Anyone else still uses Park Christmas for cards and vouchers?

[Snuggleup]

Anyone else still use park Christmas.
This year ive got a mix of cards and vouchers for myself.
Im all paid up now, so just waiting for them to be posted out.

I didn't realise they were still going to be honest, or that anyone still used them!

It's only August, do they usually send them out this early?

Wouldn't it be better/easier to save a monthly amount yourself? At least then you would make some interest on your money.

There still working.
Nothing will be sent out yet around October November time I'll receive them.
I do save for myself, but a few pounds a week or month dose build up.

No, seems pretty pointless to me when you could just put money in an account yourself, gain interest and have it protected.

We just have an Xmas pot with monzo and both save into it

I always thought it was a good idea for them that struggle to save.

How is saving with Park any different to having a savings account called "Christmas" though?

I am struggling to see what you think is the key differentiator? Is it not having any access to your money? If that was me, I'd use a separate bank and ask a trusted relative to keep the password for me. The risk of these sorts of things going bust and customers losing 100% is high.

I use them. I like that the funds are ring fenced so nobody can 'borrow' from the Christmas savings account. Cards arrive early November. Last year I had a bit left on 2 cards that I used for groceries in January.

I used to use them, as well as save into our Christmas savings bank account.

I do not use them now. Far too limited choice of shops to use the gift cards in and the pre-paid use anywhere credit cards had IRC 10% on to each credit card in fees.

was also conscious that with more physical shops going bust each year a specific voucher could become invalid.

Never ever used their hampers, as they were a rip off and not luxurious enough in my opinion.

I did when my children were small because it helped me to spread the cost and not dip into the money. They are older now and our circumstances have changed so we don't need to. They are a good idea though.

I didn’t know it was still going either! I use to save with Parks back in the late 90s - I think I’ll go have a look now, although I bet it’s changed!

Ive never got the hampers as they are a rip off.
But I like the your choice card and purple card.

It has changed, i get the primark and m&s gift cards aswell.
As i can use them in the sales.

Oh thats a good idea! Too late for me this year, but definitely going to set it up for 2027.

Its not too late at all, you can still get a few gift cards or vouchers ready for the sales.

But you are paying 10% more for the buy anywhere cards and you are restricted on where you can shop.

I would just put the money in an account and don’t tell anyone else about it, you should be able to trust yourself to not spend the money

If you buy one of those 'buy anywhere' cards at Tesco, you are also charged a 10% fee. Nothing to do with Park. I got them the last few years and there are no limitations to them. They are essentially a prepaid Credit Card. I have used them for paying bills as well as Amazon, Tesco and I have used them in stores. They don't get rejected because they are a prepaid CC!

As i have said I do have savings and do save.
But with park I use the cards and vouchers in the sales.
The your choice cards you can spend anywhere online and in store.

If you have enough different pots going to all life expenses then Xmas won't get borrowed from .

Even if start saving a fiver a month for all expanse

We should all have a FalteringFledgling in our lives to explain the basics of saving. Just start with £5 a month and don't worry about using Park! Condescending much??