Christmas - how much are you paring back ?

We don't need to cut back, as we will only be DH and me - son and his partner going to her family this year.

We agreed years ago that as our son is an adult we only exchange presents with him and his partner if we spend Christmas together.

I have neither parents, siblings nor close friends left, which is par for the course when one is 71. Dh has sisters and brothers-in-law with adult children - there the same rule applies as with our son.

I've only got two DDs. One is struggling and trying save to get a flat nearer her job and the other is trying to save to move also. I've told them not to do Christmas presents as there is nothing we need and would rather they kept their money. Never see or hear from rest of family and they know where we live so don't even send them a card as I don't have their addresses either. We have a little twinkling tree in our window a couple of Christmas ornaments but that's it. I've cut back a lot on sending cards. I have a list of what I've sent so cross off what we receive. Crossed quite a few off last year so that saved us a bit in cards and postage.
Christmas dinner is just a small turkey crown for me and DH, a prawn cocktail to start and Christmas pudding to finish. A bottle of Tia Maria for Irish coffees. That's it. We haven't bought each other either. If we want anything at anytime we just get it then.

I don’t do Christmas bedding or tableware or loo rolls😆
I haven’t bought anything new this year apart from one set of Christmas lights, we already have loads of old faithfuls that come out every year.
I do set the Christmas lunch table nicely though with holly and crackers and Christmas paper napkins.
Buy my adult kids good presents, and their partners and grand children, some want vouchers some want presents.
Still send the usual amount of cards and I know they’re very appreciated, it’s good to stay in touch.I always get at least one ecard which I dislike, twee and pants in my opinion.So I never send those or round robins either.
I never go overboard with Christmas food, but like a big dish of various nuts and a bottle of whisky, Baileys and Croft Original sherry.

Gosh! I suspect I am either tight/ careful or less financially well off than many on here!
We have cut back a lot due to fuel bills increasing. The grand daughters have SOOOOOO much they get money into bank accounts plus 3 gifts each. Adult children receive cash or vouchers and my partner and I decided years ago not to buy fir each other but have a pleasant meal out in January. We cook everything from scratch but only 3 of us this year so making it cosy and simple. I cannot justify Christmas bedding or cushions. Sorry!
We have a lovely table plus silly after dinner presents which is our family tradition. That is us!!

I agree with you GG13 and others - make the most of life. I don’t have Christmas bedding but I do have Christmas everywhere else in the house! Maybe I’ll have a look at bedding, DGD’s bed at least! Have a lovely Christmas, I think you will!

Daddima

I have escaped to the sun, and have left the customary cash envelopes and ‘wee mindings’ for grandchildren.
Regards,
Daddima Scrooge!

Sounds like heaven to me!

No Christmas cards this year couldn’t face writing them just from me, donatied to charity instead and doing reverse Advent Calendar.

I have escaped to the sun, and have left the customary cash envelopes and ‘wee mindings’ for grandchildren.
Regards,
Daddima Scrooge!

I haven't really cut back, as we (my family and I) have been doing the same for years. I never buy new decorations etc.; I already have plenty, and buy a few from charity shops. I also make things (e.g. I have made a little snow covered village out of old children's bricks and cardboard). We'll have a real tree this year which I will buy after 21st, so cheaper, and I look for the wonky ones!

For the adults, we give each other books, second hand from charity shops, and I sometimes make edible gifts like Moroccan spiced lemons, biscuits etc. I end up getting quite a few things for my two granddaughters, but again bought from charity shops. I've been re-using wrapping paper/gift bags for over 10 years, so no expense there.

I cook everything for Christmas Day, and I love doing it. I used to cook for my living, but getting a bit too tired (ME/CFS) and old (68) to do much anymore, but I LOVE doing it for all my family here on the day, especially my daughters and granddaughters who live quite a long way away.

So basically cheap and cheerful, but just as full of love and warmth as one costing £££s!

Blondiescot

I wouldn't dream of buying stuff like xmas bedding etc - what a waste when it's only used for such a very short time.

I used to think that, until little Gdcs came to stay for Christmas a couple of years ago. So there’s a Father Christmas double bed set (they share a sofa bed) lurking in the airing cupboard for the odd occasion. Next will be on the 27th Dec, when they’re coming to stay overnight on their way back from the other GPs.

Might add that although pure cotton, it was amazingly cheap - I did have to wash it twice to get the ‘crispy’ feel out, though.

That all sounds perfectly sensible Nanagem and I too have decided not to buy all those boxes of party bits and pieces and dips before Christmas. Our family only eat them for the sake of it, whereas they actually prefer my homemade pizzas, cheese straws and sausage rolls, so that's what I'll do.

I’ve been saying for years that it’s getting out of hand, we always spend the same on each person be it son/daughter/their partners or child, but the amount has gone up and up. This year I’ve said enough, we’ve just moved house and could do with cutting back a bit and the family are struggling, so we’ve agreed we will spend £50 per person on gifts and my children have agreed between their selves to spend £25 on each couple and each child.

I personally feel that setting a tighter budget means you have to really think about what you’re buying really think about what that person would like.

Christmas cards - I’m only sending to the new neighbours- a way of introducing ourselves to those we haven’t bumped into yet.

Food - normal Christmas dinner but just for four of us, visiting son and DIL who are hosting the family get together this year - but they’ve just had another baby so I’m taking food 😂.

I’m cutting back what food I buy before Christmas, I’m just going to get as needed over the Christmas week, I’ll have chocolate/crisps/nuts and basic meal ingredients but if we run out or decide on something special we will just go get it. I always over buy and refuse to this year

No cutting back for me. I give liberally but to very few.

Some of you should be personal shoppers! Keep the Christmas ideas coming so those who want to can get organised and tick them off.

GrannyGravy13

I confess to Christmas loo roll, kitchen roll, tissues, paper napkins in the kitchen along with tea towels and hand towels.

Along with tablecloths, placemats, no guilt I love Christmas and family members who are no longer with us loved it also. They will be remembered with much laughter and tears 🎄🎄🎄

Oh dear. I missed loo roll.

We have table linens, bath, hand and tea towels. Love it all.

Our girlies, GC and GGC all receive new Christmas pyjamas and bedding - we don't leave them out of cute warm sleeping.

The winter months are cold, dreary, glum. Apart from our escapes to the sun or Christmas Markets - a cozy home is fun. No guilt.

GG13. Sounds like you all have a wonderful time, thanks to the effort and enthusiasm you put in. Have fun. We’re all together with children and grandchildren, remembering our loved ones who are no longer here, but always enjoyed Christmas.

I confess to Christmas loo roll, kitchen roll, tissues, paper napkins in the kitchen along with tea towels and hand towels.

Along with tablecloths, placemats, no guilt I love Christmas and family members who are no longer with us loved it also. They will be remembered with much laughter and tears 🎄🎄🎄

Jax 😁

Your Christmas extravaganza sounds a joy GrannyGravy. I love Christmas but this year, so soon after my lovely husband died, does feel tough.
We started a tradition of elves delivering new pj’s on Christmas Eve 35 years ago. Those children are now 37 and 38. Today I bought their Christmas Eve pj’s and started working out how I can ‘secretly’ deliver them. They continue the tradition with their own children
We have decided Christmas lunch will be here so I’ll be up early to put the turkey in and walk the dogs before the families arrive. I’m trying to live my best life but as I know everyone will understand, it isnt easy. As for cutting back - I suspect this will happen because of our grief, rather than because we want to be more frugal

We, well, I, have Christmas loo roll and kitchen roll Urms a GN member, in the kitchen I think, mentioned them, I’m waiting to place them in situ! Don’t tempt me with other bits as I place snowflake stickers on the internal doors with glass panes 🎄.

Our daughter bought Christmas bedding and Kevin the Carrot pyjamas for the grandchildren. Went into their bedrooms Friday night after school and they were both SO excited - 10y and 5y!). Why not? They use them all December then they get packed away in vacuum sucker bags till next year. There’s also a Christmas mat by the side of the bath and Christmas hand towels and loo rolls! It just adds joy to the smiley faces in their house, it’s only a short time (Christmas AND childhood!).

TwiceAsNice

Christmas bedding on all the beds. Everyone has an advent calendar to open .Christmas China for all the meals including serviettes ad straws.

The bedding and China is packed away the rest of the year and is used for the whole of December. The granddaughters (2) have their Rudolph baby sack filled with presents from me ( we all do a list so people pick something we all like)

Grownups have stockings too. We plan different meals as well as the day and everyone helps cook. I save all year to pay for it and love to spoil everyone . “Go big or go home “ as my daughter says. We go bonkers at Christmas in our house

Love Christmas crockery, a nice way to set table in winter. I love winter/Christmas bedding as well. Nice to see agreement.

Christmas bedding on all the beds. Everyone has an advent calendar to open .Christmas China for all the meals including serviettes ad straws.

The bedding and China is packed away the rest of the year and is used for the whole of December. The granddaughters (2) have their Rudolph baby sack filled with presents from me ( we all do a list so people pick something we all like)

Grownups have stockings too. We plan different meals as well as the day and everyone helps cook. I save all year to pay for it and love to spoil everyone . “Go big or go home “ as my daughter says. We go bonkers at Christmas in our house

No cutting down here, every year we say we’re going to, and every year we spend the same.
Grandchildren are thoroughly spoiled, the younger ones give me a list, which I do my best with, and the older ones get money and a few stocking fillers.
We still buy presents for our daughters and our sons get money.
I love all the lights and candles and trees, it cheers me up, but I haven’t gone as far as Christmas bedding, but it’s a thought!
Twelve for Christmas Day, and then a couple of days of peace till the big family pantomime outing.

We'll be 14 or more on the day .I'm ramping it up this year as last year Christmas was cancelled we had three deaths in 11 days in the run up to the big day .
We have lights galore inside and out and presents for all ,as well as those not actually eating here .Presents for good neighbours and friends too . Its only money. Well you cant take it with you ,might as well enjoy it now