God I'm so stressed

[MrsSnape]

I've usually finished by now but I seem to have loads still to do and can't believe christmas is only next week!

I've just spent my holiday money on buying DS1's final present I still have to buy for my mum and sister, I havn't bought any cards yet and I'm so skint I don't know how I'm going to do it.

Any suggestions? Anyone else feeling stressed about it all?

Oh and I havn't even finished buying for their stockings yet. I'm going to cut my credit card up before I get tempted. I've done so well getting the balance down, I don't want to fall for that again now

MrsSnape - STOP BUYING

I thought you had got them a Wii to share?

I have, that's why it needs two remotes. It's only got one with it I'm not buying them anything else but I still have everything else to buy. I'm worrying about my holiday, It should be paid off by now but it still has £300 left to pay. Everytime I save up, I end up drawing it out for christmas. I had £100 in my holiday account last week, now it's down to £0 again.

Do you have a list ??? If not go and do one now. Only put on it the bare minmum that you still need to buy, no extras at all.

Your ds's have the wii yes ? Have they anything else ??

um what did you need to spend on ds1 that's cleared your holiday fund right out, if you had already got them a WII?

But my boys got a wii to share last year and they still only have one remote. It does not matter.

I think you are going to have to bite the bullet with presents for anyone else and say to them you cannot afford it.

Please, do not spend anymore.

Are the holiday company waiting for the money? or was it a timescale that you had set?

Are you going to family for xmas lunch or do you stay at home?

We have had a wii for over a year and use it nearly every day and are only buying a second remote now.

Do you have any Tesco Clubcard vouchers? I have used mine to buy the extra wii remote, nunchuck and Mario Kart, I only had to put about £5 towards it all.

If you're cooking xmas lunch, there are great tips here

I'm going to get all the presents out in a minute and make a list of what I have and what I still need to buy.

The £100 didn't just go on DS, I spent £30 of it on a wii game, the rest went on gas and electric tokens, water bill, food etc etc I don't understand it, I used to do so well with money and now I'm absolutely terrible.

I'm staying home for christmas. I'd like to cook a meal but DS2 has told me he won't eat it and there isn't much point just cooking for me and DS1

Tbh, if you are that strapped for cash, do not make up any xmas stockings. You have said before that your DC's have been ungrateful, so I think for once you are going to have to think what the consequences are of overspending.

They are also going on holiday to Florida in 2009 - so they are not exactly going short are they?

take the wii back, by one after Christmas, they can put their money towards it if they still want one.

We've probably spent £40 max on out 3 younger ones (3,5, 6) and more on the eldest (12) because she'd like a camera but she is literally getting a camera, hair straighteners (off freecycle), selection pack 75p, some make up £6, and a bos of sweets £1. We looked at spending £50-£80 on a camera for her and just got one that was a good deal. She has to wait unitil her birthday for the memory card!

Thanks for that link tugamommy, we have just come out of our financial hole but we still want to be careful so those food ideas will be really useful.

Mrs Snape why will your ds2 not eat Christmas dinner? Can you not do a chicken instead?

Do they know they have a Wii? If you are in a real hole can you not take it back. My dd wants a wii but wants don't always get luckily a mumsnetter is passing on a dolls house and she will get things fromo other people.

Sorry but it sounds as if you are going to be hard pushed to afford this holiday Get the kids to make cards or be very selective who you send to and presents if needs be(ie plants bulbs in a jar or pot which they have decorated). Stop letting them dictate what you can eat, if they are hungry and have no alternatives they will eat it, and how much you spend. They need to understand they cannot have endless presents and treats on a whim and an expensive holiday.