We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Don't worry about Xmas!
shellstar
Posts: 190 Forumite
This is such a random post, but I've noticed a lot of people on here seem to be worry about Christmas a lot, and I thought that sharing my experience might help.
I'm not in a massive amount of debt, I just sometimes fall into my overdraft a bit. However, I grew up in a house consumed by debt problems (which are still there, I just don't live at home anymore and make my own way now, so it doesn't affect me as much).
Anyway, growing up, I've had many a Christmas that was cancelled. No presents at all. A couple of times my brother and I got a chocolate bar, I'm not going to pretend it wouldn't have been nice to have a present, but despite this, I LOVE christmas, it's my favourite. I love it because it was when we all ate a nice meal as a family (the only extras to the usual roast were sausages wrapped in bacon and 99p crackers) and spent all day together, playing games and watching films. I have very special memories of Xmas because of this.
Now I'm older, I appreciate every gift my parents give me and the efforts they went to to make those days special.
I just wanted to let people who worry know that not having Xmas presents never damaged me. The debt has been much more damaging (mostly because unlike folks on here, they've never had the light bulb moment and I can't force them - frustrating). At least my folks didn't add to their problems over a day that was special without the trimmings.
Don't know if that helps at all, but if it stops one person spending money they don't have on stuff they don't need for their kid who really will survive without it, then it's worth it!
I'm not in a massive amount of debt, I just sometimes fall into my overdraft a bit. However, I grew up in a house consumed by debt problems (which are still there, I just don't live at home anymore and make my own way now, so it doesn't affect me as much).
Anyway, growing up, I've had many a Christmas that was cancelled. No presents at all. A couple of times my brother and I got a chocolate bar, I'm not going to pretend it wouldn't have been nice to have a present, but despite this, I LOVE christmas, it's my favourite. I love it because it was when we all ate a nice meal as a family (the only extras to the usual roast were sausages wrapped in bacon and 99p crackers) and spent all day together, playing games and watching films. I have very special memories of Xmas because of this.
Now I'm older, I appreciate every gift my parents give me and the efforts they went to to make those days special.
I just wanted to let people who worry know that not having Xmas presents never damaged me. The debt has been much more damaging (mostly because unlike folks on here, they've never had the light bulb moment and I can't force them - frustrating). At least my folks didn't add to their problems over a day that was special without the trimmings.
Don't know if that helps at all, but if it stops one person spending money they don't have on stuff they don't need for their kid who really will survive without it, then it's worth it!
Hoping to create a beautiful life for DS and I.
As of October 2025...
Current mortgage: £349,741.90. Approx current house value £525k (who knows!). Mortgage up Sept 2026
Current retraining fund: £25,952.90 (planned career change by 2030. Fully funded on today's prices)
Current emergency fund: £10,834.38 (hoping to reach £42k as a transition fund)
Current buy out/moving fund: £44,714.61 (plus equity)
As of October 2025...
Current mortgage: £349,741.90. Approx current house value £525k (who knows!). Mortgage up Sept 2026
Current retraining fund: £25,952.90 (planned career change by 2030. Fully funded on today's prices)
Current emergency fund: £10,834.38 (hoping to reach £42k as a transition fund)
Current buy out/moving fund: £44,714.61 (plus equity)
0
Comments
-
Great post. It's the company that makes Christmas for me, not presents. Although seeing my 7 year old stepson open something he REALLY wants, and the joy on his face is a very nice feeling indeed. But it ain't the be all and end all as you say. When they become adults, they'll appreciate the things they needed (love, security etc), way more than the things they merely wanted.Set your goals high, and don't stop till you get there.
Bo Jackson0 -
What a nice post and very reassuring to lots of people -thanks!
Mrs R#Tesco 0% NIL Jan 2010
# RBS 3.9% NIL Oct 2010
# Virgin 0% £2670.92 Oct 2010
# RBS O/D NIL - repaid with redundancy pay Jan 20100 -
Fab post. Its what we think people are going to think of us if we dont give good pressies etc, stupid isnt it. So we miss the rent or whatever so we look good ( well thats me anyway) but not this year
thankyouBack tracked and taking the other fork in the road, it has to lead to a better place than the other one did0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 352.3K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.6K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 454.3K Spending & Discounts
- 245.3K Work, Benefits & Business
- 601.1K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 177.6K Life & Family
- 259.2K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.7K Read-Only Boards