To think that Christmas is just a nightmare for a lot of people.

I'm sure people have said this for years but it's become completely out of control. Even since my 90s childhood it seems bonkers now. I teach and the kids are currently knackered and overstimulated at the same time. They need a few weeks of R and R and a chilled time with their families. Not loads of stuff and activities.

Christmas is a religious festival and if you are not religious it is a nice midwinter pause in the year to enjoy a traditional midwinter feast with family. All the other stuff is just unnecessary.

I feel very sorry for people in genuine poverty or who are lonely. But I don't think the government should be funding a load of excess consumerism.

Child poverty should not be norm.

And nor should excessive bonuses and packages for people in business.

I know, and I am very aware that Ireland is awash with money compared to the uk right now…but they still did it, they did it last year too didn’t they? Definitely the double child benefit anyway. But I am thankful all the same despite it being part of political play tactics

I have a part-time job and a long term health condition so I always have little money to spare but I enjoy Christmas/NY has a time to rest and a break from work.

I have had the same artificial Christmas tree for the past 16 years! Almost everything I buy is from charity shops but I enjoy rummaging for 'treasures' that way :).

This year I bought a new fairy light for the tree to make it look prettier and I will buy a nice Christmas cake on Monday.

My point is you can enjoy the occasion in many ways without having to spend a lot of money on it.

I know it is especially hard with children, but as I mentioned charity shops have a lot of nice stuff and there are charities that can help families too.

I think it is quite silly that people choose to get into debts and overspend for Christmas.

Well that's their own fault isn't it? In my experience it's usually people with the least money going overboard at Christmas. It just demonstrates lack of intelligence.

Important to point out two things.

Firstly taxation is waaaay higher in Ireland and there's a kind of 'redistributive' mindset that encourages this type of thing.

Secondly, this year, the government parties were trying to win an election by handing out goodies.

But it's an interesting point, because Christmas is an even bigger deal in Ireland than the uk and poorer families regularly get into debt to fund it.

There has never been so many people needing food help from charities.

Rubbish. Food banks are a recent thing. The simple fact is that they didn't exist in the past, it wasn't the case that the need wasn't there.

If they are there, then people will use them.

Christmas is what you make it. Step away from the pressure of insta and just make lovely memories whether that’s with a heap of gifts and a load of people or just with a small group of people and less gifts. It’s not hard.

But that's the point. People feel like it does need to be a massive pile of presents. Which is why is becomes a nightmare. Do you see the difference?

I grew up in a single parent family and my mother managed to buy small stocking type gifts at Christmas. I never felt like I missed out. I really don't believe that people on benefits are worse off now than they were in the 80s.

These days I expect there will be plenty of people spending a fortune on expensive gifts that they can't afford and then going down the food bank. There is a culture of entitlement.

No one is obliged to celebrate Christmas. If you don’t like it, then don’t join in.
But for most of us it’s a highlight of the year - it’d be a bloody long winter without it! It doesn’t need to be a massive pile of presents that make it special.
As for extra benefit money - no, don’t have more kids than you can afford, like the rest of us!

https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/26763-christmas-bonus-and-double-child-benefit-payments-to-be-paid-this-week/#:~:text=The%20Christmas%20Bonus%20provides%20a,normally%20receive%20their%20primary%20payment.

they did it in Ireland this year…those on certain benefits got a bonus and everyone got double child benefits (not means tested here) I normally get 280 per month, for Nov and Dec I got 560 per month, it paid for Christmas!!

I do feel sorry for ppl struggling. But absolutely no way do I think tax payers should be paying for ppl in Universal credit bonuses to buy presents.

Its not necessary to spend a fortune. Some parents get ridiculous at Christmas.

When my children were small and money was tight from October onwards I used to buy something once a week such as a selection box or cranberry sauce etc . I Also bought a lot of things such as wrapping paper and cards in the January sales . I think Christmas needs to be planned for all year round .

It's shit op. We live in such an unequal society. It's awful there's so much bloody pressure to spend. I wish everyone would take a step back and just say 'it's got out of hand. A couple of small presents for children is all that is required'.

A lot of people working full time are claiming UC.

I love Christmas but I’m very aware I am privileged to be able to do so. I am also aware that this time can be incredibly difficult for those struggling financially, going through loss/bereavement, break ups and family estrangements… Christmas very much shines a light on those things and can be lonely. Sending strength and light to everyone this Christmas, I am also hoping things improve under new government.

I agree.

People get too caught up on greed and waste. I get it being awful if you can't even afford a single present, but some parents want to do December boxes, Christmas Eve boxes and the rest of it. It's so gross.

Our council gave out £125 Christmas/winter energy grant. I bet a lot of that went on Christmas gifts

Yes, we’ve brought ours up not to expect very expensive gifts and we have family over and relatives bring the desserts etc and we all share. Ours have always known (1) that they are much better off than probably most DC in this country and (2) we would never tolerate any whining about how X is getting whatever and why can’t I. You have to start off as you mean to go on. When ours were 2 or 3 they got practically nothing from us. I thought the ELC garage at £50 was a big thing. We know families who have spent £200 on a 3 year old. What on earth?

Some people working full time are having to use food banks and you think people on UC should get a bonus at Christmas?

I think it would be wonderful if EVERYONE just decided to play it down a little. It will NEVER happen but it would be great if it did. It has become such such a consumerist monster, even from when I was a child. It's not just the presents but the social occasions, the kids' activities, Christmas Eve boxes, buying gifts for people at work, the food that gets thrown out, Christmas cards that cost more to send than buy...etc etc. It's all so STRESSFUL and expensive and only getting bigger.
I'd sure as hell enjoy Christmas a lot more if I didn't feel so pressured.

I think parents on UC should get a decent bonus so they can buy presents for their kids. It really upsets me that there are children who might not get presents on the day.

I'm sorry but taking more from me would mean that I can't afford things for my child. As if things aren't difficult enough for other families who don't qualify for UC!

Christmas is what you make of it. There's no need for piles of expensive presents. Make it about expeirences, family time, fun and stay off social media.

Kids get two weeks off school, most of them can't even remember what they got by the time they go back! This is more about parent guilt than children actually missing out.

I don't personally know of any children that get massive piles of presents. It's excessive, overwhelming and then where does all this shit go? Don't assume the odd show-off who posts their one hundred presents under the tree is the norm - it's really not.

Lots of joke presents are serious tat that will never be used and very quickly be landfill fodder.

Consumables gifts makes more sense, chocolates, bottles of booze, etc.