Is it just me being a Scrooge?

Spendless

People have presents from other people too. It might not all be from the parents. My kids have us, 2 sets of grandparents, 2 great- grandmas, 2 aunts, a great aunt and a great uncle who all buy for them.

LannieDuck

Is it possible that the mountain of presents has accumulated from grandparents/aunts and uncles, rather than just from the parents? We haven't bought DD much this year (she's only 2), but she's still got loads of gifts to unwrap from our relatives.

Edit: X-posted with Spendless!

Alias_Omega

Does quantity matter?

£50 on 1 item or £1 on 50 items?

gunsandbanjos

Macca83 wrote: »

I'm surprised at the amount of iPads, tablets, laptops etc that get given to wee ones. I've heard of more than one 4-6 year old getting them this year and to me it just seems like a wholly inappropriate present to give

It is crazy, I bought my daughter an iPad this year (she'll be 10 next week), and I only got it because she spends so much time in hospital it's a great way to keep her entertained on long boring days & keeps her mind off what is going on.
Can't imagine giving one to a 4 year old!

For her actual Xmas she's got toys that require some imagination, a book on sewing (thanks to the lovely people on the Grabbit board!), some reading books, a DVD and a fancy dress costume.

esmerelda98

FBaby wrote: »

Like many people, every year, I tell myself that I won't go mad, really meaning it, every year I do! The reason for the quantity though is that I end up buying many items that I would have bought between summer and now, but hold it to make it a present for Christmas. New warm pyjamas, socks and underwear, hot water bottle, sport clothing, new jeans, books etc... There isn't one item that is above £20. So although it feels like I spend a lot, it is mainly that it is just all in one go. Saying that, I would never get into debts for it. I can afford to do it, so won't spend January feeling low wondering how to pay the credit card.

I don't understand why people do this, but then again I don't buy into the, 'Bigger is better' philosophy. A hot water bottle wrapped up is still a fairly boring (but very useful) hot water bottle. The same goes for socks, most undies and pyjamas. Why not just give it to them when they need it instead of this desperate need to create one big gorge-fest. Unless there's a mountain of presents so many parents feel inadequate. Well, I think bingeing of any kind is generally unhealthy, whether it be food, exercise, or presents. I know I'm in the minority on this, but I've never been one to follow the crowd, so I don't care.

pinkladyof66

my son got very few presents off of us - as he had a mini ipad he is 5 and i find it very educational for him to use as he has special needs

FatVonD

I usually get my son about 12/15 presents because, since I'm an only child he doesn't have aunts and uncles etc to buy for him and his dad's family don't live in this country so it's mostly down to me. That said, some of those will be silly stocking-filler type presents (I get him a stuffed snowman every year and a drum of Cheeselets has become a bit of a tradition too.)

This year he has had fewer as I have just been made redundant and, though I have freelance bookings for the forseeable future it still doesn't feel very secure. Biggest present was a new iPod shuffle as his last one broke. I managed to get some gaming headphones free from work and a hairdryer for £5 also at work. The rest was either silly things or clothes/shoes that he needs anyway.

As for posting pictures on faceache, what a fantastic way to advertise your valuables to burglars, no doubt the same people have also posted their Christmas itinerary so everyone knows when they won't be home!

WantToBeSE

I find it funny that people post photos of their piles of presents on FB. it's very clearly a competition, or 'look at how many presents we have'.

That said, as long as the parents/family can afford it, i dont see a problem with them spending however much they want to.

Gavin83

esmerelda98 wrote: »

Well, I think bingeing of any kind is generally unhealthy, whether it be food, exercise, or presents.

Is it actually possible to binge on exercise?

penguin83

Funny enough this was being discussed on a parenting page on Facebook yesterday.


There seems to be the opposite going on there and everyone is in competition as to who has spent the least or given the smallest number of presents. Its a reverse things to normal!


I know I have spent a fortune and my children have been spoilt but we both work bloody hard for our money and we don't rely on anyone else for money.


Each to their own I say. So long as people can afford it, aren't going into debt or using instead of buying essentials then what does it matter?


Hope you all have a great day. xx