FabSwingers.com > Forums > The Lounge > Have you done your Xmas shopping yet?
Have you done your Xmas shopping yet?
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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Just finished mine, online at Boots.
Got all the family's presents for £132 on their 3 for 2 offer, and used a promo code I found online that gave an extra £5 off for orders over £85 - which brought the total down to £87, with an additional £11.32 in Advantage points.
Now I can relax and enjoy December safe in the knowledge I haven't got to go anywhere near the feckin Metro Centre.  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Just finished mine, online at Boots.
Got all the family's presents for £132 on their 3 for 2 offer, and used a promo code I found online that gave an extra £5 off for orders over £85 - which brought the total down to £87, with an additional £11.32 in Advantage points.
Now I can relax and enjoy December safe in the knowledge I haven't got to go anywhere near the feckin Metro Centre. "
That's not bad, I haven't even started yet x |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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All done on line, got the last bits on Friday from some American sites that had 50% off Black Friday sales. All I need do is book my on line grocery shopping from tesco and I'm done.  |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"is tomorrow Christmas? Nope it isn't, therefore shopping not even started yet "
I used to do all mine on Xmas Eve too, during the middle of a pub crawl down town. Was hilarious trying to navigate my way through throngs of people with bags sticking out in all directions and growling in a d*unken slur at anyone who got in my way. Thank god for the internet |
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Havnt started, dont know when im going to start, really hate the build up to xmas. It puts pressure on people to spend money they havnt got, on presents people dont want or need. Its worse for people who have younger children, trying to get them what they want. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"Havnt started, dont know when im going to start, really hate the build up to xmas. It puts pressure on people to spend money they havnt got, on presents people dont want or need. Its worse for people who have younger children, trying to get them what they want."
I always get my family toiletries, as you can never have enough smellies. The younguns get toys but they were all bought last week from Argos... online. |
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By *andKCouple
over a year ago
Norfolk |
"is tomorrow Christmas? Nope it isn't, therefore shopping not even started yet
I used to do all mine on Xmas Eve too, during the middle of a pub crawl down town. Was hilarious trying to navigate my way through throngs of people with bags sticking out in all directions and growling in a d*unken slur at anyone who got in my way. Thank god for the internet "
My biggest problem now is woolies is closed, I have to go the otherside of the city to ASDA to get a bit of choice  |
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By *andKCouple
over a year ago
Norfolk |
"Havnt started, dont know when im going to start, really hate the build up to xmas. It puts pressure on people to spend money they havnt got, on presents people dont want or need. Its worse for people who have younger children, trying to get them what they want."
*wicked smile* drum set for 2 yr old grandson this year *wicked wicked smile* |
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Almost finished mine. But then, I pick up little bits and pieces that I think people will appreciate throughout the year. Any family members who are in the same place for christmas I put together a stocking for, full of little trinkets, comedy gifts or useful little bits and pieces.
I find if I start accumulating presents earlier I spend less, as I have time to find nice little things, and I can spread the cost out so it's only an extra 10/15 pounds a month as opposed to 200 in one go. |
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By *ENDAROOSCouple
over a year ago
South West London / Surrey |
"Havnt started, dont know when im going to start, really hate the build up to xmas. It puts pressure on people to spend money they havnt got, on presents people dont want or need. Its worse for people who have younger children, trying to get them what they want.
*wicked smile* drum set for 2 yr old grandson this year *wicked wicked smile*"
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By *teborahCouple
over a year ago
warrington |
It takes minutes on Christmas eve to put money into envelopes. £50 goes much further on boxing day than the weeks preceeding Christmas day. When I was a kid Christmas was special. now its just commercial thats why it starts in October!! Cant wait for Easter personally |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I do not like the commercialism of Christmas, however, it is a nice break from work.
Personally I prefer Easter break to Christmas as the weather is usually better by then, and is traditionally the start of the camping season by most.  |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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Christmas is only as commercial as one allows it to be. Things cost money and I don't think it's too much to send £10-£20 each on my close family members (siblings and nieces/nephews), a little bit more on my parents and a whole lot more on my wife and children.
The way I tend to work it out is that one week of working pays for Christmas - completely, so I earned a good Christmas for myself and my family back in April!
We took littleun to see Santa last week in Milton Keynes and it was £5 well spent because the present he got was one we were thinking of buying him anyway to put on his present bundle (it wasn't a cheap trinket toy either).
A turkey is expensive sure, but when you get it from a turkey farm and drive out on Xmas Eve to get it with your kids with you - it helps to build up the excitement in them - is that worth £30? Hell yeah, to see them getting excited.
Is Christmas over commercialised?
Not in our house. We're all Ho Ho Ho from November 5th till December 25th!
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By *teborahCouple
over a year ago
warrington |
Christmas is a rip off from start to finnish. I am lucky enough to be able to afford Christmas but in the real world there are people who are pressured into paying grossly inflated prices to get there kids the current flavour toys and games when they clearly can't afford it so then the credit card comes out and then they are paying for the 25th of December till the middle of next year.  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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In the days when I had peeps to buy presents for, I would buy whenever I find an item that they may appreciate throughout the year. I do not believe in waiting until Nov/Dec to rush around looking for suitable presents.
If I like someone, I do not have to wait until Christmas to get them a present. He/she will get it when I find something that makes a good present for him/her.
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I had some of my presents yesterday from my parents.. They will buy me what I want instead of buying what I don't what. I have asked for some ghd's whether I get them is a different story.. I will buy 1 present after work each day instead of going out and doing it all in one go... |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"Christmas is a rip off from start to finnish. I am lucky enough to be able to afford Christmas but in the real world there are people who are pressured into paying grossly inflated prices to get there kids the current flavour toys and games when they clearly can't afford it so then the credit card comes out and then they are paying for the 25th of December till the middle of next year. "
The fault is not with Christmas itself, it's with parents who can't stand up and say, "Sorry, can't afford it," to their kids. Personally, I have no issue with paying for things via a credit card that has a 0% deal on it and paying it off over the following few months. It spreads the cost and with the card I have I get a % back on purchases made. It's not a huge amount but when you average it out over a year it works out to around 5% in moneyback. I also use cards to pay for large items such as a sofa, or bed etc, then stick the £000 I would have paid up front for it into a higher earning interest account over a year which will give me 4% interest on £2,000 for example, which equates to £80, plus the cashback for using a c/card and it brings the total cost of the item down by around £100 - there's your kid's new must have toy for Xmas.
Play the retail game and make it work for you, not against you. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I refer to one of my previous posts, why wait until it is Nov/Dec in order to buy someone a present?
I must admit on spending extra on food and drink to treat myself, that's about it. |
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ive asked everyone not to get me smellies this year cause i found 15 unopened boxes. but im giving them as raffle prizes. as for christmas shopping just a couple of little bits left to get for jay and doing that wednesday |
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By *teborahCouple
over a year ago
warrington |
"Christmas is a rip off from start to finnish. I am lucky enough to be able to afford Christmas but in the real world there are people who are pressured into paying grossly inflated prices to get there kids the current flavour toys and games when they clearly can't afford it so then the credit card comes out and then they are paying for the 25th of December till the middle of next year.
The fault is not with Christmas itself, it's with parents who can't stand up and say, "Sorry, can't afford it," to their kids. Personally, I have no issue with paying for things via a credit card that has a 0% deal on it and paying it off over the following few months. It spreads the cost and with the card I have I get a % back on purchases made. It's not a huge amount but when you average it out over a year it works out to around 5% in moneyback. I also use cards to pay for large items such as a sofa, or bed etc, then stick the £000 I would have paid up front for it into a higher earning interest account over a year which will give me 4% interest on £2,000 for example, which equates to £80, plus the cashback for using a c/card and it brings the total cost of the item down by around £100 - there's your kid's new must have toy for Xmas.
Play the retail game and make it work for you, not against you."
I understand fully what you say and your personal reasons for the way you deal with your personal finances but in the big game of it there are many many people that dont treat there finances like that who abuse there credit for one day and suffer the consequences and for this reason goes a long way in explaining why we are in the shit we are in. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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The Shell garage on the 24th...;-)
Sweeties or warm gloves n scarves... Tins of biscuits... alcohol.. Cards n wrapping paper... Job done..;-);-)
Ooh... And battery acid for the ex mother in law... |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Just ordered the last few and all the others are now wrapped. Just got to go out on Wednesday and buy for the usual awkward person (Andy!!!). Any ideas would be gratefully received lol  |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"Christmas is a rip off from start to finnish. I am lucky enough to be able to afford Christmas but in the real world there are people who are pressured into paying grossly inflated prices to get there kids the current flavour toys and games when they clearly can't afford it so then the credit card comes out and then they are paying for the 25th of December till the middle of next year.
The fault is not with Christmas itself, it's with parents who can't stand up and say, "Sorry, can't afford it," to their kids. Personally, I have no issue with paying for things via a credit card that has a 0% deal on it and paying it off over the following few months. It spreads the cost and with the card I have I get a % back on purchases made. It's not a huge amount but when you average it out over a year it works out to around 5% in moneyback. I also use cards to pay for large items such as a sofa, or bed etc, then stick the £000 I would have paid up front for it into a higher earning interest account over a year which will give me 4% interest on £2,000 for example, which equates to £80, plus the cashback for using a c/card and it brings the total cost of the item down by around £100 - there's your kid's new must have toy for Xmas.
Play the retail game and make it work for you, not against you.
I understand fully what you say and your personal reasons for the way you deal with your personal finances but in the big game of it there are many many people that dont treat there finances like that who abuse there credit for one day and suffer the consequences and for this reason goes a long way in explaining why we are in the shit we are in."
I agree it does happen but I don't believe it's as widespread as we're led to believe. Those at the lower end of the social scale simply wouldn't qualify for limitless credit, especially in these tough times, and those earning average salaries will have seen huge increases in food & fuel prices and should be adjusting their finances accordingly. Maybe I'm seeing the positive in people but I really don't believe there are millions of people out there loading up credit cards for Christmas will no discernable means of paying it off.
I still don't think Christmas itself is bad though, and I try to give my children something they'll take forward with them and remember me by long after I'm gone, and spending a little to make it special for them is a small price to pay. I want my children, and eventual grandchildren, to always think of me as someone who knew how to keep Christmas.
Silly old sod ain't I. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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No you're not silly, it's lovely to hear someone who still has those views, there are many cynics out there now.
Christmas is as expensive as you want to make it really. What we've done with the adults this year is a Secret Santa present, this way everyone gets something but it keeps the costs down. We're concentrating on the young ones in the family more this year to save a little. |
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Forget the presents and all the wrappings, the best part of xmas for us is xmas eve night, i will make sandwiches and have snacky food, few drinks and games with hubby and my girls, and now son in law. Its a family time. Then xmas morning we get up exchange presents, go visit a friend and then off to the in laws for xmas dinner with all the family. There is usually about 14 of us altogether and its great. |
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Never have i and never would i get myself into debt or get my credit card to a limit because of christas. There are 52 weeks in a year its not like christmas comes out of nowhere. Put a little by each week or budget. If you cant afford it then you cant. People should educate their children into realizing they cant have the biggest and best of everything and learn them the true value of money. |
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By *londeCazWoman
over a year ago
Arse End of the Universe, Cumbria |
Have booked a trip out of Cumbria (don't worry my passport and vaccinations are up to date) for Xmas Shopping next weekend - Cheshire Oaks and Chester here I come.....fun in Travelodge on the evening also arranged mmmmm |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I have got a few presents but nowhere near finishing yet. Im not keen on shopping online, I like the hustle and bustle of shops at Christmas. I do have to shop for a tshirt for my son online though, Bring me the horizon, or something like that, Ive never heard of them, but then im just old |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"I have got a few presents but nowhere near finishing yet. Im not keen on shopping online, I like the hustle and bustle of shops at Christmas. I do have to shop for a tshirt for my son online though, Bring me the horizon, or something like that, Ive never heard of them, but then im just old "
A sure fire way of getting me to lose my rag and snap at someone is to put me in a throbbing crowd in a shopping centre at Christmas time. Sod that malarky when I can get it all done early and spend December having fun with the kids in the build up to Xmas. We're off to Beamish this Xmas Eve if Siren is up to it - better than feckin around shopping. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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About 98% if it is complete. Just a few little odds and sods to get, but the kind of stuff that's available on any high street.
I despise shopping at the best of times never mind Christmas, so Mrs Red has done all the hard work. I've only got to nip out and get her stuff, but that's easy |
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