Come one come all. It’s countdown to Christmas 2018!

[SideOrderofSprouts]

366 days to go

😂🎄

Merry Christmas everyone!

[hashtagelfie]

mrs I could but it means I have to get the stool out every time the dc want something as I'm too short to reach the tops.Im just trying to get the dc to eat through everything as quick as possible. I bet they can't believe their luck being offered chocolate so often

[WreckTangled]

I am actually going to properly save for Christmas next year. I didn't this year but managed to do it all it would be much nicer to have a Christmas fund though.

[Mrsmadevans]

Hash..... l have just got up and feel nauseous at the very thought of the food mountain on top of the cupboards. l need to give it away asap. l also have the need for a stool to access said food mountain which is a permanent feature in my kitchen!!! the stool not the food mountain , Urgh why do l do it every year!!!

[Mrsmadevans]

Wreck l need to cut the food budget for next Christmas that is for sure ....groan..... my insides are feeling it!

[ThatsMySantaHisBeardIsSoFluffy]

I should budget too. And not buy so much food!

[hashtagelfie]

362

Definitely won't buy as much food next year! I thought we were ok but forgot people would gift us food as well.
Also need to save a proper Christmas fund. I've seen these two ideas on Facebook and might try and follow one.

[ChristmasAddict]

Am also setting up a Christmas fund! DH has saved us money on our car insurance so that will be going into a savings account every month.

[FoddyWaddle]

I am also setting up a christmas fund. For this Christmas i saved with park and i found the vouchers so difficult to use as the shops I wanted to spend them in did not accept them. This will also be the 1st year I leave buying the big gufts until November. My DC are now getting to old to buy for in advance. I will still buy clothes, pj's and stocking fillers in advance.

[sprinkleofsunshine]

Would love to have the thread baby 😂 dh and I will be ttc shortly so fingers crossed! Though it will have to be a fairly quick turnaround by xmas next year!

[AnotherShirtRuined]

I find that buying a few decorations in the sales and putting them straight in the Christmas box for next year means that I won't get the twitch so much come December as they will feel brand new but at a fraction of the cost. Luckily I am fairly traditional as far as colours etc. and rarely decorate to a theme which helps.

Also I try to spread the cost throughout the year as I'm not good at saving for specific occasions and don't like to dip into our general savings unless absolutely nexessary. One thing that really helps is to have an agreed (and modest) budget for all the relatives and keeping the list as short as possible.

However, due to my long-term stress I may soon find myself unemployed and in real need of saving on expenses. Any tips on how to make Christmas as wonderful as usual by starting the preparations now would be gratefully received.

[WreckTangled]

I've just got three new decs for next year! All half price obvs

[hashtagelfie]

I've bought new decs as well but I'm still waiting for them to arrive. And two Christmas jumpers for ds3, half price from Asda.

[FridgeCut]

I got some new bits from paperchase in the sale, really pleased with them. Some nice geometric baubles and some berry lights for Wilf's tree and a mass of small baubles for the big tree and the boy's trees.

[Mrsmadevans]

Bought my special Christmas cards half price today from the Card Factory, also decided to do Auntie & Uncle and Granny & Granddad cards instead of individual ones . The cards were much nicer than the ones I bought for this year a couple of weeks ago so I don't know what the card factory were playing at lol. Not bought much else though I am trying to keep from buying stuff because I have to keep it all year round and I am fed up of it . I am seriously thinking of giving money next year I am getting too old for the endless packing and delivering and my ppl l buy for are all getting much older and would prob appreciate money instead of presents they haven't asked for . God I sound like a right misery lol.

[Mrsmadevans]

Wreck I love the Santa in the moon decoration it is lovely , nowt wrong with t'others but that one my fave lol , can you tell I am watching open all hours lol

[WreckTangled]

It's my favourite too! So cute

[hashtagelfie]

mrs every year dh and I just get money or vouchers from family for Christmas and we love it! This year we've got vouchers for 2 restaurants, the cinema and £££! They always get us a token gift too like a box of chocolates etc, something to open, but we are very very happy with what we get, especially when you read the "crap presents we've been given" threads.

I actually look forward to all my dc being adults and just requiring a few £ notes and a box from hotel chocolat. Will make Christmas so much less stressful

[Mrsmadevans]

Aw thank you Hash...... that has made me feel a bit less like Scrooge lol

[WreckTangled]

I agree. I have dc of my own now but my parents, aunts and grandparents still buy for us. Well they give us money which is much appreciated. This year I asked my mum for some washable placemats(!) she got us some nice John Lewis ones, a candle set and some money. We can put all the cash together that we got and buy something for the house.

[SideOrderofSprouts]

That’s it. Trees down

[WheresTheBaileysCoffee]

May I join you? I've always struggled to get ready and look forward to Christmas as I worked in retail management..it took all of my energy!
This Christmas however, I'm enjoying my first festive break in over ten years thanks to my new non-shop based job and I intend to make as much as I can of Christmas 2018

[Mrsmadevans]

SPROUT!!!!

[Mrsmadevans]

Wheres.... welcome to the house of madness lol

[WreckTangled]

So jealous sprout. I want mine down but dh needs to bring some secateurs home. It's got to the point where every time the dc walk past it it drops some more needles!

Welcome coffee! Pleased you enjoyed a Christmas break for once

[Mrsmadevans]

Ahhh thank you Wreck I feel less like Scrooge the more I listen to you.... phew