5 years MFW - Lets get cracking...

lulabelle1

Ds2 is 3.... He won't notice at all, he's hardly even asked for anything. Ds1 is nearly 9 and although I haven't bought him more presents in numbers, his presents cost a lot more.

I was going to put some money in DS2's savings to compensate.... Just for my conscience.....

Anyway, I've gone and ordered it. Bought through amazon, £20 cheaper than toysrus and it will be delivered foc tomorrow (business partner has amazon prime so he ordered for me.... I'm too tight to pay for amazon prime and I didn't want to risk super saver as didn't think it would get here in time).

Anyway, I've decided that I'm giving it to the boys as a joint present as they will play with it together..... I'll make a little payment to ds2s savings too for him.

It probably sounds like I've gone a bit ott, but I'd only bought him a couple of toys and then some books and crafty things.....

Some of our friends (thinking of one lot in particular) spend an absolute fortune on their children at Christmas. I'm not judging (well I suppose I am a bit) but they have no savings and live their life dodging debt and yet they blow a sh&t load of money on piles of presents..... I just dnt understand it. They probably spend 2/3 times what we do.

Oh well, I'm definitely done now. HDK, be good, don't buy anything else!

I'm just hoping the boys don't decide that they done like playmobil anymore on Christmas morning!!

HelenDaveKids

I agree, can see point in going bonkers. I dont understand why people put themselves in debt. I have however just totted everything up and it was an eekk moment. I do buy a lot of things they need rather than want though to bulk it out, like pygamas, pants, socks, toiletries and I have included the family present (a new tv which will be a lovely surprise for the kids)

Christmas 2010 we had just moved house (mid december in that god awful weather we had), hadnt sold the first one and had 2 morgages which gave me sleepless nights (was under offer about 2 week before we moved and was completed early jan but could have gone pear shaped) and I was really careful and made sure that the girls understood that virtually the only presents they would get would be from Santa as we couldnt affoard much, they were very happy regardless of our frugal year and our christmas that year has got to be the best we have ever had, just moved in, upside down, house in a right state (spent all last year extending and renovating) but was a very make the best of it attitude from everyone (we had 9 for dinner and about 16 for tea and still not sure how we managed it.

Last christmas they got new stuff for their new bedrooms (only "ready" November) as again we were broke, Im talking curtains, curtain poles and blinds as well as new bedding and accessories as we simply couldnt afford to do it any other way. Us included, my mum bought us new bedding. Also pj's slippers underwear as everyone was getting a bit short. Its a standing joke that they get new pants. Don't know many kids who can boast they had a curtain pole for christmas!

Was talking to someone about it, and she had just split up with her husband, they (her and her teenage children) decided to only give things they had made themselves that year and she said it was her best christmas.

Hoping my skates and music stand arrive in time!!
If not, will have to wrap a picture of them!

lulabelle1

Thats a lovely story HDk and also so true, it sounds like a cliche - but its true that the number of gifts is not what makes a Christmas special or memorable.

Our boys usually receive pants,socks, jammies etc - like you - it's a nice way of padding it out (they just love to open presents and I'm not convinced that they are that bothered about what's inside) and giving them the things that they need.

I've tried to steer away from "electrical" gifts this year (apart from a few dvd's) and have included more books and crafty items which they love anyway. Also, some creative play items.

Had a lovely moment this morning - the TV was on (slap my hand) in the family area whilst the boys were having breakfast and there was an advert for the castle i just ordered - the boys saw it and got super excited, both proclaiming that they would really like it from Santa - a wink to hubby and a breath of relief, result!!

HelenDaveKids

Its so nice when that happens. (and such a relief)

Got into a discussion with DD1 last night about buying presents for other people. I drastically reduced my christmas buying over the last few years as I see little benefit in buying gifts for all my brothers children when i dont see them all year, it just seems silly. I had those (difficult) conversations (fortunately went ok) and now just buy for DH and girls, parents, my 2 BF's (and 1's 3 children) and my oldest brother (started doing after he split with his wife) and this feels manageable, she wanted to know why I won't buy for another couple and family we have recently become friends with and see quite a bit of, my feeling is though, Id rather not start this if can avoid without offending. Its not that im scrooge (honest) it just is hard time wise and money wise and Id rather spend on our children not other peoples.



Have just rang sky as have been put on unlimited broadband due to our high usage (!) anyway went armed with virgin and bt info. Actually didnt reduce price but got a free router for demand tv, a new dish and paying line rental annual saving £52. We already had a good package for price pay.

edinburgher

This year has felt a little silly for us when it came to presents and thankfully Mrs E was onside with cutting back a little.

We canned Secret Santa with friends because you only ever get carp you don't want anyway and they're largely Mrs E's pals (not mine) and I declined to take part in the work Secret Santa (for the same reasons).

The newest thing (and tbh, I'm having a bit of a "what the heck?!" moment with it) is that some bright spark at work is suggesting that we spend £45 on buying a present for our boss. How the heck is that merited? She's paid more than we are, is in the office less and does her job to support her family (not for the love of us). I'm politely ignoring the email on this one...

Luckily we don't have too many nieces and nephews yet, but I don't mind spending a little on them (even if I don't see them all that often). That said, if we end up with 10 of them one day, we'll probably need to call time on gift buying for them.

lulabelle1

HDK - i totally agree, don't buy the new family presents as it will just end up that you have to do it every year.

It gets really crazy and I think we will try and chop a few off the list for next year, or at least perhaps reduce the amount we spend. I'm fairly sensible with it, but could be better.

ED - ITA, I wouldn't bother buying the boss a present. If you do, it will be expected every year plus it will put some pressure on the boss to do the same - and then you'll have even more pointless cr*p that you don't want or need. We avoid Secret santa's too. Bah humbug!!

HelenDaveKids

I must admit i have bought my boss a tiny gift (some perfume from b and M)and I know she'll buy us one and shes been a good friend this year. I however haven't bought our staff a present, as Im line manager to over 30 staff. I used to, but you can only really spend a couple of quid each and I didnt feel it was particularily appreciated. This year I spent £5 in aldi and bought bags and bags of wrapped sweets, poured all into a container and stuck a merry christmas from Helen note on it. I imagine some may think its stingy but tough.

DH has just changed roles and his team is all his now but only 2 staff as opposed to joint managing a bigger team, he was on about taking them out for dinner on Thursday which I hope doesnt cost too much! Did remind him we have just slipped into overdrawn.

I agree though Ed, its horrible when you feel almost bullied into giving money for something you don't want to. I hate being hassled for charity stuff, I give enough to school and other clubs without having to contribute to someone getting a free sky dive on the back of getting everyone they know pay for it in the name of charity.



**Skates arrived!!**

lulabelle1

Yay - pleased the skates have arrived in time!

I totally agree re charity, I'm more than happy to donate to different things, but only whenI choose to... I don't like it when some restaurants/hotels include a charity donation automatically and to question it makes you look really awful....

HelenDaveKids

Has all your stuff come Lula? I have just one outstanding gift now. Do have lovely posties though who try and leave for me.

nattypants

I think, I think I only have to buy 1 X jams, 1 X small friend gift (not for small friend, but small gift for friend), and dog presents. I've still not wrapped any yet, so will quite possibly have forgotten something major and will be frantically shopping on Saturday/Sunday:eek: