Worried

Useless_with_wonga

Well I know how you feel but the truth is that for me at least kid's first and foremost and even then it is going to be massively scaled back from previous years which has been the cause of some of the problems we now face:o
Christmas has got out of hand and gets worse year on year. It is seriously over commercialised and has had it's true meaning drowned in a sea of greed and over indulgence.
I have known this to be the case for many years but am guilty like most of being suckered in by it all.
I have wriiten a nice letter to our adult friends and relatives which will be placed in a decent card. Basically wishing them a Merry Christmas, we hope to see them over the festive period blah blah blah and that's it end of story.
To be fair though they are all aware of our position so it makes it easier to say "Sorry no pressies but Merry Christmas anyway."
It's one day. It's a religious holiday, not many folks are that religious or at least don't appear to be so why do we get that excited about it when the rest of the years religious holidays/events have little to no impact on people .
It's a lovely time of year that would be all the better if we all refused to indulge in the over commercialism, bought a simple gift, went to church and enjoyed the day with family and friends a nice meal and a few drinkie poo's.
Don't do it. You know it's got to be paid back don't make the rest of the year a misery for the sake of one day.
Merry Christmas everyone:D

pwally2

I have to say i find it crazy that people are prepared to spend what they dont have just because the feel pressurized into it. As Useless with wonga says its meant to be a religious festival. I couldnt believe that on the monday after bonfire night not even having the grace to get Armistice Day out the way Santa's Grotto was in the shopping centre. What a mad world we live in. I served in the Armed Forces and worked 7yrs on the trot on Christmas Day to allow others to spend it with their kids. My wife has worked the last 3 Christmas Day's luckily this year shes working nights so will get to spend most the day with her.

For me its Midnight Mass for a bit of Carol Singing, Christmas meal with my wife and some neighbours and that will do for me. As for presents this year am not bothering my wife will get something but thats it. Why should I spend £100's on people I rarely see half my family didnt even send me a brithday card!!!

Please please please think before spending on presents if you dont have the money. My mum gave my wife and me a great present. She bought us a food hamper but it has all those special christmas things in like a cake a pudding some stollen cake nuts chocolate brazil nuts some baileys liquor and some wine things we would never consider buying ourselves!!! ( must say she also gave us £100 to buy something special too!!)

just think about the consequences of spending that money!!!

Rant over!!!

katsu

katsu wrote: »

pound shops near me had lovely hat and scarf - fluffy and soft, looked great value for £1 each. Think I'll go back this weekend and see if they sold out

Incase you could do with gifts for a female, I can confirm Poundland and 99p shop still have nice fluffy hood scarves and there are fluffy hats in the 99p store. I've purchased some for Christmas and really recommend them.

firesidemaid

we went into town today and i got a 'scruffy mutts/and the little dog laughed' brand new/perfect address/birthday/note book for only £1.75 in a charity shop - would have cost loads more in a proper shop.

on friday they had some (again) perfect brambly hedge plates in another charity shop (which my mum loves) for £3 each - so i got the lovely mistletoe christmas one. i will wrap in lovely coloured tissue from poundland and include a display stand too.

my OH got a great b/hedge picture (perfect, lovely frame, has depth) from a carboot in the summer for 30p! which we also put away for christmas.

i think the key is to look for and source things all year around - for xmas and birthdays too. i always now make sure i have a supply of (low-cost) paper, cards, tags etc for all occasions so i am not caught out and have to buy something last-minute and expensive.

also today in home bargains, got a turtle-wax car care kit - a big tub full of goodies for £5.99 (RRP £14.99) - another present sorted.

Changingme

Have you got a HomeBargins near I found there pretty good for younger children.:D

Bestthingsinlifearefree

Keep it simple, christmas in terms of presents is just for the children. If all the adults agree to this it will cut costs right down.

Yes if you have no children and your brother / sister etc has 5 then it might not seem fair but at least you don't need to get something for the adults aswell. As I look on the lists above there is alot of adults on most peoples list.


Grown ups, should be able to understand the logic of just presents for the kids and that takes the pressure and obligation of all the family adults to buy stuff for each other.

jennyo

Could you give the adults promise certificates, ie a days gardening, a meal cooked or anything that you could do for them.
My mum very sadly died this year, and amongst the items we took to the charity shops were many unused christmas presents, we bought her things she neither wanted or needed.
I hope you can find a happy medium, I love christmas, but it has been much improved by getting rid of unnecessary present buying.