Cutting down on xams presents

mountainofdebt

Well I've said or years its not what you buy someone for Christmas Day but its what you do for them the other 364 days that matter - and finally,now that she's retired, my mum has finally got the message, lol!

OH and I aren't buying each other pressies this year either as neither of us wants anything and it all comes out of the same pot so it seems a little pointless. imo.

Gillyx

I'm planning on going all out for OH this year, as he's the only one I'll be buying for, and with baby on the way it'l probably be the last year we can do it for a while.

Both sets of parents have said not to bother, and put what we would have spent towards baby stuff, so we will oblige that, and still send small token gifts that they would like.

I do normally go a bit crazy at Christmas, but I don't have very many people to buy for, so may be why.

lostinrates

I can't help thinking what the elderly relatives might love most is a visit or meal in the family home. If they are so cheered up by small gifts, imagine what a short afternoon feeling loved by there family could do for their spirits.

we don't have kids, but also go fairly lightly at christmas. we love the decorations and the food and the singing etc etc, but what we really love is some time together.

Desperado99

I had a phone call from my brother a couple of weeks ago, to let me know that as he was moving house (from being a lodger into his own unfurnished flat - about time too! ) he wouldn't be buying xmas presents this year. Did it bother me? No....

And I'm still getting him a present anyway

When we were little mum's best mate would always get us xmas presents and it was always the same thing........ a pack of underwear from M&S. Why? because it mean't my mum didn't have to buy them (no doubt her kids got the same off my mum) It was still a gift and although we would laugh about it when we were teenagers they were always well received and appreciated.

DUKE

I'd tell my mom that if she thought old whatsit & dear thingy needed a present then she could buy it. I think a visit with a nice bit of dinner &/or offer to do some jobs for them if they're elderly.

*Louise*

OP - Your friends mistake was telling her mum and expecting her to pass on the message to the various people. She may have felt embarrassed to say to people that they 'won't be getting a gift from X this year'. Your friend should have told them herself - maybe a visit for a cuppa and a chat would have been appreciated along with the news

We have the rule that some others have posted- once you have kids family buys for them instead of you. My mum and MIL still buy for adults though, so OH and I do get some gifts, which is nice. If I thought for a second they couldn't afford it I would be the first to say please don't buy.

This site is great for bargains though, I have 20+ people to buy for (and that's after cutting some from the list!) and I have found some of the grabbits very useful. One of my best ones this year is a waybuloo desk and chair for my nephew - £50 reduced to £10 :money::T

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red_devil

mumto2loves wrote: »

See I really don't like this. ITS NOT FAIR! Over the last 2 years everybody has decided they need to cut back and we will all just buy for the kids and not the adults! WHY!? the kids get enough presents off of bloomin father christmas I WANT PRESENTS:mad:! If we all need to cut back, fine, but cut back on the kids :rotfl:
:rotfl::p
My oh and I have both said we are going to have to go a little bit mad this year with presents for each other as now these are the ONLY presents we will get:(

I am joking btw (kind of)

totally agree the kids already get loads from Santa and the parents.

Lady_Aga

I have had to tighten my belt a couple of notches this year. I have 10 people to buy for and spend the same amount of money on each person. This year, the amount I can spare has pretty much been halved, as I simply do not have the funds.

I still have last year's wrapping paper to finish using, and have plenty of ribbon and gift tags left over.

I have spread the cost by buying throughout the year as the bargains appear on the shelves. I have really resisted temptation, by having a very clear idea of each person would genuinely want to receive and then seeking out the best there is of that item.

It may even be handmade items next year, as money is very tight.

LoopyLinz

We had a conversation with my sister and sister in law a few years ago where we agreed we would no longer buy them
Or bro in laws. Tbh asides from the money thing it's great not having to stress about what to buy!! Lol!!

DH and I do buy each other and over the years the amount we spend has actually decreased as we seem to need less and less. Some years we will set a crazy figure like £63.28! Lol! You have to spend it to the penny so definitely makes Christmas fun!! We also did it at valentines with a budget of £3.61! It makes things interesting!!