How do I do nice christmas on little money

[AnyFuleKno]

Please pass on your tips for ways to have a nice christmas without laying out lots of money. Best places to get a real tree, how to make decorations.

DD is 3 and want to make it really special for her.

Real tree - go out in to the countryside and look for farmers/nurseries growing tehir own.

my mum use to wrap little boxes up with wrapping paper,add some string and hang them from the christmas tree ( the looked good as a child -like mini presents ) and you can do it with scraps of left over wrapping paper - get dd to help etc. Help dd to make a fairy or star for the top -i'm sure she'll love being able to put it right at the top :)

this is a very child/inept adult friendly site for Christmas craft.

We always go to the Christingle Service, even dh who is a devout atheist really enjoys it condescends to go

Kids Craft Weekly do a free e-mail newsletter with lots of simple seasonal craft ideas. I don't have a link but you can just google them - it's run by a mother (Aussie I think) so really practical.

Making Christmas biscuits/confectionary that you can give as presents.

Make reindeer food to leave out for Santa (porridge oats and glitter).

We didn't have very much money growing up but I remember Xmas as a truly magical time. It's all about starting the traditions now that DD will grow up with.

we always have a day before Christmas when the children and I make paper chains and giant snowflakes to stick up.

It does help if you aren't anal about co-ordinated decorations/perfect Christmas though as they do come out quite wonky.

we always have a day before Christmas when the children and I make paper chains and giant snowflakes to stick up.

It does help if you aren't anal about co-ordinated decorations/perfect Christmas though as they do come out quite wonky.

i am determined to tell you this

great ideas

I love this from the site that dinah linked to sock advent calendar, it looks really sweet

these look fab for the tree familyfun.go.com/christmas/christmas-decorations/festive-christmas-displays/paper-drops-664201/

Have you had a look on this thread for Christmas decoration ideas?

For me, the build up adds to the magic of Christmas so you could make some 'reindeer food' to put out on Christmas Eve before snuggling up to a nice Christmas movie before bed (bound to be lots on in the days running up to Christmas).

You could look out for carol services, Santa type events etc locally which are free/cheap.

3 year olds don't need lots of presents and don't care where they've come from so look out for bargains on ebay, gumtree etc.

Hope you have a lovely time when it comes!

thanks goddess, I'll have a read through that tonight

Locally the charity shops are starting to put out their Christmas CDs and DVDs, a cheap way to snap them up .
Making things is not always the cheapest option - I despair at the price of glitter, It must be more than oil . But if you make your own cards then you can combine a fun activity with saving the cost of cards. Ditto printing paper and cutting tags.

Print photos and make your own calendar to give doting grandparents. Or use Dc's artwork.

You could make your own mince pies, yule logs, christmas pudding etc. whichever of these types of things you like to eat yourself. My DCs love getting stuck into baking with me (well at 18mo DD prefers to mix up the flour and get it all over the floor - some things do end up costing more these days to make yourself unfortunately, so it depends on how you feel about cheaper shops - obviously that's a personal thing.

I always think lists are essential when you'd like to not blow the budget, so could you plan your festive menu for a fortnight, work out what meals you can get out of whatever cuts of meat you get, plan some christmas carpet picnics, little ones always seem to enjoy these, especially if teddies are invited. - I always find it cheaper to do an online shop for my Christmas shop, as it stops those last minute festive impulse buys you always regret and can never work out how the shop costs twice as much as normal, just for a few bits of tinsel

sorry if I've waffled though, as not sure if you're after food tips or more the crafty type stuff.