is anyone else scared about not affording christmas

[laura2207]

we have struggled to do christmas this year, everything has been on tight budget.Has anyone else felt the pressure this year and what ways have you come up with to combat this?

Yes we are also struggling we have our wedding, Christmas and ds2 his first birthday all in a 3 day stretch. So money is tight, and it's hard to budget as dp isn't earning a salary as such different amounts on different days.
Last year I bought ds1 lots of presents and he had only asked for 1 - it cost £25 and it was the one he played with the most, sometimes less is more with children. I have tried to be really sensible this year with him and ds2 and thought really hard and been really realistic about what will be played with etc. He is getting 3 presents and that is enough.I have also encouraged family buying presents that less is more. I am also being more realistic about the food shopping - and what we will eat I was embarassed at the amount that was wasted last year. We will have a very nice happy Christmas .
Although part of me wishes I could buy everything in the shops - lol.