Page 2 | The cost of Christmas dinner is not the problem. It’s the rest of Christmas which is stressful.

Bleachmycloths · 2022-12-18T13:24:46+00:00

TV, the internet, magazine articles and advertising focus on the cost of Christmas in terms of the cost of Christmas dinner. If all I had to do was to prepare and pay for Xmas dinner, I’d be happy. It’s a roast dinner (which I think is one of the most economical dinners, but that’s a whole new thread) with a few extras like cranberry sauce, sausages and stuffing to make it Christmassy. Most supermarkets are practically giving away fresh veg in the next few days. aIBU that the media irritate the hell out of me with cost of the dinner competition. It’s pretty cheap. It’s the cost of everything else which breaks people: presents, booze, decorations, luxury food being pushed, cards, stamps, crackers, wrapping paper, gift bags…

gogohmm · 18/12/2022 15:43

Completely agree though Christmas can be much more modest in cost terms if you think carefully about the elements that actually matter to you, you meal plan and resist the temptation to overdo the extras.

My advice is to go for a simple crowd pleaser like lasagna on Christmas Eve which is economical if you have extra mouths (10 of us!) and I'm scratch cooking focaccia as it's very cheap compared to commercial garlic bread.

On Christmas Day go for the breakfast you actually like rather than thinking of making it "special" afterall what is more special than your favourite???
For the big meal look at the freezer section for the turkey and sides like pigs in blankets, max out on the cheap veg, they are virtually giving it away. Nothing wrong with a shop Christmas pudding, for a fruity alternative chopped bramley apples with brown sugar, a little salted butter and cinnamon topped with a crumble mix is an easy homemade dessert and is even not that unhealthy in dessert terms.
For presents hit your local charity shop's tomorrow, it's a win win win - the charity earns money, you save money and the planet gets one less thing created. Buy less too - give friends a promise like babysitting, a meal delivered etc.
Boxing Day eat those leftovers and don't be tempted by too many canapés, they are super expensive for weight

UsingChangeofName · 18/12/2022 15:57

Er, presents

Well, when money was tight when our dc were children, presents tended to be things they needed, or, perhaps not 'needed, but would get good use out of over the coming year' - toys, clothes, etc.
We agreed with other relations to cut right down (done different things over a lot of years).

Christmas jumpers can either be any jumper with a bit of tinsel on, or hand-me-downs. Loads of places now give them away near us, and charity shops have always had loads.
Things like ice-skating and the panto again are treats, as and when you can afford them. It's hardly compulsory. I know of 2 pantos near here for under a fiver a ticket. The one is £2 a ticket. There is no need to pay the £££ that the big theatres charge.

SpentDandelion · 18/12/2022 16:05

I don't find it stressful because l don't get sucked into it, the atmosphere in my home is very calm and relaxed, as am l, which is more important than a load of crappy Xmas tat.

Original poster

Bleachmycloths · 18/12/2022 19:46

UsingChangeofName · 18/12/2022 14:25

Whereas I agree that the cost of the dinner can easily be contained but I find it odd that you feel so much of the rest of your list is so expensive it stresses you.

I mean, why do you need to spend on decorations ? Don't you just get them out the loft ?
Crackers - I've not bought for years as I'd rather spend on anything that is better vfm than crackers.
The whole point of gift bags is that they get re-used. If you are using gift bags then not sure why you are spending a lot on wrapping paper (which, again is very cheap if you buy after Christmas and stick in the loft. Same with cards.

Yes, I understand what you’re saying but I was speaking generally and not specifically about myself. I already do all the obvious things you outlined like buying wrapping paper after Christmas etc

The list of expensive stuff does not necessarily stress me but it could stress a lot of people. My list represents all the boxes that many people have to tick. I don’t try to to do all the things on the list and I definitely recycle paper, gift bags etc.
I’m not saying that I personally spend a ridiculous amount on all the extras. I don’t.
My point was that the media focuses on the cost of Christmas dinner when that’s the least of people’s problems.

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Original poster

Bleachmycloths · 18/12/2022 19:50

gogohmm · 18/12/2022 15:43

Completely agree though Christmas can be much more modest in cost terms if you think carefully about the elements that actually matter to you, you meal plan and resist the temptation to overdo the extras.

My advice is to go for a simple crowd pleaser like lasagna on Christmas Eve which is economical if you have extra mouths (10 of us!) and I'm scratch cooking focaccia as it's very cheap compared to commercial garlic bread.

On Christmas Day go for the breakfast you actually like rather than thinking of making it "special" afterall what is more special than your favourite???
For the big meal look at the freezer section for the turkey and sides like pigs in blankets, max out on the cheap veg, they are virtually giving it away. Nothing wrong with a shop Christmas pudding, for a fruity alternative chopped bramley apples with brown sugar, a little salted butter and cinnamon topped with a crumble mix is an easy homemade dessert and is even not that unhealthy in dessert terms.
For presents hit your local charity shop's tomorrow, it's a win win win - the charity earns money, you save money and the planet gets one less thing created. Buy less too - give friends a promise like babysitting, a meal delivered etc.
Boxing Day eat those leftovers and don't be tempted by too many canapés, they are super expensive for weight

Yes, I appreciate what you are saying but it’s not advice I was looking for. My point was that the media focuses on the cost of Christmas dinner when that is actually the least of many people’s problems.

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Original poster

Bleachmycloths · 18/12/2022 19:55

HermioneWeasley · 18/12/2022 13:27

Absolutely. Xmas dinner can be as cheap or expensive as you like. You can do an expensive rib of beef, lobster, vintage champagne etc, or as you say a roast dinner with lots of veg sides and a £5 bottle of Prosecco. It’s definitely the cost of gifts (and travel to see relatives for us) that makes it expensive

Yes, you make some good points and I agree with them. Some posters seem to think I was looking for advice to avoid over spending and stress. Not what I saying at all. The point I was making is that the media focuses on the cost of Christmas dinner which is actually a very small outlay compared with everything else.

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Original poster

Bleachmycloths · 18/12/2022 19:59

gogohmm · 18/12/2022 15:43

Completely agree though Christmas can be much more modest in cost terms if you think carefully about the elements that actually matter to you, you meal plan and resist the temptation to overdo the extras.

My advice is to go for a simple crowd pleaser like lasagna on Christmas Eve which is economical if you have extra mouths (10 of us!) and I'm scratch cooking focaccia as it's very cheap compared to commercial garlic bread.

On Christmas Day go for the breakfast you actually like rather than thinking of making it "special" afterall what is more special than your favourite???
For the big meal look at the freezer section for the turkey and sides like pigs in blankets, max out on the cheap veg, they are virtually giving it away. Nothing wrong with a shop Christmas pudding, for a fruity alternative chopped bramley apples with brown sugar, a little salted butter and cinnamon topped with a crumble mix is an easy homemade dessert and is even not that unhealthy in dessert terms.
For presents hit your local charity shop's tomorrow, it's a win win win - the charity earns money, you save money and the planet gets one less thing created. Buy less too - give friends a promise like babysitting, a meal delivered etc.
Boxing Day eat those leftovers and don't be tempted by too many canapés, they are super expensive for weight

Thank you but I’m not actually looking for advice. My point was that the media often focuses on the cost of Christmas dinner which is actually cheap compared with all the other stuff that some people feel pressured into buying. 😊

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Original poster

Bleachmycloths · 18/12/2022 20:05

UsingChangeofName · 18/12/2022 14:25

Whereas I agree that the cost of the dinner can easily be contained but I find it odd that you feel so much of the rest of your list is so expensive it stresses you.

I mean, why do you need to spend on decorations ? Don't you just get them out the loft ?
Crackers - I've not bought for years as I'd rather spend on anything that is better vfm than crackers.
The whole point of gift bags is that they get re-used. If you are using gift bags then not sure why you are spending a lot on wrapping paper (which, again is very cheap if you buy after Christmas and stick in the loft. Same with cards.

No, my list doesn’t stress me. It’s a list of what could stress many people. My point was that the media focuses on the cost of Christmas dinner when actually that is probably the least of peoples problems.

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Willmafrockfit · 18/12/2022 20:10

cheese and crackers are expensive
as is wine and beer

Original poster

Bleachmycloths · 18/12/2022 20:11

shreddies · 18/12/2022 14:44

I do think schools should stop with the Christmas jumper crap. My kids were never that fussed, I used to just out a bit of tinsel on them but I know plenty of people who felt they had to have them. So wasteful on children.

Other than that I agree it is just a roast, we don't have a big family so it's quite straightforward, but still adds up

I agree. This is an example of the kind of pressure I mean. Unlike some posters who seem to think I am looking for advice- which I’m not. My point is that the media focuses on the cost of Christmas dinner which is actually cheap compared with everything else and that I sympathise with people, especially parents, who feel stressed and under pressure.

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Original poster

Bleachmycloths · 18/12/2022 20:17

Oblomov22 · 18/12/2022 14:27

Nonsense. It's only stressful if you let it. You spend what you can afford. Letting the stress get to you is very silly, when you really think about it. I put up decs, We buy presents, a posh roast. Where's the other stress?

I was not looking for advice. I do not get stressed. The point I was making was that the media focuses on the cost of Christmas dinner when that is the least of people’s problems. Where did I say that that the stress gets to me? No, I’m not ‘silly’. I was having a go at the media and sympathising with people who DO feel under pressure.

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thelobsterquadrille · 18/12/2022 20:24

IMO most pressure doesn't come from the media - people heap all this pressure on themselves.

luxxlisbon · 18/12/2022 20:25

I was not looking for advice. I do not get stressed. The point I was making was that the media focuses on the cost of Christmas dinner when that is the least of people’s problems. Where did I say that that the stress gets to me? No, I’m not ‘silly’. I was having a go at the media and sympathising with people who DO feel under pressure. @Bleachmycloths

I honestly can’t say I’ve ever seen where the media constantly go on about the cost of a Christmas dinner anyway.

Original poster

Bleachmycloths · 18/12/2022 20:34

luxxlisbon · 18/12/2022 20:25

I was not looking for advice. I do not get stressed. The point I was making was that the media focuses on the cost of Christmas dinner when that is the least of people’s problems. Where did I say that that the stress gets to me? No, I’m not ‘silly’. I was having a go at the media and sympathising with people who DO feel under pressure. @Bleachmycloths

I honestly can’t say I’ve ever seen where the media constantly go on about the cost of a Christmas dinner anyway.

Ok 🥰

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upfucked · 18/12/2022 20:44

School Christmas fayre is £18 for 2 kids plus cost of activities and snacks! Christmas jumper day plus donation, buy crafts the kids have made, buy kids Christmas cards, teacher collection, party day with plate of party food. This pushes towards £70 in a state school.

upfucked · 18/12/2022 20:46

upfucked · 18/12/2022 20:44

School Christmas fayre is £18 for 2 kids plus cost of activities and snacks! Christmas jumper day plus donation, buy crafts the kids have made, buy kids Christmas cards, teacher collection, party day with plate of party food. This pushes towards £70 in a state school.

I forgot about the raffle and nativity costume. Making it more like £90 on Christmas for school.

Willmafrockfit · 18/12/2022 21:15

imo a turkey is expensive
as is having a lot of family round to eat

Puffykins · 18/12/2022 21:24

It's the presents. 8 Godchildren plus 8 nieces/ nephews, as well as my own (2) children .... even if I were to give all the other children a £10 book token that is still £160.

I take my DCs to see the Nutcracker every year, but we get £11 tickets in the gods.

And yes, Christmas dinner is actually quite reasonable....

Puffykins · 18/12/2022 21:27

@upfucked that is a LOT. Happily there don't seem to be Christmas jumper days at secondary - but there's still £5 here and a raffle there.

Stayingstrongish · 18/12/2022 21:57

Another extra cost that has come up for me this holidays, and it’s a bit impossible to cut down on - childcare. Schools have long holidays, but I still have to work. No family to help out, so I’ve had to pay for extra holiday club hours for my primary aged child. Sadly I couldn’t take the time off as holiday… because most of my holidays this year have been spent either with a solicitor (going through divorce) or sat on the sofa with a sick child!

Original poster

Bleachmycloths · 19/12/2022 12:28

Stayingstrongish · 18/12/2022 21:57

Another extra cost that has come up for me this holidays, and it’s a bit impossible to cut down on - childcare. Schools have long holidays, but I still have to work. No family to help out, so I’ve had to pay for extra holiday club hours for my primary aged child. Sadly I couldn’t take the time off as holiday… because most of my holidays this year have been spent either with a solicitor (going through divorce) or sat on the sofa with a sick child!

This is exactly the kind of pressure I mean. Hope you get through it, Stayingstrongish. Good luck.

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