How to Reduce Christmas Present Obligation?

VfM4meplse

JackieO wrote: »

My DGD who is a primary school teacher gets such a lot given to her from Mums etc that she says she can never use it all up, usually umpteen tins of biscuits

This is a nice problem to have! But no compensation for the payscale.

OTOH, working with young kids is infinitely rewarding. Its a good job that so many people decide to people decide to devote their working days to their hobby, otherwise society reallly would go to hell in a handcart. That said, you can't live on fresh air, no matter how many boxes of biscuits you get at Christmas!!

silver-oldie

I use these for most of my cards, not only Christmas. If you factor in postage I think it's good value.

https://www.jacquielawson.com/

LameWolf

When I was working, at the last place I was at they had Secret Santa, and I just said "no thank you, leave me out of it" and that was the end of it.

I am making my own cards this year; for one thing, it's hard for me to get to the shops, have to wait til Mr Wolf is available to take me, and he sure doesn't want to traipse around looking for cards. Secondly, I celebrate Yule, and unless I want to spend a small fortune, I can't get cards that specifically say Yule.

The jaquie lawson site is a good idea - but not for people I don't want having my email address.

I even manage to get out of any invitations, as I have a Canine guest coming for the entire period - he arrives on 17th December and goes home on 9th January. Result!! :T

Twopints

On the theme of email "Christmas cards" - just send the following:

It's here again,
times are hard,
here's your fricking*
Christmas card.

*or sim'lar.

Can also be done in hard copy on a piece of lined notepaper.

:money:

:beer:

Nargleblast

Now Lamewolf, I bet you won't be able to resist hanging up a little stocking full of doggy treats and toys on Christmas Eve! Go on, I dare you!

silver-oldie

LameWolf wrote: »

The jaquie lawson site is a good idea - but not for people I don't want having my email address.

:T

I have a 'spare' email address use it for all sorts of rubbish mail,

hedgesparrow

Spendless wrote: »

Ahh now I can see where this is awkward and it would really make more sense to do a Secret Santa. Did you say there were 10 of you and you buy something for £5 each? If you did and everyone else does likewise, then no-one needs 9 x £5 presents, an angle to come at (for secret santa) would be it would make more sense to set a budget at say £15 and you just buy and receive 1 present. Can you not get the ones that you've said have grumbled about it onboard?

That would have been my ideal, yes. There are 12 people total including me and Mr Hedgesparrow. I spent £5 each last year but I know some of the group spend a lot more than that. I'm definitely going to chat to people in person, and see if The person who wanted us to quit last year has not replied at all. I'm going to talk to them all in person as I see them, I might be able to negotiate individual no giving deals with a few people!! I don't want to feel like scrooge so I don't want to force anyone else's hand, but I'll be able to see how people feel about it in person.

Hobsons_Choice

My "outer" family (cousins and the like) send cards with a £1 scratchcard enclosed.
This time next year we all might be millionaires ... maybe.

suki1964

Don't bother negotiating, be brave and say Im not doing gifts this year

If others want to give gifts then thats entirely up to them

No giving gifts is so dam liberating. Theres no mad dash around the shops, no panic, no sitting up to the early hours wrapping, and best of all theres not a load of tat to take to the charity shop in the new year

We stopped buying as a family when the nieces and nephew started making an appearance , we decided then kids and mum only ( mums birthday) Now the kids are grown, its grandkids ( and mum ) only. Me and he swap a small token gift - slippers or a book for me, a jumper or something for him, even happy to accept a charity shop gift

Sometimes I buy my best friend something, sometimes I don't, it has to be that small something I know she would love. If Ive spotted something she gets it, if I haven't - no worries. I don't go looking for something

As for cards, I buy a pack in the sales and send to the inlaws and our immediate neighbours ( we do all get along here and socialise )

For me Christmas is one day off. I don't want the run up to it to be full of stress. I want to be able to enjoy a lovely dinner, wear nice clothes, have time to put a bit of slap on, go have a few drinks with friends, not sleep half the day away because Im so flipping tired

VfM4meplse

suki1964 wrote: »

No giving gifts is so dam liberating. Theres no mad dash around the shops, no panic, no sitting up to the early hours wrapping, and best of all theres not a load of tat to take to the charity shop in the new year

I actually quite like it - but then my gift giving is based on whatever seasonal delicacies are available in the supermarket. Dressing the said purchases up in a bit of wrapping / popping into a gift bag with something Christmassy on in the background and a full tumbler of fortified Irish Cream is a lovely way of spending a December evening that doesn't cost nearly as much as a night out. The more Irish Cream I have, the lovelier it gets