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Have you started planning for Christmas 2015?

(56 Posts)
vampirequeen Fri 02-Jan-15 09:31:42

Do you plan ahead for Christmas or just fund it at one go?

I've just bought £80 of wrapping paper, cards etc from Studio Cards for just over £8. They almost give stuff away at this time of year.

TerriBull Fri 02-Jan-15 17:36:26

No it's over now "Let it Go" as my granddaughter has taken to warbling in a strangled cat type of voice in the back of the car!

annodomini Fri 02-Jan-15 17:21:54

Following my visit to Dunham Massey today, National Trust Christmas cards are tucked away in the bureau for the next 11 months.

thatbags Fri 02-Jan-15 17:19:35

£80-worth of wrapping paper!?!?! Great that you got it for £8 but still... Good Grief! Is it very posh wrapping paper or do you need a lot?

rosesarered Fri 02-Jan-15 17:15:26

I will think about Christmas 2015 if and when next December comes around and not a moment before.

Penstemmon Fri 02-Jan-15 17:10:50

No! This year is still happening until tomorrow when I shall dismantle my one modest tree, the sets of lights dotted about and take down the cards from the bookshelves!

I have under 20 gifts to purchase so not too many.
When working f/t I also paid into AVCs to top up my pension as I had missed four years when at home with DDs. I have the money from this fund paid to me twice a year. One helps to fund a small holiday the other payment helps with Christmas costs which is the one bit of financial foresight I ever had!

Tegan Fri 02-Jan-15 17:02:36

The S.O. uses his Nectar points to buy all the Christmas food. We also might do something different next year, having spent most of Christmas on our own this year. Teetime; have you got room for two more?? granjura; that's where I am, pet wise. We're going to Australia in 2016 but I'm already worrying about the dog, who will be nearly 10 then.

FlicketyB Fri 02-Jan-15 16:52:08

I bought a box of crackers in the sales, £20 reduced to £7.

loopylou Fri 02-Jan-15 15:10:31

How exciting is that granjura, certainly a trip of a lifetime I'd imagine! Unless of course the elderly menagerie have plans to be around for much longer........ in which case enjoy the planning!

granjura Fri 02-Jan-15 14:57:53

If our elderly menagerie, 2 dogs aged 16 and 1 cat aged about 17- are no longer with us- we will go on a 2 month trip off to Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand, over November and December next year- as it is a trip to visit places but also unknown relatives, and also friends- we've been promising ourselves for a very long time. See how it goes ;) before taking on another dog and cat.

Galen Fri 02-Jan-15 14:03:41

I'm on Victoria, just xmas not New year as well. Both she and the Elizabeth are going to the Canaries, but the Elizabeth covers NewYear as well.
Xmas cruises are very pleasant I've found in the past. Southampton to southampton so no flying.

Teetime Fri 02-Jan-15 13:37:17

In a way Yes. We are planning to have a Christmas break in an hotel- never done this before and I am wondering about a cruise - never done that either. None of the family want to stay with us next year - all have other fish to fry and haven't invited us so we are off. Any suggestions as to where/how welcome.

KatyK Fri 02-Jan-15 13:35:32

We save monthly for Christmas too.

vegasmags Fri 02-Jan-15 13:21:43

I don't buy anything, but I have started to save up, otherwise I'm not sure how I would manage the expense of Christmas. I love Christmas and I have had a particularly happy one this year, but I can no longer fund it out of income and so I have to budget for it. I have a fund for birthday presents as well.

KatyK Fri 02-Jan-15 13:19:20

Well when I read the original post I thought 'Oh no, I can't wait to see the back of it never mind starting on next year'. However having just been to get some groceries I have to admit i was tempted with the half price Christmas gift bags etc, but fortunately I couldn't carry any more stuff.

Eloethan Fri 02-Jan-15 13:17:31

No No No - I want to forget Christmas until about the last three weeks of 2015.

loopylou Fri 02-Jan-15 13:06:50

No flipping way! shock

Galen Fri 02-Jan-15 13:05:24

Cruise actually

Galen Fri 02-Jan-15 13:04:54

Yes! I've booked a cduisesmile

merlotgran Fri 02-Jan-15 12:38:04

Are you kidding? hmm

granjura Fri 02-Jan-15 12:27:55

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

why?

soontobe Fri 02-Jan-15 12:19:22

I have many to buy for. It makes it much easier on the purse and time, to pick up a few things here and there throughout the year.
Also most family birthdays are in winter and spring, so shopping this time of year is a neccessity.

grannyactivist Fri 02-Jan-15 12:08:12

When we were counting every penny (for many years) I used to buy something towards Christmas each month and put it away; crackers, cards, wrapping paper, gifts etc. otherwise I wouldn't have managed the expense. I have never gone into debt to fund Christmas even when I barely had two halfpennies to rub together (though in the year my first husband left us I did sell my engagement and wedding rings to a shark in the local jeweller's shop). Nowadays it feels like a real luxury to be able to go out and buy Christmas things in November and December.

Ariadne Fri 02-Jan-15 11:56:18

Me too! Though I did, when I took a sack of stuff to CRUK the other day, but a load of cards. And I know where I have put them! Well, I do now...

tanith Fri 02-Jan-15 11:55:53

No No a hundred times No!!!

Soutra Fri 02-Jan-15 11:37:43

I'm with kitty on this!