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

lou559

In my family, the "children" (of which I am one, being 22) dont recieve Christmas or birthday presents after our 21st birthday.
I only buy presents for my parents, grandparents, brother and his partner, and my boyfriend. Everyone in my family makes a list of what they want, so no one gets anything they dont want or need. Myself and my Granny make the cake, pudding and mince pies which saves a lot of money and tastes a lot nicer!
Within my circle of friends we do a secret Santa so only buy 1 present each. And at work we also do a secret Santa. So this year I will be buying 9 presents, which is very do-able. The secret Santa i think is great - everyone gets a present, but no one ends up spending a crazy amount of money.
I dont think presents should be banned, just buy for the people you really care about. Its not about buying for everyone so you get loads of presents in return, but about giving to those you love.

beckyf

I find myself getting quite worked up about this subject, I find it really sad that so many people get so worked up over something that doesn't mean much more to them than an excuse to get drunk, over eat and spend money they don't have on presents people don't use or appreciate.

Christmas is a Christian holiday, if you don't appreciate the meaning of it or don't believe in God and don't like all the fuss then don't celebrate it. I love the festive season and believe that even if you don't celebrate the religious side of it then you should see it as a time to spend time with those you love and be a better person in general (or at least try to smile and be nice to others), make the most of what you have and above all ENJOY IT!! My family have never gone over the top with things, yes we enjoy more food than normal and drink a bit more, but we have never spent hundreds of pounds on each other, my sisters and I never expected a specific toy and generally were given things to share and it's never bothered us.

You shouldn't feel the need to celebrate Christmas if you don't have any desire to or belief in what it is all about, and you certainly shouldn't feel the need to celebrate it in a way that the media and shops dictate you should, instead make it your own special time of the year, and enjoy it!!

Bargain_Rzl

Becky, I was just about to come back on this thread and make another post, but then I read yours and it was EXACTLY what I was going to say :T

Toudavid

suggesting to loved ones that "this year let's not buy presents" can be risky!! I suggested it to my wife this year - mainly for the practical reason we will be away travelling - and you would think I had suggested wide scale mass unrest.

we have been using the sick of socks website previously to make sure we normally get presents that are wanted and so i was just continuing "being practical". Who wants to cart presents half way across the globe? Not me. Well despite her "green" credentials she must and right now and i quote "i obviously do not want to buy her a present this year".

she is one of many i think who think getting "something" is important.

BigMummaF

golddustmedia wrote: »

Spot on Martin.

I separated from my wife a bit over a year ago and last Christmas I very much got the feeling that choosing a present for my daughter was a battle between my ex wife and I to see who could get her the best gift.

I've decided I'm not being drawn into it and instead I focus on doing nice activities with my daughter throughout the year so she enjoys the time we spend together. For me this Christmas a gift to her will be something modest to mark the occasion but not a case of want want want. After all I've learnt this year she's actually just as pleased to receive a £6 summer dress as a £50 dolls house at Christmas and I suspect the dress gets more use!

I was determined not to be a player in the War of the Parted Parents when my marriage failed & made my husband swear to abide by that decision too. So many of the offspring's friends would say they had X from Mum & Y from Dad that it was sickening to see how the "adults" were trying to buy the child's allegiance & I didn't want it for my/our children. There was no way I could compete financially even if I'd wanted to & I balked at the idea of the children becoming so mercenary as to playing their dad off against me, 99% for their perspective as for mine.
Now they are grown & none of us are on 'good money', we decided a few years back that we would limit to £20 per person with an option of two or more 'joining forces' if a more expensive gift would be a better idea. We spend more on each other for birthday as it is an individual celebration & also need financing one at a time so I give to my three, me muvva & a two very close friends. Pup & Iggie get something special for lunch or a new collar
I buy roses &/or carnations for dearly loved family who are no longer with us for birthdays, Christmas & Mother or Father's Day as I prefer to make a physical effort of remembrance on these occasions, even though I 'visit' more often throughout the year. I send cards for b'day & crimbo [if I remember to post 'em
] & that's my lot I'm afraid!

shaz-ann

We only buy for immediate family in our household and give our niece and nephew money so they can either save it or put it towards/buy something they really want. My sister-in-law instructed us several years ago not to buy for her and hubby, but I always get them a token present even if it's just bath products or wine as they always buy for us.

I'll be spending a little less this year on everyone and giving some money towards the Cumbrian relief fund, we've never had the misfortune of being flooded but we live in an area that has so I think they need all the help they can get.

gummygran

I have a fair few grandchildren and the stress of buying xmas gifts for them all is getting out of hand.One lot are grateful for anything other lot want the best of the best.All it does is stress me out and makes me feel guilty!We have really to cut down this year through various reasons mainly lack of money.Being OAP'S it's not on for one's own grown up children to get 'funny' about our decision.

want2liveabroad

A couple years ago we agreed to a family £10 each christmas - there aren't that many of us and I only spend £50 - bargain!!
We all feel it's a waste of money spending on pressies most don't want or need
BUT we have nice food and plenty of rest and peace and quiet

expeditionist

Don't act like a sheep. Don't do Christmas out of conformity because that's what everyone else is doing! Make your own mind up about it.

If you want to ignore the whole business and give some money to charity then do that, good on you.

If you can afford it and want to buy a present for everybody you know then that's great as well. It's great to join in.

Either way is okay, just make sure it's what you want to do and not what everybody else is doing. It dismays me that people feel complelled to act like sheep.

And bear in mind that it's a week or two weeks of celebration - it doesn't start in October, despite the TV adverts and incessant Christmas Carols - live every day to the full. You don't have to wait until Christmas to feel happy and have some fun.

And before you decide, I suggest you read A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens - it's still an absolutely brilliant read, whatever path you choose.

Just my thoughts......

suchard007

Some interesting thoughts here - always makes good reading and thinking about. Other than immediate family I only exchange gifts with 2 good girl-friends. This year we've agreed not to swop presents, instead one nice sunny day in the new year we've agreed to do a walk in the fresh country air and a pub lunch - and basically spend time together. I'm looking forward to it already !!