AIBU to think it is REALLY daft to get into debt buying xmas presents etc.

[IceBeing]

Do people really go into debt over christmas and if so, why?

I opened this thread expecting to agree with the OP - we're not well off, but have never used credit to pay for Christmas.
However, I have swiftly changed my mind owing to the OP's self congratulation and total lack of empathy...so there you go.
OP yabu.

Cut your cloth according to your means.
For my DCs it is quantity not quality.
That is what Pound shops were invented for.

There are all sorts of things you only have the right to do if you have above a certain income. Like buying a Ferrari....or a villa in Spain....or diamond necklaces....

You can celebrate xmas without spending anything!

If people want to get into debt over it then I obviously can't stop them. But I can think they are making an exceptionally poor, irresponsible decision. That may yet backfire on me and mine (before anyone says it is none of my business).

This is such a goady thread.

It's really easy to wonder why people get into debt when you have no money worries and can go and buy what you like when you like. But if you are already struggling to live day to day then obviously a celebration day like Christmas is going to plunge you into the red immediately.

Most people don't spend three hundred pounds per child or even extravagant but the it's not that difficult to stretch your imagination slightly and realise how much of a stretch it is for people

pictish ouch - snatched defeat from the jaws of victory....

Well this is all v nice isn't it? No telly, no Father Christmas, and no presents. Happy Christmas.

Well I think this thread is an exceptionally poor and irresponsible decision.

You can celebrate Christmas without spending anything but putting a few hundred pounds onto a credit card can make it really lovely. It's not anything like a holiday or a Ferrari!

For the first time in six years I'm paying off the presents part of Christmas in January as I can only afford the extra food in December.

I'm ok with that. It's not a massive expense.

We will more than likely get into debt this Christmas. If I'm perfectly honest I don't mind. We are in debt anyway, it's a drop in the ocean for us. I'd rather get into abit more debt and for us all to have a fun, magical christmas and unfortunately that realistically means spending wuite s bit more money.

hmmm I think maybe I am more of a pragmatic type than the average MNer. There are tonnes of things I want. Things I want to buy for my DD, for my DH ,for all sorts. But I can't afford it so I don't.

I just don't understand at what point people think, but we have to have SOMETHING for xmas! And worse the majority already have something but feel they have to have MORE.

I mean why? Seriously why?

YANBU. Last year my family bought DC's presents or they wouldn't have had any, this year working tax credits and child tax credits have come through just in time so I'll buy them out of that. I was brought up never to have a credit card or a catalogue.

Annun well it is in AIBU.....the home of irresponsible threads...

How old is your DD, OP?

Some parents will buy their kids a few toys or a teddy from Santa off of a catalogue and spread the cost throughout the year.

I dont think that makes them daft at all.

They're just trying to do their best and create childhood memories.

*quite a bit more money

Because they just aren't as perfect as you, obviously.

Do you mean to sound so rude and patronising?

What do you mean by debt?

parents getting thousands of pounds into debt with pay day loans just to buy expensive presents like tablets and bikes and the latest over priced fashionable crap yeah that's stupid. There's no need for dozens of presents and expensive ones at that. What kids need is love and food and a roof.

but I can understand going into debt just to make sure your kids have something to open on the day

"Surely most kids would prefer their parents not suffering financial anxiety then get a nice big box of plastic tat under the tree....."

Nope, my son would prefer a scooter.

We will get into debt, again this Christmas. And we will pay it off during the year.

Most people have some kind of debt. Why pick on those who are obviously struggling.

Where are your threads:

AIBU to think it is REALLY daft to get into debt buying a house?
AIBU to think it is REALLY daft to get into debt upgrading your kitchen?
AIBU to think it is REALLY daft to get into debt to buy a car?
AIBU to think it is REALLY daft to ever use a credit card?

Or are you only interested, really, in feeling smug because you don't have to do it?

YANBU I've had a few very skint Christmases, my children got presents but not many from me and a lot of stuff from charity shops and ebay.

Thankfully we're in a slightly better financial situation now (I'm a single parent with a job that pays barely above NMW) but I still try not to get carried away with the rabid consumerism of it all and spend ridiculous amounts of money.

No I don't mean to sound rude and patronising....but MN has taught me that when you cannot understand why people are doing something you consider stupid you will certainly be accused of sounding so.

I think just a satsuma and a walnut in a stocking is perfectly acceptable for the DC. Anything more is just frivolous really.

I hate the assumption that people might go into debt to get their child an iPad, Xbox other 'it' gift.
Has it not occurred that some people may need credit just to provide a decent Christmas meal and a few gifts, nice food.Yabu

AIBU to be astonished that someone can live long enough and apparently be educated enough to string a sentence together and still have the empathy and self awareness of gnat.
Apparently not.

I fully understand why parents get into debt at Christmas and count myself as very very lucky that we do to have to do that. Recognizing that only luck means I am not in that position, I would never start a sneers thread like this,

Sneery thread