You aren't early, just sensible. I've sadly been thinking about Christmas since the schools broke up.[V] If you can start to put a wee bit aside, it would be good. When I went into a trust deed, i spoke to some of the people we gave to and gave to their kids. I told them how skint we were and that we'd only be giving to kids and even then we set a limit of £10 (just for close friends kids as well). Me and the husband only bought small gifts for each other and we set a limit of £50 for my boy. I suppose we're lucky that we don't have a massive family. You'd be amazed at how many people will look visibly relieved when you say 'how about we skip Christmas and just do cards'. A lot of people are in the same boat and don't want to say.

And last year, I started buying stuff for Christmas in June - saw some really cheap WII games in a sale.
Good luck with asking your trustee about this. It can't hurt to ask and at least if you ask now, it gives you a few month till the dreaded day.

A payment holiday isn't routinely offered for Christmas I'm afraid - it is expected that people should put something by each month, or buy presents throughout the year.
itr is possible to organise payment breaks in trust deeds, but only usually to cope with unexpected/unavoidable expenses or temporary loss of income.

Hi

I am afrid I have to agree with Kevin, breaks are not usually common in TD's - not for Christmas anyway. If your Trustee did allow it, I would think the missed payment would be added on at the end so that creditors do not lose out.

Hi again xdenzelx.

A similar subject was raised on the forum last week and there were some excellent suggestions made.

You can read the thread at:

http://www.trust-deed.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1378

I agree completely with Gillian. I did this a few years ago, mainly because of time contstraints than money at the time but it certainly opened my eyes to how much I spent without thinking. She's right about other people being relieved too and I had less stress and more time to spend with my family rather than shopping.

Having said that, for the things you need to get there are loads of cheap and free options for Christmas. You've got plenty of time so start looking now:
- go into Poundland, Home Bargains, etc. every time you pass so you don't miss the best bargains.
- browse eBay at home for the bargains there too.
- join Freecycle online and ask for what you want, people are VERY generous.
- make a bit of extra money by selling the stuff you no longer want on eBay or at car boot sales.
- buy 1p books on Amazon, they're usually in excellent condition.
- make christmas day special and amazing so the presents are secondary.

Martin Lewis (the Moneysaving Expert) hits the nail on the head with his blog: (Link removed - please Google "is it time to ban Christmas presents" if you would like to read this blog from Martin Lewis)

That's a really thought-provoking blog that you point out uncleben. It's not a problem, but we do ask that external links aren't posted in the forum. I've indicated how people can easily find and read the article if they'd like to.

Oops, apologies. It makes you think though doesn't it. We do give gifts for all the wrong reasons and it becomes pointless and ever more expensive.

How about writing a nice letter to your friends telling them why they've been your friend for so long and what you like about them - I'd be willing to bet they'd appreciate that much more than perfume.

I remember a few years ago, pre trust deed, I totted up how much I spent on 3 people that we buy for and the total for them came to £120. At the time, H and I were spending about £20 on each other and not much on my boy as he was quite little and more interested in empty boxes and wrapping paper. After feeling sick when I counted up what we were spending (by the time presents, food and general Christmas cack was bought), it came to just under £1000. No surprises I ended up in a trust deed. A lot of the time I'd look at a gift and feel obliged to spend the same on the other person. Truth is, they felt exactly the same. Our Christmas expenditure comes to about £400 now and I still think that's extravagent. A chunk of that comes from money that I get from my dad for my birthday and vouchers my brother gives me. H gets some vouchers from work and the rest gets scrimped in the months leading up. Another thing we do is just give my boy one pressie from Santa and it's not a biggie. That way when he stops believing (and we've strung it out for 9 years), he won't feel like he's losing out.

Another suggestion I have is a bit naughty. If there's anyone you aren't likely to see till after the dreaded date, get their pressie in the sales. Have done that a few times.

Anyone who has a problem with you cutting back given that you're in financial difficulties can just sod off in my opinion. Don't be embarressed to tell them either. That or write them an IOU for when the deed is complete. The kids might object of course. Concentrate in your kids and tell everyone else the position - they can like it or lump it.

Sorry for rambling again.

Well said Gillian. I couldn't agree more. If someone doesn't want to be your friend because they aren't getting a Christmas present, then you have to ask yourself if you want that sort of person as a friend anyway.

When you give a gift you give an obligation to reciprocate. Don't tell them that you're not getting them a gift, tell them you are releasing them from their obligation to get you one [:D]

I am planing to make small handmade gifts, my true friends know that money is tight just know. Was going to make handmade cards from my stash in the house, mind you last year i did not send any cards and there were no complaints.

I was dreading the big family get together last Xmas @ the in-laws so suggested we do secret Santa with £20 limit...I think.everyone was releived, saved time & money...and that embarrassing moment when someone gives u a great pressie & u give them socks 🙂