Christmas presents I have 4 kids buying presents for brother in law with 2

jellyhead

notanewuser wrote: »

I was thinking about this yesterday as the first dreaded "what would she like for Xmas" came in from one of OH's family.

We have one DD who only turned 2 last month. She had so many lovely toys and books that much more would see us needing a new house!! We don't do santa or Xmas for many reasons, and I genuinely hate people spending money for the sake of it, but understand that others don't think this way.

This year I have 2 nieces to buy for (token but considered gifts). Next year I will have 5. Last year one of my nieces' parents didn't get our DD anything at all, and doesn't appear to have realised. I've now been asked what DD would like.

I do maintain a small gift list on findgift.com with small £5-10 items on so that if people insist on getting something there are ideas there - but just ideas. So it might say. "Pyjamas in age 2-3" or "24-35 piece jigsaw puzzle".

And then on my side if the family there would be a tidal wave of this that and everything if I didn't take steps to prevent it. DD doesn't go without, but I don't want lots of things for the sake of it.
I ordered 4 books last night that link with another one she has, and when asked will offer for her great-grandma or aunties etc to reimburse me for one of those (they were £6 each with free postage). She'll love them and I can write who bought them for her inside.

We're the same. Both children have more than they need and they don't need more. If people ask for ideas I try to suggest something useful such as a t-shirt, pyjamas, swimming bag, lunchbox, school bag, hat and gloves etc. but with a character on so it still feels like an exciting gift.

My teenager still has last year's christmas bag in the corner of his room because he hasn't found room (or need) for anything from it (except for the food items). He'd like people to buy him gig tickets, candles and biscuits, but they rarely do.

Person_one

margaretclare wrote: »

It has nothing to do with Christianity. Christmas is said to be a Christian festival.

Christmas isn't only for Christians.

What have indoor trees, turkey, exchanging cards and the 25th December got to do with Christianity?

OrkneyStar

margaretclare wrote: »

What got to me on this particular point was the statement by the OP that there would have to be a clear-out of last year's toys to the charity shop to make room for Santa. This is one of those things that got to me and I can't explain why. You either see it or you don't.

DH and I are of one mind in this, and he wasn't even brought up as a Christian. What sums it up for him is the one word 'hypocrisy'.

We make a point of clearing out frequently, so things that are not used (and believe me that happens with kids, they grow, sometimes the get presents that were already too young for them etc) are passed to someone who can, be that passed to friends, charity, the odd thing sold on. DS had a great clear out last weekend, chunky cars that he just doesn't play with anymore and would suit smaller hands. I got him a couple of second hand small cars a few days after, and he has some more space for new things if he gets them .
I don't see a problem with clearing out, we wouldn't say 'for santa', but the basis is the same surely?
It doesn't mean you are commercial or greedy about Christmas, simply moving things on to others who could use them.

OrkneyStar

Person_one wrote: »

Christmas isn't only for Christians.

What have indoor trees, turkey, exchanging cards and the 25th December got to do with Christianity?

Not that much.
We have a tree as I like the sparkly lights and baubles etc, as does DS. Also brings back lovely memories of mum as we always did this together, near her birthday.
We don't have turkey, but will have a nice treat meal.
We only send a few cards, to close family, and to those who I know getting a card and a wee letter brightens their day (yes I should do it more often, at least Christmas spurs me on to do it!).
We will also have a nativity, speak about God and Jesus, exchange gifts because we are celebrating the gifts given in Jesus's birth.
It really is each to their own, but we are slowly making a Christmas that means something to our family .

SingleSue

We have never said santa, only Father Christmas....

I have explained the meaning behind Christmas but unfortunately, all my boys are either agnostic or atheist (I am Christian) so if I bring it up now, it turns into a discussion about religeon.

Mind you, we never did the present from Father Christmas either, all presents were from people they knew (neither did my family when we were growing up, so I just followed what I had always known).

For us, Christmas is more about family, about being together, having fun together etc and not about spending money, so if one person cannot afford to spend the money but, for example, has a talent for drawing and so draws a picture as a gift, then we are just as happy with that (in fact more so). It really is the thought rather than the expense for us.

mumps

When my children were little they had presents from Santa and were always told stories of St Nicholas (Santa Claus) and how he is the patron saint of children. They knew that he did not visit all children at the same time, in some countries he brings the gifts on St Nicholas Day, I think that is the 6th December, in some the gifts come on Christmas Eve, we get them Christmas Day and in Greece I think they come on New Years Day.

I was taught by nuns and was always told Santa was just another name for St Nicholas