Christmas.... just thinking...

Standingtall

OMG - I am shocked to see that people really can be that materialistic and superficial. Tinks, do not give in to this greed but try and rise above it. I am an only child and separated so only have my 2 elderly parents and my 2 children to buy for. How I wish I had a large extended family for company and it would be their companionship I would be thankful for not their largess!

I almost feel thankful for my small family now:mad:

I shall spend approx £80 each on my children - half of which will be necessities in disguise as presents. I will spend £20 each on my parents.

MegandNicsmum

We made the decision when the kids came along that we only buy for them but I do buy for both sets of parents but for my inlaws it's only a token present and what I don't spend on them we spend on my parents as they're always there for us. My hubby and I went for years without buying each other presents and it's only in the last year or two that we started buying something for one another and with his birthday being the 27th Dec again it's a small one. For the kids though it's £20. I make a big effort on the presentation of the gift and make handmade things...!

sprite1508

Standingtall wrote: »

OMG - I am shocked to see that people really can be that materialistic and superficial. Tinks, do not give in to this greed but try and rise above it. I am an only child and separated so only have my 2 elderly parents and my 2 children to buy for. How I wish I had a large extended family for company and it would be their companionship I would be thankful for not their largess!

im not sure im reading the post in the same way as you, i really dont think any of them are materialistic or superficial, and no one is suggesting the OP spend more, ............ each to their own n all that

originalmiscellany

I spend very little, I let MOM to buy the key presents; and would happily send nothing if I could get away with it. I'd much prefer to spend time with family rather than presents. I think that's my parental upbringing shining through though, where they didn't have much money as a child, so have taught me to spend time rather than money.

Standingtall

Crumbs, sorry sprite - I might have got carried away:(. I could have sworn it was tink who called family materialistic but now I can't find it! Must have imagined it! Sorry all! Just trying to demonstrate how nice it is for big families to be able to appreciate each other rather than the emphasis being on expensive presents.

V. Embaressed:o

tink28

Standingtall wrote: »

Crumbs, sorry sprite - I might have got carried away:(. I could have sworn it was tink who called family materialistic but now I can't find it! Must have imagined it! Sorry all! Just trying to demonstrate how nice it is for big families to be able to appreciate each other rather than the emphasis being on expensive presents.

V. Embaressed:o

Dont be embarrassed, it was me that said it and its totally true!!!!

sprite1508

i agree it is lovely for families to be together n all that, and i definatly dont give to recieve - im happy with the home made cards the kids make me. whatever the amount spent whether it be 50 quid or 500 the emphasis should be `family`, not sure how im gonna do it this yr tho as im on nights (7-7) for all of it, grrrrrrr

SingleSue

My children - £30 each (I have 3)
Parents - £10 each
Nieces and nephews - averages around £3
Maximum of £5 for my sister and her husband combined and the same for my brother and his wife (usually a bottle of wine)

We go to my parents for Christmas day (pretty much the whole day) and then in the evening on Boxing day. My parents purchase the main part of the food needed but I do help out with extras like home made mince pies and Christmas cake, some veg etc and help them cook the meal.

My alcohol bill is extremely low...last year I had the grand total of 0 units as I was too tight to pay out for a taxi home although I did purchase a bottle of alcohol free wine for dinner so I and the boys could join in in the toast.

cleggie

I have 6 people:
my 2 kids (£200 each this year)
my niece (£35)
My mother (£30)
My younger sister (£30)
My cat (yes, technically i know she isnt a person!)- (£45)

I have reduced it drastically this year!

sprite1508

hahaha you spend more on the cat than ya sister.... funny :-D i forgot to list my dogsm prob around £20 on them