Christmas for adult children

hgotsparkle

My mum will leave a big bag of presents for both me and OH and it will be stuff like aftershave, a new designer top, chocolates, shave stuff for him and whatever I've asked her for, plus make up bits, chocolates, skin care, perfume, some clothes.
I am an only child and childless myself so she hasn't really got anyone else to buy for, I know when I have kids, my presents won't be as extravagent because she will want to spoil any grandkids, and thats perfectly fine with me.

bylromarha

My husband (39) gets a £20 gift from his mum, his sister (37) gets a £100 gift.

Just don't go there...

burnoutbabe

I still get a pile of stuff plus a stocking, so does fiance as well. I am 41 The pile is mostlt stuff I have said I am after, some kitchen item or some silly slippers but nice to have stuff to open on the day.

Spendless

Becles wrote: »

He definitely doesn't want to lose his stocking!

In Claires the other day picking up their sale items on 5 for £3 (outlet store) for stocking presents, for my 11yo dd, the lady in front of me was telling the shop assistant that she was picking the items for her daughters stockings, as she'd tried telling them now they were in their 20s she was going to stop and they didn't want her to. The shop assistant wasn't sympathetic to her, she told her she was a similar age, her mum had told her the same thing and she'd also 'complained' about losing it.:D

It was easier for my Mum to take these items from me as I grew up, as they were round the tree and I didn't 'need' some chocolate coins once I was old enough to be earning my own money.

hgotsparkle

bylromarha wrote: »

My husband (39) gets a £20 gift from his mum, his sister (37) gets a £100 gift.

Just don't go there...

Sounds a lot like my OHs family......

Dizzy_Ditzy

I'm 37 and my brothers 35 and 30.

We have all insisted to my parents that we don't need big piles of presents for Christmas so we're all happy with a stocking. They contain a token gift and then the usual stuff. My dad likes to see if he can out "tacky" himself every year :rotfl:

And if there isn't a Cadbury creme egg in mine then it just ain't christmas!

maman

Lily-Rose wrote: »

Any particular reason maman, why you buy for their birthdays in November and December, and then buy nothing for Christmas though?

I can imagine that being the biggest bugbear for people born near Christmas. People giving you a 'combined gift.' They wouldn't do that if your birthday was in June!

We agreed as a family to stop buying Christmas presents for all but the children. This wasn't really a money thing more because there was this growing tendency just to buy 'stuff'. For example, DD2 used to get boxes of smellies in brands we'd never use or mugs or gadgets we really didn't need. It may sound ungrateful but I'm glad it's stopped so Christmas is now just about enjoying the company (and the food and drink;)). There really is some awful tat about at Christmas.


So the birthday presents are now very generous as it's the only present we give the DDs in the year.


You're right it's hard separating the two but I've always managed it. I'd hate the idea of a combined gift for Christmas and birthday.

Indie_Kid

maman wrote: »

We agreed as a family to stop buying Christmas presents for all but the children. This wasn't really a money thing more because there was this growing tendency just to buy 'stuff'. For example, DD2 used to get boxes of smellies in brands we'd never use or mugs or gadgets we really didn't need. It may sound ungrateful but I'm glad it's stopped so Christmas is not just about enjoying the company (and the food and drink;)). There really is some awful tat about at Christmas.

Yeah, I can see where you're coming from on this. It's getting so hard to think of stuff I actually want for Christmas now. If I want something, I'd buy it myself.

Birthday isn't quite as bad. For last year, this year and next year, it'll be (or has been) a ticket to a gig.

Horace

I always had cheques from my parents typically around £50 (there is only me). Now I live in a house that my parents bought for me to live in (a better return on investment than the banks were and are still offering), I get gifts now that are combined birthday and Christmas presents - in the first year I was here I was given a new oak sideboard, last year (although they were bought this summer) I received a bookcase, 4 dining chairs and an extending dining table.

When I was married I always had to put up with third best so now they want me to have more so that I can have a better life.

Alas being on the dole I do not buy anything for my parents - I am under strict instructions not to buy presents for them. Instead I do good deeds.

bagpussbear

I'm in the same situation with my son, he turned 18 in March and has left college and now on JSA until he finds work.

In the last few years I have given him £100 and a few pressies to open (probably totalling £150 in all).

This year I feel £50 is more appropriate given he has some money coming in now, but I will still buy the same amount of pressies, some are practical pressies like clothes.

I think I will probably continue along these lines until he moves out.