Working/middle class Christmas presents difference

[Frustratedandpissedoff]

Something I have quietly observed over the years re Christmas presents for children. Children of unemployed or working class presents tended to receive lots of expensive flashy gifts which had their parents paying off credit card debt later on. Middle class children tended to receive maybe one big present at Christmas or were gifted cash and encouraged to save up for a big thing that they really wanted.
I didn't realise anyone else noticed this until some colleagues began discussing it today. Obviously this does not apply to everybody, but seems to be a common theme? Interested to hear people's thoughts.

And it Has to be wooden. None of that cheap plastic tat obvs.

I don’t think well-off parents realise how often they say ‘yes’ to their children all year. So saying ‘no’ at Christmas is a novelty.

I’m as middle class as it is possible to be. When we had a very low income, spending far too much on ds’s stocking and getting the physically biggest present I could was the highlight of my year, because we were counting pennies the rest of the time.

Our kids got one present each, and something to share, a board game.

They did not get anything substantive during the year, not even birthdays. The exception would be something for going on holiday.

This year I am going to do all my shopping in charity shops.

Middle class.

I do miss LaQueen and Crumbs. Nothing says Christmas morning like a carol singing session around the fictional village lake, then evening sups.

The second Christmas I knew her I bought her some 'proper' presents, including a bodycon dress from H&M and platform sandals from Schuh. Her mother really didn't like me!

Private school kids are generally upper middle class and definitely on the top tier of wealth. Its not really a surprise. Whereas more normal MC kids aren't rich.

Yet those who grew up w/c and have any degree at all from from a uni that isn't highly regarded in any sense, seem to think, this changes their status from w/c to m/c.
Imo your 'class' is ingrained from how you were brought up and this will usually reflect your core values throughout your life.
So people 'marry up' but they themselves are always going to stay in the 'class' they were born into and the same is true in reverse to a large extent.
It isn't about money, its about land ultimately. These days I suppose that equates to multiple properties of which the Beckhams have many presumably.

DH was brought up WC and me MC. Main differences:
His house all presents opened immediately
My house, stockings, then breakfast, then present or two, then dinner, ,then presents.
Our house, he won, its all opened by 6am!

It's The Times. Upholding the classes system (or the illusion of it) is very much in their interest.

I agree and have seen this patten as well OP. I grew up working class with a dad who sincerely believed that there was a direct correlation between social class and how much you loved your kids. Middle class people only cared about money apparently where as working class people cared most about their kids, as demonstrated by how much they got at Christmas.

Last Christmas, lots of the middle class parents at my kids state primary were discussing their holiday plans for Christmas…. Skiing, cruises, all sorts. They also said their DC won’t be getting much Christmas morning because they can’t transport loads. They’ll bring a few things but they won’t mind and their holiday is their big gift anyway. They were chuckling saying the latest consoles etc are always got on pre order so makes Christmas easier. 🙄
I’m working class, well below the poverty line actually. We don’t have a games console. Wouldn’t allow one even if I had all the money in the world anyway, though I’m sure my kids would love them but the less tech the better anyway. My kids did get about £100 budget, probably more things bought with it than £100 a middle class mum would buy but they don’t seem to comprehend some people just can’t afford their lifestyle. Christmas and birthdays are the only time some kids will get these things. They might go ahead and buy some new crafts/ Lego in school holiday to keep their kids occupied. Many working class kids will be using up what they got for birthdays/ Christmas. I’m not one of them, but it’s probably true generally working class people are more likely to get into debt over Christmas / birthdays. It’s easier and less stressful to only have certain times of year you buy these things, buying new stuff every school holidays would be stressful.

I’m looking forward to all the playground Christmas plans that I’m sure will start soon!

My DH came from a very MC home, big house, professional parents etc, and most years FIL used to “abolish Christmas” citing cash flow problems as the reason for not buying presents, although MIL insisted on a tree, and all the usual Christmas traditions were followed, ie food and drink, lots of games, long walks etc, whereas my WC DM spent weeks planning and shopping for Christmas, presents galore, including lots of unkindness and criticism about other people’s presents, regardless of how poor they were, until the day ended with her sulking and shouting, then flouncing off to bed in a huff.

It probably says more about the people and their personalities than the actual present situation, but all I know is, at DH’s house we had the best time, where it felt 100 times more Christmassy than it did with my parents, drowning in a sea of resentment and “gifts” that no one really wanted.

I don't think that's true. The MC families I know are far less likely to buy toys or tech outside of birthday and Christmas.

I (and my DC) always had plenty at Christmas, too much probably, but very rarely treated to any stuff except for birthday and Christmas presents. We'd also be given essentials, clothes, toiletries etc as extra presents.

We weren't deprived, we had everything we needed and did lots of days out etc, but no material things, except at Christmas and Birthdays.

Agree it’s also completely bullshit too lots of anecdotes on here. Here’s my one now I’m middle class Christmas is a lot more extravagant, back when I was broke unemployed living in a hostel presents were 50p charity shop toys.
Obviously your level of wealth is reflected in your Christmas presents 99% of the time people can post about the millionaire who gives a small bag of walnuts as the sole Christmas present all they want it’s merely an outlier that’s why it sticks in your brain

Dh and I both grew up working class, my parents were fairly generous at Christmas but I only got presents at birthdays and Christmasses as my parents saved during the year, dh had a similar experience.

I've never met anyone who is the child of a present before!

Children of unemployed or working class presents tended to receive lots of expensive flashy gifts which had their parents paying off credit card debt later on.

When you already have more you don’t need to buy as much do you? And if you already have all the stuff you don’t need to get in debt to buy it again as you already have it.

Can’t stand the pervasive idea on here that being painfully middle class is morally superior to being working class. I’ll always be working class regardless of my high income and education and idgaf. The aristocracy give not two shits that you try and copy their ancient Volvos and tangerines for Xmas bullshit as long as you don’t come after their money.

@LaurieFairyCake 👏👏👏couldn’t agree more x

I unintentionally did something aristocratic when I put satsumas in ny child’s Christmas stocking 😂 I was broke and didn’t even have a job so literally not even working clsss let alone middle or upper lol. He loves satsumas though. I think this year an entire box of satsumas is warranted to show I’ve gone up in the world, or is that too flashy best keep it classy and stick to one satsuma

It’s quite clear what I’m saying beaver, I’m not the one looking down on what people buy their dc for Xmas, I’m sure your dc loved their satsumas.

Oh I know what you’re saying and agree with you.

Yes I remember visiting someone’s relative I knew. Their house was in need of a lot of care. Very old, worn out sofa, no stair carpet, hadn’t been decorated in years, that sort of thing.
The amount if presents their toddler had was insane. You literally couldn’t see the carpet for all the presents. I remember thinking wouldn’t you be better buying several tins of paint and decorating rather than spending all this money on gifts for your toddler.

I mean the answer for any house with a toddler in it is no tbh.

I was from a working class background and got the square root of fuck all for Christmas.

My bike had to be from a catalogue like freeman's or littlewoods to pay off because mum couldn't get a credit card. Limited range of bikes and it wasnt really a bike a kid would want but I was grateful to have anything.

The rich people wanted for nothing and got all they asked for.

That opening post is so absurd I dont know where to start

I was a child in the 50s and 60s. Back then satsumas, tangerines and boxes of dates and figs were only available in November and December so were very "Christmassy". Now small citrus fruit is available all year round and we buy a bag every week and I no longer associate that lovely smell with Christmas.