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?

[LokiBear]

Well if I don't count the stocking then a 10 gift limit is more than doable! DD will be spoiled by GPS and the rest of the family so I refuse to buy too much. For her birthday I got her a bike and 6 little things, one of which was a helmet for the bike. She still ended up with masses of presents! I want her to see that Christmas is about more than just presents. I want her to enjoy giving and being together as a family.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

I bought some gift bags (QVC) and ordered some boxes (QVC again) . I usually wrap everything about mid December and buy (££) boxes from HomeSense for their Christmas Eve Hampers.

This has a variety of sizes, tiny ones for DD (she'll get jewellery) I can put DS gift vouchers/ money in the small ones.
Including p&p it's £28 for 20 boxes , so I can artistically arrange some tissue paper inside and tie with ribbon .
Saves me carrying a load of boxes round too .

[Nerf]

We do stocking and then one main gift from us. The stocking is based on The List otherwise it seems pointless writing to Father Christmas so usually comes in at 100 each and ranges from gold coins and silly things to a couple wanted presents.

[IHopeYouStepOnALegoPiece]

I probably won't put most of the presents in a black bin bag for storage, then proceed to throw said bin bag away by mistake shortly before Christmas...leaving me v short of preaents and having to run around replacing them at great cost...!

That was a bit of a pita tbh

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

LegoPiece Nooooooooooooooooo

Nightmare! But not the sort of mistake you'll repeat

[Badvoc123]

Nooooooooooooo!!
THnaks Lego!
I shall now have nightmares about that!
:)
Poor you! :(

[lostlalaloopsy]

Oh no legopiece! That must have been terrible!

I'm definitely going to give the rest of the family a list of presents for dc to choose from otherwise they will go over the top completely. Great idea!

[fuzzpig]

:( lego how awful!

[ClashCityRocker]

Bloody hell Lego! That's awful.

Don't go ott with mum just because I worry she won't have 'enough' to open. She's on her own and only has me and DB who buy for her. I spent loads last year because I felt guilty that I wouldn't have chance to see her much over christmas (various reasons, including piss poor planning on my part!). So don't try and overcompensate and remember that she'd probably rather do something nice together rather than get loads of gifts.

YY to the excessive buffets. I spent forty quid on and m and s buffet pack for Xmas Eve - for me and DH. It was far too fiddly and a lot of it you couldn't cook some and not all of it, ifykwim so loads got wasted.

Cheese! We buy excessive amounts of cheese - most of which goes into the bin, this year I'm operating a three cheese rule.

Also, I'm going to try not to get Christmassy too early this year - normally I'm giddy by mid-November and absolutely worn out and knackered and totally flat by Christmas Day.

[Nocturne123]

I plan not to have an organ removed on Christmas Day this year . My daughter's first christmas was on the 27th!

Also I might try and only make a few gifts instead of attempting them for everyone .

Love reading the christmas threads , some really great ideas

[IHopeYouStepOnALegoPiece]

Wasn't my finest hour that's for sure!!

[Katieweasel]

Last year my DS wanted an ipad. As it was soooooooo expensive we told him that he could have one but that would be his only present from us. He happily agreed. I then wobbled a week before Christmas because I was so worried that he would disappointed at only one present. So I rushed out and bought loads of stuff which he didn't really need. This year he has asked for a phone. I have told him that the same rule applies and that I intend to stick to it this year!

[supermariossister]

do not listen when the kids a week or two before Christmas ask for the latest top plugged toy on tv, they rarely get played with. I'm looking at you robofish, furby and teksta dog .

[accessorizequeen]

This year I will not...buy lego. Yes, I have 3 boys but I've bought it and so have family for 8 years running. I give in every December and dp doesn't stop me! Blinking house is full of it!!
I have been buying stocking fillers since July as I like the 4 of them to have a good stocking but its too stressful and expensive thinking about it in December. Also, party bag bits as 2 dc have December birthdays.
I am not scheduling any medical appointments in December. Just adds to the stress.

[xalyssx]

This year I will not get my uncle, aunt and cousins anything. Last year they didn't thank me, and this year they haven't even tried to meet my new baby, who is now over 6 months old...

[WipsGlitter]

I have actually managed to do something on my list already. SiL brought up Christmas and I was able to use it as a chance to say that in 2016 (really planning ahead here) she needed to have FiL and BiL. She was ok about it.