Christmas on a budget

You also asked how to live frugally so here's some ideas.
Walk instead of drive/bus
Drink only water
Shop for food at the end of the day when there are lots of bargains
Buy/ cook extra and freeze portions
Jacket potato, pasta bake, omelette, risotto with leftovers
Turn the heating down and go for a walk or visit the library
Don't heat rooms you aren't using
These might be things you do already of course ...

etheltbags1
A while ago you freely admitted on GN that you posted wind up posts.
So is this one genuine or just a bit of fun for you.

well - I have been brave and told nieces and nephews I'm giving presents a miss this year...…..if they're decent kids they'll understand - if not I'm sorry...…..

a lovely china cup and saucer, really cheap in charity shops, planted with tete a tete bulbs. Cellophane, and ribbon and it will look lovely!

Beautiful home made biscuits, wrapped in cellophane and tied with a ribbon- well that's what I'd be thrilled to receive.

Many years ago my daughter-in-laws father gave me a pretty little cyclamen for Christmas. I still have it on my bathroom window ledge and it flowers each year. Sadly, the gentleman that gave it to me died some time ago but whenever I look at it I remember his kindness in thinking of me. I doubt that he paid much for this pretty little plant but it was his kindness that was so special. A long lasting plant can hold so many memories for years to come and they are pretty to look at.

Maybe a few pretty pot plants could be a solution for any adults that you would like to give a gift to.

I agree with Beau, and this year have told friends that other friends have suggested tha we no longer give gifts as
we have all we need and no room for anymore but just send cards, and I hope whoever I'm speaking to at the time is not offended. This has worked !!

Also my family have decided on Secret Santa, which you can do via the internet, where you are each given one name and so each family member has one present and we are all more relaxed and not worrying where the money is coming from to buy something someone probably wont want. Although this only works if you are all meeting up tog. on Christmas Day. I hope this helps. (Secret Santa allows you to set an amount to spend nd also a Wish List )

I only buy gifts for my son, his wife , her parents and now for our grandson. There is only one friend who I buy a gift for and I have known her since school. Our Dil's parents get a little basket of edible treats that I put together myself rather than buy an overpriced hamper. This year we have set a £20 limit so about £100 total compared to the £500-£600 we would usually spend. The whole Xmas thing is getting out of hand driven by the big shops.
On the charity shop front I have often seen cut glass jars and bowls which would look fabulous washed and filled with colourful sweets from the pound shops.

Keep it in the family and tell them you can't afford anything much,kf they are half decent probably they wont mind at all, just be upfront.

Ethel you can shop online using a debit card then you are not tempted to overspend

I've told the adults in my family not to buy me presents but to give a donation to a cause that is very dear to my heart. I will be doing likewise rather than give them presents. They have all agreed to this.

This year I've come to an understanding with friends that we'll no longer exchange Christmas gifts, but will donate what we can to charity instead. With family, other than "bigger" gifts for our two DGC, we've an understanding that gifts purchased from charity shop are brilliant! (I love newnanny's idea of "family vouchers" - great, if you live near to one another.)

Boots gift range includes buy two items and get third free, I often buy stocking fillers like this.
In our family only the children get gifts, Christmas lunch out and tea provided by us is a break from the kitchen for the family.

I have told my children not to get me expensive presents but instead a bunch of flowers would be lovely and as 3 children one bunch at Xmas one in Jan and one in Feb and lovely to look forward to and this will help them spread the cost of Xmas a bit. I struggle to find places to put things anyway and really if I want something very much I just buy it for a little gift for myself. A photo frame also makes a lovely gift.

Sodapop years ago when my babies were small we received babysitting vouchers from my younger sister who was a student at the time and we loved them as we rarely went out as it costed too much for meal out and to pay a babysitter so voucher was perfect. You could give a voucher to bake a cake, pet sit when others on holiday or even wash a car. Fab gifts.

In Morrison's they had some beautiful red cyclamens for only £1.50 each and poinsettias too. Paint the flowerpot red and place in cellophane and scrunch up over the top of plant and tie with a ribbon on top. It would look far more expensive than it is.

There are lots of sweets around for less than £5

Had you thought of baking some cookies and giving as gifts? When I worked we used to do a secret Santa and one person baked and did this every year. We all desperately wanted her to be our Santa so we got her delicious cookies. Wrap them up in cellophane wrap and put a ribbon tied in a bow. You only need about 8 in each gift with chocolate chip etc.

Window shopping yesterday I noticed M&S had fancy jugs planted up with muscari bulbs. Now there's an idea I'll be copying but with charity shop jugs.
Otherwise I was very disappointed in the stock everywhere.

Most of my friends wear scarves (not the thick woolly variety, the thin floaty ones) and as you will know, they can be found in charity shops at bargain prices.
Bone china mugs? Sainsbury's sell some very nice ones for around a fiver.
M and S have loads of toiletries on offer at the moment, some half price, some 3 for 2.

It's a store full of nicknacks, really! Some of it is plastic tat but they also sell good art & craft stuff, stationery, beauty things and kitchenware. Also a good range of herbs and spices.

uk.flyingtiger.com/en-GB/find-store

Suedonim. What is tiger

For those looking for a “budget” present, Aldi room fragrance diffuser wands and two wick scented candles are only £3.99 and a dead ringer both in scent and looks for Jo Malone at 10x the price

Vouchers are a good idea, afternoon tea at your house, babysitting, dog walking, baking a cake. Lots of things to help busy families and costs you very little.

I've decided to cut back this year, too. Although I've been saying that for some years, this year it's actually happening. I want to spend less, I want to be kinder to the environment and I want less stress in my life. I've also requested that people cut back/don't give gifts to me. I don't need anything much and I don't have room for it anyway.

So, Ethelbags, take a look at your list of people you buy for. Can you cut back on that? If you don't want to go into your financial situation, just say that stopping gifts would just make everyone's life easier and less stressful?

For those that you still want to buy for, there is plenty out there for well under £10. As others have said, the pound stores, Aldi, Home Bargains, The Works and Tiger all have lots of things under £5.p and as low as £1. Don't forget the likes of Primark, which sells home and beauty as well as clothing, too. They have things such as scented candles in glass holders for as little as a pound.

Don't let this spoil Christmas for you!

My mother always tells me not to bother but as most of her friends are dead she doesn't get much. Shes like s little kid opening her parcels then afterwards telling everyone who will listen what she has been given. I've told everyone who has asked me that I just want a book or books from the charity shop only. I'm on a diet so very little foodstuff