Emergency 'Budget xmas' plan -

[oopsadaisyme]

For one reason or another, have to have a 'serious' budget xmas -

My DD1 who's 10, wanted new playstation et al, but is old enough to know it can't happen just yet, (bless him, he's been a bit of a diamond really, wants a proper 'feast' on xmas day, and to help cook, and that's what he's really looking forward too)x

He's got an xbox 360, so asked what games, and am ebay-ing like mad!

My DD2, 4, is Marvel mad, so ebay again, just fingers crossed on that one x

I'm so worried it wont all be here on time or I can't get from ebay, so any advice good deals for the above would be amazing!?

(Ive bought 'hungry hippos' game and any suggestions of similar games for the kids would be great)

Stockings with sweets and a few books etc bought and ready, and planning on a day of games, movies, pyjamas and a big turkey on the table, so budget aside, starting to look forward to it for kids, but panicking about presents under the tree x

Have a look at your local freecycle and gumtree sites.
Check your local selling boards & game shops to see whats being sold 2nd hand.

Can you sell anything to boost your cash reserves?
Primark had marvel t shirts, they also have nice fleecy pjs which you could wrap to put under the tree.

Boots have got lots on their 3 for 2 offer so you could get them some bath sets.

Poundshop will be your friend now, lots of bargains to bulk up your stockings.

The Entertainer have loads of Marvel stuff on offer at the moment starting from low prices e.g. a big spiderman colouring set for £5 or spider man roller skates for £7.50 or costume for £11.

Helping cook will be lovely for your ds - mine made individual xmas puds for 15 people at that age and was so proud

snog actually the cooking thing has been a revelation - he's just suddenly said ' I want to cook' - and where as I've always taught him bits and bobs (we've always made cakes, and I let him do his own omlettes watching, help me with a stew, be inventive with the odd dish etc) He now wants to read all my cook books and make 'spreads' for the table (he just loves everything to be put on the table for a 'help yourself'!!)

So proud of him getting 'on board' this xmas, now OH has left -

Seems like he's suddenly grown up overnight, I hope in a good way, seems to be x

Does DD like any specific marvel characters? There's a shop in my town that sells canvas prints of different marvel comic book covers and I would gladly get one and send it to you for your DD if it would help? I can get it in the last post for you next week?

I've got DD lots of bits for her stocking from Poundland. They also have lots of crafty bits if you wanted to do things with them in the run up to Christmas.

Also check out your local Facebook selling sites. Will save you postage costs from ebay sellers.

Try charity shops for board games. Play.com have lots of Christmas movies reduced. Try the supermarkets too, they often have very reduced dvds.

Your DS sounds like a lovely little man!

My kids love the traditional board games like snakes and ladders and draughts. They also love Jenga and there are much cheaper versions out there. Amazon have one for about £5.

I think your Christmas sounds lovely as do your children!

Onelittle how sweet and kind are you!!?? Bless you lovely, but we'll be okay, plenty of people out there I'm sure are far worse off than us, we will manage this year, and to be honest, budgeting this year just means a day of cooking and games, with no hassle etc, and am so looking forward to it, we'll be okay xxx Thank you so much for your kind offer tho, just nice of you xx

Charity shops a great shout for games Ginot, will go tomorrow x

Beech I'm very lucky, two beautiful boys, and my eldest has just impressed me so much, I'm beaming with pride for him x getting on amazon now! x

It never ever hurts to offer someone some kindness I hope you all have a fabulous christmas

Onelittle oh I hope you do too, what a nice person you are x

Go to the poshest area near you and visit charity shops as the things are always better in those areas ! Also pound land is brilliant for stocking fillers and sports direct is v cheap at mo - plus usual Aldi etc - good luck - we have been there for last two years but still been great Christmas days and kids seemed happy x

Actually, brill idea, that could be a great xmas pressie for and from my DS2, making some cakes and taking them out to people -

He would love that I'm sure, brilliant idea -

Oooh, plan!!! x

might be a bit late, but it's worth checking out the school/church xmas fairs, I've got loads of puzzles and games that look like new from the second hand stalls.

I think I saw someone mention on one of the christmas threads (may have been the bargain/codes one) that they managed to get a Marvel bag in home bargains - if you have one near you.

We are pretty skint this Xmas too and I have 2 teens who would like labels etc. but tbh they know our situation. They are getting 1 name item each I was lucky enough to find good voucher codes and stack them thanks to HOTUK DEALS website (worth a look).

I have padded their gifts out with some hot chocolate, mugs and minimarshamallows each ( all from home bargains Mug £1.49, Hot choc 89p and mallows 59p for a lage bag. I will buy some squirty cream and have it in the fridge. Am warapping it up with some ribbon I found in our xmas decs box.

Also if you are on FB check out local buying and selling pages and look out in local press to see if there are any car boot sales. I was surprised to see our local school has one on this weekend.

zip good idea about charity shop area hunting! Getting on it !!

(Have just tasked my DS2 to find a cake recipe cos he's making next week, not telling him we'll take out as gifts yet, he'll love it I'm sure, don't even know where we will take, I think somewhere meaningful will be lovely for him)

Budget Christmases can be the most fun: honestly. Lots of small inexpensive things to open, games which you can all play together.
Making hot chocolate and snuggling under a blanket for movies a really special time.
I have a new packet of post-it notes for each girl's stocking this year which means that all day on Boxing day we'll be playing 'Who am I' with them stuck on our foreheads and laughing like drains.
This is the year you can make new traditions for the three of you together.
Ditto what everyone has said about second hand games. It is the time you spend playing together which is the most valuable thing, not the cost of the gifts.
I remember the first year that I was on my own for Christmas with DDs. Instead of a turkey we had what they chose: it turned out to be an eclectic mix: roast pork with crackling, cherry tomatoes, and buttered pasta followed by a huge chocolate bombe. We reverted to a more traditional dinner thereafter but that year it was all about making our own choices and not being led by convention. I have really positive memories of what could have been a horrendous time.
I hope you do too oopsadaisyme

There's a fairly recipe for fudge if your budget can stretch to getting the ingredients HERE

that should have said fairly easy recipe!

Momb I did ask that question, and big turkey on the table with lots of roast potatoes is what they love, so xmas eve (been told, cos my mate works there, and going to give a 'heads up' when they start reducing things, my local supermarket is it, again, fingers crossed!)

Onelittle That's a great recipe, and we have decided to go to local retirement home to give the day before xmas eve - and my DS2 can give out - he will love it x You put the idea in our heads, so thank you so much xxx

Agree though the budget Christmas days have turned out to be the best x

Just lost 7 bloody ebay bids, -
Grrr!!

Batcave, Batmobile and figures - that's all I'm trying to bid on!! (xbox games going to try my luck at second hand shop tomorrow)

I hate him for leaving us now, some warning would have been nice and I would have sorted

sorry

Op that's such a lovely idea and so inspiring. Such a contrast to so much Christmas greed and materialism.
No wonder your kids are lovely. Comes from having a fab mum!

Beech I just have two wonderful boys, I'm very lucky -

My DS1 is so excited about cooking on xmas day, and now making cakes to give out, he's fantastic -

It's just me now, I've lost all my bids on what I wanted to get off ebay for them, and I'm trying so hard to get some nice stuff, they've been so wonderful -

Ignore me, we'll be great x

Bugger.

I've got a Batman xbox game here still in its wrapper which you'd have been more than welcome to have but I've just looked and it's a 15 cert.

Shows what a bad parent I am, my DS got it last year and he's only 14 . But he's only interested in sports games anyway