If I havent got children should Xmas be cancelled?

robin_banks

£10.00 limit seems reasonable , and I like the pound shops idea !!

pboae

We don't have kids and never will. My family don't generally give presents once you are an adult (except that my siblings and I buy my Mum something and she gets us something). I used to buy for all the kids, but now I only buy for the ones who's parents make an effort. If I don't see or hear from them all year, they don't get a present. If I don't know them well enough to have an idea as to what sort of pressie they would like, then what's the point, the kids won't know who I am?

So many people I know expect the world to revolve around them once they've had kids, I couldn't accomodate them all even if I wanted to. It doesn't bother me that their priorities have changed, but mine haven't. If it's important to them that I have a relationship with the kids, then it's up to them to make the effort to ensure it happens, and if they do I will be a doting auntie. But I've got no interest in just being a wallet a Christmas.

biscotte

My in laws all had this discussion a couple of years back when my PIL decided to stop buying pressies for adult children but just for the grandchildren. We adult kids (my husbands siblings and spouses) decided to carry on getting gifts for each other because we didn't want our children to think that christmas was just another 'birthday' for them and that adults and older children also were 'special' at christmas. That said I try and make sure that my kids make a little something for their aunts and uncles as well as buying them a 'proper' pressie.

A nice gift to buy for someone who you feel wouldn't appreciate your gift is one of the gifts from Oxfam unlimited - say a share in a goat for a village or clean water for a year. There are several schemes around - ideal for spoilt brats who need to learn how lucky they really are.

margaretclare

I really hate this term 'pressie'.

I also dislike what Christmas has become. Weeks of build-up and then a huge great let-down the day after. Not to speak of the mental effort needed in what to buy for whom, the problems of paying for it all.

There is no law which says you have to do what everyone is saying you should do. If you haven't the money then don't do it.

ginvzt

I remember back home for couple of years we used to set an odd amount that should be paid for the gift. Something like £3.87 or £20.09 (for example - for the year 2009!). It used to be fun trying to get something to oddly set amount - you don't just get a small hamper pack form the shelve on Christmas Eve for £4.99.

Hint - weighted sweets work well, as you can to top-up the gift to the required amount!

smk77

My young sister and I have both have baby boys since last Christmas. My older brother is single without children. We give presents each year however I'm going to discuss with sister what we should do about presents in the future.

As far as I am concerned, if my brother is going to buy presents I want him to spend his money on my boy and not me. I don't expect anything. If he buys something for my boy they I'll be just as happy (well, happier!) as I would be if he bought something for me. Of course, i'd buy something for my brother because I wouldn't want him to feel left out. Actually, i think it would be rude of me to allow him to give to my boy and for me not to give anything back.

ginvzt

Christmas is for everyone, not just for children!!!!!

ticklepenny_2

I am looking at a skint christmas this year and luckily I dont have any neices or nephews yet, although next year I will be a new mum :eek: But me and OH have decided we have £10 to fill a stocking with naff stuff that makes us laugh (and chocolate) and the same next year. That way we can sit in bed opening lots of little presents, then have a big xmas meal of turkey and mountains of veg! I love xmas! And am still a big kid at heart. I always send xmas cards to family, but only buy gifts for family if I have been able to work alot of overtime in October and November.

woozywendy

I don't buy for my sister or bil, but my children have £5 each to spend on them that they have saved themselves. I have spent 7 hours in town in the past while they insisted on traipsing round EVERY shop more than once while they made their decision. They go into great discussion about who's £5 is going to pay for what present. I love the look on my sister and bil faces when they open their presents from their nieces.

trixietoes

I agree with the OP. I am in the same situation, it isn't a matter of not wanting to buy presents for the kids. It's great seeing their faces light up no matter what time of year.

The fact is that because you haven't got kids your considerations don't come into it. Parents automatically assume that their single friends have no responsibilities and are free at the drop of a had to accomodate working around their family. Most of the time we don't mind, sometimes it would be nice to be considered though... and asked when something was convenient for us once maybe.

I think the OP was very brave posting as it opens the floodgates to lots of people then branding them selfish and spoilt, and how can you begrudge a child this, that or the other.