What were the mistakes you made last year? Or, this year I will not...

[LokiBear]

I love a bargain. But last year I ended up spending more because I bought things because they were cheap and then ended spending again because I wasn't sure if the cheap present was enough or right for the person. This year, I am going to think more carefully about the presents I buy for other people. For DH'S family I am sticking to getting something from the list they write. I also gave in to 'the twitch' for DH'S presents because her grandparents went mad and I felt pressured to compete. Not doing that either! Anyone else?

Yes, stay away from the twitch. I ended up buying my 50 year old brother who had shown absolutely zero inclination to wanting this , a childrens keyboard as I panicked I needed to buy him something good.

Bim yep we have WWE in garage and ZuZu pets and battle arena etc. Utter waste and rubbish.

70isa omg it feel apart! LOL ok a Tardis! I dont know what to do with the fancy wooden kitchen - I really dont feel I can get rid, there is plenty preschool/early years left though she just seems to prefer jumping, running, dancing about when not pushing her brother.

Im planning - the new clubcard boost is available all year round in most departments. I am getting DS an iPad mini. I caclculate if I continue to do shop at tescos I will get enough points to use with boost and get £60. The rest is comming from paying cash for nursery - save up vouchers for December payments then have enough spare cash to pay for the rest of it and all the other presents.

No decs/fancy cooking to get bogged down with as we are going away. I lik my neat package!

Be getting my son more than one present plus his stocking.

He is having a bike and the accompanying safety stuff this year.

Last year I spent over £300 on him.... I can't afford it and he doesn't need it.

Have chicken NOT turkey.

Because no matter how "festive" it is, I only like it when someone else cooks it, and it stinks out the fridge.

Book panto for week between Christmas and new year

Don't lose the bap with DP on Christmas morning. In particular don't throw an electric toothbrush at him. It just seems really flat in our house even with the kids and he was lacking in Christmas spirit a bit. Work out what I'd like it to be like and do it.

Don't get the kids so much.

Make it clear FIL and Bil need to find somewhere else for next year (2016). I want Christmas lunch with MY sister for once.

I do NOT need wrapping paper.

I'm dreading Christmas. Last year I got so stressed out I ended up in bed or rocking in a corner crying :(

So this year I will not get stressed about money and presents and I will be happy!
As long as we are all together we will be fine :)

I need to be organised this Christmas. Dc3 is due mid November and I don't want to be traipsing all over buying stuff with a newborn.
I want to have everything bought and stored by the first week of November, this is slightly complicated by dc1's birthday being in the first week of November.
We're definitely not hosting this year, did it 2 years ago and never again. It's too stressful, too tiring and too expensive. There's a very good reason why my much better off and with no small children mum hosts.

Write Christmas cards very early so I get them in the post on time.

YY to getting stuck into treats early, I'm sick of the sight of them come Christmas - I've only just chucked out a load of chocolate Santa's.

Don't go made on the Christmas Eve buffet when there's only three of you. There's only so many cranberry sausage rolls and other pastry covered snacks you can eat.

Don't get the twitch!

Oh, and don't buy any more playmobil. No matter how much I love it

I'm considering not bothering with Xmas cards at all except for elderly relatives and those that we see.

Yes, yes to waiting before issuing invitations. We know when we're seeing relatives (sorted out months ago as have to travel) but not friends. Last year, about 10 days before Xmas I invited 6 families over for mulled wine & mince pies the Sunday before Xmas and only one family could make it and we had a fantastic time. I actually got to speak to these friends rather than running around being the host.

Do not buy too much food. I was almost pinning people down and forcefeeding them mince pies and other things as we had so much.

The M&S salmon terrine is delicious as is Tesco's smoked salmon & they both defrost quite quickly. I can make delicious sausage rolls but prefer shop bought mince pies.

Wrapping the stocking presents worked really well. All the children need is a stocking and a big present. They do not need side presents as they get those anyway from friends & relatives.

Oorwoolie childrens bikes half price at Toys R Us not sure if this is any good for you as they more for leisure than serious technical specifications.

I am going to be three weeks post csection and with newborn and one year old so it's plain sailing for me

I won't eat too much shit as I am already overweight and want to get my figure back.

I will have the house decluttered to the last drawing pin.

Won't run the roads to fit seeing everyone. Last year it was three counties.

Trys to channel mrsgrumbles nesting energy into decluttering too

Nothing like nesting to get your house ship shape!

Cards for long distance, elderly and close family. Not for school gate friends etc.
sweets, crackers, yes. Cakes, biscuits, no
Sadly my granddad died this year so will be odd. Down to me and mum and cousin on my side only. Everyone else has died. Plus my estranged sister is threatening a visit to my mum which will mean she tried to ban mum from seeing us in a weird who do you love most competition, or tries to come with mum. Sigh.

One black bag in the boot for the bin and another for charity shop as we speak

Vacuum bags at the ready !!

I am cutting back completely on dc presents this year, last year it was all too much for ds who had a complete melt down.

Don't out tree up too early or I will be sick of the sight of it by 14th.

Try not to cram too many activities in before the big day - leave some for the lull between Christmas and New Year.

Avoid the twitch! After wasting my money on some crappy plastic my little pony tat for dd.

Remember that it's our family day too so not going to pander to other people this year. My dcs will be over excited, loud and messy as it's Christmas Day - really what else do they expect?

Im going to write a list and stick to it. Im also chosing presents that I know he definately loves (no surprise toys that I think he might love or even play with).

I'm going to research presents I think the children will like and give these ideas to our families - we have so many unopened presents of things they probably won't play with.

ooh thats a good idea whatonemore and channie44 I'm being quite precise if I am asked about present ideas - I've already said to DM no PJ's or bulky toys!

I will be avoiding the bargain thread this year...got some great stuff but spent a fortune! :)
And some of it ended up being sold on FB as dc never even played with it!
I am toying with the idea of a 10 gift limit this year tbh.
They get so much from other people too...

Does 10 gifts include a stocking? I only have DD but she will get about 5 or 6 things in a pile and then a stocking full of little things. Her main present is a wooden shop/puppet theatre (it's reversible). DH and I are making it. The stuff I put in her stocking will be things like bubble bath, dvd, cd, toy car, etc. X

No I wouldn't count stockings in that either :)
I tend to put a lush bath bomb in, some chocs and a DVD or book.