What's the cost of Christmas? Poll Results/Discussion

Gale_10

As a "Santa who?" I think its really sad that people always say to me"Oh you are so lucky not to have that pressure!" But I say to them, come to my house on 25th, no presents, no decorations, no tree, we watch films but try to stick to DVDs so no Chrissy adverts either. Dinner is usually something simple, probably a bitsa (bits a this and bits a that) meal, but we have fun. Every year I have an open house so anyone who wants to escape Christmas can come. But...........people don't and they tell me its not because they don't want to, its because they feel pressure to do whats expected. I think that's a shame. I know my mother-in-law would love to come and spend the day here, but the social pressure on her to go to her mums is just too much.

Also, as we have three children, and people always say.....oh your poor children.....they have nothing.....

My DD1 (14) is spending the holiday with my Mum and step-dad, which involves her going to London, then for a week at my Mums country club in Cornwall, visits to her daddy, and general spoiling until early January when I go and pick her up.

My DS1 (5) is having several adventure days doing things he hasn't done before, ice-skating, horse-riding, possibly riding a steam train (haven't organized that yet). Personally I feel its much more important to give a child time rather than gifts.

My DS2 is only 9 months and so doesn't get anything specific, although he will get days to choose exactly what the family does for the day when he is older. We call them *his-name*-days, and they are totally up to the children to choose. We would do it for DS1 but he would choose watching Doctor Who all day and we think its better to build his confidence with days out - so we have to pick them.

We buy our children presents all year round - believe me, we have a house of primary-coloured plastic!

Gale

Merlot

Gale_10 wrote: »

As a "Santa who?" I think its really sad that people always say to me"Oh you are so lucky not to have that pressure!" But I say to them, come to my house on 25th, no presents, no decorations, no tree, we watch films but try to stick to DVDs so no Chrissy adverts either. Dinner is usually something simple, probably a bitsa (bits a this and bits a that) meal, but we have fun. Every year I have an open house so anyone who wants to escape Christmas can come. But...........people don't and they tell me its not because they don't want to, its because they feel pressure to do whats expected. I think that's a shame. I know my mother-in-law would love to come and spend the day here, but the social pressure on her to go to her mums is just too much.

Also, as we have three children, and people always say.....oh your poor children.....they have nothing.....

My DD1 (14) is spending the holiday with my Mum and step-dad, which involves her going to London, then for a week at my Mums country club in Cornwall, visits to her daddy, and general spoiling until early January when I go and pick her up.

My DS1 (5) is having several adventure days doing things he hasn't done before, ice-skating, horse-riding, possibly riding a steam train (haven't organized that yet). Personally I feel its much more important to give a child time rather than gifts.

My DS2 is only 9 months and so doesn't get anything specific, although he will get days to choose exactly what the family does for the day when he is older. We call them *his-name*-days, and they are totally up to the children to choose. We would do it for DS1 but he would choose watching Doctor Who all day and we think its better to build his confidence with days out - so we have to pick them.

We buy our children presents all year round - believe me, we have a house of primary-coloured plastic!

Gale

have u got room for another wee one? You've opted out and thats fantastic, I am seriously considering it myself next year, although my children don't get alot of presents now, they know its a time for family, not presents.

I really wish we could all be like you.:D

Gale_10

Thank you very much Merlot...........you would be most welcome!

I thought I was going to get some serious flack about that post.....

My advice would be just make sure the kids have something to talk about when they go back to school, peer pressure is a terrible thing. Especially if they are teens, my daughter had a really sad holiday last year because we had just moved and we didn't do anything much, still trying to settle in. This year of course she has told them all about the swimming pool and jacuzzi at my Mothers place in Cornwall.:rolleyes:

I hope you have a good time anyway, Merlot

Gale

torbrex

I voted as option A; Santa who?
I do not celebrate Xmas in any way shape or form and hav'nt for over 25 years. In some ways I resent having it forced on me by people that cant seem to grasp the fact that xmas is not compulsory. I am even forced to 'waste' holidays at a time of year that I do not want them.
I am neither a christian nor a pagan so have no reason to set aside a special celibration at this time of year, people are forever wishing me a merry xmas and asking if I am looking forward to it yet when I tell them that I dont do xmas some of them actually get angry and become rude and offensive in their behaviour towards me.

janbanan

We probably spend another £20 extra on the food bill - that's all.
I used to find Christmas a combination of stress, obligation, guilt, and disappointment. I've enjoyed Christmas a lot more since we removed the "commercial element" from our Christmas celebrations.

weezl74

I agree! I get really frustrated by the commercialism of Christmas. Asked my 7 yr old neice what she thought Christmas meant this morning: 'Nintendo DS' says she.:rolleyes:

Trying to be cash neutral this year, which in our house means make food hamper goodies by stretching the usual food budget to include hamper ingredients. Making everything else, and using my 4% cashback from cap. one card to cover the cost of wool and knitting needles.

Am I Ebenezer Scrooge?!

Weezl x

Morglin

With eight grandchildren, four children, two brothers, one set of parents and each other, with presents and all the "extras", we hit the £1000 mark, although I don't think we have been extravagent. Trouble is, all the children want these games for Play Stations, X Boxes etc., and one wanted a mobile phone - I did shop around, but it all mounts up.

But, we did save for it, and unlike when the children were young, we won't be paying for it all next year.:T

Lin

OddjobKIA

secret santa ish

We do have 4 kids and 5 nephews and nices ( we dont to adults)

but that also includes all the food ( 9 of us in total for lunch and maybe 13 in the evening)

this year we brought a new tree as the old one was 10 yeras old and held togehter with clamps and vices ( even that only cost us £14 down from £35)

mrs odd job works in tesco and they had vouchers £5 off a tree plus exta of as well.

we never buy on credit

and some stuff is second hand

IE a gameboy advance for my son

£35 perfect condition + 7 games

daughter wants game for her DS and they will be second hand

alfred64

Christmas is so commercialised - even the church is getting in on the act with it's Christmas services.
At least there are no streamers across the pews - heaven forbid - nor a Christmas tree, but a nativity scene is depicted with graven images in the guise of sheperds, wise men and so on.
Why can't the church leave these sort of things to shopping malls and department stores, surely thats where the spirit of Christmas belongs?

Former_MSE_Lawrence

What's the cost of Christmas? How much do you think you will spend this year?

How much will you spend on Christmas? I ran a similar poll two years ago (view results) and it will be interesting to see if the Credit Crunch is changing spending habits.

How much do you think you will spend this year?

A. Santa who?: £0 we don't celebrate 5% (184 votes)
B. Secret Santa: £0 - £250 33% (1313 votes)
C. Serious Santa: £250 - £500 34% (1329 votes)
D. Stupendous Santa: £500 - £1000 21% (838 votes)
E. Mother (of a) Christmas: £1000 plus 8% (309 votes)

Thanks to everybody that voted