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Christmas

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

How are you planning to buy gifts this year?

93 replies

Cherryrainbow · 24/02/2022 21:59

Do you have a budget in mind? Do you focus on quantity instead of budget? Are you going minimal or splurging? Buying throughout the year or later on? How are you thinking of doing it? Just curious :)

OP posts:
Legoisthebest · 25/02/2022 17:09

Yeah yeah yeah.... it's almost March and this is the Xmas thread.
But.... I just find it odd. Someone up thread mentioned they have bought their daughter a desk and arts stuff for next Christmas (unless I read that wrong and it was the Xmas just gone?). Where would you even store a desk for 10 months and by next December a kid of 7 could be totally over arts and crafts and into Pokémon/football/collecting toy frogs/Goosebumps books/whatever....

Cherryrainbow · 25/02/2022 17:10

I think I overdid it last year for the kids tbh because i stuck to a budget, I found ways to get bargains and get more within the funds. there was just so much stuff and though there was stuff that was loved and appreciated there's also stuff untouched. So I'm planning to be more mindful this year.

I'm thinking of trying to do no more than 10 gifts this year per kid, that's including 'stocking fillers' and selection boxes. I'm going to spread the buying of gifts over each month, I'm usually done and wrapped by November.

Im juggling the idea of having categories such as something creative, something to experience (even if its a gift card to pizza hut or whatever), a themed gift box e.g. character pjs and book for little one. Last year the older ones listed 3 things they wanted nearer to Xmas so I think I will stick with that for their wants this year.

For my OH we normally set a budget of 50-100 on each other.

OP posts:
Opal8 · 25/02/2022 17:13

My 2 are 18 and 13 and they LOVE a Stocking still....😊

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 25/02/2022 17:42

Bear inmind , if you buy too early , you peak too early and you'll be leaving yourself wide open to THE TWITCH

As you were Xmas Wink

Over-use of Christmas emojies there

Opal8 · 25/02/2022 17:46

Omg...the twitch!

(Shudder)

ilovetea14 · 25/02/2022 19:10

@Legoisthebest yes you read that right. I have it in my attic where I put all my Christmas stuff. Don't worry got her Pokémon stuff too,she's not into football.

List of stuff I bought
IKEA desk/chair as she's quite talk for her age and will use it a lot
Fnf colouring books x2
Fnf stickers
Playfoam with cards
Aqua dragon under water world
Box of Pokémon cards
Diary
Scurf a luv
Case of twistables
Sticker work shop
Colour explosion
Bookeez
Paint sticks
Will get bathbombs closer to the time.
I know she will love all of these.

If you don't like that people are talking about Christmas or that they have presents bought maybe don't come on to the Christmas board it's not for everyone 🎅🎅🎅

Duracellbunnywannabe · 25/02/2022 19:16

It’s a bit early for me too even though I love Christmas.

We are thinking of reducing who we buy gifts books. And again to try and not buy too much for the DCs.

Legoisthebest · 25/02/2022 19:26

ilovetea but if you think she will get use out of a desk what's the point in it sitting in the attic for ten months? Who knows what the craze/popular thing will be in 10 months? Something that might not have even been invented yet...
Still, your money, your kid. I just think it's weird.

Opal8 · 25/02/2022 19:45

Both mine have ikea micke desks...they are so useful and look great in their rooms

For ds2 we teamed it with led lights and light up mouse mat 😊

ilovetea14 · 25/02/2022 19:50

@Legoisthebest Lots of people think I'm weird when it comes to Christmas but each to their own. I understand what your saying about getting use out of it now. I got it had a really good price so that's the main reason why I bought it.

My kids have never been into what the next craze is thank god, they are both easy to buy for and always grateful for what they get. I'm very early this year with my DD but I had money saw stuff I knew she would love so bought them.

InvincibleInvisibility · 25/02/2022 19:56

We're moving overseas this summer so I have massively decluttered. No way do I want to buy a lot for Christmas (especially as we ll be flying home for Christmas so have suitcase issues)

I now have a dilemma. My 2 will be 11 and 8. I don't want to buy pointless toys/things that won't be used. But they are too young to just have experience presents. I want them to be able to open things. Also, to soften the move (7000 km to a small island where they know no one) we ll be equipping them with fun stuff like trampoline, table tennis table, snorkeling kit etc. When we arrive in August....

If anyone has any brilliant ideas I'm all ears! Our Christmases are already really low key. My parents ask for a meal out and buy us theatre tickets. MIL wants nothing. DH and I give each other 1 or 2 presents each max. Just seems so sad if the boys have nothing to open.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 25/02/2022 20:27

I live in hope that this year I might get to put the tree up and my lovely but savage little felines won't attack it .
Yr 1 - tree was up < 4 days
Yr 2 - tree was up

CrazyBaubles · 25/02/2022 20:37

Ah I really dislike when posters pop up on this board to moan it's too early to be talking about Christmas - this is the exact place for it (and is why I love this corner of mn so much) Xmas Grin

To answer your question OP, I'm hoping to continue the plan with ILs to buy presents for a local children's charity instead of for each other. We've done in for the last 2 years and all agree it's a much better way to spend the money.
I'm planning to continue buying a book for all the kids I buy for (as well as a toy or something suitable) - I've started noticing over the last year or 2 that they're being read over and over then passed around as the children are growing out of them and older siblings are reading them to younger ones which is lovely.

I'd like to splurge on DH and surprise him but I try that every year and never pull it off.

I try and focus on quality rather than quantity and will continue trying to buy ethical presents where I can. I try to buy things that will last, and I note down things people mention throughout the year so I can get them something they like. This usually includes some homemade gifts (they are requested).

I start considering what to buy and researching prices etc in September and start buying in October when I get a bonus. Aim is always to have finished shopping by end of November so I can enjoy the run up.
This year we're booked to go away for Christmas so it's going to be even more important to be organised.

70 if I can bring my lovely potted tree back to life (after I pretty much cooked him over Christmas last year), he'll be staying outside this year as we're away so we'll have the artificial, snow flocked one up but it won't have any decorations on it....

Iseeyoulookingatme · 26/02/2022 13:23

I always buy throughout the year, if I see something ds would like I buy it and save it for Christmas. I also save £50 a month towards Christmas so that will cover some last minute gifts, his main present and food. Although it's just me and ds at the moment so I'm not spending as much money as I normally would. I've already got quite a few bargains so far.

coodawoodashooda · 26/02/2022 22:03

I bought 3 pairs of slippers and 3 hats in tesco today, all PlayStation. £6 in total. The stocking fillers stress me out. So expensive. I have to buy throughout the year.

InvincibleInvisibility · 27/02/2022 07:33

I only do stockings for the DC and its mainly consumables: chocolate, sweets, maybe pens. At most a game of top trumps or a book. If I need to fill it up I ll get them a bottle of drink they rarely have

Chocomelon · 27/02/2022 07:39

I was somewhat minimal this year as I am on maternity leave. I think I have a tendency to spend without thinking over the Christmas period so I plan not to do that again this year. Similar family gifts like chocolates or wine for extended family and something nice for close family and close friends.

I have always ended up buying all DH family gifts and cards (birthdays and Christmas) but I am moving away from they as frankly he doesn't appreciate it. I will send them
Christmas cards.

I usually have a budget in mind for extended family or less close friends but for those close i just focus on what I think they would like.

FuzzyPenguin · 27/02/2022 07:55

I have started saving money but not bought anything yet, normally start around July once the bulk of the birthdays are done. Although if I see a good deal I am there.

duvetdayforeveryone · 27/02/2022 08:07

The definition of Christmas: the annual Christian festival celebrating Christ's birth, held on 25 December in the Western Church.

What the 25th December is like in the UK: A day presents and cash are exchanged, usually what people have asked for, for no reason apart from tradition. Presents are given, then people go back onto the internet for sales shopping so they can buy presents for next years 25th December present exchange.

I have no idea what celebrating Christ's birth and the sheer level of materialism madness have in common.

CrackerGal · 27/02/2022 08:25

I've been organised for dd1 this year because last year I felt disorganised with her stocking fillers & she's not hard to buy for!
I've raided the Next Victoria Secrets sale for her since January & got enough body mists & body moisturisers to make a hamper. Also got her a tote bag & a mini perfume set same brand.
Got each of my kids a Victoria secrets sherpa blanket too.
Also picked up various jewellery bits for the actual stocking & bits from boots!
I usually ask my kids around October what they actually want & try to fulfill that.
I've found you can't buy too far ahead from the sales for kids unless you're sure because what they're into changes so much.
I'm determined to be more organised this year & also not to spend too much.

CrackerGal · 27/02/2022 08:27

@duvetdayforeveryone

The definition of Christmas: the annual Christian festival celebrating Christ's birth, held on 25 December in the Western Church.

What the 25th December is like in the UK: A day presents and cash are exchanged, usually what people have asked for, for no reason apart from tradition. Presents are given, then people go back onto the internet for sales shopping so they can buy presents for next years 25th December present exchange.

I have no idea what celebrating Christ's birth and the sheer level of materialism madness have in common.

Not everyone is deeply religious though?
Christmas was originally pagan too.

CrackerGal · 27/02/2022 08:29

@70isaLimitNotaTarget

DH and I buy our own (from joint account ) I'll order from QVC/M&S He'll buy from Amazon

Money for DS (his choice)
DD usually gives a list but I go shopping with her to get her to pick something .
DD and DS are adults (19 and 22) . I still do a hamper but it's Dec1st not Christmas Eve
Loungewear/Pyjamas (winter not Christmas)
Underwear (branded)
Toiletries
Sweets
Mug for DD

I buy the Dec 1st things in November ( the bags are years old and get dug out for the occasion Xmas Grin )

No changes planned , ir's worked ok, but my DC are dissapointingly laid back and I may need to trade them in Xmas Wink

I like your list!
Also like Dec 1st idea instead of Xmas eve. I usually give out pjs & fluffy socks on Xmas eve.

CrackerGal · 27/02/2022 08:30

@70isaLimitNotaTarget

Bear inmind , if you buy too early , you peak too early and you'll be leaving yourself wide open to THE TWITCH

As you were Xmas Wink

Over-use of Christmas emojies there

Wait ..
Wdym? 😄

SushiGo · 27/02/2022 08:32

I start buying gifts in the summer. I buy a set number each - although it's not always the same each year, I do think it works better than having a budget per child because little ones toys are often much cheaper, and loads of items to bring the cost up is overwhelming for them.

I put away money each month as well, which is to cover the extra food and day trips in December.

CrackerGal · 27/02/2022 08:33

[quote 70isaLimitNotaTarget]I live in hope that this year I might get to put the tree up and my lovely but savage little felines won't attack it .
Yr 1 - tree was up < 4 days
Yr 2 - tree was up