MSE News: Christmas present buying 'should be curbed'

Tinkywinks108

I sent out an email to family and friends saying that as much as I love buying presents, I just can't afford it this year and will just be buying a few presents for my son, and that's it. I also said I realise I'm not the only one struggling and to please not feel obliged to buy my son any pressies.

It went down really well, everyone replied, some were relieved and everyone seemed to understand. Someone even offered to pay for my xmas dinner! So that's a stress free xmas for me this year.

The other point is, as much as it's fun opening presents, wouldn't it just be better for everyone to save that xmas spending money and go buy themselves what they want from the sales?

I am interested in all these 'traditions' everyone keeps mentioning. As there will be less presents, and also won't be going to panto as usual, would love to do other stuff to make xmas special, so what traditions do people follow?

skivington

Sharada wrote: »

so what traditions do people follow?

Bucks fizz early doors whilst mucking in cooking a feast. I would foregoe all the presents for this one, this is what I look forward to, my annual touch of opulence :beer:

nikki2804

bonty44 wrote: »

No, I'm sure this doesn't mean you have to buy them something in return, people enjoy buying presents to welcome little babies into the world and for them at Christmas time. A friend told me off once for buying her and her husband a present, she said she wanted nothing in return other than the chance to come round for a chat, catchup and see the boys faces when she gave them a gift.

If you really feel obliged to 'give' something in return, why not bake some biscuits and present them in a nice box, or invite them round for a cup of tea and slice of cake, doesn't need to be expensive and you could also set a time-limit.

I just wish that some of my friends would appreciate HM goods. The one in particular that I mentioned in my post would bad mouth me to all and sundry given half the chance if she got nothing in return - just the kind of person she is.

Same with my OH's family. His sister expects me to spend £25 per child:eek: Now I have 4 neices and nephews, 3 of which have birthdays in December too! It just so happens I got all there Xmas and birthdays for under £40 (thats for all 4) Thank goodness for Home Bargains and the £ store. (I just want to mention that it was all HSM3, Dora and Thomas the Tank stuff I got so it shows that some stores vastly overprice things!)

crazy_girl

you dont have to spend a lot of money to give someone you care about a nice gift, people always appreciate hand crafted things from the heart

i love to see peoples faces when they open things ive made for them x