Years ago our family decided no gifts for Christmas 🎄 at all. We all get together eat watch movies 🍿 and enjoy the day ❤ no one goes in debt 💸 perfect 👌
Throughout the years I have received many Christmas gifts, but there was one that always comes to my mind: a purple, grape-flavored lollipop my mom bought me when I was about 7 years old. It was about the size of my palm, and I would lick it, wrap it up in plastic, put it in the fridge, and lick it again the next day for months. That was the only Christmas gift I received throughout my whole childhood, and the only gift my mom could afford as a single mother with four kids. Giving Christmas gifts is not about fulfilling each others' greed and desires, but about showing how much you love and care. I was the happiest kid in the world when I received that lollipop, and it is still the best Christmas gift I've ever received.
We do a 'secret santa' system for presents in our family (we are all 25+ years in age except my niece who is 2 and an exception, she's the first baby and very spoilt, in a good way!! ) Everyone then only has to buy one person a gift, and we all have a budget of £30. It means everyone gets to open a gift on Christmas day but we all save so much money. Especially as we do this amongst our cousins and aunties etc.
I love to bake at Christmas so I’ve already checked my pantry and made a list that I am buying 1 or 2 ingredients every shop now until Christmas. Much more manageable to spend a few dollars each shop than find $100 in December for baking ingredients
I do this as well !!! I never have to “budget” for the holiday food because I only spend about $2-3 extra each week. I start gathering in September. I get the items I will need for thanksgiving first and then start gathering the items for Christmas parties and Christmas Day. I’m usually pretty well stocked by mid December.
This is my first year of budgeting (started in February) to start paying off my debt on a low income - this may be the first Christmas that I actually get through without resorting to the credit card, and my plan is start saving for my son's birthday (Oct) and Christmas 2025 in January - feels so much better now I'm budgeting even though many months are just about getting through and having little to nothing for anything nice - at least my debt is coming down, freeing up a little here and there!
@@BixieASMR this is incredible, it sounds like you’re doing so brilliantly! Thank you for sharing, I’m sure others will be inspired by all your efforts 👊🫶🏻
Oh what a wise decision! I can tell you that it’s so worth every single sacrifice to get debt free!!! You’re going to be so impressed with yourself!! I’m impressed by you already just hearing about what you’re doing.
Here what we did. We bought cards and wrapping paper and accessories after Christmas when the card shop has everything half price or more off. Buy Christmas presents in January if you know what they might want.. Do a Christmas specific Envelope and each month put X amount in it for December. 😊
@@TheMummyBubble We just started implementing it in December 2023 and pissed for not doing sooner. Everything is reduced substantially after Christmas and January, because they wanna get rid of supplies and then you just put it all away. Wished we'd started sooner..
I still have decorations on my xmas tree that my children made when they were young- the oldest is almost 41 yrs old😊 Christmas Eve Santa tracker by Norad adds some anticipation and excitement for children on Christmas eve. I have always bought gifts as soon as January sales arrive for the following Christmas and save a set amount each month so theres no massive outlay in Dec. Forage for decor in the hedgerows and woodland, if you've freezer space buy the cheap supermarket fresh veg in bulk the week running up to Christmas, keep it all in a cool place then prep, cook, and freeze it. Will keep us going for months in the following year and save a fair bit of money. If you've alot coming for Christmas Dinner, split the menu up so everyone can contribute bringing something. Dont get hung up on perfection and the 'perfect day', just enjoy the people around you and have fun! If people are giving reciprocal gifts set a small budget between adults and also agree a set amount for extended family children if you buy for them. Build the anticipation and fun by taking children foraging for pine cones etc now. A cheap tub of craft glue and some glitter, a couple of days fun making decorations!
@@micheledoblitz7798 thank you for watching! We do now, I certainly have had a fair few Xmas budgeting fails over the years. My daughter’s first Xmas being one, when I went way over the top and she wasn’t even aware of any of it 😂
For Christmas pajamas my husband and I reuse the same ones, I have just re-bought my kids' ones, but only every other year because I always buy them big 😅 And I buy unisex, so now I actually have to only buy my son's because he's finally starting to fit in the ones I kept from my daughter
@@silmuffin86 I do love some Xmas PJs! I try to go for wintry designs the kids can just wear all through the colder months - with snowflakes, red, polar bears etc
I've always bought everything in the sale and reduced my Xmas card and presents list every year. I've not bought decorations for years and resisting a new festive dress. I would say I've nailed Christmas 99% but I always need re-enforcement of tips
You're doing fantastic! I've found my approach to Christmas has changed so much in the last few years, the biggest change is probably not trying to force ideas for gifts or spending for the sake of it, and instead focusing on meaningful gifts or an agreement not to do gifts. Most adults have enough going on this time of year anyway without buying tons of gifts for every single person they know.
Thanks so much for watching! You're in such an incredible position to be at your age and caring about your finances. I really did nothing much at all in my 20s re money and I massively regret that.
I’ve had some bits from charity shops, vinted and Facebook marketplace before for Christmas including presents for my twins who will be 12 next month. I don’t like turkey but love chicken. One year we even had steak! The twins go to their dad’s for Christmas every other Christmas which will include this Christmas for a few days including Christmas Eve and boxing day, so we’ll just do low key this year anyway. Re the Christmas jumpers, my twins primary school did like a Christmas jumper exchange where they could swap theirs for bigger sizes for no cost. Also vinted and charity shops have very cheap Christmas jumpers in.
Ooh I love a steak! That's so great the primary school organised the swap, brilliant they have encouraged that! Vinted is fab for Xmas jumpers and they're generally speaking hardly worn at all.
I have two festive dresses. I threw my Xmas t shirts away years ago...and resisted a new Xmas dress last year...I'm so tempted as I've seen two I like...but it's the same price as my weekly food for one person 😮..Im going to try and resist
I have a sinking fund so that I save for Christmas all year. I have 2 grandkids now so I increased my monthly contributions to reflect our new little additions. I will say, younger kids are easier to buy for. My older kids want things that start at $200. That where it STARTS. 😬
I buy my kids things throughout the year, we did invest on our xmas decorations and now dont add anymore. We dont buy for any adults, we dont do any extra gifts eg stocking, xmas eve boxes etc
We do buy gifts for adults because how do you explain to small children that Santa stopped for them but not for others? Having said that, we buy a few small items that we always need and use, for example new socks and undewear, face cream, nice tea or coffee, a specific book we want to read, etc. Another thing to save money is to keep away from ready festive food, the special buy, that is ready made. These are often super small finger fooods that will not last long but will cost an arm and a leg. We buy lots od gifts on Vinted, but I filter by 'new'. We get new items but still much cheaper than for example Amazon. No new decor because I then have to store it somewhere and space is limited. Having said that, each child has a wooden box with their name. We buy them one beatiful, purpose made Christmas tree bulb each year and store it there. When they are 18, each child will get their box with their special bulbs. I buy advent calendars with toys for kids straight after Christmas and on Vinted a year in advance. For adults, we make our little advent calendars with jokes, family questions, puzzles, etc so free just written, printed and cut in pieces.
Unfortunately luv I cannot afford to even decorate for Christmas let alone gifts for others or myself. My income is too low to be accepted for any store credit cards or bank loans and I don’t have a credit history.
@@joshlovingoutdoors4455 I’m sorry to hear you’re struggling. do you already own any decorations you can use? Can you try bargain stores for a few bits if not? Also can you try to make Xmas more about memories, ie people you see and spend time with?
Years ago our family decided no gifts for Christmas 🎄 at all. We all get together eat watch movies 🍿 and enjoy the day ❤ no one goes in debt 💸 perfect 👌
@@Intentional-frugality that’s so lovely! Memories over stuff any day ❤️
We do that too! It is so very nice!
Throughout the years I have received many Christmas gifts, but there was one that always comes to my mind: a purple, grape-flavored lollipop my mom bought me when I was about 7 years old. It was about the size of my palm, and I would lick it, wrap it up in plastic, put it in the fridge, and lick it again the next day for months. That was the only Christmas gift I received throughout my whole childhood, and the only gift my mom could afford as a single mother with four kids. Giving Christmas gifts is not about fulfilling each others' greed and desires, but about showing how much you love and care. I was the happiest kid in the world when I received that lollipop, and it is still the best Christmas gift I've ever received.
❤❤❤
We do a 'secret santa' system for presents in our family (we are all 25+ years in age except my niece who is 2 and an exception, she's the first baby and very spoilt, in a good way!! ) Everyone then only has to buy one person a gift, and we all have a budget of £30. It means everyone gets to open a gift on Christmas day but we all save so much money. Especially as we do this amongst our cousins and aunties etc.
I love to bake at Christmas so I’ve already checked my pantry and made a list that I am buying 1 or 2 ingredients every shop now until Christmas. Much more manageable to spend a few dollars each shop than find $100 in December for baking ingredients
@@jodtay such a great idea! We’re lucky that my mum loves to bake so makes a lot of sweet treats like Christmas pudding for us to serve at Christmas.
I do this as well !!! I never have to “budget” for the holiday food because I only spend about $2-3 extra each week. I start gathering in September. I get the items I will need for thanksgiving first and then start gathering the items for Christmas parties and Christmas Day. I’m usually pretty well stocked by mid December.
On December 1st last year I opened a high interest saving acc that pays out a year later. Christmas spending sorted
@@jaspermearns4807 such a brilliant idea!!
This is my first year of budgeting (started in February) to start paying off my debt on a low income - this may be the first Christmas that I actually get through without resorting to the credit card, and my plan is start saving for my son's birthday (Oct) and Christmas 2025 in January - feels so much better now I'm budgeting even though many months are just about getting through and having little to nothing for anything nice - at least my debt is coming down, freeing up a little here and there!
@@BixieASMR this is incredible, it sounds like you’re doing so brilliantly! Thank you for sharing, I’m sure others will be inspired by all your efforts 👊🫶🏻
👏👏👏👍
Oh what a wise decision! I can tell you that it’s so worth every single sacrifice to get debt free!!! You’re going to be so impressed with yourself!! I’m impressed by you already just hearing about what you’re doing.
@@SimplyBeautiful516 I'm really proud of myself and I can already see the benefits! Every month gets that little bit easier 🩷
I am very lucky. My Xmass budget is ZERO, ZIP, NOTHING. I'm going to save so much money and my Roth 401k is going to luv me
🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
My sinking fund is super jealous!
I’ve already started buying toys second hand for my kids saves us so much money xx
Such a huge saving, and it's amazing how good condition a lot of secondhand toys are in. Some are hardly played with at all.
I got my girls 'winter jumpers' so it wasnt specifically for christmas meant they could wear all cold season from nov-feb!
@@emilyw2790 I definitely think this is the way forward, that way it lasts a whole season! Not just December.
Here what we did. We bought cards and wrapping paper and accessories after Christmas when the card shop has everything half price or more off.
Buy Christmas presents in January if you know what they might want..
Do a Christmas specific Envelope and each month put X amount in it for December.
😊
@@misslanapaulford such a great idea, I definitely think it’s worth having a think early on as you can.
@@TheMummyBubble
We just started implementing it in December 2023 and pissed for not doing sooner. Everything is reduced substantially after Christmas and January, because they wanna get rid of supplies and then you just put it all away. Wished we'd started sooner..
Is never too early to think of Christmas, if you want to be organized and not stressed during winter holidays.
Yes so true!
I still have decorations on my xmas tree that my children made when they were young- the oldest is almost 41 yrs old😊 Christmas Eve Santa tracker by Norad adds some anticipation and excitement for children on Christmas eve. I have always bought gifts as soon as January sales arrive for the following Christmas and save a set amount each month so theres no massive outlay in Dec. Forage for decor in the hedgerows and woodland, if you've freezer space buy the cheap supermarket fresh veg in bulk the week running up to Christmas, keep it all in a cool place then prep, cook, and freeze it. Will keep us going for months in the following year and save a fair bit of money. If you've alot coming for Christmas Dinner, split the menu up so everyone can contribute bringing something. Dont get hung up on perfection and the 'perfect day', just enjoy the people around you and have fun! If people are giving reciprocal gifts set a small budget between adults and also agree a set amount for extended family children if you buy for them. Build the anticipation and fun by taking children foraging for pine cones etc now. A cheap tub of craft glue and some glitter, a couple of days fun making decorations!
Ooh yes the Norad tracker is great fun! There are so many great ideas here, thank you!
Thanks for the Christmas budgeting tips! Sounds like you have a good system.
@@micheledoblitz7798 thank you for watching! We do now, I certainly have had a fair few Xmas budgeting fails over the years. My daughter’s first Xmas being one, when I went way over the top and she wasn’t even aware of any of it 😂
I rather do goodie bags or a dinner way less expensive than buying gifts 🎁
Yes most definitely!
For Christmas pajamas my husband and I reuse the same ones, I have just re-bought my kids' ones, but only every other year because I always buy them big 😅 And I buy unisex, so now I actually have to only buy my son's because he's finally starting to fit in the ones I kept from my daughter
@@silmuffin86 I do love some Xmas PJs! I try to go for wintry designs the kids can just wear all through the colder months - with snowflakes, red, polar bears etc
I've always bought everything in the sale and reduced my Xmas card and presents list every year. I've not bought decorations for years and resisting a new festive dress. I would say I've nailed Christmas 99% but I always need re-enforcement of tips
You're doing fantastic! I've found my approach to Christmas has changed so much in the last few years, the biggest change is probably not trying to force ideas for gifts or spending for the sake of it, and instead focusing on meaningful gifts or an agreement not to do gifts. Most adults have enough going on this time of year anyway without buying tons of gifts for every single person they know.
Some Libraries do swaps for halloween costumes and christmas jumpers and winter coats. If kids have grown out of them. It is worth a try.
All very good tips. Thank you ❤
i love your videoes so much! i am 24, no kids, no debt but i am studying at the moment so all budgeting tips are appreciated
Thanks so much for watching! You're in such an incredible position to be at your age and caring about your finances. I really did nothing much at all in my 20s re money and I massively regret that.
I've already bought items I know people would like in sales already from white company etc. I've noticed that m&s also do a sale ar this time of year
@@trixie60990 so good to buy in advance without the last min rush, you get way better deals that way!
Oh your kitty 🐈⬛ is so cute , ❤️
@@christinal3041 thank you! We love her so much. She’s been with us for just over a month but well and truly part of the family now ❤️
I start buying early a little at a time. Watch the Amazon sales too. Sometimes they drop stuff 50% randomly.
Yes it's so worth keeping an eye on Amazon prices!
I’ve had some bits from charity shops, vinted and Facebook marketplace before for Christmas including presents for my twins who will be 12 next month. I don’t like turkey but love chicken. One year we even had steak! The twins go to their dad’s for Christmas every other Christmas which will include this Christmas for a few days including Christmas Eve and boxing day, so we’ll just do low key this year anyway. Re the Christmas jumpers, my twins primary school did like a Christmas jumper exchange where they could swap theirs for bigger sizes for no cost. Also vinted and charity shops have very cheap Christmas jumpers in.
Ooh I love a steak! That's so great the primary school organised the swap, brilliant they have encouraged that! Vinted is fab for Xmas jumpers and they're generally speaking hardly worn at all.
I have two festive dresses. I threw my Xmas t shirts away years ago...and resisted a new Xmas dress last year...I'm so tempted as I've seen two I like...but it's the same price as my weekly food for one person 😮..Im going to try and resist
@@francescanorton9805 so expensive aren’t they? At the moment I’ve got no significant December plans so it should be easy for me to resist this year!
I have a sinking fund so that I save for Christmas all year. I have 2 grandkids now so I increased my monthly contributions to reflect our new little additions. I will say, younger kids are easier to buy for. My older kids want things that start at $200. That where it STARTS. 😬
@@loveandjoy810 yes that’s so true re the cost of gifts as they get older. We are definitely finding that. A sinking fund is essential!
I buy my kids things throughout the year, we did invest on our xmas decorations and now dont add anymore. We dont buy for any adults, we dont do any extra gifts eg stocking, xmas eve boxes etc
@@melann6791 yes same we don’t do Xmas eve box either.
@@TheMummyBubble they add up very fast
Don't look at the lights in londone unless u want the London ulez charge applied.
We do buy gifts for adults because how do you explain to small children that Santa stopped for them but not for others? Having said that, we buy a few small items that we always need and use, for example new socks and undewear, face cream, nice tea or coffee, a specific book we want to read, etc. Another thing to save money is to keep away from ready festive food, the special buy, that is ready made. These are often super small finger fooods that will not last long but will cost an arm and a leg. We buy lots od gifts on Vinted, but I filter by 'new'. We get new items but still much cheaper than for example Amazon. No new decor because I then have to store it somewhere and space is limited. Having said that, each child has a wooden box with their name. We buy them one beatiful, purpose made Christmas tree bulb each year and store it there. When they are 18, each child will get their box with their special bulbs. I buy advent calendars with toys for kids straight after Christmas and on Vinted a year in advance. For adults, we make our little advent calendars with jokes, family questions, puzzles, etc so free just written, printed and cut in pieces.
@@monikaschmitt3604 so many brilliant tips and ideas here! Thank you. Love the box of Christmas bulbs, that is lovely!
Unfortunately luv I cannot afford to even decorate for Christmas let alone gifts for others or myself. My income is too low to be accepted for any store credit cards or bank loans and I don’t have a credit history.
@@joshlovingoutdoors4455 I’m sorry to hear you’re struggling. do you already own any decorations you can use? Can you try bargain stores for a few bits if not? Also can you try to make Xmas more about memories, ie people you see and spend time with?