This Christmas already feels very different. More frugal but also very much less stressful because of the things I have decided to do and not do.
I am not buying gifts for all and sundry this year. Only buying for my parents, partner, niece, nephew and one best friend.
To that end: Not buying for brother and SIL this year, we have come to an agreement to not buy for each other and our partners. I will of course buy for my niece and nephew, get what they want/need. Usually I go OTT buying them loads but this year they are getting one toy of their choices. They have too much stuff and it's all a waste of money just flung in a corner after a while. So single toy, a good item of clothing and a book each is the new plan for the kids xmas gifts.
For my parents, there will be no buying lots of tat, food hampers, booze etc this year. I am buying my mother a new winter coat, my father insulated trousers and my brother and I are going to go halves together to fill their oil tank because they are afraid of putting the heating on with current prices.
As for my friends group. I have already messaged all of them saying I won't be doing gifts this year and instead I am going to make a donation for half the amount I would have spent on tat for all the friends and give it to our local SVP who aids local struggling families. It is a good compromise. I save money while also helping those in my local area. I had quite a few friends messaging me back with thanks at the message, so many people relieved to not have to buy reciprocal presents this year reduces stress and expense. It really shows how much is a social obligation to keep up appearances that is actually maybe hurting ourselves and others. And really, my friends can buy their own bottles of gin or whatever, and I can do without another spa/food/wine/novelty clothes gift thing.
Same with cousins and aunts. Have said I will be doing the annual Christmas visits as usual but that I am making a donation to charity to SVP rather than presents this year and would appreciate it if they did the same. Bless my aunts they were very understanding, and my cousins are relieved. Everyone is feeling the cost of living pinch.
Not doing xmas work dinner out or secret Santa at work this year. It's another £40 I can save instead of spending it on a mediocre meal which feels like an obligation than fun a lot of the time. And thats before the bar bill to get through the night and the taxi cost home. The tenner for secret santa too is saved rather than wasted and no stress getting something for a colleague I might barely know and receiving tat in return. School I work in has a really loud morale type who has been moaning already that the number of people for the work xmas dinner is down and the number signing up for the secret Santa is way down. Calling people mean and scrouges...easy for him to say in his SLT job with no actual teaching responsibilities, driving a new Mercedes and living in a house he inherited with no mortgage and his parents doing free childcare. Oblivious twat. I refuse to be pressured into these expenses anymore because of social expectations and the petty words of the equivalent of the popular kids in the staff room.
Not buying loads of chocolate, luxury Christmas type novelty foods or 'party food.' I always overstuff the fridge and freezer and end up snacking on brie, battered prawns, mozzarella sticks, chicken goujons, mince pieces, mini beef wellingtons and a dozen other miniature Christmas party food items out of sheer gluttony at this time of year. Visitors will get some biscuits or a slice of cake this year or a slice of homemade strudel and homemade mulled wine.
Not sending Christmas cards this year at all. I am going to make a point to wattsapp video call relatives in foreign lands between now and xmas to have a proper conversation instead of wasting money on cards and international postage.
I will not be lighting the fire as often this year. The cost of coal and wood has skyrocketed. It will only be lit Christmas eve, xmas day, boxing day, new year eve and new year day this year. I will miss the atmosphere of a lovely fire in the sitting room on dark evenings but I can't justify the cost.