How much have you actually spent this year?

[Frankswife87]

Hi mumsnetters! I'm really sorry this has been asked so many times but how much have you spent on Christmas this year ? Have you actually sat down and went through your spending? I was inspired by reading the thread regarding the spending twitch we all get at Christmas and it made me laugh as I've had to force myself this week to stop buying unnecessary stuff for my dd's, I actually thought I was on plan with my budget for my dd's , oh how wrong could I have been I sat down and worked out I'd actually spent double my proposed budget per dd's! I'm actually discusted with myself but my DH told me that the dd's knever ask or get much during the year as we are always budgeting and have had such a bad run of luck this year

Too much. £400 on friends and small family. £200 on DC1, £450 on DC2.

(£150 on myself )

About £800 due to a profit share bonus from work this year paid in November so a bit of a spree was had 1st week of December.

I honestly don’t have a clue how much I’ve spent, I know it’s over £5000 though.
I spent £600 on food today (got more to buy)
£1400 on two balsam hill trees
£750 in a garden centre on Christmas decorations and serving plates.
On presents I actually don’t know, and I’d hate to really know how much we have spent. Normally we go away for Christmas but this year is our first Xmas in new house, next year I think we will go away, a lot cheaper!

Ds presents 600, food shop 100 & about 250 on family presents probably an extra 200 on socialising. I’m going away next year and sticking to 500 quid budget (excluding holiday) if it kills me

A lot
But I LOVE the fact that very small family so every present is a proper present that will really be appreciated rather than buying for third cousin twice removed

Probably about £1k, we don't set a budget or keep track exactly.
Kids both have Nintendo switches and 2 games each plus one to share. Plus clothes, bfg monopoly and a couple of other small bits. We only do food Xmas day (frozen turkey crown) but do have lots of snacks treats in.

We've spent around £230 on the the DC's main Christmas present (one has an electric drum set and the other the bits to make a gaming PC) and then prob around £50-75 more on other bits and pieces. Stocking fillers I've no idea as I have been getting them throughout the year.

We've spent £40 on one nieces present and then others have £20 vouchers for something they would like attached to a box of chocs! Adults are having homemade stuff that I've made over the last month....

£220 on travel
£165 roughly on siblings/parents
£150 on DD
I'm going to say £100 on DH in the very vague hope that it's not more but it probably is.
Hardly any on food as parents are hosting

Really, really desperate to go out and buy more as don't feel we have enough for family but I'm trying my best to stop myself.

I budgeted £300 with the intention of this being half the overall budget once DH had split the cost with me.

I think I spent around £400 in total. DH didn’t split the cost of any pressies with me in the end, but he paid for some other bits and bobs so it evened out.

Also save with park - I opt for the “ your choice “ cards and have already ordered for 2019... in total including park vouchers , 3 DCs, food , DH & family about 1500£

£700 with everyone’s gift and about £15 on food.

I don't know...

DD (15) £250
DS (5) £90
DSD (15) £80
DSS (12) £70
OH (43) £60
Parents (oldish) £50
Friends (2 adults, 2 children) £40
Grandparents (2) £20
Food £70 (snacks and alcohol, dinner is being done at SIL's)
2 secret Santa's £20

Total: £750

First time I've worked it out.

I saved through the year with Park for vouchers. I only work 16 hours and am a single parent (OH and I live separately, so finance separate)

Next year I'm ditching Park and have set up a Post Office savings account. I found the Park vouchers quite restrictive this year, with DD wanting things that aren't covered by them.

Too much, prob 1.5 x my budget😱.
But spent way less than budget last year, so swings and roundabouts.
So long as you can afford it - I feel it's up to you.

4 DC, couple of relatives and food I reckon £650

@ alfiesmam yes we got the your choice cards from park . We have orders them for 2019 too. I hope everyone had a wonderful time

I'd estimate about £700-£800. We have 5dc though

£533 between 5 kids.
£53 on my best friend and her kids.
£32 on my ex from the kids.

I'd saved £600 so not too bad.

Food wise I didn't buy much extra than a normal weekly shop. Just some extra snacks, crisps and dips. I had £25 worth of vouchers that I'd saved up for Christmas though.