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AIBU?

to ask certain family members if they would settle for 'new year' presents...

23 replies

juicychops · 27/11/2010 22:14

instead of xmas presents so that i can buy them in the sales and save money?

OP posts:
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AgentZigzag · 27/11/2010 22:18

If they love you of course that shouldn't be a problem.

If they're shallow and grabby, judging how much you think of them by the amount of money you spend on them, probably not Grin

I suspect it's the former, good idea!

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looneytune · 27/11/2010 22:20

I agree! It wouldn't bother me at all :)

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maxpower · 27/11/2010 22:21

it wouldn't bother me

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badfairy · 28/11/2010 08:54

wouldn't bother me either

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rodformyownback · 28/11/2010 09:02

YANBU. Especially if you're skint. Good idea, might do it myself!

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rodformyownback · 28/11/2010 09:03

If it's children though you have to get them something to open on the day, even if it's just something tiny.

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theevildead2 · 28/11/2010 09:05

I tried to convince DH we should be doing this.. What does it matter what day we celebrate- we're both athiest!

I'd prefer a nice present that didn't cost much bought in the sales to a not as nice cheap present bought before. ALthough due to the recession I have noticed the sales haven't been too great the past couple years. The shops don't seem to be over buying and having loads left over. Or am I the only one who thinks this?

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potoftea · 28/11/2010 09:10

Actually it would bother me. Not because I demand my present on christmas day, but because it seems like a business transaction to wait for the sales. A bit like I'm "owed" a present.

If someone in my family was struggling to afford my present, I'd much rather they spend very little, or made me something to eat, or had a copy done of an old photo of me, or something thoughtful like that. I don't need them to buy me something and knowing they were trying to be thrifty would make me feel very guilty taking a present in January from them.

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SlartyBartFast · 28/11/2010 09:11

there are plenty of sales pre christmas.
shops are desperate for custom.

and vat comes in effect, perhaps not 1st january though.

so yabu. imo

presents dont have to be expensive for christmas. it is just a token gift. make something.

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huddspur · 28/11/2010 09:13

VAT is going up in the New Year so it might be as cheap as you think

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AngryPixie · 28/11/2010 09:31

I'm with potoftea I would rather a small cheap token gesture than wait for the sales, it does feel a bit strange like an IOU

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emptyshell · 28/11/2010 10:54

When I'm really skint I do gift baskets. Lots and lots of little bits, all put in a basket and tarted up to look pretty (we even regularly rotate the baskets around our family). By the time you've chucked in a votive candle and holder that you've bought in a multi-pack and split, some little chocolate (I used to buy the packs of 12 Green and Blacks minatures, tie them in little piles of three or so), a couple of other little goodies - it looks like a heck of a lot more cost-wise than it actually is! (And you can tailor it - so I don't buy bubble bath for people with only a shower etc). This year I've wrapped Chocolate Oranges in brown paper, made some card antlers, stuck googly eyes and red pompoms on and made Rudolph oranges as little stocking fillers for people - stuff like that.

I have, however bought Xmas presents in July before - in my defence I knew I wanted a picnic set for the resident cricket bores in the family and they're nigh-on impossible to get in December - so I bought them in the end of summer sell-offs!

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pointydog · 28/11/2010 11:02

yabu

It sounds so mean-spirited and my reaction would be not to bother at all.

There are lots of jollier, cheaper options:

  1. look for charity shop buys (a friend of mine has done this and found some fantastic presents for a couple of quid)
  2. browse the internet for good deals of things you can buy for under a fiver
  3. make fudge and wrap it beautifully for the adults
  4. shop in the sales for next year's christmas presents, not this year's
  5. if you are giving to fairly distant relatives that you don't see a lot, suggest you stop buying presents for the adults completely
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emptyshell · 28/11/2010 11:06

There have been numerous years that Mr Boots and his Advantage Points have come to the rescue too... and sometimes even my husband's advantage card when he's been buying tonnes of Boots sandwiches for lunch in town!

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pointydog · 28/11/2010 11:08

yep, supermarket vouchers too

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ChippingIn · 28/11/2010 11:10

I'm stealing the following post as it's what I was going to say :) (Thanks POT)


potoftea Sun 28-Nov-10 09:10:06
Actually it would bother me. Not because I demand my present on christmas day, but because it seems like a business transaction to wait for the sales. A bit like I'm "owed" a present.

If someone in my family was struggling to afford my present, I'd much rather they spend very little, or made me something to eat, or had a copy done of an old photo of me, or something thoughtful like that. I don't need them to buy me something and knowing they were trying to be thrifty would make me feel very guilty taking a present in January from them



and to echo other posters as well - I'd rather someone didn't buy me a present if they are short of money - I'd sooner they bought things they need!

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emptyshell · 28/11/2010 11:11

Nah Mr Tesco-Clubcard is buying the turkey this year!

I started making presents a year or so ago when utterly skint... now it's become an expectation and I'm running out of ideas!

The Christmas (currently named) forum on moneysaving expert is usually good for some inspiration btw.

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faverolles · 28/11/2010 11:14

I think this would be thoughtless tbh.
Christmas is on the same date every year, it's no surprise.
The best presents aren't necessarily the most expensive ones, but the ones that have been thought about.
You could make Christmas hampers with homemade biscuits, lemon curd, chocolates, things like that, which don't cost much at all, but at least show you've done something for them for Christmas.

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CookieRookie · 28/11/2010 11:20

We're buying only for the children in our extended family and it will be something practical like pj's or something. We've already told the adults we're not giving presents except maybe a homemade cake or sweets and have asked that they not get us anything either. But that's just us...

If you really feel you need to give gifts in time for christmas then homemade is thoughtful and affordable.

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noddyholder · 28/11/2010 11:22

I think if I knew someone was really struggling financially I wouldn't want anything at all just a card and maybe meet for a drink and some nibbles at home.

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MerrilyDefective · 28/11/2010 16:50

Now that ours are older DP has been thinking this is a good idea too.
We're all atheists and i really don't see it as a problem.
When DS2(16) is no longer at home we're thinking of doing something like helping out at a homeless shelter and having Christmas after New Year.

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tingletangle · 28/11/2010 17:00

If you are struggling why not just say you are not doing presents. I have not bought anyone other than my daughter a present in years. I do make cakes and foodie surprises.

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ShoppingDays · 28/11/2010 17:25

Given the choice, I'd rather have a smaller present at Christmas time, than a larger one at New Year. Christmas is important to me whereas New Year is just a date.

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