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Responding to sara3 ('you seem very knowledgable') - I remember checking that part out, about selling what you own and when then there could be some confusion if you're then buying to sell more and it's regular.
I was always confused about seasonal gifts, though.
I think what you said, sara3 is right, that any money coming in is always to be declared. But isn't the concept of seasonal gifts a bit different? Some people often give and receive money, and can easily end up out of pocket when declaring, because at a birthday in a month or so, they then may spend more than they received.
Having to measure Christmas presents exactly - he / she gives £150 cash present, so I'll have to make sure to get a present not costing more than that - changes the nature of the time and the gifts.
I had heard that seasonal gifts were different, sara, that's why I was asking and I couldn't find any information, then, when I searched. It kind of feels intuitive that seasonal gifts including cash may be different. I don't know.
I also feel I'd kind of be laughed at at a benefit office for declaring £20 or so at such a time. And then I'm also realising that I'll be buying the same, elderly relative who has given a cash gift things that is hard for that person to buy themselves, and would leave if I didn't give them a gift. So, I'm thinking it also sounds a bit stupid then. But it's kind of nearly impossible for me to be lax about benefits, because of the TV ad campaigns - the scare stuff. Not that I'm scared - a mistake over £20 to £100 once or twice is just that. But, I kind of can't actually do anything after those ads before making sure it's right. I wonder if those ads have subliminal hypnotic messages in them? (Not, that I'm not usually good, ' course I am!)