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

[AbbyMumsnet]

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.

mine love pants and socks in their santa sacks.

I don't buy for BIL (single man), he doesn't buy for our family so that's saved us all money. He will come for a visit so that's fine.

Don't go overboard with DH/DW etc. I am getting my DH a nice pair of boxers from me, DS and DD (that he wants as most of his current ones have holes in). I'll get some multipack knickers and wrap them up for myself so DS (who will be almost 3) can give me.

I ask all my siblings not to buy for me and DH, just to get the kids something if they wish, although they don't have to do that if they don't want to/haven't got the money. Kids won't go short of presents anyway in a big extended family.

DS will get some swimming trunks in his stocking, a snowstorm toy that I put in his stocking last year AND the year before - he won't remember it from then! And some other bits I am gradually picking up.

I think the key is not to buy "gifty" stuff. I always buy people stuff that they need or can use etc. I do buy the kids lots of fun toys etc but they love them.

I want to add a more controversial tip:

-if you get unwanted stuff, eBay it or return it to the shop for vouchers!

let the credit crunch be an excuse to buy presents for people that they need or really want instead of grabbing at stuff we think is good present fodder - that's real value for money

crokky i've taken stuff back
my sister bought me a jumper and I took it back and bought a toasted sandwich maker!

I bought 3 for 2 yesterday at the Wellcome inst shop (Euston Road), of these very fine OUP Very Short Introductions -great for all the wannabe intellectuals in your family (normally £7.99 each)

We agree between my siblings not to buy for adults and to get the DC useful gifts.
This year my DN are getting new bedcovers each, sourced in the sales, My dc will also be getting something for their bedrooms
We buy the children 3 presents each for under the tree and these also tend to be bargains, stockings are more like a party bag from FC TBH, so very cheap( book, colouring pencils, yoyo, pot of playdough, pack of cereal, carton of juice, satsuma)

Dinner is round PIL

We bought a large tin of roses chocs when first availiable in Tescos(£3)

And we will reuse our christmas decks/tree

Pants are very useful in stockings though for filling the gaps etc. And definitely well received up until age 6 or so.

Just remembering it is only one day and probably the thing you'll most remember is looking back on spending that time with your family. So not worth stressing over lots of details/extra bits and bobs, just over those that matter. And especially if you spend the day with extended family that means you don't have to go mad buying your dc everything they want. That list can be spread out.
I actually find the excesses of Christmas Day quite depressing actually. I am a grump!

A big roll of brown parcel paper, a glue stick and some glitter keeps small people happy for hours and makes really lovely wrapping paper. Collect evergreen leaves (nearer the time) and make a hole with a hole punch and thread onto natural string for tree and present decorations.
Collect autumnal leaves now and store them until they go veiny or partially veiny, dip in silver or gold paint, dry and use them as tree decorations.

To avoid being GIVEN needless crap:

• update your Amazon wishlist
• announce said update on Facebook around 1 December

'tis tres modern

Kids under seven - buy them a bumper pack of paper and pens and spend time with them drawing/making things. This is a lot more fun than some cheap tat and you can make thank you cards to send to the relies for the cheap tat they did send - so bonus!

DD would love pants btw, she's potty training and is currently carrying Upsy Daisy pants round the house constantly saying 'My big girl pants'

to avoid stress don't read what other peoples budgets are.

we do the same small presents every year

PJs xmas eve
new outfit for xmas day INC pants and socks!
and then 1 present from FC, one from each member of the house and then anything else is a bonus!!

in their stocking they have something to read, something to do and a small piece of crimbo choc(they would use satsumas to squeeze in each others eyes)

When relatives ask what to get we give them a theme so we don't end up with 4 iof the same thing. This years themes look like they will be Ben 10 and wooden trains(same as every year!)

i like morningpaper's thinking

last christmas i sent a link fromthe jackie brazil jewllery site to dh - ta-dah, the bracelet arrived just in time

Avoiding being GIVEN crap is important I think

I have a collage on my study wall of Stuff I Like which I make for christmas and then hand to DH

oh, god, NO!

call me a snob but pants and PJ's do not a present make unless the recipient has expressed a desire for them and selected them personally.

same thing with jewellry.

too personal. the person needs to know your tastes well.

yuk.

Now if the pants and PJs are from my mother or aunt I am most appreciative because they have good taste.

But sadly, most don't.

ah, thats what i do for my DCs lol! (wouldn't give PJs to anyone else unless they had asked!)

My suggestions for a cheaper christmas. We do most of these things not just because they are cheaper but my children (like most children we know) already have far too much stuff and really don't need a thing:

Buy lots of cheap stuff from car boot sales and charity shops. My dds still don't care if stuff is new or not - they are 8, 7 and 4.

Jazz up the present-giving in some way. DP does elaborate treasure hunts around the house and garden. Kids love it and it spans out the present-opening.

Arrange other activities for Christmas day so that it's not all just about opening and then playing with presents. We like to go to the beach or similar, but it means that if you aren't buying them that much, they quite likely won't notice.

Arrange with all possible adults in family a no-presents-for-adults rule.

Food and drink. Don't invite any relatives over. Then you don't have to wine or dine them added advantage you don't have to talk to them either.

expat why would you be buying a present for someone whose tastes you didn't know well?

because you can know a person for years, bundle, and still not know their tastes, especially not when it comes to intimate undergarments.

take my MIL, for example . . .

because you can know a person for years, bundle, and still not know their tastes, especially not when it comes to intimate undergarments.

take my MIL, for example . . .

Buy presents for Nieces and Nephews. Agree the amount you'll all spend.
Use Pound shops for stocking fillers.
When you do your grocery shopping put money on a gift card/saving card each week. (£5x50 wks = £250)
Start buying early it spreads the cost.