Competitive Christmas thriftiness on MN

[Imchangingmyname]

Just something I've noticed over the last few weeks on MN.

There seems to be a lot of competitive comments regarding how little you can spend on your kids. Let's be honest here, stuff costs. Whether that's plastic tat for the baby or an iPad for the teenager but mostly: Kids. Expect. Presents. At. Christmas. Don't they?

There's far too much of 'you spend £100 at Christmas!!??? I spend max £10 on little Jimmy and that's more than enough. I also throw in some chestnuts and a clementine on top of that'

Or 'mine is happy with our certificate for adopting a donkey for a year'

Really??! I think the commercialisation of Christmas has gone too far, granted but most kids I know would be upset if they didn't have at least a few presents to open on the day. I've noticed it's mainly from those who have the budget but refuse to spend to..somehow appear holier than thou??

And Call loving your DD's sense of humour :o adorable.

Ahh, thanks fuzzpig

The thing with the vouchers though is that it has to be something that you wouldn't normally do, that's what makes it special. I'd be a bit sad if my child had to get a voucher in order for me to play a board game with them - surely you just do that Great idea if you are really skint and you could include some stuff only to be redeemed when you are better off, but I don't think you could do that on an ongoing basis without including things that you should be doing anyway.

But that's just my view of course.

Christmas thriftiness is surely a different thing to Christmas parsimony.

Thriftiness = a bit of make do and mend spirit, trying to find a bargain or think of imaginative things that are cheap or free, picking up a bargain at a car boot sale etc, cutting your coat according to your cloth but making the best you can of it.

Parsimony = being stingy for the sake of it.

Ooh, just had to pop back to say parsimony - what a great, slightly dickensian, word
Reminds me of roast parsnips which will definitely be another star of our Christmas celebrations

Feel the same about - I get 5 meals from one chicken - posters

Great word Cinamon and important distinction.

Ooh, yes, top word that - parsimony.

I am reading the dcs David Copperfield atm (maybe I should have given them a voucher for further episodes ) and the word used by Dickens (or rather Peggoty) is "near", as in "He's a bit near " . It gives a good picture of someone pulling piles of coins towards them.

Can I just come back to the voucher for playing a board game. I'm that a dc would delve in their stocking and find a voucher for a Game of Tiddlywinks with Mother. You might as well find a voucher for clean pants or a hot meal. Bizarre.