely she made it. It's not about the money

Op that’s very doable. I would tell extended family, friends etc that you can’t afford to buy for them this year. If I were your parent, sibling, friend etc I would be horrified to think you were spending money on me or my children. Just give the teachers a card. I’m a nurse and often patients who I know have low incomes buy me expensive gifts and I gratefully accept while wishing that they had saved their money or spent it on themselves.

As a child we were really poor and although I got (low cost) gifts I remember very few of them. I do remember one cheap gift I coveted for months and I definitely remember good food and happiness and everyone being together. Simple things really.

I would focus the budget on lots of good food and making the days cosy and special. Gifts are less important. The youngest in particular won’t have much (if any) notion of how much things cost, or the quality of said items.

Oh don't worry! I wouldn't buy a 6 year old an Xbox even if I could spend an infinite amount of money.
For the younger 2, crayons/pencils/pens and colouring book, tin of paints, a book, bubbles, a toy.
Assuming you don't need ideas for the teenager based on your post. :)

Of course you can, but the main saving would be not buying for friends and family.At the most do a family gift.

I've gone with some nice biscuits £12 and a book set for £13 for one and then just a starbucks gift card for my sister. That's all I'm buying this year.

It’s doable. Don’t buy for adults.
A six year old and a toddler don’t need much. Honestly. Make the most of the years they’re not demanding consoles. Go to home bargains, get a load of craft stuff and make decorations with them. They’ll like and remember that much more than an Xbox. Give them the ingredients for gingerbread and bake together. Honestly, it sounds cheesy but this is the stuff they love. Honestly, at this age I spent about £30 on mine.
The 15 year old needs slightly more imo. But kindle is a good present, any clothes she likes?

Just don’t buy for anyone else at all.

Go to aldi for the food. They have a great selection in.

Also, but second hand. I do all the time.

Stop buying for adults for a start. Speak to th and agree you all won't buy for each other - just the children. Not only massively reduces the cost but also the pre Christmas stress. We did this and everyone was very happy about it. We do but for parents.

If adults really want a pressie do a secret Santa and then you only have to buy one present rather than loads.

Oh yeah Secret Santa with a £5 limit is a great idea!
If you all get together at any point we've done a Poundland challenge Secret Santa before- it was brilliant as there were 20 of us and some got something nice and thoughtful (pretend Toblerone, little candle holder) and others got silly fun things like the silly glasses etc, or a bag of party poppers- we all only had to spend a pound but put a tag on it saying why we chose it for the person- it was so good- you could do it as a lucky dip instead of Secret Santa if you didn't want all the organisation

How have you been doing op?