Anyone else saving for Christmas this year?

[YourHandInMyHand]

I'm trying to be organised and save in a separate account this year. In the past I have bought bargains through the year but now DS and his cousins are getting older and tastes are less predictable I've decided to save the cash. Also I tended to get carried away with the buying bargains so wasn't saving a great deal in the long run.

My online banking shows a little savings chart and it's very satisfying to see it add up and know I don't have to stress.

I've also decided this year to get DS less "stuff" and buy some consumable presents. Not quite sure what yet but things like a bowling voucher in a box with popcorn, a bowling voucher, a baking kit or two, train tickets (if possible), that sort of thing.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Costco do online too.
Some things you need to buy a minimum quantity though.

[AnneEyhtMeyer]

We always save a bit each month to go towards Christmas stuff, but I buy all presents and non-perishable foods in the months before, so we don't have a massive amount of extra spending in December anyway. My Christmas shopping for this year is well under way!

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

We save £100 each month, and will have another £600 lump sum at the beginning of December so £1800 to use if we want to.

Sounds like loads, but we have lots of family to buy for and we need to book a hotel for a night to go and see family the week before Christmas.

This also covers going to the pantomime and a couple of other days out in the run up to Christmas, the tree and any new decorations.

It is so nice knowing that the money is there building up, and it means that we always start January in good shape.

[jimijack]

Yes, i do every year, have to tbf.

We save all of our 50p coins and £2 coins. I have a wee bank account for them with an old fashioned paying in book. £240 saved so far.
Each time i get £10 in 50ps and £20 in £2 coins i take it to the bank.
Soon builds up without really noticing.

Also save all of my Tesco club card points, i only get diesel from Tesco as i shop at Aldi pretty much nowadays, so end up with about £50, also pop in and get the £1 stamps. I usually end up with about £100 which pays for the food shopping.

Did intend to save all my Paypal from my ebay sold stuff, but getting allot of birthday presents with this through the year.

[TeaOneSugar]

I save for shopping vouchers every year, direct debit, so there's no account to dip into, and it becomes just one more direct debit. I order in December for the following Christmas to get maximum number of payments in. You can get them for Amazon now which is brilliant combined with free P&P.

It's not everyone's choice, but it works for me, my Christmas shopping is taken care of, just need to save cash for extra food, Panto trip etc.

It's easy to underestimate how much Christmas costs.

[50shadesofknackered]

We're all doing really well, can't wait to start christmas shopping

[50shadesofknackered]

How's everybody's saving going?

[BaconAndAvocado]

I save £100 a month but will need to up the ante this year as we'd like to,do Lapland UK, eeek!

[ratbagcatbag]

Due to a win at online bingo win giving my Xmas savings a boost I'm up to £480, however I've already got some presents due to the fab bargain thread on here. :)

[lunar1]

I have 200 marks vouchers, ready for the main food shop and a few gifts.

70 so far on morrisons card (30 to go), I use this to stock up on toiletries, nappies washing stuff and drinks that will last right through till feb.

£100 on nectar, that won't be used this year though, we will use my mums as we used mine last year. We save each one for 2 years.

Just 2 payments to go for my park voucher order, they are sending them out early this year and I have ordered £600 for various places.

I have also got £300 in PayPal left, I had £450 but have started shipping already.

I think I have saved far more than I will need for this Christmas so can use the extra vouchers for birthdays next year.

[jamtoast12]

I'm not saving as such for Xmas but have allocated from our savings. E.g We tend to save anything up to 300 per month which covers our holidays, school stuff e.g. Dinner money, uniform etc. so for sept, oct and nov I won't put the £300 in savings so will use that £900 for Xmas to cover everyone's presents. Panto is booked through rainbows so half the cost! We eat at alternate Gp's each year so no food costs etc. usually I do a asda saving card but never got round to it plus I've started shopping at Aldi (loads cheaper). So instead I'm buying bigger shops each week to stock up (only extra £5 or so). I intend to buy foody, drink type presents, in with the shopping so I don't notice e.g. teachers choclates etc!

[nkf]

I start about now. After the summer holidays. I add Christmas food to the weekly shop and I am going to use clubcards and nectar points this year. I don't go mad at Christmas any more. I used to spend hundreds on food and drink.

[HappyMummyOfOne]

Old works had a savings scheme which was great but now use an online saver as Barclays let you have as many online sub accounts as you like and so easier to use.

Save my Tesco vouchers too, have used them in november for last two years in the double up scheme to buy lots of skylanders.

I buy lots in the sales and usually have lots left over for the january sales so stock up on cards, papers, ribbons etc as well as teachers gifts etc.