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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

Seriously skint this year and need ideas please

113 replies

Margaritte · 23/10/2014 12:05

No idea how we are going to do Christmas. We have hardly any money.. Lots of brothers & sisters to buy for, nephews of varying ages, grandparents, parents & our 3 children.
I don't know how we are going to buy gifts, have a nice Christmas dinner (1st year we will be home too) what to do over the holidays instead of Pantomime etc.
I am not crafty at all, and also am have pnd that I am working through, so doubt I'd have the energy to sew etc.
Its making me worry quite a lot, and I wondered if any one had any tips/ ideas? Any advice would be lovely, as when I google 'cheap ideas' it comes up with hand sewn toys or 'budget gifts under £10' . Neither of these are something that is possible for me

OP posts:
Original poster
Margaritte · 23/10/2014 20:21

Is there anyone that has been in the same position before?

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marymouse · 23/10/2014 20:33

I too think you should be honest with the adults this year that you simply cannot afford presents and focus on your dc's.
Start picking things up now as you see them, even if it's reduced foot bits that you can freeze.

stridesy · 23/10/2014 20:33

You could sell old toys ect on Fb to make more money plus look for toys that may be suitable particularly for your toddler that won't know the difference.you could look in the pound shop and maybe get a token gift for the adults.with your 13 year old you could do a homemade voucher for a cheap experience after xmas but a few presents to open xmas day.

Original poster
Margaritte · 23/10/2014 20:57

I'm perfectly fine to not gift anything for DH's brothers or my sisters etc. And I'm sure that my DH would agree. However I would like to do something for my brother, and all of our nephews. Also our parents & grandparents. Even if its just a token for the adults there, to show what they mean to us.

Any ideas for food bits? Agree it is a smart idea to buy and freeze reduced bits from now. I have never cooked a Christmas dinner either, so not to sure where to start.

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Original poster
Margaritte · 23/10/2014 21:00

Actually, I think it was on here, quite a while ago, (Have been on here a few years, name changed for my pnd thread & just decided to stick with the name) a recipe for Christmas dinner on a stick? If it was, does anyone remember where please?
Maybe that would be cheap, and an easy way for me to do dinner without the stress.

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MrsPnut · 23/10/2014 21:08

For Christmas dinner, I would go to Lidl and buy a chicken for about £4.50, I'd also buy my carrots, parsnips, potatoes and green veg from there.
Some chipolata sausages and streaky bacon - twist the sausages in half to make little ones and wrap in bacon. A box of stuffing is fairly cheap and I would also make Yorkshire puddings to pad out the meal and try to ensure there is enough chicken left over for Boxing Day. I could probably make Christmas dinner for £10 all in and with a bit of jiggling, have enough leftovers to make something for Boxing Day.
Begin looking out for a cheap gammon joint from now on that can be chucked in the freezer.

Original poster
Margaritte · 23/10/2014 21:12

MrsPnut That menu sounds lovely. £10 is definitely a good deal, and would not be too much of a stretch. Is lidl good for the Xmas food, or is Aldi best?

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zipzap · 23/10/2014 22:14

My sis has been to Aldi or Lidl the last couple of years on Christmas Eve, just before closing and they've been selling the meat off ridiculously cheaply. I think they've paid about a tenner and come away with a turkey that's been pre stuffed and bacon on top etc, some mince, a plain turkey, a pack of steak and more - by the end most stuff was reduced to a pound a pack or less. They would have taken more and filled their freezer but just felt too embarrassed to take more!

It's a high risk strategy but if you have one of those nearby, then it might be worth a shot... I'll try to find out which one it was they hit the jackpot in!

I often get my fruit and veg on a local market stall - the quality is excellent and it's much cheaper than the supermarkets, plus it lasts well. And you can get things like a 5kg bag of onions for a pound or two - when you'd only get a net with 4 in at the supermarket for the same price. Likewise, if you have somewhere cool, a sack of good potatoes costs maybe a tenner and can last nearly a whole winter.

Zazzabeans · 23/10/2014 22:34

There's also a

Swap thread . It's just starting out though but do keep checking on there for things if you don't mind used :)

Zazzabeans · 23/10/2014 22:36

Also are your children girls or boys?

BreakOutTheKaraoke · 23/10/2014 22:38

I don't think I would risk waiting last minute for food in this situation, to be honest- I'd be so worried I didn't get anything, even though they are brilliant value! Food wise, the post by MrsPnut sounds good. Aldi often have their butchers choice sausages on special offer, think they are £1.50 full price. Their bacon, which is surprisingly a lot of meat and not much rind, is also under £1.50 for 10 rashers. Both of these could be bought with food shopping and frozen in advance. Chicken is much better value than turkey, and to be honest, I was hard up one year and had an Iceland stuffed chicken crown. It was surprisingly nice, plenty of meat on it, and again I could buy it when I could afford it and keep it in the freezer.

I honestly think that with £50 for everything, you should explain to your brother and save the cash for your children. If my sister was in your situation, without a doubt I would tell her not to even think of it. But, if you do absolutely feel you have to, a little hamper maybe? Have a look in the £1 shop or Asda for a family DVD, print off some Christmas colouring sheets, add a couple of the little packs of crayons, the 3 for £1 bags of sweets in Asda, or sachets of hot chocolate. That's a Christmas night in. Also as a present that might be good for your own kids! A 'family' present.

BreakOutTheKaraoke · 23/10/2014 22:42

Oh, and I definitely agree with speaking to your 12 year old about the situation. At that age they can have a bit more understanding, and they might even want to help with creating a bit of magic for the younger ones!

nocutsnobuttsnococonuts · 23/10/2014 23:10

I know u said u aren't crafty but one year my daughters decorated a plant pot for grandma - we had fun doing it and she loved it :-)

also can u bake? maybe some sweets/fudge in decorated jars as a token gift or stocking filler for children. alternatively buying big bags and splitting up - £1 shop is good for those.

I did a couple of roses and scratchcard in a cellephane bag for friends before - bags were 20 pack in £1 shop

also look out on photo websites like snapfish they often do free photo mugs/books/calendars where u just pay postage [can also use different email addresses to do more than one]

charity shops/nearly New sales for children - can pick up some great bargains. along check eBay local listings pick up only stuff - I got a boxed Sylvanian house with everything for £5.50 last year.

I would say if its really tight and u aren't too fussy with food wait till Christmas eve to get things - thinking of doing that this year.

SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 23/10/2014 23:15

The turkey offer is with The Daily Mail and Iceland.

Is your toddler a boy or a girl?

BreakOutTheKaraoke · 23/10/2014 23:48

The plant pot idea above is good, you could buy a pack of spring bulbs from the £1 shop, daffs or tulips, and decorate the pots?

Original poster
Margaritte · 24/10/2014 00:18

Lots more ideas. Thank you. I think I may do a mix of picking up reduced food and then chancing it for the expensive things on Christmas Eve.

My older two are boys and my toddler is a girl.
Thank you for the link to the swap thread. What a good idea.
Will check out the turkey offer now.

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Galaxymum · 24/10/2014 00:55

We had an Aldi pork joint last year which was delicious. Also had a ham with honey joint. I couldn't justify paying the prices for turkey and these were much cheaper. Definitely recommend. I bought all the Christmas food from Aldi and I saved a lot and really couldn't fault it.

StupidFlanders · 24/10/2014 01:22

This may sound patronising but try not to worry. Even without the financial worry my family just do a secret Santa because no one cares about the present side really- just buy your dcs something they will like. (I actually feel weird buying adults presents and tend to give token gifts of things like fancy food products like a bottle of jam, interesting beer or oil etc. these things yo can buy one of each grocery shop).

The dcs will receive gifts from others so don't worry about quantity. My dcs get 1-2 main presents (Xbox game-usually on sale) from "us" and some nice school supplies and a book/DVD, things I find in my cupboard which I forgot I had, in the sack from Santa.

Food wise, if you're all having a family dinner supply the dessert and bake a cake and decorate it and have the others provide the rest- sounds mean but I bet if your family's anything like mine, some members would prefer full rein of food prep. If you're eating with just your family, depending on the age of your dcs, mine asked if we could get KFC this year...

MsAspreyDiamonds · 24/10/2014 01:48

M&S every few weeks have a family roastmeal on offer for 10 which included meat or whole chicken, potatoes & veg. Kep an eye out nearer the time & freeze it. All you need is a few more sides, gravy & stuffing. Do you have a lidl or aldi nearby by? Try them as you get so
muchmore for your money.

I would skip adult gifts & buy for kids from shop / wilko. You could skip kids & buy family gifts instead. M&S biscuit tins are half price atm.

Tiger & Hema are scandinavian shops like Ikea so cheap

MsAspreyDiamonds · 24/10/2014 01:55

For gifts, I bought two photo frames for 2 each as gifts.

Can you do a big car boot sale as you mighr be able to shift a lot of stuff in one go for the cost of the pitch fee.

MsAspreyDiamonds · 24/10/2014 01:55

For gifts, I bought two photo frames for 2 each as gifts.

Can you do a big car boot sale as you mighr be able to shift a lot of stuff in one go for the cost of the pitch fee.

Bedsheets4knickers · 24/10/2014 07:18

We've stopped spending on adults now that their is so many little people involved . It didn't worry anyone think it came as a relief to be honest .

dustybinlydia · 24/10/2014 11:10

CeX is a great place to buy inexpensive, pre-loved dvds.

MsAspreyDiamonds · 24/10/2014 12:59

I bought a frozen salmon wellington from Aldi for 3.99. It serves 4 people and can be supplemented with lots of veg & trimmings.

WhatAHooHa · 24/10/2014 14:38

Are you on Facebook? Post on your local selling or mums sites explaining your situation... a couple of people have done it round us recently and loads of people have offered toys, clothes etc for free, to use as kids presents. Could you get away with recycled toys for your 2 year old? ie, are there any of the older kids' toys in the attic that you could pack up and regift?

Dinner can be straightforward and not too expensive. especially if you aren't stuck on the idea of having a whole turkey or chicken. You can get a pack of chicken thighs or legs really cheap, roast them with a few spuds, carrots, parsnips and you're done. If you want to make more of a thing of it, maybe make a cheap veg soup to start. Pudding could be a cake or biscuits you could make with the kids the day before?