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MNHQ

Credit-crunching Christmas - please may we have your survival tips?

163 replies

AbbyMumsnet · 15/10/2008 09:59

What with the end of the world being nigh and all, it's struck us that what the cosmos needs right now is a selection of your finely-honed tips on surviving Christmas during a financial meltdown. Obviously, we don't mean we want your tips on how to save the banking system- although Gordon might - but we are after ideas on how to make the most expensive month of the year slightly less painful.

(Don't worry about suggesting swapping Krug for Prosecco. We've already got that one covered.)

Cheers all.

OP posts:
morningpaper · 15/10/2008 11:33

The trouble is that they just have TOO MUCH STUFF

I have two enormous boxes of TOYS that today I am taking to the end of the drive with a sign saying FREE TO GOOD HOME PLEASE TAKE!

It is maddening

I already stuffed their birthday party bags with old toys of theirs...

Oh another tip: Collect all unwanted soft toys, wash and tumble dry, and package any good ones off to other children for their christmas presents. You really can't tell if they are new or not (sometimes the labels fade in the wash: if so, tear them out neatly)

MerlinsBeard · 15/10/2008 11:34

(when did you get the 'do' bit btw?

youmaynotlikethis · 15/10/2008 11:36

i wasnt saying your dcs are deprived but they must feel different/left out when all their other family&friends are getting gifts under the tree from santa...and you miss out on the excitement of watching their faces on xmas morn..waiting to spend their £20 in the sales just wouldnt be the same imo

FioFio · 15/10/2008 11:36

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hatwoman · 15/10/2008 11:36

mine love pants too! they honestly really do. it's probably because I deprive them of them the rest of the year. well not deprive them as such but very rarely make a pant-buying trip to anywhere other then woolies.

the year dd2 got days of the week pants she was in heaven every morning for about 6 months. the only downside was that the writing was all squiggly and hard to read and she was only just learning to read anyway so every morning she'd come into our room brandishing a pair of pants and we had to check she had the right ones. as they got older and more faded it got harder and harder. and perish the thought that I should ever get behind on the washing.

tip: if you;re going to buy days of the week pants get 2 sets

FioFio · 15/10/2008 11:38

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Eniddo · 15/10/2008 11:38

yes youmaynotlikethis..and so the credit crunch is born

mine are not spoilt tbh

they have plenty of stuff but not too much. They play with it all. I can only think of one thing that I would chuck out tbh.

Nbg · 15/10/2008 11:38

Youmaynotlikethis, its suprising what £20 can buy you!

I have got dd a pink cd stereo and a disney princess snow white bedroom set that comes with the doll, all for under £20.
Thank you woolies

Dh picked up some major bargains at sainsburys on Monday for ds1 and ds2 will have just turned one, so he will be happy with the wrapping paper from the others presents

I do think buying now is the key. Keep checking websites like Hot Uk Deals and MSE for deals.

FioFio · 15/10/2008 11:39

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Eniddo · 15/10/2008 11:39

ok

dd1 (9) would not think pants were a good present

maybe for younger kids

gallusbesom · 15/10/2008 11:40

I cried one year when I got NO pj's for christmas - I was 26 and have never forgiven my mum for it! To me I would much prefer pants/socks/pjs/smellie stuff for christmas rather than plastic tat

Eniddo · 15/10/2008 11:41

i really hope that bit about not forgiving your mum is lighthearted and not actually true

morningpaper · 15/10/2008 11:41

YMNLT: I find your attitude a bit odd. IN MY DAY we only got one or two presents at christmas and it was no less magical for it.

youmaynotlikethis · 15/10/2008 11:41

ahhh so they do get gifts under the tree...i was just taken back that you said they have £20 and wait till sales to spend it...theres nothing wrong with spending £20 i just would spend it then wrap n put under tree..as for 2nd hand stuff i am no stranger to this and dcs dont even notice they have no box lol

morningpaper · 15/10/2008 11:42

ah yes Enid but I did preface my original pants suggestion with "For younger children"

Having said that my absolute favourite present is Nice Socks and I am 34

MerlinsBeard · 15/10/2008 11:42

gallus, tell me that that's not true.

I am 26 and the thought of crying because i didn't get PJs for christmas is really odd! Why not just get yourself some?

youmaynotlikethis · 15/10/2008 11:43

morningpaper i wasnt saying £20 was too less or owt...i thought it mean to take the magic out of xmas by giving cash&the way it was said wait till the sales to spend it

Eniddo · 15/10/2008 11:43

oh I like socks but only if cashmere

would be horrified by normal socks

FioFio · 15/10/2008 11:43

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bundle · 15/10/2008 11:45

enid obv not made of the stern stuff required for credit crunching times

my mum got a dressing gown from her parents for her 21st enid. dull enough for you??

youmaynotlikethis · 15/10/2008 11:45

i know you didnt after a few posts my dear...i was just explaining my post to the morningpaper

morningpaper · 15/10/2008 11:52

ah Enid I get it now

you are living to higher standards than me

I don't own any cashmere socks

and I only buy my children new underwear at christmas and birthdays

they are like oliver twist tbh

fumf · 15/10/2008 11:55

rellies and close friends are getting bottle of cheap wine, jar of home-pickled shallots with either nice cheese or nice pork pie, home-made and decorated mini-xmas cake, home made truffles.
grandparents getting extra home-made calander by boys and nice photo (from school ones)
Everyone else can take a running jump

Boys are getting stockings as usual(already bought stuff throughout the year) and will beecstatic if I let them have more lego as main present. (I told them I was never buying anymore ever again.)
Ds has his birthday right before christmas. This year, I have told him his birthday present is the money for the school trip in January, he is thrilled. It is actually 3 times the amount i would have spent on his present but it means the world to him and is his last year at school.

Dh is geting a book and a bottle of port (already purchased - that is his idea of christmas bliss.)
Actually I want the same!

mamadiva · 15/10/2008 12:08

Budget your gifts, and dont go buying all extra crap fpr chrismtas dinner just buy what you need. You dont need to spend a fortune. I am being skint this year so needs must but now I want to cut back and try to teach DS that christmas isnt all commercial anyway a nice homemade gift is ice. Although he is only 2 so

gallusbesom · 15/10/2008 12:14

yes, it was lighthearted - I have forgiven her and she has bought me PJ's every year since! MoM I shed a tear because for as long as I can remember mum has bought me PJ's at christmas and I always look forward to them, its a bit of tradition along with a satsuma in a stocking so I was a bit when I didn't get them.