My Christmas expenses look to be totalling over £1000

[Xmasdemon]

This includes decor including a tree, lights, garlands, a door wreath and other little pieces; outfits for self and child in family; presents and money gifts. Is this crazy or is this just the price of Xmas ?

They’re all things you’ve chosen to buy so you’ve made Christmas that price 🤷🏻‍♀️

I think if each of those things is a necessity and you want a reasonable quality then it’s hard to do it for much less in the current climate.

Sounds about right to me

The stuff will last many years right? Tree, decor, lights? is it the first years of you buying them? You wont have that spend every year

It doesn’t need to cost that.

I suppose you could make up a roast for <£15 if you put your mind to it, and get a couple of token gifts. A bottle of wine.

You don’t need new outfits, decorations, lots of gifts etc really.

But yes it can cost a lot if you let it. I think my bill from the butcher was about £250 - but, I could have gone to Lidl instead.

I mean you don't generally need to buy a tree, garlands, lights and a wreath every year so no, I wouldn't say it's the typical annual cost but first Christmas in a new house can cost a bit more if getting new decs is important to you.

Do you not have a collection of decorations already or is this your first Christmas in your own house? You don't need to buy new decorations every year. Presents can add up to a lot but you can always trim the budget if you want. New outfits aren't compulsory. If f you want to spend £1k and can afford it then crack on but if you're posting to say this is too expensive then you can definitely cut back. I probably spend closer to £600 on Christmas each year which is affordable and worth it for me.

I just never got the house looking all lovely before and I just want it to be special this year and also spoil the kids a little because I haven't been able to before

It’s eight if you choose to buy tree and decs. Buy new outfits and gift cash etc to that value.

Mine won’t be anywhere near as close because I have tree and decs and have had the same ones for years.

I don’t buy a new outfit and wear the same Christmas jumpers every year (have about 3 worn over the season)

Gifts probably about £3-400. but that’s because I choose to spend £100 on family and £200 ish on ds (the extra £100 is allowing myself to go over and secret Santa gifts etc).

Not a chance I hell would I be spending £1000 a year.

If you don’t really have it to spare and think it’s “crazy” then the stuff like new outfits and many of the decorations are unnecessary. If you can afford it then the cost of Christmas can be whatever you like.

I so want to try cut it down a little. I usually buy a real tree or buy a cheap one and throw it out at new years as I don't have a loft

Nothing on your list sounds essential…so your ‘expenses’ are entirely your doing.

I only have two decorations from previous years

Sounds like you can afford it so I don’t see what the question is about

Yep same. In fact I’m relieved I’ve managed to keep it down to £1000! (That doesn’t include the food or booze). We have 3 adult DC and partners plus loads of family birthdays. We do like nice gifts at Christmas and they deserve nice things - they’re all amazing.

Can you go to home bargains/B&M/primark, they have loads of nice Christmas decs and they are really cheap

I would be using savings which I am saving for something important... and I would have to cut back a lot in January

I think if you can afford it and it’s what you want to do, then it’s a very reasonable price.

If you can’t afford it then of course there are things there that are not “needs” and so it could be done for less. Technically it could not be done at all and the cost would be zero.

Equally there are people who pay several thousand each year.

Don't get caught up in the competitive race to the bottom, or the top. If it makes you happy, and you can afford it, enjoy!

Outfits - we already have clothes

Decorations - we have a box that we add to incrementally over the years. Kids love getting their favourite decorations out year after year.

Garland/wreath - I collact greenery for free in local woods and make my own.

No one needs to spend £1k to make Christmas "special".

YABU where is your tree and Dec's from the previous years?

Yes I will have a look before buying from expensive shops

Please don't throw a tree away every year, if it's a fake/plastic one. Donate it on if you really have no room.

It is crazy and you are choosing to spend that amount of money… ! Christmas can be about anything you choose and you are choosing it to be about material things. If you can afford £1000 knock yourself out but if you can’t afford the money, please don’t spend that amount. You don’t need new outfit.

If you can afford to and want to spend it, it’s fine. You don’t need to spend it to make Christmas special for your kids, kids don’t give a shit about things like garlands.

i have had the same decorations for years and years. Never do outfits etc. I mean if people want to spend their money on that it is up to them but none of it is obligatory