Anyone not doing christmas?

stiltwalker

I completely opted out of Christmas one year as at the time I was working in a craft shop and so had ben ordering Christmas stock and making up samples since the early summer and was sick to the back teeth of it!! Didn't send cards or put up any I'd received or tree or anything and made a lovely curry on Christmas day. Quite enjoyed it actually. Opting out these days is not an option with 2 small people in the house but we do do Christmas our way with thoughtful rther than expensive gifts tailored to peoples real likes or needs and often with a handmade element such as handmade bag with a selection of goodies in, maybe treat smellies for someone who needs a bit of 'me time' or tea and biscuits and I started buying way back in the January sales so I didn't have to have a big spend all in one go.

In years past when we've been really skint DH and I have had a very small budget (say £10 to £20 pounds depending on how skint) and we have to get each other a number of small things so we still get the fun of opening things - could be as mundane as a box of fave tea (rather than the stuff we'd been using to economise) or a small bubble bath and a handwritten promise of a bath in peace and quiet with no disturbances. As long as you and DH have a nice meal and a glass of festive vino though you'll be able to have a lovely day together - enjoy.

aliasojo

I'm loving reading this type of thread right now.

Don't get me wrong, it's just because I'm in the same boat and finances are an issue for us.

This will be the first year ever (eldest son is nearly 30) that I will have said 'we're cutting down/not spending' and actually will be doing it, rather than just paying lip service to it.

However, although I do really mean what I say, I have to admit to feeling lots of wobbles, especially if I'm in a shop or I see a bargain online that my daughter or one of my sons would love.

So reading threads like these helps toughen my resolve.

Cheers OP. Just keep thinking about the inevitable Xmas anti climax and how good it will feel not to have paid a fortune for it!

notanewuser

sulkisu wrote: »

You are all still 'doing christmas' - you are just doing it in your own way.

And I'm all for that!!!

We don't do Xmas on December 25th - we choose a different day for our annual turkey dinner. We don't do Santa or cards but we have a small (real) tree and a stocking for DD. We don't do presents - I give homemade edible treats when we see people during December - and we don't expect any in return.

For us it's the spending time with people that's important.

Abbafan1972

We are "doing" Christmas in a sense, but it's never been a really big deal for us anyway.

We've got my Parents coming round for dinner, my Mom is paying for the turkey, are M&S turkeys any good, as that's where she's getting it from? For the last 7 years I've had a turkey from work, so I've never had to buy one and they were delish as well!

The kids won't be getting as many presents this year, as I was made redundant a few weeks ago and still haven't managed to find anything else yet.

Luckily we don't have many people to buy for, just the kids, my parents and DH and I usually get something for each other. I buy for my daughters friend at school and her brother, I don't usually spend a lot, but what we get back is usually tat in comparison.

Faith177

tessie_bear wrote: »

:(what is u do ?? do u get a fantastic hourly rate for those hours ?? sorry if that is too nosey:o

I do two jobs but the one making me work Christmas ect is my bar job so all I will get time and a half so about £9.28 before tax so £7.43 roughly after tax

Just because people can't be bothered to cook their own dinner lol

lurvlyloz

sulkisu wrote: »

You are all still 'doing christmas' - you are just doing it in your own way.

thats a nice way of thinking about it...i feel less scrooge like now

Brighton_belle

DH and I don't exchange gifts - bliss. Small jars of HM chutney for any family we are seeing on Christmas Day. 4 kids (not ours)to buy a book each for (give more on their birthdays). That's it. Bring same tree in from garden we have use for last 2 years.
Agreed with frineds yonks ago to stop present buying.

I don't feel remotely a scrooge:D.There are more ways of showing love and appreciate than buying stuff you can't afford.
You have prewarned others, you can't do more.

robpw2

bah humbug to you all!!

Brighton_belle

robpw2 wrote: »

bah humbug to you all!!

And happy debts and stress to you Not that I have other in regard to Christmas...for the aforementioned reasons:D

SailorSam

Stephb1986 wrote: »

I wish I didn't have to bother with christmas, I always get everyone really nice presents and only get rubbish back or nothing at all.

That's happened so many times i've finally learnt my lesson, been invited to a family Christmas down in London but i think a bag of chips and packet of biscuits up here would be more fun. Definitely less stressful.