Wrapping up the gifts

Scarlett.1974

Please give your H a hard kick in the shins from me

bathgatebuyer

I'm so glad I'm single at times!!!

rayday2

I think looking back I always knew our family was "poor" and divorcing my dad didn't help (but was essential!) I remember family arguments in shoe shops but when it comes to Christmas there are two presents that stand out in my mind, I remember getting an Enid Blyton book and spending all Christmas Day reading it - I was happy family was worried I wasn't interested in everything else lol!

Also I remember getting a pair or roller skates the red leather things on metal bars! Now I never wanted nor asked for the roller skates only tried them on the day but I remember laughing so much when I unwrapped them to find a cardboard box with a strip of plaster on the top.

Silly stuff but thats what I remember of presents, of Christmas its the huge family parties on Boxing Day and the xmas pud eating competitions and the fun we had.

I am lucky my hubby wraps things up with pride that we have achieved so many presents with no spending. Both of us spend probably hours a year doing boring pointless surveys, but this year it netted us over £400 in vouchers and online gift vouchers for the girls presents. Maybe you could recommend that to him if he doesnt like the amount they have why doesnt he put the time in with surveys, men are always more successful at the number of surveys they get into because there are less men willing to do it!

tifnstav

my boyf did that to me last year - i have warned him ever so sternly that he had better not go and get "top up" gifts to make mine look better.

last year I got myself roped into buying tons of stuff for people, both his side and mine, still keeping a spreadsheet with details of prices etc.

Christmas Eve he comes home with a bag from Thorntons. He'd spent over £50 on boxes of chocolates for my mum, his mum, one for brother and girlf, one for my nan....the list went on. Just cos he didn't think my presents "looked enough".

I was furious but now he knows much more about our finances he shouldn't be so bad this year - and he knows what happens when he causes my WRATH!!! Ra ha ha (evil laugh).

misspixierocktastic

My mum earns less than i do, Its weird to think that i'm the main breadwinner in the house anyway my sister and i are 24 and 22 respectively and at christmas time we get one main present and a couple of little stocking fillers

Its always been this way, it really isnt what you buy it truly is the thought that counts in fact the best thing about christmas for me is being with my family my dad died when i was six its nice to have your family near presents or no presents :-)
happy christmas x

luxor4t

My 3 kids are 22, 20 and 17. We lived on one wage when they were small and every penny counted. Christmas was always on the skimpy side - but I think I was the only one who really knew how skimpy it was!

If you ask my kids now, they don't remember the individual gifts, it is the combined effect of lights, decorations, tree, food and excitement. Small things - like a pair of Barbie shoes or a red toy car - become treasures. Enjoy the day together.

elantan

z you crack me up

Burlesque_Babe

The first present I remember (and one of my favourite presents ever) was a Timex watch with a red plastic strap with holes in it. I treasured it. It was my first watch. I'm guessing it was about 1977.

My parents had very little money and looking back I wonder now how they managed to get presents for us. We (4 of us) all came down to loads of stuff, but it didn't matter how expensive (or not) it was, it was the memory and the excitement that was more important.

anniestar

My dad died shortly after I turned 7 and we lived in real poverty(no matter how badly off i sometimes think we are, couldn't compare to my childhood) BUT......i rember Christmas as a happy time. We had fun and laughter just mum and me and iI always felt happy safe and secure. PRICELESS.
EDIT: Re reading the above makes it sound as though i had a miserable unhappy childhood NOTHING could be further from the truth. My mother was a remarkable woman who filled my life with love and happiness. True we didn't go on holidays and stuff like that but I honestly truly had a lovely childhood. Money isn't everything.

mummytofour

mum2one wrote: »

Your doing an absolute grand job, 4 children or 5 if you include hubby (only joking), then i thnk you need to put your feet up have a drink and pat urself on the back - youve done a brilliant job xx

5 plus dh, I have been here sooo long I magiced another along the way!

Thanks guys, I feel so much better knowing that I dont owe anybody for anything we have bough for christemas right now.:D I have been firm with DH now and he will just have to get used it!