FabSwingers.com forum: Christmas budget normally

By *ittleMissCali OP Woman
over a year ago

all loved up

After a comment on another thread which shocked me.. I was wondering am I really abnormal or was £1000 excluding presents more normal than I thought.

For me its £400 ish and that's for food...drink and gifts for my kids, grandkids and partner. (I don't get gifts for anyone else)

Christmas food is normally £40at most depending on how many I'm cooking for ... thats for Christmas eve.. day and boxing day.

This year as I'm not cooking a full dinner xmas day I've spent 20quid

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

A normal Christmas Day, for me, is a blow out on food. I would normally have extended family here and feed them on Christmas Eve/Day/Boxing day, food not including alcohol would be near the £300 mark, but then the turkey is about £60 as from a butcher.

Present wise we set a budget of £30 each. That’s purely because if we want something we will normally buy it and not have to wait until Christmas or a birthday as I did as a kid.

This year as it me, myself and I it’s all done for about £40

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By *partharmonyCouple
over a year ago

Ruislip

If we spent a grand on Christmas I'd have a heart attack.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I save in Xmas club and get £900 I’m still always not finished. I have five children three grown up and two younger. This includes any pantos and events clothing gifts food and entertainment

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By *eavertrackerMan
over a year ago

Bridgwater

£5 budget....every one gets a toblerone

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Not sure about the exchange rate but the meat for Christmas Dinner alone cost €150 I dont know exactly how much I have spent but I'd say before presents about €500

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By *iamondCougarWoman
over a year ago

Norfuck! / Lincolnshire

"If we spent a grand on Christmas I'd have a heart attack. "

So would I

I’d expect that if it was a hotel break over Christmas but £400 max is my norm

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By *ent in BlackMan
over a year ago

Silsden

We have four kids, we treat them but don’t go crazy. What’s annoying for us though (and it’s took a lot of explain to them) is our extended family want expensive gifts ( the grown ups not the kids)

We put our foot down a couple of years ago and told ‘em but it didn’t go down well.

As for food we have us (6 and my mum and her hubby) we don’t buy any silly extra stuff but get a few treats for dinner.

We usually (but won’t this year) take it in turns for an open house (8 parties in total across in family) so we have 8 parties in total but each host one.

In reality we usually spend between £4-5K at Xmas.

This year will be much less because of covid restrictions. Now whilst most people will say what!!!!!

We have four kids.

Sister 1 has 2

Sister 2 has 2

Brother has 5

Then there’s the in laws etc.

We’re a big get together family and enjoy each other’s company.

One year we organised a pub to do our lunch and it worked out almost the same in food costs, but obviously we didn’t have the cooking and washing up to do.

Like I said though the biggest frustration is the expectations of the other adults in the family asking for expensive gifts, even though we never do and just tell them to get us a bottle of cheap wine and spend the money on the kids.

What’s important more than anything is to make sure you’re happy and you enjoy yourself!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

On a usual Christmas I spend around £300 on food and drink I guess but I usually host. This year was £150 but there was some meals for around Christmas too. I like good quality and like to splurge at Xmas. Gifts vary I usually spend a minimum of around £250 on my son. I have 5 nieces and nephews so that comes to £150 then maybe around £50-100 on a partner and around £30 each on close friends then there are other family members too.

So I guess yeah around 1k is about right for everything but less this year

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By *wisted999Man
over a year ago

North Bucks

My family easily spend over that they go big. I usually turn up with a bottle of fizz and that’s it.

This year I got myself a Turkey crown from the local farm and then the trimmings from M&S. A keg of laughs beer and some wine. Probably around £150.

To cut down on visits and potential Covid breaches We have done one big present for a randomly drawn family member and that’s it. Bit like secret Santa. That’s cut right down on the present budget.

I am really looking forward to a small Christmas. I usually get lost in the chaos of my family. They start formal and it descends into madness

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By *ruebameMan
over a year ago

from the womb and tryout to get back

My normal budget is around £1000 each for kids and grand kids food around £400 as I usually host everyone on Xmas day however this year is just me and my youngest son so food wise I've spent around £200 and lost count what I've spent on presents its been a shit year so I've gone over the top hopefully they will all appreciate there gifts

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"My normal budget is around £1000 each for kids and grand kids food around £400 as I usually host everyone on Xmas day however this year is just me and my youngest son so food wise I've spent around £200 and lost count what I've spent on presents its been a shit year so I've gone over the top hopefully they will all appreciate there gifts

Where’s mine Daddy

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I have a £5 budget for family and friends as I have around 20 to buy for.

I'd say maybe 150ish is spent on our Christmas food and drink shop for 2 adults and 1 child. And our daughter gets around £200 spent on her. I'm sure as she grows I'll spend more as she will start to ask for things.

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By *ittleMissCali OP Woman
over a year ago

all loved up

"
£1000 each for kids!!!

even when I was earning loads. I wouldn't spend more than £250 per child and I thought that was excessive and extravagant lol but then I'm a grinch at christmas..

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By *sm81Couple
over a year ago

warwickshire

We spend around £250 each on our 3 kids and then they have their xmas eve box which is £30 or more spent. We still have family members and friends to buy for too, so easily £1000 on everyone present wise but we try and start early! This year xmas eve is pizza hut and a takeaway dessert for everyone

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By *inky_couple2020Couple
over a year ago

North West

£1000 each for kids!!!

even when I was earning loads. I wouldn't spend more than £250 per child and I thought that was excessive and extravagant lol but then I'm a grinch at christmas.. "

We're giving our daughter a train set for Christmas that belonged to her brother (now 18) and intend to hand over the heirloom Lego when she's old enough. Who's the Grinch now?!

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By *rincess peachWoman
over a year ago

shits creek

Depends what I make in tips during December.

This year my budget is £0

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

For us this year, 2 Adults 2 teenage kids present wise about £700. Includes new xbox as a big present.

Food a mixed bag another couple of hundred so probably not far from £1000, which includes drinks.

That excludes presents bought for extended family in Newcastle whom we can't now see.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I must be Ms scrooge, ive spent £100 on each of my 3 adult kids.

Sorted food and alcohol for Xmas day

Spent less than £400.

To me its not about how much money its about creating memories.

I know we will have a fantastic day together again, even in this awful time.

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By *ruebameMan
over a year ago

from the womb and tryout to get back

£1000 each for kids!!!

even when I was earning loads. I wouldn't spend more than £250 per child and I thought that was excessive and extravagant lol but then I'm a grinch at christmas.. "
not a Grinch at all everyone has there own budget and reasons for spending i suppose i do it as they have lost there mam so I'm probably going over the top to give them what they need I know its no conciliation for there loss but thats my reason for spoiling them

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By *ove2pleaseseukMan
over a year ago

Hastings

Oh well

Turkey crown 16lb think it was £70

Top side and a gammon then food and wine

Would guess £800 with out presents.

Tend to spend £500 On the wife and then last year Daughter was a flight to Australia for her sisters wedding think it was about £1600 But Daughter is down to £500 as well this year.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I buy for my 2 kids, mother and step dad, 1 friend, grandparents and father of my kids.

I am also cooking dinner for 4 this year.

Think its come to about £400 and that is my usual xmas budget

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By *agneto.Man
over a year ago

Bham

I do tend to be a bit extravagant on food at Christmas. But I've been buying booze and things that will keep last couple of paydays and kids toys, so not all at once. Probably between 3-400 on food. Kids about 150-200 each. I'm probably underestimating though. Nieces and nephews get £20 each. So defo on the way to a grand.

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By *eavenscentitCouple
over a year ago

barnstaple

I'm a bit shocked at some amounts but, it's your choices.

I save each month and had £400 for food, drinks and pressies. I use my clubcard points at Xmas too. I only buy presents for immediate family. I'm trying to cut down on food waste this year to.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I told the kids they had 100 each to spend but that didnt go very far so prob has gone to about 150. Food I get out the usual food budget, I dont tend to go wild anymore it all just makes you feel like crap after anyway. I could scrape a half decent christmas in for my lot for about £350 which luckily amounts to about the same amount of overtime I squeezed in. Presents for me will come one day Im sure

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
over a year ago

East Sussex

We don't set a budget as such but we spend around £200 max. We buy for each other, my parents who we spend about £10 to £15 each on, our two kids and their partners. I exchange gifts with one friend. We could spend a lot less if we had to and a lot more if we wanted to.

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
over a year ago

East Sussex

Oh and that includes food.

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By *pursChick aka ShortieWoman
over a year ago

On a mooch

Christmas food is pancakes for breakfast, fish finger butties for lunch and then roast dinner, what makes it different is pigs in blankets, Christmas plates and crackers; add to that a box of after eights, chocolate orange, mini Christmas cake, matchmakers and that’s our Christmas food.

Gift wise I only have my folks and son to buy for and the limit for the adults is £50. Dad broke that this year but as he said you haven’t had anything for three years as didn’t need anything, this year I did need something.

The lad I normally stick to £250 max but this year I’ve spent more because he never got a holiday I promised him, plus his birthday a few days ago consisted of a walk outside. This week we would have been out for dinner, theatre trip, maybe a couple of days away, so he’s got the money I would have spent anyway. So he has a few surprises to end the year with a smile

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By *UGGYBEAR2015Man
over a year ago

BRIDPORT

I give out 8 Christmas cards, 3 presents and all food and drink for the Christmas period comes to a grand total of less than 150 pounds. Now I‘ve paired it down to this I intend to keep it at a similar level in future. It’s made me realise what a load of crap most of Christmas was and I will no longer be pandering to other people’s expectations.

Just call me Screwge.

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By *ove2pleaseseukMan
over a year ago

Hastings

Oh and tend to try and spend the same on others

Chries £ 232

Sally Army £260

Rocking Horse £250

And gave £250 to the kids presant appeal on Hart Radio

I wanted to help serve dinners but covid has stoped that this year.

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By *inky_couple2020Couple
over a year ago

North West

£1000 each for kids!!!

even when I was earning loads. I wouldn't spend more than £250 per child and I thought that was excessive and extravagant lol but then I'm a grinch at christmas.. not a Grinch at all everyone has there own budget and reasons for spending i suppose i do it as they have lost there mam so I'm probably going over the top to give them what they need I know its no conciliation for there loss but thats my reason for spoiling them

I'm sorry to hear about your kids mum passing away, I do understand. Although I'm sure you being there, loving them and spending time with them would outcompete any item you might buy.

In honesty, we aren't on a tight budget or anything, we just don't like to spend for the sake of it and recycling good quality/expensive toys seems sensible. She's 3, she has no concept of if something is new or not...

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By * and R cple4Couple
over a year ago

swansea

I start buying in January even if it’s just

One or two things a week so when December comes the only thing we have to think about is food ..If I had to give a rough guess on the amount then it’s probably about 600 on presents and 200 on food ..

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I know I go overboard (it's a regular fight with my ex

) but I just loving giving presents and marking out Xmas time from the rest of the year. I'm also very big on the non-monetary side though and I'm confident that's the part my wee one, and probably most people, remember most fondly. I think everyone has their own reasons for however they do things and it can be just as special on any budget.

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By *agneto.Man
over a year ago

Bham

"I know I go overboard (it's a regular fight with my ex

Yes I wonder if the 'overspenders' are all gift givers as their love language.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I know I go overboard (it's a regular fight with my ex

Yes I wonder if the 'overspenders' are all gift givers as their love language. "

Could be in some cases. I know I have people in the family who do that. I'd never knock it though, for them it's the only way they know how and that must be pretty hard.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Come on people... IT'S THE THOUGHT THAT COUNTS!

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By *rMrs84Couple
over a year ago

Doncaster

600ish this year but that includes something for Mrs that was ‘needed’ but got wrapped into Christmas budget. Normally we’re less.

I put £1 a day aside each time I get paid and also round up my spending on my current account using my banks app. Usually leaves me with more than enough by Christmas time that I don’t have to worry too much.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I go overboard I guess. Probably because I never celebrated Christmas as a kid.

What you get for money these days is ridiculous when it comes to kids toys etc. I could say I spend loads but what they actually get for that is a massively overpriced item they really want.

But I don't go stupid. I'm not rich.

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By *luebellRacerCouple
over a year ago

Shropshire

I don't think the budget matters. You do what you enjoy and can afford. Everyone has different traditions and wants.

Main thing is having a happy, special day

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By *allySlinkyWoman
over a year ago

Leeds

My husband died seven years ago so I overcompensated my children (12-17) at Christmas because their dad was no longer here. Covid19 is the perfect excuse to pare things back. My four kids are doing a secret santa and just buying one gift each. I have set myself a budget of £30 per child and bought them each four small gifts. We are really lucky this year that all four of them, my two parents and I can share Christmas lunch together so that is the most important thing.

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By *eavenscentitCouple
over a year ago

barnstaple

"My husband died seven years ago so I overcompensated my children (12-17) at Christmas because their dad was no longer here. Covid19 is the perfect excuse to pare things back. My four kids are doing a secret santa and just buying one gift each. I have set myself a budget of £30 per child and bought them each four small gifts. We are really lucky this year that all four of them, my two parents and I can share Christmas lunch together so that is the most important thing. "

It really is x

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By *a LunaWoman
over a year ago

South Wales

My kids get about £250 spent on them. About £100 on my ex, his wife and his mum and dad.

My mum, well anything from £150 to £200. Wish I could spoil her more to be honest as she goes all out for me at Christmas (and the kids) but I just can’t afford it sadly.

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By *ophieslutTV/TS
over a year ago

Central

Probably £100 for a couple of days, quite modest.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I don’t tend to add up what I spend on each child but a rough guess would be £500-£600, maybe a bit more this year (I have 3).

I’m lucky to be in a position to afford it, I realise I go a bit OTT - same with food, treats etc but I had shit christmases as a kid and don’t want the same for mine. I realise money isn’t what makes a great Christmas, but it definitely helps.

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By *emma HoldenTV/TS
over a year ago

Ramsey

I've spent about £200 each on my 2 kids, mainly from me but also so they've got small presents for each other included within that. He's getting a new Hugo boss watch & aftershave, she's getting same value in mixed stuff to go with the 2nd hand phone the ex wife & her twat boyfriend have bought. Such as a powerbank & Bluetooth headphones etc. Loads of little gadgets & make up stuff too.

My son is working xmas day so I'm on my own after dropping daughter to hers after lunch so i decided my xmas evening dinner is a £3 roast beef ready meal from co-op cos there is no point cooking turkey & stuff just for me. I'm gonna enjoy that, get Gemma'd up for the night & chill out. I'm quite proud of budgeting well cos being a single dad is tough.

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By *eivers101Couple
over a year ago

Carlisle

I don't even try to add it up as it would scare me but all in probably about £500 on presents and food...... Shopping throughout the year (welllll OK from about September) as bargains present themselves helps (working on a retail outlet mall a definite bonus on that front....always a bargain to be found on otherwise out of budget stuff...... The recipients probs know it's been sourced at a massive discount but also what the full value is... And anyway Christmas really shouldn't be about the actually amount spent, rather about the thought, time and effort put into finding, wrapping and giving said gifts and enjoying the company and pleasure given to the recipients.

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By *osebud6688Woman
over a year ago

Northampton

I budgeted £700 this year - £100 for each parent and £100 each for my 2 nephews and my niece. The additional £200 was split between my Grandad, Nanny and my favourite Auntie. I don’t budget for food.

I try my best to give a treat to the people I care most for x

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By *ornyinConwyMan
over a year ago

Conwy

This thread is a bit of an eye opener for me regarding how much people spend on Christmas. I have 6, yes 6 kids, and hand over £900 to my ex for Christmas gifts, and still made to feel like a skinflint.

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By *agneto.Man
over a year ago

Bham

"I budgeted £700 this year - £100 for each parent and £100 each for my 2 nephews and my niece. The additional £200 was split between my Grandad, Nanny and my favourite Auntie. I don’t budget for food.

I try my best to give a treat to the people I care most for x "

You must be their favourite auntie!

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By *ermite12ukMan
over a year ago

Solihull and Brentwood

For the last 20 years, I think £20 per person budget each, and never cooked Xmas day. Always gone to family and taken two bottles of wine.

This year, no job and no car has forced me to cook. Current spend for xmas/boxing and every lunch and dinner for a week afterwards, is about £60.

Presents, have been cut right back to the same value of £20. But only for the kids who are under 18 years of age now.....Most are earning more than me currently lol.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

About £1000 that’s all presents food for the week and Christmas dinner etc

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By *acey_RedWoman
over a year ago

Liverpool

I've probably spent about £250 on gifts. We've done two big shops for food and drink and probably spent about £200 between us but that did include having to get some new pans and a roasting dish.

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By *iss_tressWoman
over a year ago

London

I usually spend about £400 on presents for my children, grandchildren and food.

This year turned 60 so no fares, medication, lunches, socialising etc as working from home so have saved a bit. Other half been unable to work so I've made all the payments.

A "stranger" is living in my house free, something my own children have never done, so I gave all three £1,000 each for Christmas. We've done the normal weekly shop, £40 from Lidl.

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By *eonnieCouple
over a year ago

Worsley

"I must be Ms scrooge, ive spent £100 on each of my 3 adult kids.

Sorted food and alcohol for Xmas day

Spent less than £400.

To me its not about how much money its about creating memories.

I know we will have a fantastic day together again, even in this awful time.

I agree! We don't go crazy for Christmas either. Single mum of 3 kids, if I spent crazy amounts on Christmas we'd be struggling afterwards. You cannot buy happiness, it's all about spending time together and making memoriesx

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