Christmas budget

[bumblebee39]

To think £100 each is fair enough? £400 all in with £100 per DC, £50 on a tree and lights (already got decorations), £50 on cards and little presents for teachers, neighbours etc. (Family and friends understand I'm struggling financially this year), £100 food budget plus gingerbread house kit. May also spend a little extra for Xmas party clothes for the kids if we're invited to one (I'll wear something pre loved) and Xmas jumpers and bits like that in the run up. Never spent less than a grand on Xmas but this year things are tight. I know £100 will look like a lot more for DC2 who is a toddler compared to DC1 who is older.

When did it become about the amount spent rather than giving items actually wanted? Serious question.

Yes looked at Argos for the toddlers first birthday and was impressed. Ended up going elsewhere as found some even better deals. I know their grandad will spoil them rotten. I will be buying him a nice bottle of wine and a biscuit selection and a Grandad card because he has done just so much for me and my kids lately. I know he won't expect a thing, but I need to show my appreciation and know he will be generous and he always sends such lovely books, normally 2 or 3 for me too. I think after all he has done for my family I should be making a proper gesture. This is the most there for me he has ever been, but equally he gives me space, respects my privacy etc. And is supporting me. He doesn't always get it right and we've had our differences in the past, but I think it's important that I acknowledge when things are good and the help he has given me.

You know what your grandad would probably love? A framed photo of you and your children, an ornament for his tree that they’ve chosen and a card telling him how much you love and appreciate him.
That won’t cost much, but it’s mean the world.

I think I am happy with the budget but will equally try and make savings where I can. I am trying to pay off my debts and start saving for a holiday once I've made a dent in my debt so it's important to me that my kids don't feel short changed but also that I can take them on holiday soon before I have DC3 and it becomes too much to juggle holidaying with 3 as a single mum. I won't travel until new baby is at least 1 so I know it needs to be fairly soon, and also I would like to fly so can't be too pregnant (not sure how far gone I can be?)
Would love to just do an all inclusive in the Feb half term or something, probably Tenerife or somewhere that's not too cold not sure exactly but within Europe X

A photo is a good idea. I could get some card and glitter pens and make it look special. I think he'd be pleased as DC2 does some impressive name writing these days! X

I have also got DC1 colouring a Christmas book so we can sign the back of the pictures and send them to loved ones, maybe with a photo tucked inside, I know free prints and snapfish are good and deliver

Honestly OP, there’s no need for putting such pressure on yourself. If I knew a family member was a bit short on funds, pregnant, not working, raising two kids (single mum? - sorry, not sure from your post), the last thing I’d want from them is a bottle of Bailey’s.

People don’t expect it, and may not entirely appreciate it as it may make them feel guilty.

My sister went through an awful time financially a few years ago. For Christmas, she bought me a very extravagant gift which I asked her to take back. She refused and said she wanted me to have it, because I’d been so good to her all year. It’s still in a wardrobe- I can’t look at it without feeling off about it.

Yes single parent (recently) 2 DCs, early pregnancy, studying PT and will be working PT again shortly (I hope) but just a couple days a week so more for my own MH than the money it will bring in. Got a job interview coming up 😬 love working and know it's a temp job so I would be leaving before DC3 is imminent.

I know I wouldn't be eligible for maternity pay etc. As wouldn't have worked long enough anywhere anyway and know I will take a year off study and work once DC3 arrives.

I just remembered your username from a thread I read last night.

Do you have anyone who can give you some financial advice? You’re living in temporary housing, unemployed, struggling with universal credit, in debt, and have had a food bank referral. Is a holiday really going to be the best use of any spare cash when you have another baby on the way? Surely your two existing kids would benefit more from that money going on essentials?

Can you really afford to not work for a year when the baby arrives? Lots of people in stronger financial positions can’t afford to take that much maternity leave.

Im planning on baking little gingerbread hoises for teachers and closet neighbours. I reckon i can do it for £10. Gingerbread it very easy to make and you can decorate them by doing impressions into the dough ratger thrn buying icing. More thoughtful too. Could you buy 2nd tree, ive seen a few start being sold. Xmas eve box pjs and hot chocolate is more then enough xx

Sorry, on my last point, I think I misread your post. I thought you meant you wouldn’t study or work for a year, but reading again I think you mean you would halt your studies, and spend time working? Not sure if I got that right?

Apologies if I misinterpreted.

I would cut out the gifts for neighbours etc but would make lovely cards for them.

Another vote for the MN Christmas bargains threads - they're already up to number 7 this year and people have posted some amazing bargains in them.

They've been running for several years - I've managed to save hundreds of pounds as well as get some great ideas for presents that have gone down really well that I would never have thought of from the threads.

Christmas Thread 7

If you want a nice cheap present for your grandad, Photobox are currently doing a free A4 sized calendar - you just need to pay a fiver's postage. Not sure how long the offer is on for - but if you have some nice photos, it's a cheap way to get the photos printed up, your grandad can have a different photo to look at each month and at the end of the year he can still look at them or frame ones he particularly loves.

Just make sure you use the code at the top of the page to get it for free otherwise it will cost you £20!
almost free Photobox calendar

The pressure can be overwhelming at Christmas and 'affording' things can seem impossible.
I would say you need to rethink how you do things. Clearly you have traditions such as the Christmas Eve Box and I would say stick with them. That's your Christmas. Just change how you do it. There are so so many cheap places you can get a bargain from now. We have a shop that's just opened called B&M. I love it! 😂 There's also Aldi, Primark and The Poundshop, The Works... they are all great places to bag a bargain. You can get lovely PJ's for about £5/£6.
As for cards... So many people don't send cards now, it's not unusual. If you're not comfortable with that then revise your list and really cut back on who you send them to.
Teachers and neighbours gifts - you don't need to spend a lot. It's a token gesture. Boxes of biscuits go down well! Again, you can get some great bargains.
I think it's easier with littlies as they're not aware of how much things cost. I've got 2 teenagers and I'm on my own and this year is the first year where I'm really thinking yikes I don't know how I'm going to afford it!

for teachers just a handwritten note. One of those £1 tubes of jelly tots/rolos/smarties if you really want to give a pressie

How can you take a year off without maternity pay?

I'm confused about the whole thing. When the third baby was planned, was your partner the breadwinner? And now you've split, you're going to struggle? He will still be paying for things, buying the kids Xmas presents too and paying child maintenance so many it won't be as bad as you think. But a year off? With no money coming in that's hard.

Don't do the gingerbread house kit either, make jam tarts with them instead and shake icing sugar over the top.

If you get the pyjamas in Primark and book for a pound at the works you can cut the price if the Christmas Eve box in half.

I'd skip the presents for teachers and neighbours and just give them cards.

Maybe downsize the christmas eve boxes ratter than foregoing them all together.

£100 sounds a lot for food for one adult and two children?

Skip Xmas eve box. If you feel some things are needed. 1st December, new Xmas pj’s, a Xmas movie for the family, get to use all December in lead up to Christmas

Also forgot to say about the gingerbread house - there are so many out there these days at all different prices, some of which are crazy prices - IKEA usually has a good one that's less than a fiver (haven't seen it this year to know how much it costs)
But definitely worth shopping around for.

Likewise if you want to get token gifts for people, keep an eye out for when supermarkets have offers on wine or chocolates (if these are things you buy for people) because you can get some real bargains if you hit the timing right. Have you come across mysupermarket.co.uk? Put in your usual shopping list of food and it will show you where to find it at the best price. Also keep an eye on MoneySavingExpert site (or sign up to their email newsletter).

I don't know how much you spend on teachers - but I have found these reusable shopping/tote bags have gone down really well with teachers and TAs and they're just £4 each or you can get a set of 3 for £9. They have a zipped central section and two other big bag sections, fold up small, the sort of thing that's always useful to have and great quality (I have been using one to lug loads of stuff around in for a couple of years and it's still as good as new, plus I have a couple of extras for keeping in my bag as shopping bags, plus one for swimming kit as I can store things safely in the zip section and so on). Add a small bag of chocolate coins or a little chocolate santa or tree decoration if you want it to have a little more to it, but it will go down really well, isn't too pricey and if you have young kids - the added bonus is that it is small and light, easy to pack, easy to carry and won't break or squash if they trip over while carrying it, which is a hazard of sending in a bottle of wine or box of chocs!

This is all very fresh no child maintenance etc. Arrangements and DC3 was not planned. It may not be a year may be less due to finances but we do live in a country with a welfare state and as someone who has contributed more than they've received I believe I have a privilege (not right) to state help for a short period of time up to the point at which DC3 is ready to go into childcare which may be at 3 months and may be at 1 year. I will be taking a full year off study but may need to return to work depending on Child maintenance arrangements etc.

Boomtish
As I said, once I have made a dent in my debts and got back on top I am hoping to save for a holiday and take them away before DC3 arrives. It may not be attainable, but this financial period is very temporary as I have had to take a temporary and massive financial hit which should be somewhat resolved by December/January. I used to be on a combined income of over £100k and this has been a massive reality check. But I think that a holiday would be an important thing for me and my kids to bond together as a family without Ex even if that means a caravan in the UK.

Superhero Train

I did say in a previous post I will probably be having other people over for food although I definitely could do it cheaper. Definitely going to give Aldi ago this year, because Sainsburys was extortionate last year!