Brexit affecting this Christmas versus others?

[LondonLaura]

Just curious if anyone else is noticing that Christmas this year is different financially, perhaps as a result of Brexit downturn? Is anyone else changing things cutting back slightly with the insecurity of March coming or is it just me?

I don't even drink much but might need to turn to it, given the potential situation.

Definitely thinking about alcohol being useful to barter, though really, really hope it does not come to that

@backintime
PIL are suddenly talking about scaling back on presents this year. Apparently the value of their pensions and investments have gone down and they are worried that things will get worse. They voted leave but I can see that reality is finally starting to hit them.

That is really interesting, do you know if they have changed their minds at all?

We’ve decided this will be our last Christmas in the UK - I’m from Belgium and have been here since I was five and DH, French Canadian, came to the UK when he was 21. We weren’t entitled to vote in the referendum but have decided that the UK isn’t somewhere we want to continue to live. Deciding where to move to is our major issue now not Brexit.

@Parker231

Sorry to hear that but don't blame you at all. The Brexit vote has made very clear out view on immigrants. Hopefully things will be better for you in another country. We have only British passports, I really wish it was easier for us to move, the UK isn't a country I want to be in either.

Have cut back this Christmas.Well daughter has lots anyway and she needs to learn she can’t have everything.
I have always with a few exceptions lived life thinking of the financial future,ie putting a bit away when I can,paying off mortgage when I can.
Whilst out shopping noticed fewer people around but those that are not carrying bags.I say shopping,I’m the type who can buy nothing but just be wandering around.
Relative works in retail.Says her branch been down last three months as are other branches in the chain.
Brexit yes it’s a part of it,but it is more than that.
People haven’t got the money.
Housing is taking it all.
Too many minimum wage jobs which barely pay the bills.
Too many households use to being on high benefits that have been switched to universal credit and now the money and spending has gone.

Well I've spent less this Xmas but the main reason for that is a growing unease about consumerism and waste in general. I used to do big stockings even when the DCs got older,starting buying bits earlier in the year until I had loads of little bits.We've all agreed it's not necessary and we can have just as lovely a time without 'stuff' -especially with all the packaging and plastic.Thats a huge factor for me tbh.We will spend a bit more on a trip to the cinema or a couple of meals out.

I ve cut back this year lots. Partly because I think Christmas has got too commercial, I just don't want to buy loads of plastic tat anymore. It's environmental too.

We have spent Money sorting the house out and painting and doing building work so the house is sorted and we have decided to stay here indefinitely. We are also saving heavily and just not spending carelessly. I have spent significantly less this Christmas than normally.

I think people just have less Money and are feeling austerity. When I did go Christmas shopping the shops felt very quiet. I am not surprised retailers are struggling

I'm also shopping more locally with smaller independent retailers where I can find more original gifts..I hate to see the high street struggling but the way Xmas retailing starts ever earlier,the piles of gift boxed tat and the relentless push to spend over recent years have left me cold.

We've blown the budget this year as it may be our last 'good' Christmas for quite a while.

Same here, Snuggle. Christmas spending decisions unrelated to Brexit.

Brexit is getting the blame for this, but surely the fact consumer debt peaked recently is the actual cause? Same as someone else mentioned housing upthread, house prices had hit their ceiling before the Brexit effect, it just coincided with affordability being at its most stretched. Consumerism, with its effect on peoples finances and the environment, was falling out of favour before we voted out.

What goes up must come down.

There are a few Christmas related threads on aibu (as you'd expect at this time of year) and you think honestly, if shitty presents from your SIL are your only worries this Christmas you must really live a charmed life! How quaint. It's a bit like hobbits in Lord of the Rings, blissfully unaware of the badass villain about to unleash chaos and destruction!
Seriously though, I still think consequences of no deal have really sunk in yet and I worry about people's reactions when they do.

DH and I decided no presents this year, just presents for the kids.

Our 6 year old business we built up, ended with brexit.

Any spending is on our house, we have cut back everywhere (have done for a while now). No clothes, haircuts, going out, eating out, takeaways, treats, cinema, swimming, kids clubs, nothing at all.

Yet I still feel superbly lucky to have a home, gorgeous family, and know we’re doing ok.

Next year, frightens me.

@gluteustothemaximus , you sound like a practical and dynamic person who has hit a sticky patch. I'm sorry you are worried and I share your worry.
I sure you personally and your will find a way of making it work.
I hope this doesn't sound patronising and I hope you get "back on the beam " soon x

I've cut back this Christmas but not really because of Brexit, just because I also share the views that it has become too commercial and there is too much plastic (and other) tat.

Also I am giving up my job next month to work freelance (I guess if there's no deal and no work I'll have plenty of time to queue up for the rations - maybe this is also the secret plan of people like JRM to get women back into the kitchen where they belong if there are no jobs for them).

I suspect there will be a bit of a consumer boom in the next few weeks as people buy stuff they need while they can still get it.

All that said, is this government parliament really going to inflict a no deal on us?

I've cut back due to environmental reasons and I know I'm not alone.

bellinisurge thank you, what a lovely thing to say. I wish you well for next year too x

I went to Manchester today. It is noticeably quieter than 2-3 weeks ago. Both visits mid week. Austerity has been a lobster coming to the boil over the last 8 years. I think Brexit implications are starting to hit home with the confidence vote and the non vote on TM's "deal".

We went to a lovely outlet shopping centre this evening. Had a lovely time browsing and looking at the lights. Spent £10 on new shoes for DS2 in Clark’s sale.

Didn’t see many people there. People that were there were not buying, no big shopping bags, just lots of browsing.

Everything seemed way too expensive, and none of it we ‘needed’. I really wanted to buy some make up, but I couldn’t justify it in the end. The shoes were needed.

DH and I have only spent a very small amount on each other for christmas. With the DC we have bought them quite a few experience gifts rather than lots of "things". Plus practical stuff they need anyway like trainers, sports bags for school, heated throws etc.

After Christmas I'm stocking up on non perishables. I will basically bulk buy the washing powder, toiletries, cleaning products etc that we will need for the year. We are lucky that we have plenty of storage space and currently have the cash to do it.

It's made not a jot of difference here.

Same spending, same food & drink, same friends round.

We also usually do a new years party which costs a good few hundred pounds. This year we are not doing it. Quiet night in instead. It feels too extravagant when we don't know what might be around the corner.

Didn’t see many people there.

I've done all my shopping online this year.

I'd only go to the highstreet if I was buying glasses or a house.

Retail parks are my idea of hell at this time of year.

I bought all my presents on one day & had them delivered, there's just one more to arrive.

I shall certainly be doing the same next year!! Much more relaxed all round.