Christmas on half the budget of previous year - how to avoid disappointed kids

[bandthenjust]

Hi, I know this type of thread often comes up at least twice on run up to Christmas, just wanted some ideas.
I've got two dds; dd1 will be 8 at Xmas, dd2 6. As the title says, I've got at most, half the budget I had the previous year in which to buy gifts. My kids aren't spoilt; they've never whinged or compared their st uff to anyone else's. They also know money is a bit tight this year. HOWEVER, I am conc erned that on the morning they may be a bit I'm sure they wont be but still.
Has anyone been in this situation? Does anyone have any tips on buying kids a few presents they want/plus some surprises without buying crap?

Don't buy too much in advance. It's July. What they are interested in may have changed massively by Christmas. I used to work in retail and used to feel sorry for the kids who got something that Grandma bought in the January sale because 'it was a bargain' rather than getting something they would actually want. I would wait if I were you.

I don't knit, I'm not creative like that, but I am going to follow your ad vice and check poundland/primark etc.
They 've got technology stuff, i love cex lol, im keeping my eyes open for pokemon/hello kitty games.
Arrrgh that bloody Ikea trolley! I've been after one for ages, my local Ikea is always sold out.
I love the suggestions for starting new traditions - the cakes, gingerbread etc are really good, and makes Christmas more than how much presents they get.
You 've all given me really good ideas (I need to write them down).
I just asked the kids what they want for xmas - dd1 wants more Goosebumps books, and dd2 wants new slippers Lol, so I think I've been worry ing for nothing.

Re: art supplies - when my kids were smaller I made them personal art supply boxes. I used plastic fishing tackle containers and filled them with paper cut outs, stamps and various adornments - scrapbooking-type supplies, I guess. Then put their name on the box using letter shapes. They loved them so much that I started making them for friends' children and they've been a bit hit.

That sounds lovely, scrapbooking was mentioned on this thread. I thinj itd be something my dcs would like

My DC are a similar age and I don't think they actually notice if we spend significantly more or significantly less. They'd unaware still of the value of most things & don't care if something is second hand.
Do you have a Wii or something similar? If so, keep an eye out on local selling pages for some "new" games.
If you want a game to play, put ones you're interested in into camelcamel and wait for the price to drop on Amazon.
Pop into Primark or H&M from time to time & pick up some nice clothes or PJs for them. If they like accessories, keep a look out for Claire's bargains.
As well as craft sets, what about some baking sets. Buy them some sprinkles & icing and that sort of stuff. Other than putting them & taking them out of the oven, my two make fairy cakes and the decorate them single handedly - sadly they don't do the same with the clearing up

Bandthen - just had another thought, try "The Works" shop for crafting materials, they are reasonably priced, and do stock scrapbook stickers etc.,

Op your still at a good age to bulk out with second hand stuff - they love it just as much. We have had to be creative for years, one years hit was a disney dress brought from car boot sale at 50p and another year someone was giving away for free loads of disney figures...again another hit and free