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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Treating ourselves to a huge Christmas blow out - how would you spend £1000?

278 replies

Christmas25 · 08/12/2025 19:08

Posting for traffic.

We have had a crappy year for various reasons so have decided we are going to go all out this year.

We have earmarked £1000 to spend for Christmas (ignoring presents) - how would you spend it? We’ve already ordered the Tom Kerridge beef wellington from M&S (not part of this budget), but I’d love to know what other things Mumsnetters would recommend. I don’t know where to start!

OP posts:
researchers3 · 08/12/2025 23:40

Halo20 · 08/12/2025 19:12

Go to a fancy hotel for a night and get christmas dinner there.

This is what I'd do too altho with kids maybe not...

Have a great time whatever you do!

Cherrytree86 · 08/12/2025 23:44

SunnyViper · 08/12/2025 22:44

Yawn.

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@ChaliceinWonderland

you do realise don’t you that you’re gonna die?? We all are. So what the fuck is the point of being a martyr?? Everyone is important, both child and adult, and everyone deserves to treat themselves.

Karmakamelion · 08/12/2025 23:46

IdaGlossop · 08/12/2025 19:16

OP, we are in the middle of a cost of living crisis, with some people struggling to afford Christmas. Having £1,000 to spend without presents or the main part of your Christmas meal puts you in a position thousands cannot even imagine. Some of them will read your post.

Stop with the sanctimonious sermon . They've had a shit year and would like to treat themselves. Those who find it difficult should skip the thread

Laura95167 · 08/12/2025 23:53

InterIgnis · 08/12/2025 23:25

Vollenweider, Teuscher and Läderach.

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Thank you so much. Ill check these out x

tigercrunch · 09/12/2025 00:02

Christmas25 · 08/12/2025 21:22

Oh no not up North. I’ve barely returned since my student days!

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Why's that?

MoodyMargaret11 · 09/12/2025 00:14

Karmakamelion · 08/12/2025 23:46

Stop with the sanctimonious sermon . They've had a shit year and would like to treat themselves. Those who find it difficult should skip the thread

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It's hilarious though to ask this on MN.
She doesn't even know what she wants (apart from "I'm going all out with £1,000") how the hell should we?
We got no clue what her tastes and values are. If she doesnt know what will make her happy, then likely anything she blows her money on would be a lost cause.

MoodyMargaret11 · 09/12/2025 00:15

Hold on, I got an idea: wasnt there a thread about a £500 chocolate? That will take half off the 1k 🤣

Dweetfidilove · 09/12/2025 00:29

I love a post Christmas trip to the theatre or to see a ballet, so that would be included in the spends.

Whatever you choose, enjoy 🎊.

InterIgnis · 09/12/2025 00:31

MoodyMargaret11 · 09/12/2025 00:14

It's hilarious though to ask this on MN.
She doesn't even know what she wants (apart from "I'm going all out with £1,000") how the hell should we?
We got no clue what her tastes and values are. If she doesnt know what will make her happy, then likely anything she blows her money on would be a lost cause.

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Ok Savonarola, it’s not that serious.

She’s not asking anyone to issue a diktat. Why enjoy throwing some ideas around? Other people can offer some she wouldn’t necessarily thought of herself, but may be perfect.

InterestedDad37 · 09/12/2025 01:02

Get a massive mince pie, the size of your dining table. That's probably £150.
Pay Heston Bloomingeck to make it, and that's your budget gone 😀

TheAutumnCrow · 09/12/2025 01:07

Christmas25 · 08/12/2025 21:22

Oh no not up North. I’ve barely returned since my student days!

Show quote history

That’s the spirit, OP.

Darlingx · 09/12/2025 01:27

I realised something during the pandemic no we are not in this together walking past recycling bins of Billie cart salmon stacks of empty bottles but your imagination can take you there. This thread to me is letting your imagination enjoy the thrill so lets not clip anyone wings.
You can still go to a pond and look at the swans .
I would order from local small producers and that would make their families Christmas. Small businesses need the support more than ever its been a tough year as everyone is cutting back.
Go splurge OP xx

CheeseIsMyIdol · 09/12/2025 01:34

I wouldn’t dream up things to blow money on.

Blizzardofleaves · 09/12/2025 06:37

The thing is op Christmas isn’t about money. It’s about people, good will and spending time with loved ones. Upgrading your shopping won’t hit the mark. Why not treat those you love to the most to a glittering dinner and a gift each, or throw a party. Bring in the love and joy. You can’t ‘buy’ a good Christmas.

At a push, I would say a London day out in first class, see the lights, take a Christmas cruise and buy your children whatever they like in hamleys. Afternoon tea in the ritz or Savoy. Stay overnight and have a beautiful breakfast and watch a show.

FastTurtle · 09/12/2025 08:08

Blizzardofleaves · 09/12/2025 06:37

The thing is op Christmas isn’t about money. It’s about people, good will and spending time with loved ones. Upgrading your shopping won’t hit the mark. Why not treat those you love to the most to a glittering dinner and a gift each, or throw a party. Bring in the love and joy. You can’t ‘buy’ a good Christmas.

At a push, I would say a London day out in first class, see the lights, take a Christmas cruise and buy your children whatever they like in hamleys. Afternoon tea in the ritz or Savoy. Stay overnight and have a beautiful breakfast and watch a show.

Edited

Is the £1000 just for Christmas lunch/dinner/upgrading food though, does the OP actually say that?

TinselAndSparkles · 09/12/2025 08:19

IdaGlossop · 08/12/2025 19:16

OP, we are in the middle of a cost of living crisis, with some people struggling to afford Christmas. Having £1,000 to spend without presents or the main part of your Christmas meal puts you in a position thousands cannot even imagine. Some of them will read your post.

So? Is the OP not allowed to enjoy herself just because other people don’t have £1000. Yes, that’s sad, but she’s still entitled to her enjoyment.

Frenchfrychic · 09/12/2025 09:34

Blizzardofleaves · 09/12/2025 06:37

The thing is op Christmas isn’t about money. It’s about people, good will and spending time with loved ones. Upgrading your shopping won’t hit the mark. Why not treat those you love to the most to a glittering dinner and a gift each, or throw a party. Bring in the love and joy. You can’t ‘buy’ a good Christmas.

At a push, I would say a London day out in first class, see the lights, take a Christmas cruise and buy your children whatever they like in hamleys. Afternoon tea in the ritz or Savoy. Stay overnight and have a beautiful breakfast and watch a show.

Edited

You’re not getting all that for a grand, 😀

Janejanejaneagain · 09/12/2025 09:44

Depending on how many of you there are, why don't you go out for Christmas lunch somewhere really fancy.

laughingnow · 09/12/2025 10:20

Owly11 · 08/12/2025 22:21

I can't see the point of allotting money and then searching around for things to spend it on. Just relax and enjoy xmas knowing you can pretty much buy what you feel like as you go along.

This is an excellent point

laughingnow · 09/12/2025 10:35

understandyourdilemma · 08/12/2025 23:19

A couple of years back we had a horrible year and decided to splurge at Christmas. We looked at lots of options and decided that spending £££ on any one event put too much pressure on that day / moment. (the big Christmas Eve dinner and firework display got binned).

Instead we spread it out over a couple of weeks. Quirky events and food we'd enjoy, with friends and family that we love the most.

We went to a community silent disco. Best belly laugh I'd had for a long time.

We had a family seafood night where everyone brought something - dressed crab, langoustines, smoked salmon, fish fingers. We provided the champagne.

With friends we had an old fashioned cheese and wine party. Everyone brought the best wine and cheese they could find within a maximum budget of £50. Honestly, that was the greatest fun!

On Christmas day we ordered a restaurant-prepared 6 course cook at home box. It was fabulous. Everything was prepped, there were little bottles of drizzle and micro herbs. There were videos to watch for each course. We took it slowly and did one course at a time. We opened the champagne and the first set of instructions at 11.30am and it lasted until 8pm when we finished the last chocolate truffle. We loved every moment.

This is such a good idea, spreading out a variety of fun sociable events.

Crazybigtoe · 09/12/2025 10:39

I would pay for a deep clean of my house plus have an elaborate table set up (although £1k may not go far!!) glasses, napkins, flowers etc

SunnyViper · 09/12/2025 10:51

Blizzardofleaves · 09/12/2025 06:37

The thing is op Christmas isn’t about money. It’s about people, good will and spending time with loved ones. Upgrading your shopping won’t hit the mark. Why not treat those you love to the most to a glittering dinner and a gift each, or throw a party. Bring in the love and joy. You can’t ‘buy’ a good Christmas.

At a push, I would say a London day out in first class, see the lights, take a Christmas cruise and buy your children whatever they like in hamleys. Afternoon tea in the ritz or Savoy. Stay overnight and have a beautiful breakfast and watch a show.

Edited

Add a zero and you might afford this😂

Brenda34 · 09/12/2025 17:03

Saz12 · 09/12/2025 14:43

I see that every year and I'm scared to scroll in case I accidentally touch the Buy It Now button 😆

WhineAndWine1 · 09/12/2025 19:56

@Saz12 it’s official Christmas 😂

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