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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask if you think we should make a bigger deal at Christmas?

302 replies

honeyandporridge · 27/08/2015 09:21

The threads already have me wondering.

DH often has to work so I think that's partly why it's just never been a thing. Don't decorate bar putting some cards up. DC1 gets one present. (Other DC was a baby last Christmas so didn't bother; might get her something this year.)

That's it.

I like Christmas but on the whole prefer Easter.

But other families seem to make such a fuss and I suppose I wondered if it was really very strange to have a low key day?

OP posts:
sliceofsoup · 27/08/2015 13:03

There are some people on MN who get very angst ridden about Christmas. I agree with that. This thread hasn't been as bad as some I have seen in the past. However, my DCs could take or leave the tree. That is my thing.

The rest of it, especially the visits to Santa and the wrapping of the presents, is for them. I hate wrapping presents.

atticusclaw2 · 27/08/2015 13:04

I'm trying to avoid doing any work TBH. This interests me because your posts and attitudes seem so contradictory. You clearly have a fair amount of money and splash it on your children at all time except at Christmas. It's unusual and therefore interesting.

Anyway, its clear that you're not going to change anything so have a lovely Christmas the way you want to.

Original poster
honeyandporridge · 27/08/2015 13:05

I'm quite good at wrapping presents!

Cats trash trees. Mine do anyway. And pee on presents.

OP posts:
Original poster
honeyandporridge · 27/08/2015 13:07

We aren't poor and I like buying things for my children. It's not like if they ask for something in December I say 'no, absolutely not, it's Christmas, you can only have presents January through to November!' Grin

To be fair they don't ever pester. Well, DS doesn't.

OP posts:
sliceofsoup · 27/08/2015 13:08

So your children don't get a tree and presents because of the cats?

I know that isn't what you are saying :o but that is how it sounds.

I dislike cats. Sorry, but there it is. I don't see the point in them. They are scratchy selfish little articles.

Original poster
honeyandporridge · 27/08/2015 13:10

I don't disagree with your assessment of the cats! Grin

OP posts:
atticusclaw2 · 27/08/2015 13:11

multivac its not a "superior moral stance" that I'm trying to take.

My children are very fortunate. They live in a wonderful place and have a wonderful life. They can't have "whatever they want" even at Christmas but they do get presents at Christmas and on birthdays. They don't get toys though at any other time. Firstly because they don't need them but also because I want them to realise that you can't just have what you want immediately in life. You have to work for it, save up etc and that might mean waiting. I'm not trying to be morally superior, I'm trying to teach them something which will help them in life.

Original poster
honeyandporridge · 27/08/2015 13:12

Do you only buy yourself nice things at Christmas and on your birthday atticus?

OP posts:
atticusclaw2 · 27/08/2015 13:15

I rarely buy myself things. We have a very high income but I'm naturally a saver rather than a spender and I have an enormous mortgage.

I buy the children the things they might need such as clothes etc.

googoodolly · 27/08/2015 13:16

I rarely buy myself anything throughout the year - only if I need it (ie. new clothes or shoes), or if something breaks and needs replacing. I can't really afford to be buying myself everything I want, and most things I find I don't want if I make myself wait two weeks or so.

Original poster
honeyandporridge · 27/08/2015 13:16

Stealth boast? Wink

OP posts:
multivac · 27/08/2015 13:20

I want them to realise that you can't just have what you want immediately in life. You have to work for it, save up etc and that might mean waiting.

Well, yes. But somehow waiting from February to, say, October doesn't count? It has to be that they wait until the day that all the people get lots of presents, because, y'know, that's present-giving day?

atticusclaw2 · 27/08/2015 13:21

Not a stealth boast at all, I am a high earner and have posted on plenty of other threads about high incomes/high earning jobs. I said that to make it clear that I don't refrain from buying the children things throughout the year just due to lack of funds. It's because they get those things at Christmas and Birthdays.

Anyway I was trying to offer a helpful suggestion about how you could stop buying things at other times in the year and save those gifts for christmas which might help increase the magic levels around Christmas (albeit that its not all about the gifts). But as I said previously, clearly you don't see the need to change anything so that's your choice.

multivac · 27/08/2015 13:21

Surely all that 'teaches' them is that cool stuff that costs money will definitely turn up twice a year?

If, y'know, it's all about the education ...

multivac · 27/08/2015 13:23

y'know....

Blush
Lookingforwardtoholiday · 27/08/2015 13:25

We don't do Christmas, it's not our religion and DH in particular feels very strongly that it's important that we celebrate our own festivals and acknowledge Christmas but don't participate fully in it. We don't have a tree, presents or decorations but we do get together with friends with a similar outlook and have a lovely lunch / go to the pantomime / look at the lights on regent street / visit friends trees.

My own childhood was similar and I don't feel I missed out. If my children wish to do different when they are adults then they are free to do so but so far they have never complained as we have our own celebrations which include plenty if present giving which would be their main complaint

atticusclaw2 · 27/08/2015 13:25

I would accept that my DCs are pretty confident that they'll get a visit from Father Christmas each year. Mine are 10 and 8 and both still believe. I'm happy with that. Half of their presents come from FC and half from us. They get a couple of hundred pounds spent on them each.

They do however know that however many times they tell me that Disney Infinity 3.0 comes out tomorrow, it ain't going to be landing on their doorstep (well actually it will because I've preordered it to get the free gift and it will go up in the loft until Christmas). In the run up to Christmas though they'll be very excited at the prospect of possibly getting it.

goblinhat · 27/08/2015 13:28

I don't think many of us have a religious christmas looking. I adore christmas, but it's a secular festival to many.

Original poster
honeyandporridge · 27/08/2015 13:29

I like the panto - tends to be a very early January thing, usually 2nd or 3rd.

OP posts:
mrsglowglow · 27/08/2015 13:32

If you are not bothered about Christmas then why for the life are you even discussing it in AUGUST???? Please can't we at least get to September before having threads about the C word!

Bunbaker · 27/08/2015 13:34

"Please can't we at least get to September before having threads about the C word!"

Make it November.

goblinhat · 27/08/2015 13:39

bunbaker & mrsglowglow- this section of chat is specifically for those who want to discuss christmas - at any time of the year. It is here partly because a lot of posters don't want christmas chat to spill out onto the main boards too early.

You may not want to discuss christmas now, but some do.
Why are you even on the christmas threads if you don't want to discuss it?
There are plenty other threads that may interest you.

JohnCusacksWife · 27/08/2015 13:40

Not quite sure why you posted as you seem very happy with your approach to Christmas? Personally I think it sounds a bit miserable and less of a low key Christmas than no Christmas at all. But each to their own!

Original poster
honeyandporridge · 27/08/2015 13:43

Explained this loads now, John!

OP posts:
multivac · 27/08/2015 13:46

They do however know that however many times they tell me that Disney Infinity 3.0 comes out tomorrow, it ain't going to be landing on their doorstep (well actually it will because I've preordered it to get the free gift and it will go up in the loft until Christmas). In the run up to Christmas though they'll be very excited at the prospect of possibly getting it.

And there's nothing wrong with that at all. But why on earth do you think this constitutes some kind of a life lesson to do with 'not getting what you want just because you want it'?

Also, what is 'Disney Ininfity 3.0'?