Christmas pressure & hardship

[Deleted User]

Looking on most of the last minute Christmas gift shopping threads etc I sometimes get a feeling that I am the only one struggling @ Christmas!

This year has been ESPECIALLY hard for me as I have had some unexpected expenses & fuel prices are ridiculous so heating my draughty old non double glazed property is costing me an arm & a leg even though I have insulated it best I can with a fleece blanket up @ the window , wear layers of clothing etc etc but even keeping warm is such a struggle & especially with the expense of Christmas too

I don't feel hard done by but it is a bit frustrating seeing some FABULOUS toy offers for the Grandkids which I cannot afford this year so will be going to visit family armed with only a few bits & pieces this year but it is GOOD for me to know the really important things in life is family simply ''being together'' & to be honest this is the first year this fact has hit me really hard , as have had to be disciplined with my spending for the first time in years , so although new to me it has taught me a very valuable lesson although it is sometimes hard not to feel a tad jealous of those who are going mad & grabbing some amazing gifts for their family members as I do love them so I do want to 'give' to them so much but this year they will get more of 'me' and less 'stuff' so maybe we are getting what is precious priority right because you can replace stuff but not people!! x

Merry Merry Christmas everyone! :snow_grin:snow_grin

marleyboy

Have a wonderful Christmas. Never forget, the most expensive gift you can afford for the family is your Love. I am sure the family will happily share that with you.

weeclick

here here. I used to go mad spending left right and centre but the last 3 years Ive really pulled back and instead make everyone hampers which I start filling in September. I spend half as much as I used to and my family love the hampers more because they are all personal and so much love and attention has went into every one! Remember your time both spent for and with your family doesnt come with a price tag because its far too precious to value Although I could of spent alot more this year thanks to a new job I decided not to because the smaller things in life are what are appreciated the most

[Deleted User]

Thanks so much for that marleyboy , you brought a tear to my eye!!!

It really looks to be THE most PRECIOUS Christmas ever this year , coz we have each other xx

[Deleted User]

You know what weeclick , I reckon that in the future now even when things improve for me I won't get ''carried away'' as much as I did before because all of us as a family appreciate the little things so much more now & just seeing each other at this special time of year is absolutely priceless , more than words can say! x

Katiehound

I just want to say that sometimes the most fantastic, jaw droppingly expensive presents are NOT the ones that are remembered, liked ,played with the most etc. It could well be that a small handmade item is treasured above all the others.

We all know the adage "Money can't buy you love"... and hey, it's true.

If you have gone to the trouble of buying small gifts even though money is tight, well done you, but as our leader Martin says (heard him on Radio 2 last week) he wants everyone to have a happy new year and not be bogged down in debt due to over spending for just ONE day!!

Just have a wonderful day with your family, and spend as much time with them in the future creating priceless memories. That's what they will remember, not how much dosh you spent!

Have fun

liz-paul

I do feel for you although I'll be honest & say that while we've had to cut back in recent years we still do just fine. However almost all of the Christmases I had as a kid were done on a shoe string & I thought they were all great. My mum still feels bad about not being able to spend a fortune on us but I never noticed to be completely honest. My mum still struggles now money wise & my MIL feels guilty because we have to cook xmas dinner (she hates cooking & pressure!) even though she pays for it. However I'm genuinely grateful for everything that people bring/give at Christmas whether its money, gifts, food, company or help cleaning the oven! I'm sure your family are the same, don't be down on yourself