Frugxmas 16

[Toberich]

Anyone care to swap ideas on frugal xmas 16 ? I love xmas but not the expense - all ideas welcome !

Ah. I didn't know that.

Of course, it doesn't need to be 'gifts' I suppose? Just anything you need to buy.

How long might you have to leave them there in your experience, Badders? ( Just thinking about the lead time required here.)

Depends...some stiff you get a small discount within 2/3 days
Always worth checking out the daily deals too - got a fab gift for ds1 last Xmas
Collectors edition should have been £75 for £25

Yes...anything

Does anyone have any ideas for stockpiling groceries for Xmas ? Reason DH is now in charge of weekly shop on a tight budget & is doing stunningly (oh the relief I hated it). I reckon he could squeeze in an extra item or 2 that would come in handy for Xmas... But can't think what ! Alcohol not an option as I'd find a reason to party 😂

Things like crackers, crisps, nuts, tinned goods, meringues, Chocs, sweets, dried fruit, preserves like Jams, pickles and relishes.
Uht milk (for emergencies)
Dried things like pasta, rice, mustard, sauces, baking goods if you like Xmas baking.
Also things like those foil trays, baking parchment, foil, cling film, and disposable plates cups etc if you do any Xmas entertaining.

I pick up food items from now onwards with a January Sell By date, at least. I don't do individual adult presents anymore but will often do a family hamper. They can be as expensive or cheap as you like ( though I find the most expensive thing is usually the basket). I also make a lot of handmade stuff which cuts costs. We don't have a huge family but I know some families set a budget and buy for one member each.

Oh wow brilliant I couldn't think of one thing & couldn't really ask DH to get Xmas presents. Am going to write a list and create a Christmas cupboard (to complement dh's disaster supplies cupboard) 🙂👍🏻

We're doing kris kindle hopefully both sides will cut energy not so much costs 🙂

Ha ha! We have a Christmas cupboard. My colleagues think I'm crazy.

They won't be laughing when they're panic buying !

Not wholly in the spirit of the thread, I know, but for anyone that likes Xmas puddings, keep an eye open for the hugely reduced ones that many shops sell after Xmas. They seem to keep for just ages and a slice or two blasted in a microwave and slathered with cream or custard is a great quick pudding.

In terms of Christmas early grocery shopping, I write a list of all the stuff I need for Christmas dinners / festive meals and then work out what has to be fresh and what is cupboard stuff. If you can get to Christmas and just need veg and meat and bread it's so much easier. I buy all my Christmas meat in aldi. It's brilliant.

(Marking my place :-) )

Love aldi & love pudding 😍

I think that the trick is keeping to that list that you make up. There seems to be a great deal of 'We might need ..........' And then people go out again and WMN for New Year!

How many birds are given things like Mini-pretzels in February because they've reached their BBE and people can't face them?

Actually good idea - we always make Xmas pudding but could buy 1-2 items ev week & reduce the cost yay.

Yeah true 😂I have to say tho we don't go too mad on extra food but still it's nice to have nice things in.

It is nice - but one Xmas on .....more precise fare doesn't mean that every Xmas in your life needs to be.

My own nemesis is double cream. If I had the cash for every tub of cream that I'd bought rashly and then had to chuck out, I'd be a happy bunny.

I turn it into butter and freeze it if I don't use it / know I won't use it.

Ah but you see - I always think that we'll use everything that I buy. We rarely do.

If I had to share one hard lesson, it would be to try your darnedest to buy treats that can be frozen or stored. That way, you can still feel good about cupboards but not lose too much money.

Ok so can chocolate be frozen ? Ie usably in that you could stick it in a cake 🍰

Ah. That's a very long BBE. One of the things that lasts and lasts - although not as long as Xmas puds. I think you'll find that most chocolate wil last until the Autumn of next year if allowed to.

I'm glad I'm not the best only one thinks by of Christmas! Clearly place marking! I definitely need to buy less chocolate / snacks this year as we still have some left over!!

Got some Xmas kids (relations) presents yesterday reduced in Tesco to half price ! Will put them in the Xmas box 😀