What are you not going to buy this year for Christmas that doesn't really matter anyway?

[Travelfairy]

I am going to forego the beauty advent calendar. As much as I like the novelty of it, I only end up using about half of it.
Not going to do an elaborate Santa visit. DS no longer believes, DD does but will be just ss happy to see Santa at my husbands work family party.
Not going OTT for teacher & SNA, I usually do, got DD teacher a 50 euro soa voucher in June and never even got a thank you 🙈
Things i will continue are gifts to bin men/pist man/Dr's secretary etc as i think its good to show gratitude to people who make our lives easier all year round. What will you stop buying? And what will you continue to buy?

Stocking fillers. Neither DC live at home now (one at Uni and one in work), stockings bits all add up to a fair amount and neither can drag all the crap stuff back on the train. Also giving up buying a shit ton of chocolate too, it is also expensive (£6.50 for a box of maltesers!!), no good for us and makes me fat.

A Christmas tree. Last year I decorated my olive tree and nobody cared. Can’t be arsed to drag everything out the loft or spend £70 on something that gets chopped up a month later.

Quality Street. Every year we'd have a bowl of them on our coffee table in the living room. Unfortunately, they now both look and taste depressing rather than festive, so that's that tradition gone out of the window.

Will still get stocking fillers, as everyone says it’s the best bit. Cutting down on main presents.

Not going to bother with personal presents for SIL’s family - will just get wine/chocs as that’s what they get us.

Less Christmas-specific food - particularly puddings, crisps, nuts.

I couldn’t imagine not doing stockings, they’re the best part of the day for my family.

I think we’re going to cut down on snacks this year. Previous years have lasted us quite a while, so we can definitely cut down.

No present for my child’s father.

Will do expensive Santa visit - Lapland Uk

Crackers. Pointless waste for 5 seconds of fun.

Excessive cards

I need to rein in spending on the dc. I was completely distracted by grief last year, and shopped impulsively without consulting my list. I over spent on one, and instead of returning stuff, topped up the other. Then did it again 🙄 so I need to make sure I manage expectations this year.

Stamps for cards. Cards really… might do a select few only.
chocolate for the house- used to buy 2/3 tins of roses or celebrations but cadburys tastes crap now and £7 for a tiny tub is ridiculous- so no more.
No big Santa trip days out. No winter market shite where you pay £6 for hot chocolate and £10 for a ride on a carousel.
No teacher presents as kids at high school- though music teacher will get one and the school office ladies will also get a nice box of biscuits at the start of Dec.
Not going on my works do- £45 saved. So no Xmas outfit needed. £70-85 saved.

I`ve not done christmas for years it was the best thing i ever stopped doing.
I have what i call a deep clean and clear out that day.
Tbvvh i dont do any of the holidays.
The older i got the more i noticed it was just a waste.

I realised a few years ago that I only really liked the toffees and fudges, but still ate the rest of them because they are there so now I buy a couple of bags of wrapped toffees or whatever catches my eye from any supermarket for about £2/3 and put them out in a nice bowl.

So we still have some nice sweets out at Christmas, but not a great tub of ones we don't really care for, nor having to deal with a slightly useless plastic tub, that feels wasteful to put in the recycling bin.

But I agree with @lovethenights Christmas now is too much of a wasteful spendfest for many and I've more or less opted out. I see it as a chance for time off work, and try and get out for a decent walk each day, watch shit TV, see family and friends but spend hardly anything on gifts, decorations, or extra food etc.

Although one of my favourite bits is seeing what good reductions I can find after Christmas. I usually get things like cheese selections, prepared meat, roast potatoes and other sides, mincemeat and fudge, for at least 75% off.

Ohhhh post man, I was so confused lol

This year I am not going to spend any extra on anything Christmas, I have a tree in a box enough decorations to last a lifetime. Dc will still get a small stocking and cash from me.
Xmas day will be simple ham rolls for breakfast and pot luck grazing board late lunch for whoever comes at a time that suits me, previous years we've been accommodating family visiting other families etc. waiting to eat because they decided to stay longer and have dessert together, that type of thing!! Grrrr
Last year I spent a fortune and had 24 people on Christmas Day it was horrendous. I was also working.
And had about 9 people staying for a week.
so this year is about being just a normal day food wise and no more waste on the extras.
can you tell I'm still triggered by last year
and I don't have anyone staying this year (I think/hope 🫣)

We've always gone minimal on Xmas. Christmas is about the atmosphere rather than presents so can't cut back much more there.. however, my dh always buys a radio times magazine for the TV listing. That will not be happening !

Alcohol. We’ve got literally two cupboards still full as both of us are drinking less this year (
(mid to late 50s, two glasses on the same day is really pushing it).

Trees, presents, decorations and food all going ahead though…

The food excess. I love mince pies but I think I’ll just make (instead of buy) one batch this year. Sane for buying double what we normally buy to last us the Xmas week. Why?!

I will continue to spend- too much- on decorating and presents as we still love the magic of Christmas and it gets me through one third of winter!

I’d love not to have to contribute to school and work Christmas gifts as I think they’re a waste of money but I’m too polite!

I’m not going to buy a shit ton of food and snacks for no other reason except that it’s Christmas. We don’t eat it.
I am however doing stockings like every year, I don’t buy presents for the stocking it’s just full of sweets and chocolates.
This year I am thinking of doing Christmas Eve boxes with some pyjamas and hot chocolate and whatever else goes in there. My children are in their twenties and late teens - never too old for a bit of Christmas spirit 😂
I’m just grateful if everyone will be here and well to be able to enjoy Christmas Day, that’s something to celebrate

Crackers. My teens aren't interested anymore. We've done all the good ones over the years and now they don't bother to even pull them. I've saved last years box, there's loads left.

Adult family members have agreed we will do a secret santa game for all the adults.

We will set a decent budget of ~£100, but only need to buy (and receive!) one gift instead of ten.

Mine is minimal anyway. Every other year I tried to go away with the kids. I said that was our tradition … sunshine. They’ve continued that … I can’t afford to now, but it’s better to spend on experiences rather than stuff.

I've agreed with adult DC that we are having a scaled back Christmas this year. We are trying to be more mindful and either buy second hand or locally made gifts but on a smaller scale. I will do stockings though as the kids all love them. Slight exception for 7yo with presents.... although he has already told me he wants a hamster for Christmas 🤨

Last year I planned food better so it did to go to waste. The

I won’t be buying Christmas dinner this year for the 1st time in many years . I’m working nightshift , Christmas Eve, Christmas and Boxing Day . Previously I’ve muddled my way through lack of sleep and made a Christmas diner for a lot of people. I’ve told everyone this year that I cannot cope and function with no sleep and I won’t be hosting again. My dad knows this and keeps asking what we’re doing for Christmas ! I said coming to yours lol

Don’t want to derail but is Lapland uk worth it? Just seen they’ve got a location in Manchester…