MONEY MORAL DILEMMA. Do you break the no Christmas present pact?

maria74

I'd tell them off for being naughty and breaking the pact but then arrange a night in together after the new year where I'd cook and we'd share the champagne.

pennypinchUK

Martin, you're going soft for Christmas - this is the easiest dilemma you've set.... Out of politeness, I'd thank my friend but remind them of the pact, and then break open the champers to toast our friendship, with the clear message to stick to our promises next year!

kursbi

Presents needn't cost money, so I don't think the pact is valid in the first place. A nice jar of homemade chili jam would do me fine.

Plus if you are relatively unaffected by the recession, so far, then not spending this Christmas will surely add to the downward trend.

I am off to the shops...

Rab19

We've had that this year already! Baby #2 is due in 7 weeks & we've told ALL Family & Friends that we're only buying for the children & our respective parents - that's it. We have got something small for our best friend & Hubby's little brother, as they spend money on our son, but asked for nothing in return.

Best friend turns up on Sunday with Son #1's presents, along with a bag of presents for us & a bottle of something for my Mum (who also told him not to buy her anything) so he's completely ignored ALL our wishes!

I told him off - quite sharply too - as we had nothing else to give him & no money to get anything else & it made me feel inadequate & guilty. He laughed & asked Hubby if I was joking, to be told 'frankly - no she's not mate, you've ignored everything we said & now she & I feel bad' . . . I think BF got the message & hope we won't have this again next year - love him to bits, but we asked for a reason!

So . . . in summary - NO - no rushing out to buy another pressie!


Merry Christmas one & all


Rab x x

Saucepot

I'd thank him for the grog and buy him boogar all, saying "ta but I thought we weren't bothering" Feel guilty? Not about the present. I'd feel guilty about nailing his missus but not about a cheap bottle of plonk.

In fact I'd crack open the bottle and share it with his missus, at our next illicit rendevous.

tallgirld

NAHHH!!! I'd stick to my guns.

I would ask her why she sent me the champagne though. Then on New years Eve I would drink the whole bottle. ON MY OWN ;-)

karen.james4

Maureen_Davison wrote: »

Each year we buy presents but say that thankfully, there's nothing that we need, so please don't buy us anything in return. Nevertheless, we still receive presents and they end up being left at the bottom of cupboards.
This year we have said that WE aren't buying gifts, except for children, or those in need of Christmas cheer.
We do intend to buy a token gift for everyone, but we genuinely do not want anything for ourselves. The last thing we want is for people to feel that they have to buy us gifts in return.

you are just as bad! it may be a token gift but then people will feel bad that they haven't got you anything.

pippinpuss

In our family it has been parents & children for quite a few years otherwise it just gets out of hand.

If someone buys a gift for anyone else we just says thanks & scold them - in a half hearted way. I feel no compunction to buy them a gift in return.

If I was bought a bottle of champagne it would go with all the others I have accumulated over the years. I am putting them towards the kids wedding 'fund' will save me a fortune eventually.

We used to limit gifts to £5 & see how inventive people could be.

debtdesperado

I wouldn't break the pact - I don't feel obligated to get someone a gift unless I see something really appropriate, and then I don't expect something in return.

People who buy 'token' presents are the most irritating people I know... no thought has gone into the gift, it's a waste of their time and money, AND I have to pretend that I'm so grateful etc etc :mad:

annbar_2

Definately not get him something back his loss drink it & enjoy it.:beer: