Did you get into debt over Christmas

I am going to break the run of common sense and say that I did overspend at Christmas (again). It's really hard not to when you don't always get a regular income and I do like to treat the children.

I also do the Christmas dinner for the family which costs an arm and a leg. I don't begrudge it at all but have to use credit card to spread the cost.

oh dear.

You are so right FarNorth. Thank you. Just another personal discipline I'll have to put into practice. Strangely, this one feels more challenging.

We are comfortably off but don't overspend at Christmas. We no longer buy each other presents because neither of us need anything. We buy for the four grandchildren and their parents. Throughout the year I look out for things they might like, and squirrel them away. We host on the big day and spend quite a lot on food, but well within our means.

Nope no debt. Just too much food even though we cut back and chocolates still hanging around. Thinking of going to a restaurant next year think it would be better.

No, and never have. When we had less money we spent less. I'd hate to get into debt. (I am discounting things we did years ago such as buying necessary items like a cooker on hp , bank loans for new car etc. None of these were for christmas anyway. ) Now we dont need to borrow but still spend carefully.

Lilyflower since when should a hissy fit be rewarded with generous gifts? Maybe all through your sister's life?

Almost all posting here are of the careful variety but I have known contemporaries spend far too much, in the past, and they are now also in the same age group as those here.

Kim19, you said "I get such selfish pleasure in buying things for them."
Remind yourself that it is selfish and that should help you to resist.

I spent about £400 overall and could afford to do so. I soften the blow by buying bits throughout the year as I see things I know they will like. I already have my Christmas cards, wrapping paper and home made cracker fillers and some gifts for next Christmas and birthdays.

Totally debt free which was not the case ?? years ago when married to my ex who hated to see money spent on anyone but him. Ahh Christmas was certainly a struggle then with three children, a really good job and a party time husband. Leaving me for his secret mistress changed my financial situation. Oh to realise you would have been better off all those years as a single working mum. Heartbreaking at the time to be dumped but someone else has the job of funding his expensive lifestyle now. Me? I enjoy my family Christmas celebration with joy and no money worries

Lilyflower Am I missing something but when were as your comments suggest ' times of plenty?.

Lillyflower, "^We told everyone we were going to go carefully and my children (who both earn) were great about it although my DS had a hissy fit so I couldn't cut down on her, her husband or her three grown up children^." IMO your DS acted very selfishly, has she never heard of the biblical story of the Widow's Mite?

I have already filled one of the drawers underneath my bed with gift sets bought from charity shops all new and donated from people who did not want them,also a brand new Shaun the Sheep cuddly toy for GGD to go into her box for her birthday.
When mine where small we used to have a bill come in January but always cleared it now we buy every month and save 30£s a month towards food bill so we have never overspent for many years thank goodness,I feel so sorry for younger families who are under pressure to buy "the gift" its something we have never done.

I was terrified of overspending this Christmas as we usually spend reasonably freely and it costs quite a bit. However, my DH was made redundant in November and I have a piffling pension. We told everyone we were going to go carefully and my children (who both earn) were great about it although my DS had a hissy fit so I couldn't cut down on her, her husband or her three grown up children. (They have two very generous incomes!)

In the event we had a tax rebate and put it aside to meet overruns.

I cut down on the shopping, bought bargains beforehand and used some store vouchers I had been sent, judiciously, so that, in the end, I did not spend less than I usually do but everything went further.

After Christmas our spending went down to the basic minimum and we are nearing the end of the financial month with a few quid left in the current account and our emergency fund virtually intact.

When we were younger we found it difficult to end the month in the black but for years we have been prudent and vigilent. I have a horror of debt and am planning for next year's Christmas already. I have some very nice half price Christmas cards in the cupboard.

I find it very interesting that every post on this GN thread has said the same. We are a finacially savvy generation - though I don't think we can say the same of succeeding generations who were brought up in times of plenty.

No I don't overspend ever. The very thought of debt terrifies me. Remember so vividly the stress of just making ends meet when the children were young. Never again if I can avoid it. However, next Christmas will be an interesting one for me in that I have agreed to indulge my son and his partner by only giving the GC one gift each. I am guilty of contributing to the modern 'too much stuff' brigade. Can't seem to help myself in that I get such selfish pleasure in buying things for them. Don't think it will be easy for me but I am resolved and brainwashing myself on a daily basis. So difficult.

I've always adopted my parents' practice of giving 'big' presents for birthdays and lesser ones plus 'stocking fillers' at Christmas, so spreading costs over the year. Having said that, I do try to give the GC presents I know they really want or would like even if they didn't know it! For example, two of the GSs had combination locked cash boxes plus 'a little something' to put in them. They were very impressed.

Ditto knspol, I have already bought several Xmas and birthday gifts for during the coming year. I have so many to buy for and you can get so much more for your money shopping in sales etc It also alleviates fighting Xmas shopping crowds, buying last minute gifts in desperation too. It’s the stress free way to shop and you never get in debt as you spread the cost all year.

Have already bought two presents for next Christmas in the sales and will continue in same vein throughout the year. Only ever spend what I have never on credit. Also started keeping a list of what I've bought people in previous years so I don't duplicate - memory not what it was.

The older generation has a different relationship to money.
I have never been in debt yet they seem to always be spending money they don't have.
Don't know how they can sleep at night.

No. Put away £100 a month and that amply covers Christmas even though I've got 7 grandchildren and that turns out costly. Have been saving for Christmas since mid-80s and it works well

I did overspend somewhat, mainly because DH wanted a new relatively expensive keyboard and since he's not expected to be around next Christmas, I wanted him to have what he wanted. As it happens, there is a problem with non-availability of the item, so have raised case against vendor. This being almost half of all my Christmas spending, I don't really regard it as overspending, especially as I can pay off everything, including interest, within 2 months. All food paid for on Xmas clubs and prepayment plans etc, so now sorting out next year's food.

I did when I was with the ex because it was the only way to get the girls any presents. I didn't go mad and bought throughout the year but sometimes had to use store cards. I used to buy extra groceries all year so that at Christmas I could use my house keeping money for Christmas food.

Now I don't overspend. I still shop throughout the year but even though I have a smaller income I can manage it better because DH doesn't steal money from me like the ex used to.

No, don't get into debt - never have and never will!

No, not into debt, just spend what we think is the right amount.

I save up over the year and don't go over my budget - have a list for everything presents, food, drinks. It works well.

I start collecting for my present cupboard in March...I have 25 to buy for and I get the wee ones things last as they tend to change their minds throughout the year or grow at an alarming rate .I've always been organised like this and my daughter does the same .With food i buy all the things that can be frozen in October so its just fresh stuff the last week ...except christmas puddings which I buy in January as they are much better after a year maturing.Make my christmas cake in October too so it can be fed .I still spend too much but as its all paid well in advance of Christmas I dont stress about it.