FabSwingers.com forum: Xmas tips for those on a budget..

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

So i have just posted 3 times in quck succession on a topic of what do you hate about Xmas!".

I detest festive season. Have done for a long time.

I worked in bars and clubs for 30years, Retail with my wife and now engineering supporting Santa's tropical rainforest online distribution centre.

My wonderful wife has refocused our xmas. It is no longer about capitalism and over spending. But friends family and more personable gifts which cost less but mean more.

What do you do to make Xmas special which does not involve huge expense?

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

We made all our own xmas tree decorations with dxception to lights.

We use brown paper and stamp our own xmas wrapping paper ( it can be recycled, most xmas paper cant!)

We home bake fudge, tablet or make and bottle oils, jams for gifts.

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By *ade and VanessaCouple
over a year ago

Central Scotland

"We made all our own xmas tree decorations with dxception to lights.

We use brown paper and stamp our own xmas wrapping paper ( it can be recycled, most xmas paper cant!)

We home bake fudge, tablet or make and bottle oils, jams for gifts.

Loving the brown paper for wrapping - with ribbon and drawings by the kids this year here. Our kids are still young and santa doesn't wrap presents

gifts from us are in Xmas sacks to be used each year.

Our tiny despots have their birthdays close to Xmas along with being bought for by family so we stick to something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read for gifts. Plus 1 thing from santa. They've got fed up opening gifts in previous years so we don't over do it.

I just like getting to spend some time together and having lazy days in pyjamas watching films and baking. That's the plan for today before it's time to see the eldest signing in her school choir at church

V x

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By *ittleMizzNaughty88.Woman
over a year ago

Renfrewshire

Absolutely hate Xmas!!

But for my little cherubs playing game's, making gingerbread house's & elf on a shelf makes it bearable.

Just seeing their faces in the morning what the elf has been up makes it worthwhile.

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

Hit the sales. Buy all year round and look for bargains

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

We said the local woodland for some ivy and holly.. a little bit here and there not to disturb the ecosystem to much.. lovely to have something natural as a garland.

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By *e DevilMan
over a year ago

Blantyre

If your on a budget then you make xmas as affordable as you can, and it wont make your xmas any better or worse than those with lots of spare cash . For us we go busy at xmas lots of decorations and musical stuff, but heres the thing we dont need to spend lots of money either, the santas grotto look we put on for the kids and grandkids took 32 years to perfect. Carefully storing previous years decorations and adding new bits and pieces every year. Buying quality and storing carefully is the secret. Same with our halloween house of horrors , buy quality and store carefully.

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By *adcowWoman
over a year ago

kirkcaldy

Buy what you can afford without going into debt.

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

"Buy what you can afford without going into debt."

That's the best bit of advice you can get. I hate the whole "what do you want for Christmas" question. If I want it I'll buy it. Just how many people would be happy with a present that's a years subscription to a charity close to their heart.

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By *owboy BebopMan
over a year ago

Glasgow

A great tip from VIZ !

http://viz.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Screen-Shot-2015-12-16-at-10.27.18-2.png

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By *rMrsWTFCouple
over a year ago

Arbroath

We don't really do Christmas in our house anymore up until a cple of years ago I always worked Christmas but still made it special for the kids. Now we don't put up decorations and don't do gifts really unless it's something we feel means something. We still get together with friends and family have a good meal etc but just without all the hype

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

So many people over spend and get into debt because they feel they need to by gifts causing stress and distress and what for.

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

"So many people over spend and get into debt because they feel they need to by gifts causing stress and distress and what for.

I fall into that trap, all immediate family are wealthier than me, yet i feel compeled to try to inject the element of surprise and amaze presents wise.

Bought select(i thought) cards and two present bags,£17.00, it just has no "comfort & joy" really does it?

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

Christmas in retail starts in September. It's no wonder we're all fed up with it by the time December comes.

We do personal gifts for close friends and a few relatives, and go away for a few days at new year.

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By *awty MaxWoman
over a year ago

Edinburgh

I make infused stuff for friends and family.

You can get sets of bottles for good prices online or recycling small bottles/jars.

Infused oil : Olive oil with herbs or chilli peppers for a spicy oil. Little ribbon and wee label. Looks great!

Infused vodka : Vodka, Brown sugar cane and cranberries... you need a good 6 weeks for it to be ready it because lovely and sweet, it looks lovely turning the vodka red and the berries in the bottle. Wee ribbon and label.

Body scrub : olive/coconut or almond oil with granulated golden sugar... in a wee jar, wee label and that's you. You want to go fancy use jojoba oil.

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By *awty MaxWoman
over a year ago

Edinburgh

*it becomes

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

Present bags on amaz,,,,,

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