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

[Christmas25]

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!

I would invest in a full christmas dinner service, such as:

https://www.spode.co.uk/christmas-dining-and-gifts/christmas-dining?srsltid=AfmBOooF-JBA16aWlGj-r277oY52aEFLJbmL38lkNYg5opfDKuHqQo5u

https://www.spode.co.uk/christmas-dining-and-gifts/christmas-dining?srsltid=AfmBOooF-JBA16aWlGj-r277oY52aEFLJbmL38lkNYg5opfDKuHqQo5u

I inheritated my Nans full set of Old Country Roses, Royal Albert and we use it everyday. I would love the christmas version.

I would look for good local suppliers...or specialists like that fish supplier to support small businesses.. so good butchers , cheese people, bookshops (always...) maybe local xmas eve/boxing day lunch/brunch ... Florist arrangement .. farmshop for veg or buy riverford box or equivalent if you like cooking..
Gower salt marsh lamb for ideas....so up the quality... Or things that make things easier...I would get lovely cakes from local Italian deli...

Id spend it on a cleaner and home comforts. Get someone to clean the house, get a decent food shop in and put the heat on for longer at a cozy temperature. Go see a Christmas play and visit a Christmas market and hell book a cleaner again for after Christmas! New clothes for Christmas day is always nice too!

I wouldn’t. It wouldn’t make me happy.

If you are really keen on meat, buy more than just one. Turkey / goose / duck. A ham. Beef. Lamb. Pork. That’s what my family would love.

I appreciate that, but at the same time everyone’s circumstances are different. I read the countless posts from people on here earning six figure salaries and have a slightly envious eye at times but who am I to tell them not to post.

I would definitely do a nice trip somewhere lovely and festive. I think I’d struggle to really find the value in spending all of that on food, so I probably would use some of it for some extra presents or something special for the whole family to use or have.

Also not everyone is struggling to pay bills or in a cost of living crisis. It’s okay for those who aren’t to discuss their lives and finances without having to pretend they are hard up. It’s an easy thread to avoid if it upsets you - the title is very explanatory.

Agree! Shit year here too ( possible my last Christmas) but very intrigued to read how £1000 can be wisely spent.

Get a Kelly bronze turkey, they are worth every penny.
Laurent Perrier Champagne.
Do an extra shop and donate to a food bank.

Really sorry to hear that, and I hope it isn't your last Christmas x

I would have a night or two away. Somewhere that feels Christmassy - Edinburgh, York etc and lots of treats while there.

I'd consider something that sits outside the official present budget but which you can all do together. Obviously depends on what you already have been maybe something like a Nintendo Switch and some fun games you could play together (also, board games! But they won't take much of chunk out of the budget). I hope you have a wonderful day.

Dinner at the Ritz one night for you all over the holidays. It’ll be a night to remember. Don’t waste it on buffet items from M&S!

This is the first time I have posted in the way I have today, despite reading numerous posts of the kind you cite. What prompted me to do so was the fact that you don't know how to spend £1,000 without suggestions, the proximity to Christmas, and the fact that the budget happened very recently.

This!!!!

Well, I’ve recently been awarded PIP, so I’m going to have a spiffing blowout and then put my feet up and choose my sparkly new car!

A weekend away would win for me.

Go out for supper on Christmas Eve and have a lovely meal meaning your house is lovely and tidy!

As mentioned use your local supplies and get good quality meat, seafood, wine, cheese, tea, coffee, baked goods.

Invest in some lovely crockery, cutlery, glassware.

Lovely smelling candles.

Winter/Christmas bedding.

Then maybe some experiences for over the Christmas period?

Book a cleaner for the New Year to do a deep clean, so you don’t need to!

Oh for gods sake. No one can enjoy themselves EVER then. Someone is always suffering.

What about a box? I’ve always wanted to sit in a box at the theatre (with just my family)!

I'd upgrade my decorations if you haven't already. A good quality large tree from somewhere like Balsam Hill, decorations, runners, candles, chair covers etc there won't be much change from £1000 and can be used year after year.

Hotel chocolate Christmas wreath
second champagne as well

I would get a hotel chocolate velvetizer and plenty of sachets (keep you going into new year)
a hand press orange juicer and sacks of juicing oranges for fresh orange juice (can mix with champagne for Buck’s Fizz)

Killjoy I am not.

Good for you! 😊

@IdaGlossop do you think people on a shoestring budget only encounter things they cannot afford on Mumsnet, instead of being confronted by it daily in real life?! Trust me, this thread isn’t going to break anyone’s heart. Cop on will ya.