So, what so-called Christmas bargains HAVEN'T worked (or have not quite worked) for you

[CrossEyed]

For me, it would have to be surface mail. I have sent surface mail presents stupidly early to NZ four times.

First time - worked a treat, was cheaper and arrived about a week before Christmas

Second time - post office operator labelled everything up as Airmail and tried to charge me and when I said I didn't want to pay that price he said he couldn't cancel it as they were pre-printed stamps and it all got very heated (I won. But it took over an hour to sort out, and it was a long time before I braved the post office again in case the customers lynched me!)

Third time - It all arrived just after Christmas

Fourth time - it all arrived six days after sending and my family thought I was mad

So, yes I saved money, but not sure it was worth it.

What are your stories?

Well, I have certainly never saved money making my own Christmas cake. The ingredients are really expensive, and I have so far had many (honourable?) failures!

Stuff from the Studo catalogue.
Looks okay in the catalogue but IRL the cards and paper are flimsy.
Though I did get some bath sheets (huge) on BOGOF which were nice because they were thin, so easy to wash/dry.

The chocolate fudge you get half price in September and have retrieved from the 'Christmas goodies' box and eaten in one sitting, while watching TV,by October.

Costs pounds in more ways than one

countessbabycham - oh yes, I have done that all too many times.

when I was newly married and very in love, I used to never be able to resist giving DH his presents and ended up having to shop very last-minute for him or he'd get about a million different lots as I'd buy them, not resist giving them, buy more, etc.

Buying the xmas booze early. Especially thinking of the half price Baileys. Usually end up with nothing by the actual day.

Every year I manage to buy a tin of Roses too early so they are gone by Christmas.

I opened the Roses on Saturday

Mmmmm... Roses...