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?

wiggly I do think all of those things are daft though!

Well except credit cards...if you can't buy basic food/clothes without them.

If there is a choice to go into debt and you choose that, then I don't understand.

If you have to go into debt to survive then you have my compassion and sympathy.

YABU scrooge! Get back in your box you miserable sod

I agree Giles.

I think Mojito sounds flippant with her credit to be honest, whereas others sound like they have to do what they have to do, to make Christmas happen at all.

Your idea of not doing Christmas is all very well when you have very young children, but what if the children were older and had happy memories of precious Christmases? How could you cancel Christmas for a 7 year old? £200 on a credit card would be worth it.

Oh I know I am lucky to have avoided debt. But I have also never made a choice to get into debt.

As I said people in debt who made no choice to be so had no other option. But choosing to go into extra debt so you can have 'nice food' and gifts on a particular day?

Why?

What a ridiculous, smug, goady thread. Odfod.

For us the most expensive bit is the run up to Christmas. We love doing the Manchester/ Liverpool / Chester christmas markets. We buy loads of special Christmassy treats and have other festive days out in the run up. You are more than welcome to find that irresponsible, it is! We cannot really afford it, but I wouldn't wanna swap my irresponsibly fun magical christmas for your sensible pragmatic one.

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

So would you stand in front of a 3yr old, bend down to eye level and tell them "I'm sorry Santa Claus missed our house, but I'm sure you'd prefer that than Mummy and Daddy suffering financial anxiety"?

"Yes that's how you say it darling Fi-nan-cial an-xiety. You're such a clever little thing"....

I just think its incredibly sad that people do have to get into debt and as previous post says....just for Christmas food let alone presents.

I'm incredibly lucky that I won't have to but I know many families will.

I have lots of magical christmas memories...but I can't remember any specific presents that set my world on fire....or in fact any at all. I remember eating a whole chocolate orange once....that was cool and cost about one pound I think.

worra I would probably not introduce them to the concept of present delivered by santa in the first place?

I think people would be keen to avoid a Christmas where the highlight for their DC was a chocolate orange TBH.

I must agree.

With sparkling that is.

worra I would probably not introduce them to the concept of present delivered by santa in the first place?

No but I'm quite sure their friends and school would...

You didnt' say how old your child is btw?

Oh I will join in any railing against the unfairness of society! EVERY ONE should be able to give their kids xmas as seen on the adverts. IT is totally shit that not everyone can afford xmas treats, and of course even more utterly shit that people can't afford day to day stuff.

You know what - as penance for my scroogyness I am gonna buy a dozen xmas cakes and a dozen pack of mince pies and take them to the local food bank.

Would you view birthdays the same way OP? No 'nice food' eg cake on birthdays if it meant debt, no presents?

Santa is real fwiw

Some people look forward to Christmas all year round because it can be such a special time, they may see family they don't see otherwise or just get to spend more times together
Having nice things is part of the magic
Who doesn't Want to share nice things with loved ones

Yup, good luck avoiding that.

Ice being, how old is your dc?

worra you said a 3 year old...pretty sure they are not in school at 3.

and well 3 yo.

It would be weird if she were older and still terrified of santa I think.

No but you are being REALLY daft not to realise that if you come across as a smug, conceited dickhead with the emotional understanding of a teaspoon to post something like this when a large number of the population are surviving on a pittance and may go into debt just by simply trying to provide a basic Christmas dinner and small stocking for their children, that you may get peoples backs up.
However im sure that you will no doubt be climbing down off your moral high horse to be collecting for food banks and parcel charity's, or are you too busy belittling those who are less fortunate than yourself

IMO the 'daft' in your Op days it all

People are underestimating the power of orange flavoured chocolate I think...

I have very fond memories of xmas....mostly playing stupid parlour games etc.

I'm just saying that any money my parents spent on flash gifts was probably wasted....coz they were trumped by a chocolate orange.

Santa comes nowhere near this house either but I think ds would still be pretty sad if he didn't have a pressie. Saying that he would understand if we were absolutely skint but it would be pretty crap and most people would try and avoid it.