My Budget Christmas

purple.sarah

VfM4meplse wrote: »

I can understand why you're proud of your MSE ways, but how many of these pressies are essential or even needed? And why buy for your OH's Dad's on/off g/f??

I'm not a bah humbug, but I think a nice hand-made card with a well-thought out message would be much better than investing in gifts that people neither need nor want. You could have cut down a lot by catering for the children only - I can understand them being disappointed at no gifts, but adults?

No pressies are essential, they're optional but thoughtful and traditional. Some people enjoy giving and receiving them, even adults! :eek:
There are lots of little luxuries we could live without but people decide their own personal priorities. Some choose to celebrate Christmas by exchanging gifts but aim to keep the cost down, like the OP and many others on the MSE Christmas board. Others can choose not to exchange gifts and if that's your choice it's fine but I think it's unfair to generalise that "people neither need nor want" gifts, you don't know the people on her list!

Her OH's dad's on/off gf might be someone the OP sees over Christmas, especially if they're on again, so it's a nice gesture to include her. I thought that gift was the perfect compromise, less than the price of a pint, so not breaking the budget but showing thoughtfulness. At the end of the day it's about the thought that goes into the gifts, not the money.

LAM2011

LAM2011 wrote: »

Gosh well done - they sound like super pressies I am just struggling for OH as he has everything but likes gardening etc and I got him a book on that but saw on your list something about grow a money tree. May I ask what that is?

I found one on Ebay :D but thanks for the idea - will go down very well and at a bargain spend - thanks again

ikkleosu

VfM4meplse wrote: »

I can understand why you're proud of your MSE ways, but how many of these pressies are essential or even needed? And why buy for your OH's Dad's on/off g/f??

I'm not a bah humbug, but I think a nice hand-made card with a well-thought out message would be much better than investing in gifts that people neither need nor want. You could have cut down a lot by catering for the children only - I can understand them being disappointed at no gifts, but adults?

I can't see 18 year old boys preferring a hand made card with a nice message, to a bottle of vodka!

And why should you ONLY give to kids? Christmas is for everyone. A few years ago my friends and I discussed the fact gift giving was getting out of control and talked about cutting down. We considered only giving to each other's kids and not the adults, but in the end -= we did it the other way round!

People may think it's odd, but we realised that the kids ALWAYS get plenty of gifts, from Santa, parents, grandparents, aunts & uncles. Whereas the adults were lucky if they got a couple of gifts. So we decided, rather than try and spend £5 on each other's kids on gifts that would be pretty superfluous, we'd add spend more on getting the adults something nice.

Now I'm not saying ours is the "right" way, I'm merely saying everyone is different about who they feel they need to buy gifts for and who can do without.

The OP's gifts all sound fun thoughtful and something I'd be delighted to receive.

7roland8

Well I think a little gift is a nice gesture - and often us oldies also like having a little something - as the kids always get plenty anyway!

Its part of the ritual of Christmas really - we could all opt-out compeletely with no cards/decorations/gifts - but most of us want to 'do' Chirtsmas - just often on a tight budget.

I agree a handmade card and nice message is just as much appreciated (and some of the most treasured sentiments have been scribbled heartfelt words of thanks onto gift-tags) - but it doesn't have to be one or the other. I also enjoy the hunting out of inexpensive things and making my lists and packing.

CornishGemz

Wow super impressive,I thought I was doing well with what I got on my budget but it seems not, excellent work though

Flibsey

I got the money tree from WH smith's lol. it's right up Harry's street hahahaha.

VfM4meplse wrote: »

I can understand why you're proud of your MSE ways, but how many of these pressies are essential or even needed? And why buy for your OH's Dad's on/off g/f??

I'm not a bah humbug, but I think a nice hand-made card with a well-thought out message would be much better than investing in gifts that people neither need nor want. You could have cut down a lot by catering for the children only - I can understand them being disappointed at no gifts, but adults?

I buy for Lorraine because she buys for us, and also because I like to give. I don't feel the need to recieve. also, not buying her anything would cause tension between OH and his dad and BELIEVE me they don't need more.

I buy for my aunts and uncles because I was brought up with them, one uncle is only 12 years older than me and is more like a big brother, and one aunt is my mum's older sister and I am incredibly close to her, like a second mum. she was there for me a lot when my mum's mental problems were bad.

I buy for my mum in law and hubby's step dad because I love them like they're blood. Harry was amazing when I was ill after Sophie's birth. Marie supported James while he sat staring at me in a coma on life support, she reminded him to eat etc, Harry took care of our new baby and as such Sophie is incredibly close to him. I can never ever pay them back for what he and she have done for us.

and again...they buy for us. we have a £5 gift limit between us, but my mum in law always seems to find a way around it "oh they were 3 for 2 and came to £6... forgive me?!". Also I know she and he would be pleased with a card made out of macaroni stuck to a cornflake box so long as it came from us!

sisters and brothers in law we have a few rules: less than a fiver per person and preferably home made. last year they gave me a Racing Grannies kit in a hand-stained wooden box, and hubby a remote control mini car in a similar box.




and finally, I hate making cards. papercraft is sooo not my thing lol!