Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

This is usually the time of year when I panic and buy presents I really don't *need* to buy

46 replies

BrushedCotton · 18/12/2019 20:02

We do a Secret Santa at work, but then I inevitably feel guilty and end up buying my close colleagues something, then the neighbour who takes in my bin etc

and before I know it, it's nearly £200.

I am determined not to do it this year, but I'm feeling the pressure!

OP posts:
Troels · 18/12/2019 20:12

I know the feeling.
It's the stocking stuffer overload I do. I find myself in debenhams buying silly games and toys. So far Dd has planet erasers and a voice changer and there is more in the bag I can't even remember

MysweetAudrina · 18/12/2019 20:22

I now have 6 full sets of gel pens for 2 children for stockings. I forgot I ordered them way back, ordered more and bought some in smiggle too. I had dh sorted and then went and bought him tickets for a concert which cost me 200e. I'm also thinking I need to pick up something extra for my parents even though I have bought them nice gifts but they are in small packaging.

Original poster
BrushedCotton · 18/12/2019 20:33

Don't even start me on packaging. The amount of money I have spent on wrapping paper annoys me every January and then every December I panic and keep on buying tissue, paper and ribbon.

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Christmas
Georgiemcgeorgeface · 18/12/2019 20:35

I'm seriously feeling the pressure and I'm determined to resist. I'm going for a eco friendly Christmas too but now I'm panicking the gifts I have planned are shit. Ffs

BrokenLogs · 18/12/2019 20:37

We are doing a secret santa at work and my gift is what was on show in the long queue where I was buying my dh a present.

I actually said yesterday that I don't want to do it next year, I'd rather go for lunch (that we have to pay for) and enjoy the Christmas festivities rather than have to buy ANOTHER present for people I don't really know or think I like

TheQueens · 18/12/2019 20:40

Argh I know! Did secret santa in the wider team of 20 people at work, our immediate team of 6 have all bought for each other, me included. Only worked there since March so didnt know this was the etiquette! Can't even play ignorant as presents have already landed for me. That's at least another £60 to spend! I thought secret santa was us done 😫

BobTheBauble · 18/12/2019 20:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
BrushedCotton · 18/12/2019 20:53

We are doing a secret santa at work and my gift is what was on show in the long queue where I was buying my dh a present.

A crappy Secret Santa is so depressing, especially if you put a lot of effort in. It does just become an obligation though.

OP posts:
PoultryBallot · 18/12/2019 20:56

I'm pleased (and sad) to read this. I read somewhere the average Christmas spend was £300 including food. By the time you add up decorations, work presents, family and wrapping I can't see how that can be done for £300

CantstandmLMs · 18/12/2019 20:58

Feeling it too and someone I thought was sticking to the no presents (we do birthdays big) this year has told me today "well I've got you something and so have the children as they want to give you something" but how can I not give her children something? Arghhhh but they will have everything they want and whatever I get is a waste. Pressure!!

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 18/12/2019 21:00

DH has just given me a pep talk about how DDs won't notice one has 3 presents and the other has five. The one with 3 presents has lots of bits and pieces making up the one present. They get loads of other people, so it will be diluted...

I'm still wanting that other thing I saw for £5 though. I wish I had bought it when I saw it.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 18/12/2019 21:09

In previous years, I have seen this described on here as ‘twitching’ - when you think you have got all the presents, but then have a sudden panic that you haven’t got someone enough, and you rush to the shops.

I have twitched this year - I got some lovely earrings for my sister, and cuff links for her dh, but then they gave me a very generous birthday present, and I panicked and ordered some posh foodie treats for them.

Original poster
BrushedCotton · 18/12/2019 21:11

I do feel a bit twitchy, that's a good description of it!

OP posts:
peachypetite · 18/12/2019 21:11

It all starts to get a bit ridiculous doesn’t it? I’ve just been browsing Amazon for random things to buy mum so she has something to open.

Troels · 18/12/2019 21:17

I need to twitch a bit more. I don't have a nice pressy for my Mum.
It doesn't help she had a big birthday this week, so I gave her a big present for that. Now I'm stuck.

Didiusfalco · 18/12/2019 21:18

Ahh the twitch. It gets me every year, some years worse than others. This year I have too much unallocated chocolate which I bough ‘just in case’ Still 6 days to go though so it could get worse.

DragonMamma · 18/12/2019 21:21

I’ve been hit by the twitch. Currently fighting the urge to get my DH a Kindle paperwhite.

katy1213 · 18/12/2019 21:22

Who was the idiot (female) who instigated office presents? Honestly, I just wouldn't - you're buying for people who mean nothing to you to celebrate a feast you probably don't believe in!
I am having a guilt-free, almost cardless Christmas as I haven't bothered the last couple of years - people I haven't laid eyes on for years have either reciprocated by striking me off their list or they think I'm dead.
I do find that the less I do the more I'm up for enjoying it on the day.

StylishMummy · 18/12/2019 21:39

Yay, I've found my people. I have got the TWITCH. DDs are sorted but Mil, Fil and others could do with more...

nowaypose · 18/12/2019 21:40

I do this too. Last year I had a last minute spree on amazon prime for no reason whatsoever. I’m resisting this year, I’ve bought everything and that’s it.

letsdolunch321 · 18/12/2019 22:14

I make a list, I check it twice to make sure everyone has a present.

Job done ✅

WalkAwaySugarbear · 18/12/2019 22:23

This is the first year I've resisted the twitch, it's a little easier as we go on holiday after boxing day so we have that to look forward to. Having spent all year decluttering unused toys it's hard all such a waste of money so I've concentrated on usable items.

neverornow · 18/12/2019 22:25

I've got a massive dose of twitch! SIL told me what she bought my DP's and now I feel I need to buy them something else (I don't!)

Anyone else get beauty treatment twitches? I want to get everything waxed, nails done, eyebrows tinted and freshen up highlights...even though I am going no where except IL's Xmas day for a few hours!

BobTheBauble · 18/12/2019 22:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LucheroTena · 18/12/2019 22:48

I have twitched quite a bit despite cutting back generally. It’s like you get sucked into a spending frenzy. Funny as once it’s finished I don’t go near shops for months. Almost cold turkey (no pun intended).