How much have you spent on Christmas?
Posted by RevolutionaryPie5077@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 178 comments
One of my simple pleasures in life is making The Great Christmas Spreadsheet which consists of each recipient, gift, price, where I got it and check marks for having received, wrapped and given/posted each item. I total up how much I spent on each person, as well as a "miscellaneous" category for any wrapping supplies, postage and decorations.
It doesn't include festive food.
This year the total is just over £300 - up from last year's ~£200
Does anyone else do this? Is this considered a low or high amount? How much has the season of capitalism cost you this year?
citruspers2929@reddit
Crikey people on here are frugal. I’d probably quickly estimate our household spend to be £1,000 (which probably means it’s close to £2,000 in actuality).
TheLittleSquire@reddit
I don't think people here are frugal, they just probably earn average and can't justify spending 2k on one day. 2k is absolutely insane to me. While I don't have kids if I did, I have no clue how id afford that on my 32k wage when factoring rent, bills, and day to day.
I feel like that's so much money for one day. Just me though, we all live different lives.
a-liquid-sky@reddit
Meh, I don't see it as frugality. We could spend a lot more comfortably but we actively choose not to. I'd rather spend £1000 on a holiday abroad than on Christmas 🤷
niallniallniall@reddit
A lot of people can do both. Annual leave tends to be the limiting factor for multiple holidays.
citruspers2929@reddit
“We could spend a lot more comfortably but we actively choose not to.” Isn’t that the definition of frugality? That’s certainly what I meant if it’s not…
a-liquid-sky@reddit
Lol yes, fair.
Dunny2k@reddit
Frugal? Have you seen the cost of living crisis? Sorry not everyone’s as rich as you 🤷♂️
boringfantasy@reddit
We aren't all software engineers on 100k tbf
Lunaspoona@reddit
Not really, about 200 is within my means as a single working person, if 1/2000 is within yours then great! I'm not getting in debt over a day lol all our gifts are still thoughtful, for more expensive things, some of my siblings and I might chip and buy one of the others something nicer if they really want it
RevolutionaryPie5077@reddit (OP)
I suppose it's all relative, if you have that much to spend and it makes you happy, more power to you!
bluephoenix39@reddit
I’ve spent that on my husband alone and my mums gifts will be around £200. I also have 2 small children and no idea how much we will have spent on them by the end. None of it is buying for buying sake, everything will be used and in the case of our children they’ll get a toy or 2 each and then useful things in under the guise of a fun present (spidey toothbrush as an example).
Other people with children, we’ve all agreed birthdays only not Christmas because no one needs the stress of buying more gifts at Christmas and I’ve managed to get it down to only one other person I personally buy for.
Husband deals with his family but our 2 nieces get £20 each at Christmas.
Spiritual_Weather656@reddit
My boyfriends child is 2 and I just don't see the point in him buying anything, they get so much from other relatives. But because it feels weird to not buy them a present all their gifts will be essential items for my boyfriend like wet wipes and shampoo lol. It's for the child but also not ;)
bluephoenix39@reddit
The only relatives that buy for our 2 (which are not quite 2 and 3.5) are their grandparents and uncle, sometimes a great aunt or uncle. But both grandparents know we’ve got more than enough toys so they’ll both get them a token unwrappable based on their current interests and then money for their savings.
There are some fantastic books out there for around that age if you wanted to get a small inexpensive present that feels like it’s more for the child.
Spiritual_Weather656@reddit
I get them gifts throughout the year tbh they just don't need anymore on Christmas
IvyKingslayer@reddit
My mum’s rule is always something to wear, something to read, something they need and something they want.
lemontreedonkey@reddit
I can’t believe I’ve never thought of doing a spreadsheet like this before. It sounds fucking fantastic. So much fun awaits me.
robbo12347@reddit
£500 in total. Gifts for mum dad sister brother in law and 2 nephews.
TransatlanticMadame@reddit
I am exactly the same with a spreadsheet - person, item, value, ordered, received, wrapped, and delivered are the columns. And so far I've spent £1,098.04. More to come.
RevolutionaryPie5077@reddit (OP)
A fellow person of culture! Its shameful how much joy collecting this data brings me, lol!
thelegendofyrag@reddit
I have data on Christmas spend and holiday spend over the past 3 years. I never really had a budget as such but I’ve found a sweet spot amount for both!
The holiday one is great as I can add value for money to each trip as well!
TransatlanticMadame@reddit
Same. And spreadsheet is Christmas 2025, which is a copy over from Christmas 2024... lol.
Also I have spent £128.08 on postage, £16.49 on pictures for the cards, and £43.89 on cards, not included in the above figures (we have a lot of international family and friends, and those stamps have gone up to £3.40!!).
chiefgareth@reddit
So far? Nothing.
Dr_Gillian_McQueef@reddit
Every payday I stick £100 in my Christmas account then I can buy bargains throughout the year, take advantage of sales etc and it means I've got £1100 by end of November.
That is to cover pressies, new decorations if wanted, Christmas food, new outfits, meal out NYE and a takeaway Christmas eve.
Any money left over after Christmas goes to charity.
This year my son won't be home he's in S Korea so I've spent about £50 on a few little bits to post to him. Christmas will be after he comes home June 30th. Got a few presents that are too heavy to post, I'll be getting him some ps5 games as well probably.
Not bought any Christmas food yet because I'm trying to cut down a bit on snackage plus I'll be alone Christmas Day. Partner comes 27th December until the New Year. Done about £50 so far on little bits for him. No parents left to buy for, no siblings.
It's a fairly frugal year so far.
Tiffchan74@reddit
This is a good idea, I’ve also done it in previous years.
RevolutionaryPie5077@reddit (OP)
Thats smart! I also try to buy throughout the year whenever I see something for a good price!
decentlyfair@reddit
I have spent 50 quid on an advent calendar (Hotel Chocolat hot chocolate) and 30 quid on a present for husband and 60 quid on a couple of other folks. Our family hasn’t done presents for years and that suits me fine. Will spend a bit more but not much. I don’t buy into all this present giving malarkey.
We do the decs and I go all out on a meal but that is about it.
TinyBeth96@reddit
Probably going to be around £700/800 when done. I still have a few bits left since I have 3 big birthdays in December too 🙃. (At least rest of years cheep for birthdays I guess since the 1 other big one is a few months after...)
I like to do quality over quantity and put a lot of thought into what people would love. Im in a position where if rather spend some extra and get a gift they'll love and use rather than getting lots of things that are going to be lost in a draw. Luckily I dont have many friends or family 😂
smushs88@reddit
Trying to be more frugal this year, which being in the middle of a property purchase. That being said
Partner - £300
Family (3 adults, 2 kids) - £200
Then I’ll contribute to food and drink costs on top.
lennythebox@reddit
About 1800. Spent 800 on the wife and the rest on our 2 kids and 5 relatives. At the end of the month i normally have around 1k disposable. I know it seems like a lot to spend at xmas but i really do enjoy buying people presents - moreso than recieving
Tiffchan74@reddit
I used to be the person with the spreadsheet when I had to stick to a budget. However, I spend a lot less at Xmas nowadays even though I earn a lot more. I’m single, have 1 daughter and a grandson they get presents totalling from £100-£150 each. I also buy a present for my niece and nephew around £75 each. But me, my siblings and extended family have agreed we won’t bother buying gifts for each other anymore, just for the kids. What I do spend a lot on is food & drink. I host Xmas day for mum, daughter (and her partner) and grandson. Boxing Day sisters, and occasional random family members. Everyone rolls out in the evening stuffed after all the food and drink.
the95th@reddit
About a grand :/
Background-End2272@reddit
I've been unemployed since June, so far I've spent £80.00. With my mum I'll likely spent just over £100 on 3 people. Which honestly makes me a wee bit sad.
RevolutionaryPie5077@reddit (OP)
It's always the thought that counts! I've been where you are! I hope you have a great Christmas regardless and that things will be easier soon <3
lil_chunk27@reddit
Last year I did stockings for my parents and I put in a bottle of Trooper beer in for my dad because he loves Iron Maiden. He was beside himself because he found it so thoughtful, probably cost me £4 from B&M. It's definitely the thought that counts imo x
bluephoenix39@reddit
If he likes red wine their wine is good too, a bit pricier than a bottle of the beer but just in case you didn’t know it exists
doalittledance_@reddit
I do this! I’ve got a master Christmas spreadsheet with tabs for each year going back to 2019, so I can refer back to previous purchases too. My hubs gets his own tab and then everyone else (mum, sister, BILx2, SIL, niece and nephew and friends secret Santa) is on a different one. All itemised, with costs, place of purchase, if it’s arrived (for online purchases), where it’s stashed in the house and if I’ve wrapped it. I’ll use it to plan throughout the year too. So if someone has mentioned something, I’ll make a note of it and add it to their section to prompt me when it’s time to start buying stuff.
I usually average around £500-£700 each year.
darksamu5@reddit
We have spent £150 each on our two preteen children up from last year's £100 - everything is more expensive it seems however I do buy presents through the year. I have spent £35 on partner and we will buy a few extra festive treats such as a few new tree ornaments to add to the collection. But we don't really buy different foods as our children are autistic and like familiar foods, I am hoping to show them how to make gingerbread this year.
We could spend more but choose to keep it simple, I'm self employed and really look forward to taking some time off with my family. I made a little Gingerbread Lane with some Nutcracker figures and ceramic gingerbread houses that have amused my children endlessly for little cost - they will be re-used every year!
We have bought some extra food, presents and chocolate calendars for the local food/toy bank because it's nice to share at this time of year.
Mdl8922@reddit
I'd estimate £12-1500 so far.
RichardNotJudy@reddit
I imagine within a couple weeks we will look similar.
Already spent approx £500 on our daughter, and will get more as it's only two or three presents. Bought something for my wife that was £100 but, again, it's just the one thing so I will buy more. Plus whatever they collectively get me. I know there's already a big-ass box in my daughters room that I'm not allowed to look at.
Then there's likely to be £100-£150 of food on top of that. Presents for the 5 niblings, but that will not be massive amounts.
Mdl8922@reddit
The food! I'm dreading that, spent £90 today and stil have what seems like bugger all! We're hosting boxing day with my parents, brother & wife, sister & boyfriend & niece, cousin & wife, and my mate + wife + kids, so I dread to think how much we're gonna spend on food & drink!
RichardNotJudy@reddit
I'm luckily that it's just the three of us, but I am always in the mindset of 'I'd rather cook too much than not enough' and always overcook, especially for Christmas.
However, going against me initial comment, I try to be sensible about the food shop. The local butchers deals with any meat, and they do some great deals, and then I have Tesco setup to not send me clubcard vouchers until Christmas, so all the veg and sweets come through that and cost me virtually nothing.
anonymouse39993@reddit
That’s a crazy amount
Mdl8922@reddit
It is what it is, we're a big family.
Fwoggie2@reddit
My wife has a huge family. Have you considered secret Santa between the adults?
CurrencyIll9145@reddit
unsure why you're being downvoted here. it's not a bad point, especially if you're looking to cut down
Mdl8922@reddit
We have not
noeuf@reddit
Same here. Four adult kids, two parents, spouse, two god children and a couple random adults. I keep trying to cut down each year, it’s less than last year which is good.
Mdl8922@reddit
Yeah 5 kids, wife, parents, siblings, nieces & nephews, god sons, it soon adds up!
RevolutionaryPie5077@reddit (OP)
That's quite the range!
Mdl8922@reddit
Got in before the edit! Lol
Jessikarrr@reddit
I go a bit wild at Christmas, I am quite a secure financial situation so I buy gifts for a lot of people (including 60 plus charity gift boxes for adults who other wise wouldn’t get them) and am also the person who hosts Christmas craft events, dinners, movie nights etc - I like to think that if I’m in a position to be able to make people’s Christmas a bit more magic then I should.
Jessikarrr@reddit
It’s actually something I organise myself, with some help from my husband and friends. I reach out into our online community and ask people if they or others they know are in need of Christmas gifts. I get them to fill in a form with details about themselves to help me with the gift and I handmade a gift (I run a small business making handbags and other sewn items) and then buy a couple other bits to put in the boxes, wrap everything up and send them off.
We have done it for a couple of years an honestly people are so grateful. We tend to get alot of single mums sign up, or people on their own - hearing stories of what a difference it made to them on Christmas Day to have someone think of them is my Christmas present to myself.
RevolutionaryPie5077@reddit (OP)
That's so wonderful!
ND8586@reddit
That's awesome, much respect to you.
RevolutionaryPie5077@reddit (OP)
Amazing! Love the gift boxes idea, is there an organisation that you do them for?
bamfg@reddit
you've bought your presents??
ctaccx@reddit
nothing bc im spending it alone this year haaaa
a-liquid-sky@reddit
I try to spend as little as possible, tbh.
Husband's gift - £60 (we set a limit)
Secret santa for in-laws - £20
Present for my parents - £20 each
Wrapping paper - £2.50 for a big roll
Gift bags - reusing old ones
Cards - don't do them
Tree, ornaments, etc - already owned, reusing them all
Food - TBC but it won't be crazy.
Automatic_Screen1064@reddit
Sounds fun
Broad-Attention-6133@reddit
Spending money isn't fun really is it? You could spend relatively little and still have a great craic with your friends and family
a-liquid-sky@reddit
Yeah it is. We spend time with our loved ones, everyone gets something they want, we have a nice meal and enjoy not being at work. Don't need to spend ££££ to do that!
Tom50@reddit
Nah I think this is fair enough - not extreme frugality to the point of not enjoying it, but still fun.
Alwaysrunning1234@reddit
Well I personally LOVEEE getting new pyjama’s!
RonieBones@reddit
Reddit moment
jiggjuggj0gg@reddit
Kind of crazy in a cost of living crisis and ecological collapse that so many of you think you must buy a mountain of tat and spend as much money as possible to have a nice Christmas.
BarbaricOklahoma@reddit
What did you buy for your husband, if it’s okay to ask? I’m also shopping on a tight budget and impressed by your work!
a-liquid-sky@reddit
A book he's been eying for ages, a couple of pairs of funky socks, a t-shirt, and some of his favourite sweets :)
BarbaricOklahoma@reddit
Sounds great, hope he enjoys!
RevolutionaryPie5077@reddit (OP)
I love this mentality! Unfortunately I have 2 teenage nieces who love the tat! I try to shop mindfully for everyone else, but you are so right about the overconsumption! Props to you!
a-liquid-sky@reddit
They may love the tat but that doesn't mean you have to buy it for them? If they want to spend their own money/their parents' money on it, that's a different matter
RevolutionaryPie5077@reddit (OP)
I understand! I have considered it, and still don't buy them anything that's too "seasonal" or that they won't actually use, more just lots of little sticking filler type presents. I think a lot of their joy comes from having a pile of presents, and it only ever comes to around £30 each. A lot of the things they would like are wildly out of budget for me so this is my way of making it special without spending too much. Don't worry about your tone, I definitely agree with your principles, hopefully when they get a little older I'll be able to stick to them better!
nandos1234@reddit
In terms of presents around £350 for family, friends, work secret Santa.
I’ve bought £500 worth of stuff for myself LOL but my parents usually give me money to cover part of that as a gift.
Then there’ll be whatever I spend on nights out etc
CrowApprehensive204@reddit
I only have to buy for two grandchildren, my dad and my husband so them, and I've had a new fake Christmas tree, bought some wrapping paper and cards for the neighbours. About £220 maybe? I have yet to buy myself something, usually a book, a theatre ticket etc, a treat for me, from me.
monkeyeatinggrapes@reddit
Christ I can’t believe how much people spend !! So far I’ve spent about £100 and I’m over halfway done lol. I only have 1 child and he’s only 13 months so I’ll just get him a few charity shop toys and done
Phil1889Blades@reddit
Zero
sammy_zammy@reddit
I admire how organised you are.
My total is zero.
Because I am not.
Arbdew@reddit
I used to be like that, but then decided it was too stressful. I keep a list of things people have mentioned they like over the year and buy things from that list. Ordered everything last night. Got a few bits to pick up so will do that on Friday.
When they get wrapped though... who knows.
lil_chunk27@reddit
I reckon £100 on my partner, then about £250 across parents and other family members. Plus about £40 on a tree and another £20 or so on cards and wrapping. I did have a baby this year but she's so small so I've only spent about £20 on her, more as a gesture towards Christmas than because she'll get anything out of the season! Imagine she'll get more expensive as the years pass...
I love giving gifts; I also do a spreadsheet but I keep an "ideas" column that I put things in throughout the year as this helps me remember things as I do try to make sure the gifts are thoughtful and not just last minute stuff.
Normally we do our shop at Sainsbury's throughout the year and hoard all the nectar points, then use this to pay for the big Christmas shop - we normally have about £80 worth which does cover a lot!
CurrencyIll9145@reddit
all in all, decs included (we've just moved into our first home as a couple), probably like £800
CurrencyIll9145@reddit
n.b: we're not particularly wealthy but also don't have dependents and i buy christmas stuff from about april haha
Relative_Sea3386@reddit
£200, including the food shop and charity donation. We only buy presents for children and nephews/nieces.
I find it disturbing what society is adding in aggregate to the landfill eventually.
The whole point of Xmas is a holiday to get together.
MyManTheo@reddit
A lot of misery guts in this thread. God I love Christmas - it’s so much fun’
popsy13@reddit
I have £200 to spend, and about 23 to buy for, my gifts need to come under a tenner, but I’m baking biscuits!
DustInTheMachine@reddit
I do similar, but only so I can keep track that I've spent similar amounts on our 4 children.
I also make a note of what's gone on the credit card, most stuff comes out of my current account but I like to know I've not gone OTT on the credit card.
JoeDaStudd@reddit
Before the big family split a few years ago it was probably £100 on each of my nieces then another £50-100 of shared presents between them.\ For the adults about £50 each without it was something special then could end up £100+
I normally spent £200+ on food and drinks to share
Nigelb72@reddit
Hard to truly account for really because I only buy for my wife and it's Jesus's birthday on the 25th, hers on the 26th and our anniversary on the 3rd... So all in, about 2k but we're going Disneyland Paris and she's having a party for her 40th...
Quiet_Ad_9618@reddit
We got married a few weeks back and are going on our honeymoon in the new year so this year have had to cut back quite a bit to be able to afford it all. We are aiming £20-25 for all the family and to be honest I’ve actually quite enjoyed hunting for the most I can get for the money and still find useful things. I have the outlook of buy something they wouldn’t necessarily get themselves but would use (nicer perfume on good deals, an item of clothing that is practical, nice bath stuff, a day out they’d actually go to etc). I’ve actually really enjoyed the bargain hunting this year. My husband has a bigger gift than he’s expecting but he has fewer gift givers than I do so I probably over compensate a bit for that. Christmas food we rotate who hosts in the family but I’ve been saving my Clubcard vouchers and have almost £100 towards that so hopefully won’t be too big of a hit after our contribution to the festivities
messedup73@reddit
I give my 3 grown up children £50 each plus £30 of stocking fillers makeup or skincare plus chocolate.Spend about £75 each on my 2 granddaughters and £150 on my husband.My kids birthdays are in November and December so save all year around normally buy wrapping paper ,cards etc in January.I often get them tickets to concerts they like for birthdays so that's why they get less for Christmas.I refuse to buy crap and will get gifts they like.
TalosAnthena@reddit
I kind of do this as well. I do it in my notes on my iPhone. What I’m getting everybody and how much. When it arrives and when I’ve wrapped it. I also have 2 birthdays close to Christmas which I also include.
But just for Christmas I’d say I spend around £375. 5 main people, then 3 not so main people. Then the wrapping paper and what not on top of that.
I always set a limit on Christmas and the 2 birthdays that they don’t go over a weeks wage which is around £570 after tax for me.
JennyW93@reddit
I don’t really do the festive food because I live alone and am on the “you can’t afford joy” diet.
But so far I’ve spent about £200 on presents for 6 people (immediate family). There’s still others (maybe 8 more people) to buy for.
OutlandishnessTrue42@reddit
£160 ish I would say. I lost my job a couple of weeks ago so I’m now only buying presents for my son. I spend most of Christmas with my family so I’m lucky in the way of I don’t need to buy Christmas dinner food etc. my Christmas tree and decorations are ones I’ve had for years. I never buy new decorations etc as it seems unnecessary.
IvyKingslayer@reddit
I buy 1 new decoration each year. And there’s something lovely about going through them all and remembering where I was at that point in my life and how much has changed since then. I’ve also inherited ornaments from my parents and Nan, and I love seeing the same baubles that I used to play with as a small child now decorating my little tree.
maceion@reddit
A single cake is our Christmas spend over our normal food items.
Paradiddles123@reddit
I genuinely don’t understand how people can spend so little. Perfumes or something like a pair of shoes or a jumper for me and my partner each run into £150-£300. The booze shop I do alone is usually £100. Then there’s the canapés and food. And I only really have to buy presents for 3 other people. Does my head in.
Teawillfixit@reddit
I did a approx 15 quid shein order for some fun cards for friends and the office, and a tiny Christmas hat for my snake.
I bought a box of cookies for 8 quid to take to work on the last day.
So 23quid?
(Yet to come -
Will prob blow an excessive amount on good quality cheese, cheese will be my downfall. Maybe 10 quid on doing myself a roast. Got 2 set menu lunches coming up, one friends, one colleagues. So prob another 60 there).
Aprilia850MM@reddit
You've inspired me to buy a santa hat for my cat.
He may even let me put it on him if I ply him with enough dreamies.
RevolutionaryPie5077@reddit (OP)
Love the tiny hat for the snake! And the cheese! Sounds like a wonderful festive season for you!
apocalypsebrow@reddit
Our family, nieces and nephews included are all adults so for the past few years we've done secret Santa with a budget of £15 . So one present instead of 20+. Me and the o/h are not buying for each other , he's got expensive tastes as he's a fisherman lol, and I'm indecisive so we just use our work m&s vouchers to buy some boujee nibbles . Might be another £10 towards our parents stocking. It didn't used to be this way, and I know my way isn't the norm but it works for me now . I had a bit of resentment at having to be frugal but I got over myself
originallyale@reddit
I think I bought my mum a book for £10 and my horse some treats for £8? I don’t do Christmas. My family agreed no gifts anymore. I’ll probably book something cute my my friend and I to do but it’s just pointless buying things for the sake of it!
I’m not even having dinner this year.
Aprilia850MM@reddit
Given the option I'd skip it entirely but my late husband's parents like to have a "proper christmas".
Several years ago the decision was taken to do secret santa within the family, £20 limit (more or less) which has removed considerable shopping stress from the whole thing.
iwantmorewhippets@reddit
So far about £300 on presents for the kids and £5 on wrapping paper. I have loads of cards left over from last year and still have a few presents to get for other people. All in all it will probably be about £500.
It's also my daughter's birthday soon, so I tend to buy everything together and lose track of what I have spent on Christmas Vs what I have spent on her birthday.
IvyKingslayer@reddit
I’ve spent about £200 on my parents as they’ve done a lot for me this year and I want to say thank you, I’ll spend about £50 on my best friend (but that’s tickets to a show for both of us) and £15 on secret Santa for work.
I don’t have anyone else to buy presents for and I don’t have any Christmas events in the diary. I will post cards to extended family but I already have the stamps and the cards.
So a quiet December over here.
Maleficent-Win-6520@reddit
£20 per gift. About £50 max for food for the wife and I.
No-Weather-3220@reddit
About £1000 consisting of £50 ( or present to value of £50 ) to adult kids ,partners and 6 grandchildren. Hubby's gift ,my own gift I guess as all comes out of joint account. Then ofcourse there will be the food on top.
Tideripper98@reddit
I don't check and I don't want to know.
knotatwist@reddit
Haven't finished buying but will probably spend around £1000 on presents
johnhard01@reddit
About £450. We do a secret Santa each side of the family for the adults. Save a fortune
Quirky_Zombie_5368@reddit
Don't have a job or benefits and just had a baby. Won't be spending more than 300. Had to have a talk with everyone and they seem to understand but honestly makes me very depressed. Love watching people open my presents I carefully selected. Now it mostly will be alcohol.
RevolutionaryPie5077@reddit (OP)
I'm sure people will understand! Congrats on the new baby! There's so many lovely Christmas memories to be made with them, and they don't cost money! Plus a lifetime of watching them open their presents to come, it's okay to take a year off!
Spiritual_Weather656@reddit
So far around £160
£135 for my boyfriend
£25 for my grandma
Those are the only people I buy gifts for, and I haven't done the food shop yet.
But I buy bits and bobs during the weekly shop when I see things I like , they're not really for Christmas but they are Christmas themed products like the Aldi hot chocolate. It's for winter so idk if it counts.
I will probably not spend on anything else except food and alcohol closer to the time.
fanatic_tarantula@reddit
about 2k. Youngest got a ride on lamborghini plus others bits. Middle one ipad and iphone + other bits, eldest gaming laptop + other bits.
RevolutionaryPie5077@reddit (OP)
100% :what do you want to be, richest man in the graveyard?"
fanatic_tarantula@reddit
Exactly. My friends dad was a millionaire and they lived the most frugal lifestyle ever. Shopped at midnight to save 50p and he ended up dying at 55 with cancer. That money didn't prolong his life and if he actually spent it he and his kids could have had a better life
Travellingjake@reddit
I mean, there is going to be a happy medium, but if he didn't spend it then the kid(s) received it as inheritance? I recognise they may have preferred that it was spent when they were younger, but 6 figures in the bank account probably softened the blow a bit?
fanatic_tarantula@reddit
They lost most of it squabbling over the money with lawyers and an ex-wife getting involved. Then also getting a massive inheritance tax bill so having to sell a business to pay for it. The kids would have rather had a better childhood than what eventually happened.
One of his sayings was you only need to use 2 squares of toiler roll to wipe your bum. Thats how tight he was. So he was a millionaire that stunk of shit most of the time
mattamz@reddit
Glad we decided to save a little every week starting from a few months ago so I could just buy my kids main present a few weeks ago lol were not as organized as doing a spreadsheet though.
Realistic-River-1941@reddit
Nothing. It's November.
pHa7Ron67@reddit
Nothing.
A grandmother who isn't very well and needs round the clock care, my aunt just passed this month, my stepdads leukemia has returned.. can't say we're really in the mood for Christmas this year.
I'll still buy for my girlfriend and her parents, but I think my side of the family is just considering this year a write off when it comes to Christmas.
Visiting and making sure I spend time with people is my priority this year. Hoping for a better 2026.
RevolutionaryPie5077@reddit (OP)
I'm so sorry, its awful how these things tend to all come at once. Wishing you all the best, and I too hope your 2026 is kinder to you all!
shaneo632@reddit
Probably about £300-350 across 8 people
v_clandestine@reddit
Solid £0
SDUK94@reddit
I’ve spent around £3500. I love Christmas.
shaneo632@reddit
It’s only November, I’ve not started yet
Equal-Competition930@reddit
I not work out probably about two hundred and 50 pounds. I cut down alot this year. My brother + family and my stepdad son and wife have both moved recently so got them gift vouchers , a also got gift voucher if my niece plus some toys, my mum wanted boxset of mash so that most expensive thing I brought, got my step dad some old spice . Plus cheap Christmas cards, 3 gift bags . I not included in my working out I also got a tin and range of treats for christmas and her birthday which is boxing day for my dog.
Iz_lps@reddit
Idk about the adult in our household, but between my best friend, my mother (who has a birthday on boxing day) and my Nan I think I've spent about £100 on Christmas so far. I need to get some bits for my brother, probably about £20 of stuff, and our £5 secret santa. For a teen working with a twice monthly £50 allowance + savings, I say I'm doing pretty well for my first year buying gifts independently lol
RevolutionaryPie5077@reddit (OP)
That's amazing! Nice one for saving up!
noddyneddy@reddit
I always did the same up until we decided to go secret Santa in the family
Superspark76@reddit
I have a Christmas bank account I put money in every month. Usually have about £500 come Christmas for presents, extra food and drink.
Makes Christmas a lot easier.
Full_Fun9829@reddit
Do you have a template for this spreadsheet?
Crochet-panther@reddit
Not OP and not a spreadsheet but I use Gift List for tracking presents etc. you can add each person, set a budget, track what’s ordered/arrived/wrapped/sent, list ideas that you haven’t bought yet. It keeps me on track at least
Full_Fun9829@reddit
Thank you very much
RevolutionaryPie5077@reddit (OP)
I don't unfortunately! I'm not very well versed in Excel, I just copy it over from the previous year and manually delete the previous entries. I'm sure someone better at it than me could achieve it more efficiently!
cloudyextraswan@reddit
Sweet FA.
I live alone, my brother is with his partner, my mum with my sister and I’ll be at my dad’s. The only thing he’s asked me for is to make a dessert, so I suppose £30 on ingredients for a Dundee cake.
Travellingjake@reddit
Holy moly what size of dundee cake are you thinking of making with £30 of ingredients!?
alpacabag4u@reddit
I use a gift app to keep track of presents. It's showing my total spend at £1356 for gifts for 15 people, I still have a couple of things to buy so the total will be just over £1400. I think I've spent about £30 on wrapping paper, cards and gift bags. Food will be bought using clubcard points so probably about £100-£120. Panto was £140 for 5 of us. Total spend will be roughly £1700
gottaloveteatime@reddit
I actually don't buy many presents (all the adults on my side of the family are part of a secret Santa with a £30 limit, so it's only really the kids to buy for), but I reckon I still end up spending at least £700 at Christmas time (excluding festive food).
This spend would cover gifts and activities (e.g light trail was £120 this year, Santa grotto visits £32, Christmas tree will probably cost about £50, treating my in-laws to a meal out as their Christmas gift will probably cost about £150 etc.). As my kids get older, I imagine that cost will increase as we would do more activities and get them bigger gifts.
We also have 3 birthday's near Christmas, so that will add to the overall spend during the festive period.
John-the-Renounced@reddit
So far, £0. Total expected to be around £150, and £20 for dinner - a simple roast chicken.
KrisKat93@reddit
Me and my partner typically budget around 500-600 each year to spend on eachother/family/friends. I'll also chuck an extra £50-100 on the food budget for Christmas week
destria@reddit
We buy presents for just immediate family (parents and siblings) and friend's children. So around 8 adults and 6 children. I've spent about £250 on those.
Then my own child I've spent £50 (secondhand play kitchen plus toy food etc.) and £170 on my husband (robot vacuum, he asked).
ChampionshipOk5046@reddit
I just told a friend who's Xmas shopping today not to but me anything for Xmas.
I threw the last thing they bought me, for my birthday, straight in the recycling a few months ago.
I'm sick of people buying junk because of some commercial custom.
Look at the shite people give as presents. Most of it is just rubbish and not needed or wanted or used.
SurprisedCoot23@reddit
Spent about £200 on my 2 daughters and will probably spend about £100 on 4 other family members. Not got a tree yet or xmas day food but that wont be much more.
Unstableavo@reddit
About £200 Care package for stepdad made up of multiple items. Care package for mom Mom's retirement gift Dogs gift One gift for me
CranberryPuffCake@reddit
So far I've spent £55 ish.
I only buy for my husband, mum, sister and Nan. I'll probably spend about £400 in total.
Rommel_Dachshund@reddit
My husband and I don’t really buy Christmas presents for each other as we don’t really need/want anything special. Instead we do spend quite a bit on theatre, music, comedy tickets throughout the year, the gift that keeps on giving! Veggie so don’t spend too much on Christmas dinner, hate roasts. Cheese & biscuits and snacky bits. Adult family is quite small, only a brother on my side. Husband token gifts to siblings and partners on his side, bottle of good spirits or wine. Niblings get whatever book is recommended or we know they will enjoy. No plastic shit as the parents are sick of the waste & so are we🙄
Marvel--Jesus@reddit
Sad. You need better hobbies.
beepbop24hha@reddit
I think I’ve spent about £350 so far with another £200 in the budget to complete xmas present shopping. We do have 23 people to buy for, usually I start mid way through the year to spread the cost but I didn’t this year and left it until now.
Cat-Cuddler1@reddit
We've spent more on mince pies than we have on anything else related to Christmas, haha.
No presents to each other this year. £100 for our big family secret Santa. Then everyone gets one really great gift and that's it. Otherwise we'd be buying gifts for more than 10-12 people...
Using last year's wrapping paper etc.
H1ghlyVolatile@reddit
£0.
EatingCoooolo@reddit
Nothing yet.
Conscious_Salt_5817@reddit
£100 Christmas decorations (felt kid friendly) £150 daughters presents (1st Xmas) £70 younger sisters £130 for family kids (clothes only to not waste on tat) £70 mum £70 aunty £100 booze £20 for the pets. Don't judge.
Likely spend £100 on food.
FizzyLemonPaper@reddit
£83 so far, £73 on my SO's gift and £10 on the office secret santa.
I expect to spend up to £30 each on the niblings, the only adult family member I'll gift to is my brother, who has learning difficulties so it keeps the magic going for him, maybe £50 for him.
I've spent £17 so far on Xmas chocolates but will do a roast chicken for Christmas dinner, so groceries will maybe be £15-20 to get a chicken, stuffing, pigs in blankets and if the supermarkets get their 10p veg again, plus a small dessert. It'll just be me and my husband to feed.
That all takes me to £290 expected spend so far. Probably will creep over that.
Silverstone2015@reddit
You got me curious! So I’ve added it up.
I think we’ll spend about £650 this year, which includes Christmas pyjamas which are an area where we have fallen prey to capitalism. We have two small children, but otherwise we’ll likely only buy for my parents and sister, and my husbands mum. I can see how it would escalate quickly with extra cousins etc in the family!
Proper_North_5382@reddit
I've only brought cards so far, just under £11 for that. Still need to spend £10 on Secret Santa for work.
Probably ending up getting stuff at the airport for family, may get the odd thing if I see something that I can take. I'll probably end up spending close to £200 or so. Flights don't count as mum is kindly paying me back, otherwise it would be over £500 already.
glitterswirl@reddit
I decided to save money on cards this year… £1.99 for 40 cards from Card Factory. They’re actually pretty nice considering they are only 5p each.
As my relative said, she resents paying £2-5 a card for multiple people, when they often end up in the recycling bin anyway.
Excellent-Camp-6038@reddit
Nothing so far… I like to live dangerously!
RevolutionaryPie5077@reddit (OP)
My autism could never! Lol, I was done with wrapping by mid November!
bigwillyman7@reddit
I was almost this organised once and it was great, never happened again tho!
Isgortio@reddit
£35? A fiver on myself for a decoration (I don't have any, I didn't bring them with me when I moved out of my parents house), and £30 on a joint present for my dad, split 3 ways between my siblings and I. I'm in my final year of university, I won't get away with being cheap next year :p
I definitely couldn't spend as much as some people here are spending though!
Crochet-panther@reddit
My tracking app says just under £300 on presents so far, suspect I’ve missed the odd bit and I still have a few things to go so will probably get to £400 ish.
AggravatingOwl9@reddit
I track mine using custom categories on Monzo - so far I’ve spent £183.13 and I’ve bought most of my main presents with that. Sure it’ll go up with with the big food shop and I have one more main present to buy along with stocking fillers etc
LemmysCodPiece@reddit
So far, nothing. I doubt it will be much more than that.
Last_Negotiation4073@reddit
I do love a spreadsheet but I only have 5 people to buy for so it’s not worth it. I just write a list on my phone with the price next to it. So far I’ve spent £111 on just my mother. In total, on presents I probably spent £250.
jevlegend@reddit
£0
b135702@reddit
I'm 32 and don't have kids and also have no nieces or nephews. Our family doesn't do presents any more. My partner and I decided to set a £20 limit for something small and instead go out for a fancy new year's meal.
We're hosting dinner for my parents and two brothers so biggest cost will probably be food, we also spent about £70 on decorations and a tree!
b135702@reddit
Christmas isn't a good time for a LOT of people so I think calling those who don't celebrate to the extent others do "frugal" isn't fair, it just isn't a huge deal for a lot of us.
Fwoggie2@reddit
My wife runs our spreadsheet. We have a secret Santa each on my FILs side, another on my MIL side and a third for a WhatsApp parent group my wife is in for the kids.
That then leaves each other, our two nephews and daughter.
Total expenditure this year was just shy of £900.
starsandbribes@reddit
£60 on family secret Santa limit and £150 on my significant other. I buy lots of functional stuff around the year so I don’t for much, in fact I struggle adding anything to a wishlist.
Qamata@reddit
Personally, upward of £1500 I think for the while family. Not sure what my wife has spent, but probably nowhere near that amount.
tinglybiscuits@reddit
Probably about £2000. That’s presents, some decorations, Christmas days out and the deposit for the food
Traditional-Idea-39@reddit
absolutely nothing lol
BG3restart@reddit
I spend a fortune, but don't buy many gifts, I mostly give money to my kids, their spouses and my grandkids. I do get the little ones something to open, but the bulk of their gift is money in the account they'll get access to when they're older and they will probably be glad of it then as it will give them options.
mimivuvuvu@reddit
£800 on gifts (brothers is pending & his is either cheap or most expensive)
£25 on wrapping stuff (bags, paper, ribbons etc)
juicynugget@reddit
£0
We’re lucky to buy what we need when we need it. Last couple of years we’ve gotten people tickets or vouchers for experiences but even from those we have enough at the moment. Surprised to say I feel for the first time we’ve found our “enough”.
We will spend time together and celebrate the good things that have happened this year. We crave this at the moment. Would be great if I remember to take pictures.
No kids right now, so expect that will change. But also, have become really conscious of how much stuff we have and how much effort they take to organise, use or display, dust, eventually dispose of etc. It’s been actually a bit overwhelming, so this year we are selling/giving away more of our stuff than even buying.
For 2026 I want the people around me healthy and well, a tidy and pleasant home - less stuff, leftover money in the bank for cafes & bakeries every week, maybe some travel, maybe some theatre/concert outings and progressing with some personal goals.
Strong-Librarian-OOK@reddit
So far: £6 on 2 advent calendars and £40 on tickets for a lights thing plus parking. My family and I aren’t swapping presents, we’re all going out together instead
RevolutionaryPie5077@reddit (OP)
I love that! Memories are forever after all!
OkSir4079@reddit
I have a budget of £500 to cover everything except food. So far I've spent £37.98 on a kindle plus delivery. 12 more gifts to go and whats left will be spent on beverages:)
cgknight1@reddit
there are two nephews below 18 - they get about £30 each in presents (I fill up their JISAs across the year).
My wife and I who do not want for anything spent a maximum of £25 each on a present because we could just blow hundreds on a present and that is less of a challenge.
Adults over 18 do not get presents otherwise because there are so many of us in the extended family that it would get very complex and very expensive (e.g. there are ten brothers and sisters between us before we got into their kids, grand-kids).
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