It’s November so I think it is now safe for us to start talking about a certain December date! When it comes to Christmas you can be super organised or VERY last minute. I think I fall somewhere in between. I tend to start thinking about Christmas early on but don’t do much until after Molly’s birthday in November. Christmas is a pretty expensive time for most of us but once the kiddies come along it becomes even harder. Firstly there is the all important letter to Santa that seems to get longer each year and secondly there is too much cute stuff out there just begging to be purchased. I know for one my virtual baskets are already well stocked with potential purchases.
In order to try and help ease the strain on the purse I try to be quite clever about how I plan and purchase for Christmas. I also have the added factor that my Husband, Step-Dad and Brother in Law all have a birthday the week before!! I am aware that it is a mere 8 weeks away now, eeek, so I thought I would share a few of my top tips to hopefully help make Christmas a little bit less spendy.
Be Sensible
My number one point has to be ‘Be Sensible’! It’s so easy to get carried away but I’ve actually learnt over the last few years that the girls just become overwhelmed. They’ve had all the big presents (kitchen, bikes etc). This year all Molly want’s is a Barbie so I have decided she will get just one. Yes, it it might only be £10 but she has no concept of that. I’ve then asked family to buy her another couple as well. I can’t promise I won’t end up buying lots of nice filler presents but I will be trying.
Make a List
I don’t mean YOUR list to Santa. Although if he is reading I would like a Chanel handbag please (or a lipstick would be fine). Try and think of the potential present lists as early as you can. If you have teeny ones then decide what you would like to get them or for big kids listen out for hints they may drop in the months leading up to Christmas. I have no doubt that the older ones will be writing their lists pretty soon anyway.
Make sure you add on everyone you need to buy for, not just your own children. It can get a bit lengthy but knowing what you are up against makes it easier.
Once the list is written try not to deviate from it unless you see something ultra amazing (which does happen all the time in my house)! Easier said than done I know.
Share the Present List
Make sure family know what is on your Children’s list and let them to choose from this. It may seem less fun than a surprise but it means you won’t end up with lots of stuff you don’t need and also removes one more present from the inevitably long list that made it’s way to Santa!
Agree Present Rules With Family
I have a large family so we have made some present deals to lighten the financial burden and also cut down on how many presents I have to buy. With my brother, sister’s and associated other halves we do a Secret Santa where we all pick one person to buy for. We spend more per person than if we were buying individual presents but less than the combined cost of buying for everyone. So for example a £50 limit for one person rather than £20 per person for 6 people!
On Edd’s side they also have children so for the last few years we have agreed we will just buy for the kids at Christmas rather than each other.
Start Buying Early
I will admit that I have done a lot of shopping for the girl’s already. Over the last few months Edd and I have been buying up presents when we saw them and putting them away in the “present cupboard”. We have watched out for deals or bought things when we have seen them. This is great way to shop for more unusual presents. For example, we stocked up on gorgeous books and the cutest Maileg toys whilst in Totnes in the summer. I adore the shops there and it is really nice to support the local retailers. Plus, it was now so long ago that I have just about forgotten how much I spent on small toy mice!
Put Stocking Fillers In The Weekly Shop
Each time you do the weekly shop pop a few little treats in the trolley and I promise you won’t notice the costs. A little bag of chocolate coins or a bottle of bubble bath are good fillers. Or perhaps pop in a packet of crayons or a new notebook. You can also raid the toy aisle for a few of the bigger items. If you have older boys it may be a computer game or a DVD that makes it’s way in. Yes, I know these bigger items will tot up the total at the till but it is definitely better than heading out for one big Christmas toy shop.
Take Advantage of Deals
If you know what toys are on the list well in advance you can keep an eye out for any big offers out there. Argos frequently do a 3 for 2 offer on toys in the run up to Christmas and a lot of big retailers have 20% off days. Again, remember to stick to your list. It is very tempting to pop lots of extras in the basket just because they are cheap but if they aren’t needed put them back!
Lastminute.com
If all else fails go last minute. Most stores will do a big sale or price reduction in the days before Christmas so if you can hold your nerve there are definite savings to be made. Perhaps not best to risk this with your child’s number one Christmas request but for smaller presents or gifts for friends then you are sure to pick up some great deals.
Do you have any top tips when it comes to Christmas shopping and budgeting? As usual please do share.
Budget and avoid paying postage where possible. Budget speaks for itself and if I have bulky toy gifts to send to kids, I order online and have them delivered direct to the recipient. Lots of places will gift wrap for you but for those that don’t, I just arrange with the kids mum to sort it out. A bit cheeky but huge savings to be made and it goes both ways.
Great tip. I’d never have thought to send direct to the kids but that’s the best idea ever. I certainly wouldn’t mind a spot of wrapping if someone did that for my girls. x
I bloody love Christmas! November is officially Christmas prep month in my house so the festive season can begin in full swing on 1 December!
This year, because our daughter was due, I started saving a small amount of money each month for Christmas because my family and I tend to go big present wise in the festive period! And that’s really helped me out.
I also take advantage of deals whenever they come up and check the Martin Lewis pre Christmas deal checker which makes predictions on when shops will have discounts and sales in the run up to Christmas based on what they’ve done in previous years.
Hohoho!
Love your festive spirit Jennifer! Forward saving is a good plan, especially when on maternity leave. I must look at this Martin Lewis pre christmas deal checker! x
This has definitely been my focus this Christmas and trying to remember what the children actually remember after Christmas has passed. Do they remember opening every single present or just the few that they really wanted. They definitely remember the memories of the things we do as a family especially when we have very little precious free time together. I spent lots of money spoiling my niece one year. She did of course enjoy opening the presents but a few days later when speaking to another member of the family another and was asked to recall what we had bought her she said “pink smarties and we played karaoke”. Since then I try to not go too overboard and always get her a tube of pink smarties!! We too make the most of the brilliant 3 for 2 offers especially the Argos one which covers the big toys and not just the stocking fillers. We get gifts for the children in the family (via lists on whatsapp groups) but for the adults we do secret santa with a £50 spending limit. Opening the presents on Christmas day is so much more enjoyable and you get the chance to see what everyone has got and watch their reactions they open it rather than chaotic scramble to get through heaps of paper. My little boy Jake is three this year and is still at the age where he has no concept of the cost of things and doesn’t have a huge list for Father Christmas – I’m sure this will change as he gets older. Loving the blog by the way!! Sarah
It is so true that they really don’t remember at a young age. The first few Christmases they got utterly spoilt by us and the family and they wouldn’t have known any different. I love that the one thing your niece remembered was the pink smarties. I think they would be my favourite too! xx
Oh, and if anyone can recommend somewhere to get a good rag doll from that would be great! I’d like to get one for my daughters first Christmas but haven’t seen any I like yet..
Bizarrely I got some cute ones just from M&S for my girls. Or Not on the high street has some really sweet ones. If you want to spend a bit more have a look at the Silver cross ones in John Lewis. They are adorable http://www.johnlewis.com/browse/baby-child/travelling/silver-cross/toy-collection/_/N-5i8a xx
Thanks everyone! I actually just got one this very morning in JoJo Mamman Bebe. I’ve never been in there before because it looked scary expensive but it was only £15 and is lovely!
They also do this pocket high chair thing which helps you turn a normal kitchen chair in to a high chair!!! Apologies if I’m just late to the party with this but as someone currently weaning this will actually change my life!
I’m not sure if these class as ‘rag dolls’ but I adore them : )
I have a little boy though, so maybe I’ll just have to get one for myself…
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eBay, tk maxx and Amazon – my go to places for presents. eBay doesn’t just do secondhand stuff as people think and eBay and Amazon great for new books – always much cheaper than a bookshop. Much as I’d like to support local and independents I just can’t afford it. Also boots points collected over the year mount up and can be spent on goodies – they have nice branded treats on their 3 for 2. I love Christmas and first with my baby I cannot wait!
Victoria I am a big boots points save-until-christmas advocate! It’s amazing how much they mount up x
I do too but then I treat myself. Oops! x
My husband and I each pop £30 into a “Christmas” bank account on pay day, so when the time rolls round there is already a little pot of money sitting there to cover the expense. Really found this helps take the sting out of how expensive the time of year can be!!
That is such a good idea. Wish I had thought of this earlier in the year. Definitely one for next year! x
Laura, that’s a stroke of genius. Also including it in next years budget.
Girls, I had not even THOUGHT about Christmas yet. But this post has inspired me to get super organised about it.
Amazing tips Lottie! I will definitely be taking them on board. I’m also trying to convince family that we should start a secret Santa. With the current exchange rate between $ & £ being so rubbish, we’d be doubling our Christmas spend this year (yikes!).
Secret Santa is definitely the way to go I think. Makes it so much easier xx
I’m actually almost done with my Christmas shopping….. I know, really geeky!
We just always overspend in December and then spend most of January crying over the going out that I can’t do because we have no money.
We’ve tried to keep things simple for the kids – they get a stocking from Santa and one present from us under the tree.
Plus Christmas Eve PJ’s and a new book to read.
So I think in total they get about 9 presents each, including the obligatory chocolate coins in the stocking.
They get bombarded on all sides by other family members though, so get so much stuff anyway.
I think I have three presents left to buy (make the four) and I am done.
I love the idea of secret santa for siblings – think I’ll try to instigate that next year.
Now I just need to write out Christmas cards and try to convince the kids to give away a couple of toys to make room for the new.
Great post! x
Thanks Lora. You are far too organised! Oh gosh, I haven’t even thought of cards yet! I definitely need to do a pre Christmas toy amnesty. Good luck with the last 4 presents xx