how do you save for christmas ?

[misstiredbuthappy]

Just wondring how everybody saves for christmas ? I struggled last year so im going to save as much ad I can this year. Ive opened a Christmas savings account with the post office, where you put the money on the card they give you and you cant spend it until November.

[Smilesandpiles]

I buy all year round too. it just makes everything so much easier.

[MTWTFSS]

A wonderful film to watch...

[JerseySpud]

I buy all year round. At the moment my cupboard is filling up nicely.

I don't trust these companys like Park etc.

Remember Farepak?

[bouquetofpencils]

I plan for Christmas all
Year round. I buy decorations, cards and wrap in January sales. I have started tracking some things on amazon then too and bought reduced. Christmas novelty gifts.
In June and July I tracked sales and got stocking fillers and small gifts for friends children. I don't go overboard with these.
In September I will ask for requests for people's main presents so that I can budget for then over three pay packets. I have a budget which I generally stick to.
The downfall is always food and drink bought in December. I want there to be plenty as it's the most indulgent time of year. We end up eating nuts for weeks.

[VillageFete]

We are eating out this year on Christmas day, so I have put £10 a month a month away for this. I'll have £110 by November so this will pay for that.

I have been putting £10 or £20 a week away in an online saver since January, this will take care of DD's Birthday & Christmas presents and also new Christmas clothes. I'm hoping it'll take care of close families presents too.

[LokiBear]

We save £80 per month. It pays for our holiday in the summer (£500ish as it's usually just a week away in the uk) DD's birthday presents and Christmas. Whatever doesn't get spent gets carried over. I tend to buy as I see things for Christmas so often only use the savings for the Christmas Shop and mine, DD and DH'S presents. DH always forgets we've saved it so it's nice to see his face when I give him cash towards his Christmas shopping!

[aylesburyduck]

We save £100 a month towards Christmas, and get everything we need including a weekend away to do our shopping plus a couple of days and nights out from our savings. It works brilliant for us. I do tend to start shopping for bits around about now, as and when I see them.

I am also a spreadsheet geek and so I note what I have left over from last year (such as a cards, wrapping paper, etc.) and I write down what I have bought for who and how much it cost. I have spreadsheets going back years which are handy if you get stuck for ideas!!

I love a bit of OCD organisation me

[pukkabo]

Useless at saving here. We said we'd be really good this year and save a bit aside every month but we moved house in March so that was a big cost along with things we've had to buy for the house and DC birthdays so it wiped anything we'd saved at the start of the year.

I have, however, already started to buy bits and bats. Usually we wait until at least August to start buying for Christmas but I've seen some bargains and I knew the price would be inflated around Christmas or it'd be unavailable all together. Every month I just buy a few things and build the stash up- decorations and presents.

Food wise we said we'd save saver stamps at Morrisons but we didn't stick to that so we usually save the vouchers and get their Christmas bonus one, that pays for the vegetables. Alcohol and other food bits are from Ocado and I have a smart pass so at least the delivery will be free

[picnicbasketcase]

I'm saving two pound coins and occasionally a bit more in one of those metal money tins you can't get into without a tin opener. I don't think there'll be enough to buy many presents but it'll pay for Christmas dinner and hopefully a few more bits. I also save nectar points.

[annabanana19]

I also put a few £ a week on my tesco clubcard and use my vouchers at Christmas.

[annabanana19]

I save with Park. This year we have £100 in Amazon card and £600 high street vouchers. I know what the kids want and the vouchers will be ideal.

[bimbobaggins]

I love saving for things. I have a jar for coins and when the schools start back i after summer i put away £10 pw for christmas. Someone i know buys m&s gift vouchers every month to use at christmas for shoppong dinner etc and i thought this was a good idea. I also have a budget card for road tax!

[Shinyshoes2]

I save with Park Hampers ... This is my 4th year and it's continuous I don't miss the money as I haven't had it for 4 years and it has just become another Direct Debit

I save in a seperate online bank account for things like cash gifts , trips to panto , Christmas crackers , tableware etc etc

[Nerf]

Morrisons saving stamps for the food and crackers etc. try to get to
100 for this. Also think about what got left last year so avoid buying it this year. Cards in the sales after christmas.
This year everyone not my dc gets a book so have started buying them when I see them, at water stones and stacking up points on my card.

[SilveryMoon]

I read a tip somewhere, forget where, that said when it's someone's birthday, buy 2 gifts. One for birthday and one in the cupboard for Christmas. Am so going to do this next year.

[elQuintoConyo]

I don't save.
I buy things throughout the year as and when I see them.
Food: we don't go overboard, there are only ever three of us for lunch. I tend to make xmas pudding ice cream for dessert as I'm the only one who eats xmas cake - it lasts until August!
DS' birthday is also in December, sp we'll buy his stuff in the August sales. He is still young, so he doesn't know what the 'latest toy' is.

We spend many days doing lots of lovely (free) festive things and generally chilling out, and I devorate the house like a crazy thing, it looks like Mother Christmas' handbag exploded

[50shadesofknackered]

I save £100 a month for Christmas presents and I don't deprive my family as we can afford to save it! It makes it easier at Christmas and we''re not broke in January. I start buying presents in November and get most delivered, it's so much easier and less stressful than trawling around the packed, roasting shops. I take the dc's Christmas shopping but it's ok, even if it's busy, as I don't have to buy anything major. We can wonder around while dc's decide what they want to get for daddy and Nanny etc.

[BiddyPop]

I have a credit union at work, so deduct €50 from my paycheque before I get it, so €100 a month. I use that for holidays and Christmas spends. And pick up things as I see them during the year.

I save Dunnes stores vouchers to use, and I also fill a couple of savings stamps cards with change during the year too. I tend to be canny about food shopping anyway, so use that for the offers and bulk deals over Christmas rather than THE MEAL. The offset to that is about half if those offers go back into a trolley for the local Lions club collection, as I am lucky to afford it by doing the savings, many can't.

And I always look on our holidays for extra knickknack a for stockings, or nice and different present ideas. Lovely jewellery and scarves in France, sportswear and ornaments from USA. Canada this summer should give some intwresting options I hope. Usually these cost the same or less than I'd spend here on not so nice things, as long as I have capacity in luggage. (Canada is a complete treat as parents are bringing all 6 of their kids and families to celebrate dad's retirement, USA last year was massive treat while dd could still enjoy the magic if Disney).

[Mojito100]

I have work direct deposit from my pay a set amount each fortnight. First year I've done this so hope it works. I'm not missing the money as it isn't in an account I can easily access through an ATM.

I'm going to shop online from October for what I can to save the hassle of crowds. I'm going to make a list too and stick to it. In past years when I bought presents early I forgot what I had bought and then it became excessive as not all gifts were appropriate to go in the present box I have for future parties. I'm determined to spend less this year on gifts for my kids as I have gone overboard in previous years. What I'm hoping is to have money left over that will help towards a holiday away next year or the one after.

[Damnautocorrect]

I have an e savings account where I transfer £40 a month in, I also start picking up kids presents from August sales.

[cheekycherryza]

I've just bought my £2 tin from Card Factory. I'll have to use a can opener to get it open so I'm thinking that should stop me dipping in!

[misstiredbuthappy]

Ooh lots of replys thank you your all very organised x

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

I have the lovely daydream of Christmas Shopping. It's cold and dry. There's music and lights everywhere. And just the hint of snow......

I'm going from shop to shop, browsing and picking up nice trinkets. Then a cup of hot chocolate in a nice cafe before heading home.
Sounds lovely eh?

The reality bites.
It's not cold. It's meh. Drizzly. If I wear too many layers, I'll cook. Shops are boiling hot, I'm having 'flushes'

I have to guard my handbag.
Get to the car-park so early to get a space then wander round waiting for the shops to open.
Then after 2-3 shops my hands are full. My bags bite into my fingers and bump my legs. I want to look at things but I can't get near. So I go back to the car to put things in the boot (once I did this 4 times)
Wrapping paper gets bent. I think "Oh I should buy this online"
People are complaining about queues.
The DC get narky. DH is resigned in a down trodden way.
I don't fancy McD so spend £12 in Starbucks on 4 drinks.


The only way to do it, is to start in October. Buy things earlier.
I'm not doing without things, I actually spend less because I'm not impulse buying. Things for the DC stockings have to be practical or fun, but less than £5. They don't get 'presents' now, mainly money/vouchers so it's the stocking gifts they have the joy of tearing open.

DH and I go shopping at the end of November. Not too busy (we take a day off work). He carries all the bags, I drive

We have a Family Day Out, just looking round and spending the £2 jar.

Sainsburys Big Shop (though I always seem to get the dodgy trolley) with my Nectar Points.

So it spaces things out and less stressful (well as less stressful as Christmas with a teenager and a preteen can be)

[NormHonal]

We have a £2 jar and have also started putting a note of some kind £5, £10 or £20 depending on if it's a good or bad week, into a jar once a week too.

Reckoning on having around £500-£750 by the end of the year.

Also buy little presents during the year.

Sometimes do a Tesco stamp card to help with food and always save Tesco Clubcard points for Christmas too.

[iamdivergent]

I buy a few bits and pieces once a month - I don't save month as such. I use my clubcard and nectar points are christmas and double up etc. I handmake other peoples gifts