Is it time to ban Christmas presents? Blog and poll discussion

tiamaria

I've always enjoyed buying presents at Xmas, even as a child i would save up my 10p week pocket money and splash out on presents for family and friends. I still like it, it doesn't have to be a lot, I find many bargains reading the threads on here and it's nice to give friends a little something at xmas. My own children have xmas gifts, the amount is limited and they know what is too much and they don't expect more.

Sorry if it's not a popular view but i get great pleasure buying pressies:)

Giggleswick

Just listening to the radio and I agree with all that Martin says. It's got beyond a joke and the stress of it all get worse each year. A few presents to close family - and then that's it.

Giggles

dotherightthing_3

Yes, I agree....don't give what you can't afford, and don't enter into competitive gift giving...to me this is common sense .....but we should not be banning anyone from giving gifts if they choose to do so.
Surely anyone who truly values you or your friendship will not judge you on whether you buy them a present that matches the value of what they have given you...

Tom_uk87_2

lets say everyone stopped buying xmas presents...wouldnt the retail industry crash and cause antoher nose dive in the uk economy???

ninky_2

absolutely agree with this. i think kind deeds are better 'gifts' if you want to do something. or if you are going to get a gift at least get something that people can eat / drink / use up. as well as being moneysaving it's good for the environment.

there was a thing on the news about how toy sales are down. well good. there are far too many useless bits of plastic in the world without making more. many toys can be passed on rather than buying new ones.

mustrum_ridcully

Tom_uk87 wrote: »

lets say everyone stopped buying xmas presents...wouldnt the retail industry crash and cause antoher nose dive in the uk economy???

Do you live in Cirencester ;)

Have a look at why the current economic crisis happened - banks lending money to people to buy stuff who then couldn't make their repayments. The economy for the past decade had a debt-fueled boom which helped the retail sector make some massive profits. If a business didn't put enough money aside during the times of plenty then that isn't Martin's fault, it's the fault of whoever 'ran' the business.

As Martin said it's not his job to support business and as the banner of this website says "UK CUSTOMER REVENGE".

Frozenace

Just found out this week that I'll get a performance review next week, but salary review in January, so with my budget deficit I will:

- Not buy christmas presents
- Not buy myself a birthday present
- Cut down on cinema trips
- Cut down on eating out.

AND GET RID OF MY STUPID CREDIT CARD BALANCE...

setmefree2

N1AK wrote: »

I don't disagree with much of Martin's analysis or the views of most posters who seem largely in agreement with it. I do however think that like many things gift giving isn't wrong in and of itself, but when done excessively or for the wrong reasons.

Christmas gift giving can often be an opportunity to give people things they couldn't justify buying for themselves. Whether it is buying your money conscious mother a (much needed ) sat nav or buying an Aunt & Uncle a small box of luxury chocolates buying the right presents for the right reasons isn't a sin.

Of course there is a downside, many people (and I include myself to a certain extent) want to get presents for people who it is very hard to decide what to buy them. Resisting the urge to buy novelty/duff presents in that situation is something I wish more people could do!

I agree :T

setmefree2

tiamaria wrote: »

I've always enjoyed buying presents at Xmas, even as a child i would save up my 10p week pocket money and splash out on presents for family and friends. I still like it, it doesn't have to be a lot, I find many bargains reading the threads on here and it's nice to give friends a little something at xmas. My own children have xmas gifts, the amount is limited and they know what is too much and they don't expect more.

Sorry if it's not a popular view but i get great pleasure buying pressies:)

I agree :T

setmefree2

:rudolf: I LOVE CHRISTMAS AND I LOVE CHRISTMAS PRESENTS. :rudolf:

I simply adore Christmas - it's my absolute favourite time of the year. My OH, kids, brothers, sisters and in-laws love Christmas too. We always have a ball.

I love buying gifts for my family. It's the only time all year I give anything to my brothers and sisters. This year I have bought then large photo frames from Next and I'm filling them with photos of all the fantastic times we had when we were young.

I love receiving gifts from people too. The things I treasure are not always the things that were the most expensive. What's more special than receiving a gift from someone who loves you?

Christmas is not about money but like a great summer holiday you get out of it what you put into it.

:xmassmileCHRISTMAS ROCKS:xmassmile