Did you get into debt over Christmas

Chewbacca

I wish Maw!

Oh didn’t realise it was an ages old thread.

I suppose some people at this time of year have already got into debt though buying presents - it is November after all.

I wish Maw!

Has Christmas been and gone and I haven’t noticed?

Just realised this was started in Jan 2018!

Have done in the past yes.
But I spend about £2000 on Christmas so no blooming’ wonder.

When my daughters were young and their father left us I used to put Christmas spending on the credit card. I paid it off over the next few months and then put the summer holiday on the card. I never really felt I was in debt as I was working but was determined that they wouldn't miss out as I did as a child. Now they all seen to have plenty and they are given token gifts with more spent on the grandchildren.

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Some years ago our family started doing a 'Secret Santa', a name is picked for each person and that's who you buy for. We also set a price limit. That way you only have to buy for one person. We also ask that we email with some gift ideas so you may end up with something you like! It started when children were students and didn't have much money to spare. You can buy whatever for your partner and grandchildren aren't included so I can buy what I like for them. It does save a lot of stress. It seems to work very well and two of my daughters have been trying to get their 'other' families to do the same.

I have a direct debit every month into a different current account and that is my Christmas spending money, so I don't worry about presents; I never spend all of it, so it carries over to the next year. I also use it for birthday presents, Christmas cards and Christmas stamps.

Oh sorry, it’s a Christmas saving club Cavewoman . I pay a few £ every week and get the same amount back in high street vouchers or a pre loaded credit card that you can spend in almost all shops . You don’t gain anything but I know I wouldn’t put the money away so it helps me .

Curious as to what "saving with Park" means?

gillibob planned spending and spreading over CC is no different from paying winter fuel bills by spreading it evenly over the year.

Getting into debt over Christmas is spending money you will never have and having to seek payday loans or fear the bailiffs. You are just like most of us, you do not get into debt over Christmas.

I have never got into debt at Christmas, nor at any other time, and I have never had a credit card.

I am constantly in debt because I am a plonker

I will write that out 100 times tonight (while I'm in detention) oldbatty

Won't change anything though.

They all seem have so much already in the way of toys etc.
I think it has all become excessive & they seem to loose interest in gifts quite quickly.
Time spent together when possible is invaluable.

No, not now. When the children were little I would buy from a catalogue and then spend the next year paying it off. Usually around November it was cleared, then it was time to order the next lot! It is much easier for people to get into debt now days, there's so much more 'stuff' too.

I am constantly in debt because I am a plonker.

I will undoubtedly get into debt again this Christmas . I have saved a little bit with Park again for which I will get a few shopping vouchers but otherwise everything else ( including dinner ) will probably end up on my Credit Card.

Yes, there are unused presents tucked away in dd's house - her little ones are apt to get too much for both Christmas and birthdays - but dd keeps a note of who gave what, and 'recycles' presents for the many birthday parties they're invited to.

I have never, even when only DH was working, got into debt for Christmas. We had a budget and stuck to it. We now have a tiny number of gifts to buy as we do a Secret Santa for adults around on Christmas Day and just the 4 DGC to buy for. We stopped exchanging gifts with friends years ago and with adult relatives. We go out for a wider family get together in January instead! Christmas is about family and giving but not debt creation!

I’m happy that some children receive so much. When they have a clear out to make room for this years stash, I get lovely, often unopened gifts for my charity market stall. Recycling!

I do think that many of us overspend because we want to appear generous and to have bought the kids "enough" so we don't look mean. There has to be a better way. Just how many of these toys or other such unused gifts are still in cupboards in our houses?

^ I get the wee ones things last as they tend to change their minds throughout the year^
I can remember trying to be very organised for Christmas, heaving a sigh of relief because all the present shopping was done and the DC then writing letters to FC asking for something completely different to the presents they had hankered after all year