Anyone In Surrey Have Cheap Xmas Presents I Can Buy?

[magnolia74]

Seriously struggling to get the kids presents... have managed a few but money is so tight I'd have to give up bills to buy anything else really!
Does anyone local to Surrey (Epsom) have new in box items that would be suitable for mother in law, father in law, girl 14, girls 18 and boy 12??
Will consider anything if it's new in box and cheaper than shops 😞

Have you tried your local Freecycle type groups? Some of the stuff they have advertised is pretty decent and Surrey is a relatively affluent area.

There are also Facebook groups where free stuff (DVDs, console games etc.) is being offered.

I know it's a bit too late for this year but start a Christmas fund and put something away each week. Even £2 a week would give you a reasonable headstart for Christmas expenses. Also buy stuff in the January sales if you can and put it away for presents.

Ask MIL and FIL not to buy for you this year but get something extra for the children.

What pax said.

Primark is your friend for the teens - lots of T's, leggings, hoodies, makeup, jeans, hats, PJs etc. earbuds, powerbanks, charger cables - videos, You could fill a big basket for £100.

They are also old enough to understand that money is tight, so not to expect the earth.

To be honest, this sounds more like a pledge for items to sell on ebay, since she will consider anything if it's new in box and cheaper than shops.

Agree with this. It's all a bit dodgy. Plenty of cheap and cheerful stuff available in charity shops and carboot sales, that aren't BNWT. Plenty of stuff available in B&M, Wilkos, PoundLand etc as well. None of which will sell on eBay.

Merry Christmas OP.

You could also think about buying gift vouchers that people are selling. So, for example, someone selling £20 worth of vouchers for £15 as they don't use the store.

Lots of shops are still looking for temp workers in the run up to Christmas so that might bring in some extra money. Your older children can help with free childcare so you won't have that expense.

Check this site if there is anything for 2017 > www.getsurrey.co.uk/whats-on/family-kids-news/best-christmas-gifts-2016-presents-12296952

We're awed daily by the astonishing support that our members give each other through life's trickier twists and turns – but we'd always caution anyone never to give more of themselves to another poster (emotionally or financially) than they can afford to spare.

Pound shop, B&M, Home Bargains and no gifts for people other than your kids.

Sell whatever you have to raise additional funds. Don't skip paying bills.

Can one of you get an evening bar job during the Christmas holidays or another casual job.

Go through all utilities, subscriptions and switch to cheaper deals. Also cancel Subscriptions and membership deals that you don't use but are still paying for.

Get rid of luxuries and stick to what you can afford. Switch from branded products to supermarket own brand, cheaper shops like aldi or lidl.

If you can try and claim back on overdraft charges, packaged account fees etc. These aren't immediate money savers but long term goals which will help you.

I think you've posted abput similar issues on previous christmasses.
Maybe resist those threads too, as you probably received loads of good advice, and no doubt you wouldn't want people to go to the trouble of typing it all out again.

Hope things turn around for you soon.

Can't help on the gift front; lots of good ideas here. More generally, I'd really recommend posting a statement of affairs in the moneysavingexpert forum (hope I'm allowed to mention other sites here!) There are some excellent posters on there who help you go through your budget and find areas where you can cut back, so you don't find yourself in the same position next year. You want to look for the debt-free wannabes section - they'll help you even if you're not in debt but just looking for budgeting tips. In the meantime, your kids are certainly old enough to understand if money's a bit tight this year then they won't get as much as they'd like. Good luck, OP

I think you've posted abput similar issues on previous christmasses.
Maybe resist those threads too, as you probably received loads of good advice, and no doubt you wouldn't want people to go to the trouble of typing it all out again

^^ This

You do seem to make a habit of this;

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/Christmas/1360951-Why-Always-something-at-Christmas

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/Christmas/882100-So-When-You-Are-Really-Struggling-And-Can-Barely-Afford

Do you do it every year?

Wait, a horse?

Don’t think OP will be back, from her previous threads its a recurring theme and she’s probably hoping for free stuff/cash

Only a small horse :o

That would be a pony then.

Think the horseis a unicorn....

The bare faced cheek of some people is a sight to behold 😵

Third year lucky op?
😳

DFOD

I've got some Tiffany jewellery, Chanel scents, Hatchimals and vintage champagne that you can have for a fiver.

Is that all, sparkle?

I'll throw in some diamond shoes if you insist Really

We should have a Swapshop board, maybe?

Someone would be bound to offer some vouchers in exchange for a horse.

Someone link to the horse please