If things get tougher?

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

Gigervamp wrote: »

My daughter would be very disappointed if I didn't give her a set of fleecy PJ's every christmas. It's become a tradition now!

My daughter's and granddaughter's all expect their Pjs and slippers every year,like you it's more a tradition than part of the present I give them.

tim_n

hmmm

I don't have kids - so I can't really offer an opinion, but I'll have a go anyway. Christmas isn't about the gifts, it's about getting together with the family. Last year we set a limit of £5 (my significant other and I) and it was the best set of presents - she made me a one of those head scratching things and I put together a chequebook of jobs she didn't like doing that I'd do instead. Also a set of 'get out of the flat' cheques so she could have a girly night in.

Worked well! Will let you know how I handle the kids in a couple of years when hopefully we'll be having some!

Uniscots97

I'll certainly be making use of all the freebies I can get to fill up the kids stockings this year. Yes they got their big presents but they were just as chuffed with the little things (fleecey socks, hair stuff, deodorant, body spray etc) some of which were freebies but the present that went down the best last Christmas was one of the other freebies I managed to get. Remember the Unazukin (Yes/No) dolls? That was a freebie and turned out to be the best present (according to youngest) so its not always about the amount of money spent.

LameWolf

I'd far sooner have something useful as a present. Tim_n, we don't have kids either, so we don't have that particular problem re what's an acceptable present. When Mr LW was out of work, we had to drop present-giving within the family, of necessity, and have carefully not re-started it.

We buy each other things for birthdays, but each of us will ask the other what they'd like. A couple of years back, I asked him for a PDA, as my memory loss is getting markedly worse, and I can honestly say I'd be lost without it now.

Yule before last we needed to get a new PC, so I suggested we pay half each, and make that our Yule present to each other. Yes it was an expense, but was necessary for his job; I had his old one (which I'm typing on now) and we recycled my ancient Gerbil-Powered one that would no longer defrag properly.

Valli

Common sense prevails! (IMHO - obviously) come January when all the post christmas credit card bills drop onto doormats I bet some of those 'luxury' present buyers regret it! Incidentally - I personally do class perfume as a necessity but dare not spend when cash is tight so appreciate it as a gift.

tiff

Although I dont give my kids clothes as presents, I dont believe in spending loads of money at Christmas, like Valli is implying!

Valli

tiff wrote: »

Although I dont give my kids clothes as presents, I dont believe in spending loads of money at Christmas, like Valli is implying!

- As a matter of fact I am referring to those outside :money: MSE's site - those of use who are here - on whatever forum - must have more sense. Cos we all know what our glorious leader thinks of credit cards! We're dealing with our debts - not creating more! :T

patentgirl

couldnt agre more Valli you only have to go to any shopping centre even on a sunday they are packed full of people even on a nice sunny days spending mainly with there bits of plastic I often think to myself I bet they dont listen to Martin, and if you are wondering what I am doing there it is DD24 wedding shortly and been shopping for that special outfit and yes I paid cash lol
My 3 have always had clothes and smellies for birthdays and Christmas and have never minded these are not essential bits but fashion and party stuff which I wouldnt normally buy for them and they have never complained

Valli

Hope you have a brill time at the wedding Patentgirl and I hope the weather is better for you than what we're having now.
Yes - like you I have seen people trawling round shops spending like mad and you have to wonder if they are doing it because they're bored - because they cannot need all they buy. As a single parent I try very hard to teach my two the value of money and am trying to encourage them to save for things they want. When new mobiles have been wanted they have gathered birthday/xmas money together to buy them. Now we've had a Eureka moment - after a discussion about the leccy bill the are remembering to turn off unused appliances AT THE MAINS!!! including the microwave - which we switch on when we use it - because I figured out it was costing me a lot to know what time it was in the kitchen all day! My monthly direct debit has aready been reduced:beer:

zarazara

Talking of clothes, even the charity shops dont seem to want them any more. Our local place refused 2 bin liners of good clothes from me this morning. they eventually decided to take them though as i pointed out i'd traveled 8 miles in the landrover to drop them off and they didnt have a sign in the window saying No more stuff.