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Christmas - anyone else worried about it ?

17 replies

crinklemicrochips · 02/10/2011 16:54

Just that really, just wondered if anyone else is worried about the financial impact of it, it's hard enough to manage as it is and I don't think it's going to happen this year :(

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fuckityfuckfuckfuck · 02/10/2011 16:58

How old are the dc? Start looking around and buying now, and, particuarly if they're young, secondhand is the way to go. I did the NCT sale last weekend and got ds's presents mostly sorted, he got a Thomas laptop which he always plays with at nursery and a few more bits and pieces, including some cheap Brio and colouring bits. Books can cost mere pence in charity shops. My dd is 7 and slightly more tricky to buy for, but she likes crafty things so I'm going into Poundland every few weeks and stocking up on things for her. Do't buy into the idea that Christmas needs to cost a fortune. It really doesn't. Last year I didn't buy a single thing brand new and the pile under the tree was very impressive :)

crinklemicrochips · 02/10/2011 17:11

Hi, thanks fuckity, I have 3dc, ds7, dd9 and ds10, some good ideas there, thank you.
Will def have a look in poundland when I'm in town next and am going to keep an eye out in charity shops, as you say it doesn't need to cost much :)

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TheHappyCamper · 02/10/2011 19:04

Today I bought for dd's (2.6) stocking at Poundland - toystory3 bubble bath, medium sized digger, small selection box, colouring book, toystory3 jessie socks, and from LIDL a big bag of chocolate coins total price £6! I have been picking stuff up on ebay for around £2 inc postage eg gruffalo notebook and toothbrush, peppa pig socks etc.

She will love all these things and we would rather spread out the day a bit rather than get 1 or 2 big presents that she plays with for 5 mins!

Oh and amazon seem to have a few bits on clearance - it's on the bar at the top of the page.

Final thought - any carboots near you? We got last weekend a peppa pig rocket for £1 and I have seen it still online for £25 Shock !!!

What about family? DD's GP's usually ask if there's anything she might particularly like?

TheHappyCamper · 02/10/2011 19:08

I also meant to say, like ffff above, I don't buy into the whole xmas must cost a fortune thing! There are lots of fun things you could do for free even!

Remember their stockings can also include things they would need anyway like pants, socks, tights, wash stuff, stationary items, etc

chelen · 02/10/2011 19:15

Hi, we've worried about Christmas last couple of years as money been annoyingly tight. So charity shops a big help, plus buying things like socks/pyjamas/clothes you would buy anyway and wrapping up to add to pile. Go to your nearest 'posh' area as the stuff in the charity shops will be better (but don't come here as I want it all for mine :) ).

I usually get my parents to skip my pressie and give me the money to boost my budget for the kids.

A good thing for older ones (ours is 8) is to make a voucher for a special day out which can be quite cheap if you pick carefully and spreads cost if you pick something to do in new year.

We also buy things like special pasta/hot choc/nice dried fruit/choc spread/other nice food for stockings as again it pads it out and you would spend some of this cash on food anyway.

We do personal stuff like framed pics of them doing fun things as frames/little photo albums are dead cheap to pick up (obviously these don't come from Father Christmas, he doesn't have time to follow all the kids round all yearWink ).

We give them shared presents for bigger stuff.

We make pressies for relatives like sweets and decorations, I am quite honest about our money situation and don't care if relatives think its small, they are grown ups and can handle the disappointment (except my sister who gets really cross, but that's part of the magic of Christmas in my family, she usually gets grumpy whatever you buy but this way I'm twenty quid up).

Best of luck, I really feel your pain, its another budget Christmas round here this year too.

chelen · 02/10/2011 19:17

And to back up TheHappyCamper above, Father Christmas very keen on personal hygiene round here, he usually gets the bubbles/shampoo/flannels etc for ours and puts in the stocking as well

notsorted · 02/10/2011 19:43

Good to start thinking ahead - makes it less stressful. Mine always like stuff in stockings best. Charity shops great, also freecycle in your area? Perhaps you could ask for a skateboard or something ... kids do grow out of stuff so you might get lucky. And mine always get socks/tights/hair scrunchies etc. How about a little home-made gift card for a treat to somewhere of their choice each in the new year even if it's somewhere you might take them as a treat anyway? Also shops are already having sales and given that times are tight there may be stuff to be had cheaply. Model making kits good - kite making, rocket making if Cass Arts have a website that's worth checking out. Put a message out on local MN thing too. Don't stress and enjoy a trawl round charity shops once a week or whatever.

crinklemicrochips · 02/10/2011 21:51

Thank you HappyCamper, chelen & notsorted going to keep an eye out on freecycle, have a look in poundland for toiletries, stockingfillers, love the idea of giving them a voucher for a day out, and will have a mooch round the charity shops.
Some good ideas there, ta :)

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MissPricklePants · 02/10/2011 22:27

i am making everything for dd's stocking, knitting a scarf, making some chocs, knitting some tiger slippers, weaving a few bracelets and a couple of other things!i am on a tight budget so not going ott with toys!

giggly · 06/10/2011 23:18

I have just got both dd main presents from netmums 2nd hand for £10.
Also picked up pencils/paper etc in Sainsburys really cheap as its the end of their back to school stock.

WibblyBibble · 08/10/2011 22:19

Ebay! Cheaper than shops and also you don't have to trek round for stuff. Can also get good deals on Amazon sometimes, for kids books and have also found random things there (e.g. 'A lunch bag with pictures of horses on' was requested last year) that aren't in shops. Also having overindulgent grandparents helps :P

WibblyBibble · 08/10/2011 22:22

Charity shops can be a bit hit and miss for toys but usually great for books (I don't buy videos/dvds from them after I got one and it didn't work at all, was not nice for daughter or for me to explain to her) and you can get lovely party dresses from them seriously cheap which are nice christmas presents that can be used right away.

mummienatt · 06/12/2013 09:28

Hi yes I'm worried big time .got scammed by a rogue debt management company not so long ago been struggling since and worried sick not got one present and no money to pay for any it's horrible but there's so many people in this situation dreading Xmas my little boy is 6 so not like he doesn't understand Sad nightmare .xx

Minime85 · 06/12/2013 20:13

the range is a good shop too for cheap arts and crafts stuff. I put a little away each month throughout the year too this is my first yr as lp so will be even more important to do that next year.

NewBeginningsSnoopy · 07/12/2013 14:47

Thanks for reminding me to knit scarves!! [Looks for knitting needles]

NewBeginningsSnoopy · 07/12/2013 14:51

I always crack the Christmas money issues by buying things all year round! Bought DDs main present in October, bought DS main present using Tesco clubcard voucher boost so effectively cost me nothing! Only a couple of things left to buy for kids now. Adults still to buy for but biscuit tins only £3 in tesco and cute things to be found here and there in charity shops. Not buying for friends. Just having get-togethers as Christmas lonely for me as a lone parent. This way, I can spend money on wine, chocs to feed people! :-)

Monetbyhimself · 07/12/2013 15:21

My employers do a Christmas savings scheme do the money is deducted monthly Nd then paid out yearly in November. Spread the cost over the year and only dpend what you can afford.

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