Christmas stress

[Whatadayyyyyyy]

Is anyone feeling the stress and pressure of Christmas already? I am a single mum (I work full time) and with the prices of absolutely everything in life going up I have no idea where I am going to find the money for presents. Absolutely dreading it

Can you pull right back from it all?

How many are you buying presents for?

What stress exactly? Expectations? Pressure?

Well if you can't afford it, you can't afford it, or at the very least make sure you prioritise what money you have available on what really matters to you, so presents for DC and a nice dinner, which can be quite good value if you have something like a roast chicken, packet stuffing and all the very cheap veg that the supermarkets will have, rather than 101 pointless extras and swapping gifts that no-one really wants or needs with anyone outside your immediate family.

Also try and make some extra money, eg by switching your bank account or other services, where you can get free money or vouchers and selling unwanted items on eBay/Vinted etc.

Also look for free/very cheap seasonal activities like going for walks to see Christmas lights, either in local towns or on houses in your local area.

Don't get sucked into the hype OP. Kids don't need massive piles of presents to have a lovely Christmas.

Do you know there's a Christmas Topic?

Theyre very good with suggestions for 'everythunfg' Chrustmas related. From shoe string to extravaganza!

Start looking for cheap bits now from charity shops or home bargains. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself.
Do you remember what presents you got as a kid? I don’t, i remember the experience,being with family, playing games, the food, the family arguments!

How many how old.

When we were really skint I saved 2 a week into a money box tin which really helped

Also used charity shops and.car boots it's amazing what you can get in both

People will always be along to say they had a great Christmas and it only cost them 50p as they bought everything in the Great Sale of 2010 😆
I have 2 'kids' (19 & 15 years old) and we both work full time.
I also am in charge of paying for all of the food for two families to eat on the day (relatives join us) and half of the booze. This used to be easily done on two low but full time incomes, not anymore.
The problem is expectations were set when we had more disposable income, we enjoy the way we do things, all out for on day with nice gifts that the kids actually want. I am sure we will work something out (I bought most of the kids stuff on Klarna last year, yes I will get shot by the mn mafia but desperate times and all that) if i have to get things on credit again then so be it😬

That’s exactly it, I have 2 kids, 10 and 15 and they have expectations of decent presents. I have always managed fine but this year it feels like the cost for absolutely everything has gone up and I am left with nothing before pay day. I can’t even save as I don’t have enough. I am going to try selling some bits on vinted, and I have some old jewellery I could possibly get some money for. It’s grim and honestly I just want to run away. I hate Christmas all it is is huge stress and expense all for one sodding day

I would personally tell them earlier than later that you will need to scale back Christmas somewhat to help them set their expectation bar lower than normal. Be honest with them. That way what you can do on the day will seem more of a blessing.

Oh I've always given decent presents and Xmas wasn't 50p but yes saving 2 a week towards it at our lowest... we we've always had lovely Xmas .

I've totted it up, so far over the weekend we have spent £130 in Aldi on the basics/essentials (and 2 bottles of £4.75 wine!) and I still need to go back for ingredients to make meals until Friday. It just isn't doable anymore, we used to go and stuff our trolly full and I remember being shocked once because it was just over £80, those were the days 🙄
We actually used to save up for Christmas and only ever spent actual money that we had but there really is nothing to save (yeah, yeah the wine!) I am comforting myself that one of my kids is an adult and the other will be in 3 years, just got to hang on in there.........