Help me spend my Christmas bonus

[FairfaxAikman]

Work has given everyone £150 in lieu of the big annual Christmas party.

It's a voucher rather than cash (to avoid it being taxable) but can be spent just about anywhere (as it's through a credit card company).

Problem is I'm not really into buying stuff for myself - my biggest spending is in Scandi clothing for DS!

I'm vaguely contemplating some new Dr Martens but open to other ideas.

I don't wear make up, am not really into clothes (I live in jeans and t shirt), only wear my wedding and engagement rings as jewellery and a spa day is my idea of hell.

I have a tablet computer, a smartphone, a fitbit and a Kindle but anything like an Amazon Echo is out of the question as I don't like them "listening" all the time.

I am practically tee-total but mainline Diet Coke.

I like Harry Potter, baking dogs and history.

If I were you (and had adequate childcare) I would save it and hope that the BBC history weekend takes place in November and books tickets to some talks. I went in 2018 and it was my favourite thing ever.

Argh, missed a comma! I like baking AND dogs. I don't cook chihuahuas!

How about a new bag? A nice handbag or if that's not your thing a really good rucksack? Alternatively a new coat for winter?

Buy some scandi clothing for yourself! I love the DUNS and Moromini adult stuff.

Oooh. Or a breadmaker. We got a Panasonic from John Lewis about 6 years ago for about £100 using some vouchers from work and its never made a duff loaf (except when DH forgets the yeast!). Its been an awesome investment. As long as you're not giving up cards in January. The smell of a fresh loaf is great and it's no work to set up.

Pay for the food shopping out of it and put the cash in your saving until you want or need something.

Chanel no5

Sorry OP I have no suggestions but laughing at “I like baking dogs”

Would you use a DAB radio?

I would get a robovvac (as it would buy me more time to do things that I prefer), a really comfy chair for reading in, or a subscription to kindle unlimited.

@SendHelp30

Sorry OP I have no suggestions but laughing at “I like baking dogs”

Same!

My Boring suggestion ......A health check ? You can go for a full medical and be tested on everything I believe they are about £150! . Worthwhile too picks up on things you wouldn't even consider which can be indicators for things further down the line .

Fun suggestion . .
A family photoshoot , a family day out , spend the voucher on a food shop etc out the cash into a child's account ? .

Load it all into a Starbucks or Costa card ....
Buy 15 x £10 gift cards for gifts for kids friends , family etc x

A musical or Harry potter studio tour ? If that's even still a thing x

Lots and lots of lovely history books?

A nice Bluetooth speaker? I got this one for Christmas, and am really impressed with it so far. Love the retro look of it.

A good pair of jeans and a new jumper?

New coat?

Spend it on a flower subscription?

New PJs/bedding?

Good baking tins?

A weekend away somewhere new or to a favourite place

Tickets - theatre, concerts, gigs, talks or whatever you'd enjoy

A course to learn a new skill

I’d be buying Scandi clothes for me! A couple of duns tops would eat up a fair bit of that...

Similarly, I have a £75 John Lewis voucher from work. Unfortunately their sale is a bit rubbish. I’m currently eyeing up some expensive tinted moisturiser (in an effort to look half put together), some expensive pans or a couple of nice photo frames.

How about something baking related that you wouldn’t normally splash out on? Expensive pans, full set of gel icing colours, etc. Or a workshop of some sort?

New running shoes would use most of that!

I've just splurged my Christmas money on scent and socks.

@NewLockdownNewMe the best thing I bought in JL sale last year was a cashmere snood. It's so warm. I think they haven't put the cashmere into the sale yet though (I went in new year last year).

How about tickets to the HP show or studios? Post Covid-19 obvs...

At the moment id do as a pp says and just spend it on groceries

If you like baking I just bought a really good Dutch oven, it's the next best thing to a steam oven for bread. My bread is completely transformed. I love it!

I like baking AND dogs
Thanks for the clarification - I was concerned that the thread had taken a rather sinister turn

Decent sunglasses
Ear pods
Soup maker
Nice pyjamas
Cashmere loungewear
Herb plants and a big tub to plant them in for the garden
GHD new large tong

Baking dogs