Another idea is.... We adults always buy our own presents.. You are not allowed to spend more than 20 GBP.. Then you wrap you present in a funny way and the others have to try and guess what it is.. By feeling (but not this year as we are all separated and will do it via Zoom) and by asking questions... It's really fun! After one person has tried to guess and used up 3 questions.. Then next person tries... Sometimes it takes ages.. And last year our teenager kids wanted to join in the game! .. It is so fun.. We always play it after lunch... The morning is for the kids presents.. For the kids we all give a set amount per family... So if the kids want something bigger/more expensive.(eg a bigger Lego set) .. Then put the money from everyone together.. And then just have eg 1 present... They don't mind this at all! In fact it has made all our kids savers and money aware... Sometimes they wait and add Christmas, birthday, etc money together until they have enough to get what they want.... My 15 year old.. Saved bits and bobs of his money he didn't use after buying things he wanted over 10yrs.. And when he was 13 yrs old he had saved enough to buy his first gaming computer... Now my 8 yrs old is aiming to do the same!. This also helps if you want a less cluttered home!
A great free memory maker is making a Christmas scavenger hunt - on your walk or drive around the neighborhood make a list of things to find - Santa and his reindeer decor on a home, angels, specific cartoon window decor, count the number of star decorations you can find. If walking, you can even do first person to find a pinecone, see a duck/bird/dog, see someone wearing red - so many things can be added to the list. It always results in lots of laughter and fun.
I have a separate bank account for Birthday and Christmas presents, I work out how many gifts I need to buy, how much I’ll spend and then have a direct debit all year round so the account is always topped up :) it means Christmas is already paid for by the time I reach it - so much less stress!!
I spend on my children between 250 and £300 each I’ve asked for a driveing lessons for this Christmas and my anniversary and birthday next year as I don’t actually need anything in most of the stuff is a want. Oh may need a winter coast I’m trying to hold off for the court I’ve got I’m just wear a cardigan underneath it and then I can buy one after the win for next winter. Im trying to starting to try live more frugally. Your videos to help as I don’t even know where to start the time.
My friends and i dont get each other presents anymore instead we do supermarket sweep at our local Asda and put the money we would have spent on each orher towards shopping for the foodbank. We have done this for years now xxx
We decided a few years ago, that the adults would stop buying each other gifts as it was like we were exchanging similar items for the sake of it. For our own children we work buy a little rhyme (so they have like 5/6) and then have a main gift, and have 6 little (cheap) things from Santa. On Christmas Day, if it’s extended family we all help with dishes for dinner, if it’s just us we just have a normal roast dinner with a few extras. Our budget is fairly minimal for Christmas, as we are trying to teach that others don’t have that much and it is about us all spending time together. We always put money aside to do goodwill, even if a small amount, so for a food bank, charity fundraiser or the shoe box thing.
For our family to keep costs down we do a secret Santa between the adults rather then having to buy lots of gifts. With friends I asked we stop buying as it was getting too expensive as we all had kids as well. It felt like a awkward conversation but they agreed to it. My partner and I are not buying each other this year. We had a patio done this year with the money we saved to go on hoilday but it got cancelled. We should have been going to greece today but I got a patio done instead. So we decided to put the money we spend on each other on garden furniture for next year.
We do exactly the same, We had the same awkward convo a lot of friends were relived but we actually had friends stop speaking to us, we had said we will continue to buy for children’s birthdays as they are spread out but stopping doing Christmas as it’s a big expense in our friendship group alone we had 16 children between us. One couple have never spoken to us again! Family Secret Santa saves so much stress and pennies. We all write suggestions on our slip of things we would like and then pop them into a hat and pick out.
@@lauracaskie730 Yes it does save money and stress. We have one couple and their kids birthdays are oct, nov, Dec, and jan and with Christmas in between it cost too much! I like the idea of gift ideas on the slip of paper. Thank you for your comment.
Great video Lara, and it is about family and memoties, This year it will be just me and my 16 year old as mum wont be able to travel from Europe and my 16 year old decided to not ask for xmas presents but some money for january sales. I thought it was so mature of him and I agreed to do that, I will still get him xmas morning stockings but we will just have lovely xmas eve dinner ( our tradition) and I already feel less stressed,sad to not have mum this year but better like that with Pandemic.
Could you wrap up the money in different ways? Like a pinata ,and a really big box with mores boxes inside etc with the money inside,with some favourite sweets etc. Doesn't have to be the money,could be I O U notes for the amount of money.
Oh absolutely, i once wrapped his playstation gift card in 30 boxes atleast he has great sense of humor♥️😂 he still talks about it to this day and always wrapps his present to me in some cheekey way...but thank you great ideas 👌
I highly recommend opening a Christmas account with your local Credit Union - if you open a Christmas account you can pay in whatever you like (I recommend a direct debit monthly) and the good thing is you can’t withdraw the money til November....there’s no fees or interest so whatever you pay in you get back. It has helped me so much that I can’t touch it as if I could dip into it I would. it is brilliant to know that come November I have several hundred £ that goes a long way towards the cost. So much less stressful than previous years.
I have this at my credit union - each paycheck a set amount of money transfers over that I cannot touch until 11/1. My vehicle tabs are due in November, so the timing is great. I have way more than enough money set aside for Christmas, my car tabs, Christmas cards and postage. Whatever doesn’t get used, which should easily be over a thousand dollars, will go to a trip account for a hopeful New York City visit next year!
This is a great haul I bought my Xmas decorations and my Xmas tree is coming tomorrow I am nearly finshed my Xmas presents as well I always start early as I work in a supermarket and I am rushed off my feet
I have always wondered actually how much do people spend on their children.... It's like an unspoken secret and I never know if I'm going over the top or not? Things are so expensive these days and the older my son get the more expensive items seem to be, so I've been bulking out his presents with bits I need to buy anyway like PJ's and clothes. Xx
Fab! Loving your christmas planning videos! Would love more ideas on making christmas memories for kids This year getting back to basics. its not about how perfect the tree looks etc ..
Hi. This is a really interesting video thank you. The link takes me to the website but I cannot find the downloads. I also tried logging on with my laptop but still couldn’t find the printable please could you put a link to them thank you
Hello, thanks so much for watching! The link in the description should now take you to the blog post rather than the main website, at the bottom of the post you'll be able to click the image and it will take you to all of the printables. Would you mind having a go and if any issues please let me know xxxx
Something you want, something you need, something to wear, and something to read. It is an o!d Victorian saying. SNother popular one is the three gift is Christmas representing the three gifts brought by the wise men go!d, franksence, and myrrh. Something you want ( gold), something g for.the body( franksence) and something g for your spiritual journey ( myrrh). We don't follow any of.that but it is a nice idea.
This year I’m spending way less on my family, my kids are older now but in the past I’ve spent over a 1,000 a piece on my kids but we went to Disney and that was their Christmas present a family vacation and I only have two kids and we only went every couple of years, the years we didn’t go I spent 500.00 a piece on them but that was when they were older teens and if we had the money this year I’m spending 150.00 each on them, but now they both have girlfriend/boyfriend I buy for!
I always say the same its not what you spend or what you get its who's around your table ♥️
Another idea is.... We adults always buy our own presents.. You are not allowed to spend more than 20 GBP.. Then you wrap you present in a funny way and the others have to try and guess what it is.. By feeling (but not this year as we are all separated and will do it via Zoom) and by asking questions... It's really fun! After one person has tried to guess and used up 3 questions.. Then next person tries... Sometimes it takes ages.. And last year our teenager kids wanted to join in the game! .. It is so fun.. We always play it after lunch... The morning is for the kids presents..
For the kids we all give a set amount per family... So if the kids want something bigger/more expensive.(eg a bigger Lego set) .. Then put the money from everyone together.. And then just have eg 1 present... They don't mind this at all! In fact it has made all our kids savers and money aware... Sometimes they wait and add Christmas, birthday, etc money together until they have enough to get what they want.... My 15 year old.. Saved bits and bobs of his money he didn't use after buying things he wanted over 10yrs.. And when he was 13 yrs old he had saved enough to buy his first gaming computer... Now my 8 yrs old is aiming to do the same!.
This also helps if you want a less cluttered home!
A great free memory maker is making a Christmas scavenger hunt - on your walk or drive around the neighborhood make a list of things to find - Santa and his reindeer decor on a home, angels, specific cartoon window decor, count the number of star decorations you can find. If walking, you can even do first person to find a pinecone, see a duck/bird/dog, see someone wearing red - so many things can be added to the list. It always results in lots of laughter and fun.
This is such a good idea. I am going to make one up to send to a family I know.
I have a separate bank account for Birthday and Christmas presents, I work out how many gifts I need to buy, how much I’ll spend and then have a direct debit all year round so the account is always topped up :) it means Christmas is already paid for by the time I reach it - so much less stress!!
This is a great idea 🙌
Me too
I spend on my children between 250 and £300 each I’ve asked for a driveing lessons for this Christmas and my anniversary and birthday next year as I don’t actually need anything in most of the stuff is a want.
Oh may need a winter coast I’m trying to hold off for the court I’ve got I’m just wear a cardigan underneath it and then I can buy one after the win for next winter.
Im trying to starting to try live more frugally.
Your videos to help as I don’t even know where to start the time.
Great Worksheets
When we was younger our mum brought clothes (from the clothes budget) to bulk out the presents and we thought we had more presents than we had.
My friends and i dont get each other presents anymore instead we do supermarket sweep at our local Asda and put the money we would have spent on each orher towards shopping for the foodbank. We have done this for years now xxx
We decided a few years ago, that the adults would stop buying each other gifts as it was like we were exchanging similar items for the sake of it. For our own children we work buy a little rhyme (so they have like 5/6) and then have a main gift, and have 6 little (cheap) things from Santa. On Christmas Day, if it’s extended family we all help with dishes for dinner, if it’s just us we just have a normal roast dinner with a few extras. Our budget is fairly minimal for Christmas, as we are trying to teach that others don’t have that much and it is about us all spending time together. We always put money aside to do goodwill, even if a small amount, so for a food bank, charity fundraiser or the shoe box thing.
For our family to keep costs down we do a secret Santa between the adults rather then having to buy lots of gifts. With friends I asked we stop buying as it was getting too expensive as we all had kids as well. It felt like a awkward conversation but they agreed to it.
My partner and I are not buying each other this year. We had a patio done this year with the money we saved to go on hoilday but it got cancelled. We should have been going to greece today but I got a patio done instead. So we decided to put the money we spend on each other on garden furniture for next year.
We do exactly the same, We had the same awkward convo a lot of friends were relived but we actually had friends stop speaking to us, we had said we will continue to buy for children’s birthdays as they are spread out but stopping doing Christmas as it’s a big expense in our friendship group alone we had 16 children between us. One couple have never spoken to us again! Family Secret Santa saves so much stress and pennies. We all write suggestions on our slip of things we would like and then pop them into a hat and pick out.
@@lauracaskie730 Yes it does save money and stress. We have one couple and their kids birthdays are oct, nov, Dec, and jan and with Christmas in between it cost too much!
I like the idea of gift ideas on the slip of paper. Thank you for your comment.
Thank u for this video - I love Xmass - especially in this crazy times
I love Christmas too!!!
Great video Lara, and it is about family and memoties, This year it will be just me and my 16 year old as mum wont be able to travel from Europe and my 16 year old decided to not ask for xmas presents but some money for january sales. I thought it was so mature of him and I agreed to do that, I will still get him xmas morning stockings but we will just have lovely xmas eve dinner ( our tradition) and I already feel less stressed,sad to not have mum this year but better like that with Pandemic.
Could you wrap up the money in different ways? Like a pinata ,and a really big box with mores boxes inside etc with the money inside,with some favourite sweets etc.
Doesn't have to be the money,could be I O U notes for the amount of money.
Oh absolutely, i once wrapped his playstation gift card in 30 boxes atleast he has great sense of humor♥️😂 he still talks about it to this day and always wrapps his present to me in some cheekey way...but thank you great ideas 👌
I just cannot believe it's november soon!!
You are awesome Lara! Thanks for the great content x
I appreciate you! Thank you x
I highly recommend opening a Christmas account with your local Credit Union - if you open a Christmas account you can pay in whatever you like (I recommend a direct debit monthly) and the good thing is you can’t withdraw the money til November....there’s no fees or interest so whatever you pay in you get back. It has helped me so much that I can’t touch it as if I could dip into it I would. it is brilliant to know that come November I have several hundred £ that goes a long way towards the cost. So much less stressful than previous years.
I have this at my credit union - each paycheck a set amount of money transfers over that I cannot touch until 11/1. My vehicle tabs are due in November, so the timing is great. I have way more than enough money set aside for Christmas, my car tabs, Christmas cards and postage. Whatever doesn’t get used, which should easily be over a thousand dollars, will go to a trip account for a hopeful New York City visit next year!
This is a great haul I bought my Xmas decorations and my Xmas tree is coming tomorrow I am nearly finshed my Xmas presents as well I always start early as I work in a supermarket and I am rushed off my feet
Great video thanks 😊
I have always wondered actually how much do people spend on their children.... It's like an unspoken secret and I never know if I'm going over the top or not? Things are so expensive these days and the older my son get the more expensive items seem to be, so I've been bulking out his presents with bits I need to buy anyway like PJ's and clothes. Xx
I wonder the same. My daughter is 3 so first year she understands. How much do I spend?! Was thinking £150.. is that too much?
You can buy a national railcard with Tesco Clubcard points. £1 in points £3 in value.
I NEVER KNEW THIS!!! Thanks so much for sharing! X
Fab! Loving your christmas planning videos! Would love more ideas on making christmas memories for kids This year getting back to basics. its not about how perfect the tree looks etc ..
Hi. This is a really interesting video thank you. The link takes me to the website but I cannot find the downloads. I also tried logging on with my laptop but still couldn’t find the printable please could you put a link to them thank you
Hello, thanks so much for watching! The link in the description should now take you to the blog post rather than the main website, at the bottom of the post you'll be able to click the image and it will take you to all of the printables. Would you mind having a go and if any issues please let me know xxxx
@@LaraJoannaJarvis thank you x
Something you want, something you need, something to wear, and something to read. It is an o!d Victorian saying. SNother popular one is the three gift is Christmas representing the three gifts brought by the wise men go!d, franksence, and myrrh. Something you want ( gold), something g for.the body( franksence) and something g for your spiritual journey ( myrrh). We don't follow any of.that but it is a nice idea.
We do this too!
This year I’m spending way less on my family, my kids are older now but in the past I’ve spent over a 1,000 a piece on my kids but we went to Disney and that was their Christmas present a family vacation and I only have two kids and we only went every couple of years, the years we didn’t go I spent 500.00 a piece on them but that was when they were older teens and if we had the money this year I’m spending 150.00 each on them, but now they both have girlfriend/boyfriend I buy for!