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.

You’re struggling financially and you spend £50 on a tree ! Blimey !

1. Spend less on the toddler. £20 for some sort of toy bundle on ebay will do for main present and stocking.
2. Christmas eve boxes don't have to cost anything like £25 each. Absolute max £10 each on PJs (and they can be cheaper) then into the charity shop for books and cuddly toys, with hot chocolate, treats or whatever else you pop in this should be £10 in absolute total. That's no more than £50 in total for all 4 kids Christmas eve, but you can easily get it under this if you want.
3. Get an artificial tree on ebay. Just do a search for ones near you that you can pick up yourself. Max, £20 with lights.
4. Gifts for the older kids. Did you know Santa is an environmentalist? He does live in the Artic so it's not really a surprise. He is massively in favour of gifting preloved toys. Talk about this on the run up to Christmas with your kids. Just small mentions here and there, no need for a big talk. Then boom, ebay, charity shops, gumtree, etc. Even if your older children are requesting a new toy that you can't get secondhand, you can fill their stocking with amazing gifts for a few pounds. Leaving you with more for their main gifts. If you can get their main gifts secondhand, then go for it. I've done it with my DS plenty of times. One year he wanted a £50 Batcave for Christmas. I spent less than that £50 on a secondhand bundle that included the Batcave, a Spider-man house, a Fortress of Solitude and lots of extra figures and vehicles. So he got the Batcave he wanted, 2 extra great surprises and a stocking full of great toys that complimented his main gifts. I can tell you that he gave not one toss that the Batcave wasn't new in a box.

I am currently on reduced universal credit due to an advance and my student finance but my student finance has been delayed so I have ended up massively out of pocket.

Yeah definitely getting a fake tree. Did manage to pick one up for £5 in a damaged box with lights already attached. Thanks, definitely over budgeted there you're right!

Arrgh, sorry I read that as you having 4 DC. As it's only 2 DC, one of whom is a toddler, then it's even easier. £20 in total for a Christmas eve box. £20 on the toddler. £50-100 on the older child. Christmas jumpers can be picked up in charity shops. All the ones I go to now have lots on sale for £1-3. You could even get yourself a big, man's one that will go over your bump for £3-5 if you have some extra cash spare.

Definitely look for 2nd hand for smallest one - we’ve gone for a v-tech toy laptop as dds main present (2.5y) - £3 2nd hand (in great condition) and ds (6m) is having dds activity table (it’s been in the loft a year).
Xmas eve box sounds important to your family but Asda or primark pjs, a tub of hot chocolate and a streamed film (or swap a dvd with a friend - new film
For both of your families) maybe popcorn to fill the box? No need for new soft toys the day before presents!

Yeah, I think I can do this on a smaller budget which is a relief. It would have been a real stretch otherwise, and I think if I shop around I should be able to make Christmas special without breaking the bank. I have done it on a tight budget before but it's been a while, and this will be my first year without my ex and with very little family around (some are going away, some due to a family feud which is still being worked out tentatively, and mostly because they all live far away). I want to make it special and I think because I'm going to be Mum and Dad this year (unfortunately) I think it feels especially important my DCs don't feel like I'm skimping. I don't know if my ex will send presents but he's incredibly unlikely to be seeing them over that period.

£100 per Child is very generous! Our budget is £40 (no Christmas Eve box, and stocking is chocolate and fruit on,y)

It's what my mum spent on us 20 years ago! No wonder we always had a mountain of unwrapping to do! I definitely think I can scale it down. Older DC was asking for a Nintendo switch before, but now she just wants Santa to bring her headphones for the tablet she has so that's much better! She loves anything cuddly and already has a bike, scooter etc. So honestly think I'll be trawling the discount and charity shops now and avoiding CEX and gadget shops like the plague!

*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.*

Yep, your plan is insane. If you’re on the bones of your arse as you say then planning a pricey Christmas and an all inclusive holiday in February is absolutely batshit.

Unless you can convince some kindly folks to send you toys and cash...

Christmas budgie? We usually have turkey.

My Christmas is cheaper now nephews and prices are grown up and we have never been a family to spend on aunts ,uncles etc.
My one luxury is a real Christmas tree.Otherwise about £20 each for relatives apart from my mum who has half bottles of wine each year and about£50 on DD,not all teenaged are expensive.
I also try to spend most on the debit card so no nasty credit card bill.

Might sound batshit, but I should have (finally) been paid by then and won't be on the bones of my arse anymore... Very temporary financial situation and as I said may change a lot with CHild maintenance, new job, and the student finance I should have already received. Just in financial limbo right now but it's too complex a situation for me to explain all in one go tbh and not what I meant by this thread.
I thought my budget was overly tight and I was skimping but it was always going to be a stretch,
Now I realise that I am not alone and can do it much more frugally so my kids won't feel they're being shorted compared to their peers.

If you really love the Xmas Eve box then definitely keep it however £25 is a bit of an overestimate.
Hot chocolate - £1 and some marshmallows which can be about 50p a bag in places like home bargains. If you wanted to get a special mug these can be cheap too.
Pj's - £10 max I would say l.
Cuddly you can get for under a fiver.
Look out for offers on films, if you sign up to the Chili app you get your first rental free. Maybe make a little voucher thing to put in the box saying what film they will be watching.

I would cut presents for neighbours and buy for family instead, cut cards and get teachers a token thing.

Present budget is fine for kids, younger ones get overwhelmed by a big mountain of presents and bored with opening them, and they won't be appreciated as much as a couple of things they really want.

I don't agree with cutting down your food budget if you can afford not to, you are spending loads on other people and deserve nice treats for yourself too!

Have a wonderful Christmas sounds like you are doing everything right to create great family traditions [santa]

I have now tv and Amazon prime so definitely not investing in any films! I may get the sky movies now TV bundle for the Xmas holidays though as I think we'll make use of it. I had never thought about a special mug but know I've seen lots for 50p in charity shops so would be a nice addition, I'll add an options sachet and some mini marshmallows, a single bag of butterkist popcorn (sell 6 packs in poundland), a book (about £1) and some pjs should be £10-£15 for older DC and less for younger DC who will have a bag of chocolate buttons as he doesn't have hot chocolate, his usual warm milk in his normal cup, and pjs plus a story. I will make some reindeer food and a homemade "stop here Santa" sign and will have some fun with boot prints and icing sugar too. I think it can be every bit as magic without me spending all that. I'm definitely not bothering with fancy wrapping paper, gift bags or expensive cards and I think I have some cards I didn't use last year anyway so can just add stamps, or make post cards out of the front of cards we've received previous years and gift labels out of mini cards. Actually I'm quite excited about having a more crafty less expensive Christmas. It should make it more fun with the kids if anything.

As pps have said you can potentially cut back on that budget and still have a lovely Christmas.

I'd worry though Bumble that you're possibly being a little naive about the future, particularly if what WrongKindofFace posted is correct? Your posts read like you see your current situation as a temporary glitch and I certainly hope that's the case but you are soon to be a single mother of 3 young dc, including a newborn. Life is not going to be easy and not just next year!

I'm honestly not trying to bring you down but other than the student finance you are due, the other things are not guaranteed. I mean hopefully you get the temp job but even if you do, well, it's temporary. Re maintenance, again hopefully that's sorted but there are many MNers who thought their exes would be fair and reasonable in that regard only to discover they got very little or nothing at all!

In your shoes I wouldn't be planning a holiday early next year and would try to save any small amount possible wherever I could lest unforeseen circumstances arise over the next year (and beyond).

Start buying biscuits etc now. They don't perish quickly. I got 4 chocolate oranges recently from Tesco for 75p each which I'd better than their now £2. Keeping them for Christmas. Gonna buy any other bargains too in the run up. That's what we put in stockings, just loads of chocolate.

Doesn't seem much to me, but you can only spend what you have. I'd skip the xmas eve box too, or at least make it very simple and then spend more on things they actually want x

How old is your older child? The toddler doesn't have a peer group to feel "short changed" against, you are the only one who will feel guilty. The older one will usually have forgotten what they've been given as a big present within a few days, from a million and one conversations I've had with small people over the years. "What did you have for Christmas?" *Chocolate!"

£400
Things are tight
Hahahaha.

I spent maybe £15 on DD last year, OH and I spent £10-15 on each other. Nice things all second hand. 4 present rule, made gifts for his family & our friends (air dry clay Christmas tree ornament and homemade chocolate truffles, so approx £6 in total for everyone we know).

Food, homemade snacky bits etc... £40 Tesco delivery, but lasted a long time.

Christmas tree lives in the loft. We made decorations- paper cut out everything, paper rings (free newspaper cut up and painted, stuck glitter on things), DD made cards with potato stamps & hand print robins.

Jarhead, £100 per head is plenty
Also she has said upthread that the Xmas Eve box is a family tradition and one they all love so will probably be remembered in years to come more than any extra material things will be.

I already have all the stuff for a new baby as haven't got rid of anything from last DC except may need a tandem buggy otherwise that's sorted. Will need a new cot mattress otherwise literally have everything, brand new bottles DC2 never used still in the packaging etc. Newborn clothes that never got worn etc. Etc.

As for me being "naive" you can disagree with my priorities but I think that kids deserve a holiday even if it's a stretch. As I said, I would love to go abroad but it may be a Caravan holiday in the end. I like to aim for the bigger thing and then if I have to settle I have to settle. I also think that it's better to have a can do attitude than be pessimistic, but also accept when you can't do even if you've tried your best.
I doubt I will ever get any child maintenance. Situation with ex is complicated to say the least so it will either be him trying to pay loads to sway the courts to his side, or me never having a penny. I see no in between as he's a very black and white thinker.
I think you know your own capabilities and know what is possible. And I should be able to afford to do Xmas nicely (but carefully) take my kids on holiday (abroad or otherwise) once before baby comes, get a tandem by selling my old pram in part and also adding some money in, and the rest of babies stuff is fairly ready. I will not go on holiday unless I have made a considerable dent in my debts (which were in my name but not made by me) and also have some other money saved for the new baby and other eventualities. I think it will be hard but not impossible and I am confident that I will find a way to get everything done, whilst accepting that means I won't be able to get my hair or nails done, buy any new clothes or luxuries for myself and will be making sacrifices myself along the way. If I don't get this job I should get another one, if not I can do some self employed work (which I may be able to continue after I have DC3 and therefore not take much time off at all).

It is true I am in limbo at the moment and a lot is unknown, but I have been in bad situations before and always found a way out.

I don't care how hard I have to work, study, save, thrift and sacrifice, ultimately where there is a will there is a way.

This seems like things are deviating anyway so I'm going to stop responding about my families situation as regards any future holiday plans etc. I think the general consensus is that I could definitely do it for less (phew!) and there are some wonderful tips on how other people have.
I have had Christmases where I spent £1000+ and others I spent £200 or less. I'm just trying to work out what a reasonable budget would be in general how much I actually have to spend in 2 months or so when it comes to it I don't exactly now. I am hoping it will be £400 (£200 a month roughly) but it may need to be less.

That was the original purpose of this thread to see if my budget sounded reasonable and whether it could be less or should realistically be more if I can stretch to it.

So thank you to everyone who has given me advice and answered the original post I am sorry it has gone off topic and am going to avoid complicating things by raising anything else into the picture

I agree with poster about the Christmas eve boxes if that is a family tradition. Primary, Poundland have loads of Christmas stuff. Go there for mugs and marshmallows. Santa stops here sign definitely at pound land. By the time you have bought paints/wood/nailed together you could have spent well over a fiver. Instead of the reindeer food. Oats/bags/ribbon. Make up a saucer of basics gingernuts and glass of watered down milk. Easier and cheaper.

Netflixs has free month trial and loads of Christmas films. Remember to cancel so you won't be charged. You tube has loads of Christmas playlists. We have those going to make it christmassy.

Primark had great Christmas t.shirts last year starting from 1.80 for the little ones. The adult Christmas t.shirts were £6.00. Instead of expensive pajamas you could buy Christmas t.shirts for christmas eve and stuff them into a pondshop mug, then you can buy pajamas in the sales when you are a bit more flush.

Are you any good at taking photographs. Take a really good and flattering photograph of your neighbours houses, Photoshop them to look like dream house, pace it on a card frame and add one of the tear off calendars at the bottom (amazon 20 for 2.99). Instead of a bottle of Bailey's each, why not invite them for Christmas drinks? Just say mince pies and mulled wine (lidl/aldi do cheap ready made bottles) cheap nibbles. Then you can say thank you in person much more memorable that individual bottles and cheaper.

OP, sounds like your plans are coming together! I'd definitely scale back the Christmas Eve box - winter pjs from Primark (not Christmas ones which will be worn twice), some hot choc & marshmallows, maybe a game or craft that you can do together?

Toddler you could spend £20 in a charity shop and they'll be happy (my nephew once went back to school after Christmas raving about getting a mug with his name on for Christmas... my sister had picked it up for 50p in a charity shop; he had also received a bike!).

There's nothing wrong with telling your older child that Christmas will be a bit different this year because you don't have loads of money. In fact, it's better to explain that and show them that you don't need to spend a lot of money, than to act like Christmas cannot change no matter what.

Also, please be aware that having a budget of several hundred pounds is not most people's idea of a cheap Christmas. There will be plenty of people trying to stretch to spending £10 on each child this year.