What is your Christmas budget?

[KittyPup]

I’m considering trying to cut back a bit this year as DH thinks I go a bit mad at Christmas. I’m not sure I agree so I’m just gauging what others do.

I put away £250pm all year and everything Christmas related comes out of that 3k. This includes gifts for our 2dc (approx £400 each), gifts for each other and dc in the family, Christmas food shop, Father Christmas trip, Christmas jumpers, any new decorations / wreath making workshop, fresh tree etc. Basically anything Christmas related in December and then the day itself and a few days in between.

Can I ask what your Christmas budget is? Or do you just not track as you’d rather not know?

I ve never seen christmas as a grab bag for presents and excessive food.

That's before you get into all the tat you ve mentioned, such as a wreath making workshop and christmas jumpers.

Unpopular, but I spend a lot of it in church. Beautiful music. Genuine meaning. Peace and goodwill to all. I love advent.It's one of the most dramatic church services of the year. The carol concerts are amazing.

Presents for my nearest and dearest, but nothing excessive, same goes for food.

Budgeting £400 each on stuff for children is just obscene.

I don't have a budget as I don't see it that way

The wreath making workshop I’ve been to in the past is run by the church and held in the church. It raises money for the church. Does that make it less “tat”? Also, what’s tat about making a wreath out of foliage?

My post wasnt addressed at you was it?

It was to the OP who said her wreath workshop costs £150 among all the other tens of thousands she spends on nothing.

Adult reading comprehension is so awful.

I have a DD 14 and a DS 22 he asks for nothing she asks for everything! I have spent roughly so far on my DD about 1430ish and still have clothes/shoes bits left to do for her and have just started buying my son his presents but will do most of his in December as he’s easy to shop for! I don’t buy presents for anyone else and I don’t budget for presents just get what they want and I don’t budget for Christmas food.

Mine varies year to year. This year:

Gifts - DC £200, nieces & nephews £50 each (£450), friends children £50 each (£150), DMum, DMIL, DGran & DSis £50 each (£200) - Gift total £1,000
Food - £250
Booze - £250, this will also cover New Year and there's usually plenty left over

We've booked to go Lapland UK this year - £600
Iceskating & lunch - £250
Panto & lunch - £250
School Mums Xmas party - £50
2 x works Xmas party - £200
Xmas dinner & drinks with friends - £100
Friends Xmas party - £50

Money towards teachers, TAs, school staff gifts - £50
Miscellaneous (there's bound to be something I've forgotten!) - £100
That's over £3,000 total.

It's the first time that I've totted it up and it's a lot. I have a big family and it's quite expensive for panto, iceskating and restaurants where I am. We're very fortunate to be able to do all this.

Yes, I don't agree that wreath making is tat. It's surely a very traditional pastime?

I usually buy through the year but because im.noving this year I haven't. Big mistake spending more now x