Is it just me being a Scrooge?

Laurajo_2

I've quite enjoyed looking at the pics of presents and the kiddies opening them on Facebook. I'm quite nosy though

. I do worry a bit about the security aspect - especially one post accompanying a huge pile of presents saying 'awwww, little xyz made me promise to leave the door unlocked, so Santa can get in!'.

GobbledyGook

I don't understand why people have so many irritations around Facebook. If someone posts stuff I don't want to see I either unfriend them, hide their status from my news feed or scroll by it. I hate hearing/seeing how Facebook causes problems - it doesn't. People do.

I take a photograph of my children in front of the sofa (and therefore their presents) every year. I share it on Facebook for my cousin and close friends to see. I couldn't care less what anyone else thinks of it - if they don't like it or think it's somehow bragging then they can do one of the three options I mentioned already with my posts. I have a photograph of my brother and I, then me myself, then my own children in front of the sofa and presents every single Christmas since I was 7. It's a tradition that I love, especially as the bundle of presents shrink as the children grow and ask for/get more expensive things (brother and I rather than mine yet).

I have no doubt that some people will look at the presents and think 'that's a ridiculous amount' but equally some will think 'they can afford more than that', but I don't really care. Would I buy as many presents as some people? Probably not, I'm always slightly surprised when someone mentions their child melting down over the present pile and not being able to open them all. Do I think they should do it differently? No - we do Christmas our way and think everyone else should do Christmas theirs.

jellyhead

FatVonD wrote: »

I too like useful presents, I'd far rather a big box of tea bags (not that anyone has ever bought me any) than a bottle of body lotion that will end up in the charity shop.

When I worked somewhere that did secret Santa I would tell everyone that whoever got me was to buy me a pair of opaque black tights from M&S rather than a box of chocolates or a novelty toilet roll that I don't want

My 17 year old must have said something last year because this year instead of endless lynx gift sets he was given lots of different types of teabags :T He has around 300 teabags now, and is really excited about trying them all.

Perhaps you could subtly mention how much you'd love teabags for Christmas

jellyhead

Laurajo wrote: »

I've quite enjoyed looking at the pics of presents and the kiddies opening them on Facebook. I'm quite nosy though

. I do worry a bit about the security aspect - especially one post accompanying a huge pile of presents saying 'awwww, little xyz made me promise to leave the door unlocked, so Santa can get in!'.

Yes, that is worrying! Tell them to buy a magic Santa key! I think places like Wilkos will sell them, and Santa can use it to open any door if the house doesn't have a chimney. I'd never leave my door unlocked!

MrsE_2

ViolaLass wrote: »

But why are you giving it if it's ordinary? If they need it, wouldn't it be better to get it when they need it?

e.g. a few years ago, my husband and I were living in a flat that was impossible to heat. My mother sent us an electric blanket after she heard how we were going to bed with all our clothes on and still feeling cold. She sent it in October - not because it was someone's birthday, nor did she save it for Christmas. She sent it to us because we needed it and we needed it then.

We still talk about how wonderful a present it was.

Giving lots of ordinary things smacks of wanting lots of parcels for that person to open (quantity over quality) - if that's what it's about for you, fair enough but I don't really see the point.

If you're the parent of a child & responsible for buying them everything, then I don't really understand giving them very ordinary things.
But if they aren't your child, then I think ordinary things can make sensible presents. I got my niece a gilet & slippers (they both happen to be furry & a bit luxurious). I bought my grandson lots of clothes, just ordinary run of the mill stuff, as well as toys.

daisiegg

Laurajo wrote: »

I've quite enjoyed looking at the pics of presents and the kiddies opening them on Facebook. I'm quite nosy though

. I do worry a bit about the security aspect - especially one post accompanying a huge pile of presents saying 'awwww, little xyz made me promise to leave the door unlocked, so Santa can get in!'.

Surely just because the little one requested that they promise to leave the door unlocked, doesn't mean they actually did?! If I had read that I would have assumed they'd locked it up after little one had gone to bed

MrsE_2

maman wrote: »

We're a 'no presents for adults family' too. Nothing to do with the recession, just decided some years ago we were fed up with people buying 'stuff' just for the sake of it.

I like nothing more than the 'saw this and thought of you' type of gift. At any time of the year.

I'm no Scrooge and I'm enjoying Christmas but presents don't feature big for me. DH and I don't bother with presents or cards for each other any more. What we enjoy is seeing family and friends, sharing lots of lovely meals and a chance to recharge and reflect, count our blessings and make plans for the year ahead.

My thoughts exactly, presents are for children.

neneromanova

wow, so many replies. i wasn't expecting that many. I'll go back and read what people are saying but I just wanted to share this link below. It's basically shows exactly what i mean apart from going to a national newspaper !!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2529393/Unemployed-mother-two-borrows-1-700-EIGHT-payday-loan-companies-buy-hundreds-Christmas-presents-children-says-pay-back.html

Laurajo_2

daisiegg wrote: »

Surely just because the little one requested that they promise to leave the door unlocked, doesn't mean they actually did?! If I had read that I would have assumed they'd locked it up after little one had gone to bed

I'd hope so too...however, one never knows...:eek:

MrsE_2

geri1965 wrote: »

You see, I like that. This year has been disappointing, with only one photo of a Christmas dinner. I would have taken one of mine, but my phone was upstairs.

My friend's Yorkshire pudding was very burnt.

I agree, I've enjoyed peoples photos.
Their dinners, their kids opening presents, their trees, all of it.
Thats what facebook is about, sharing your family photos & stuff around your family & friends, most importantly those family & friends who live a long way away.