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AIBU?

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Original poster

Christmas stealth boast posting pics of Christmas present piles

52 replies

Notimefortossers · 17/12/2015 14:29

Every year the news feed is flooded with pictures of living rooms overflowing with presents.

Is there any purpose to this other than to gloat and make other people feel shit?

OP posts:
Original poster
Notimefortossers · 17/12/2015 15:58

I don't consider it to be common, thought never entered my head. I consider it to be boastful and inconsiderate of those less fortunate. There's a difference between posting that you're pregnant (that's sharing) and posting 'Look how many hundreds of presents my kids have got.

People wouldn't necessarily be jealous specialsubject, but they might feel sad that they can't give their kids that much. And why would anyone want to make anyone else feel sad on Christmas day?

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Original poster
Notimefortossers · 17/12/2015 16:00

I bring all my presents down on Christmas Eve too, so it looks like Santa's been!

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Ninkynonkrinkydonk · 17/12/2015 16:06

I agree with everything eatshitderek said. Sorry to hear things are hard for you. I do enjoy your posts xx

m0therofdragons · 17/12/2015 16:11

I think my granny described it well when she said it's vulgar. I just scroll passed it. It's not about being jealous I just hate bragging and on my feed it seems to the those at the poorer end of the spectrum who feel the need to prove something.

Sighing · 17/12/2015 16:23

Maybe I should post ours. A single box under it (presents for friends). I don't think a burglar would bother! Then going away for 2 days wouldn't worry me do much!

Tanfastic · 17/12/2015 16:23

I quite like seeing the pics on Xmas Eve of the piles of presents. Can't say I've seen any posted before then.

Makes me feel excited. I don't post pics but my son gets a big pile.

I'll get my coat then shall I Confused

ChipsandGuac · 17/12/2015 16:50

I think people misunderstand other people's intentions. The one time I posted a photo of the presents after FC had been was because, after weeks of organizing, shopping, wrapping and excitement, Xmas was here. And, with the lights twinkling and the presents wrapped nicely, it looked so pretty, I wanted to share. Didn't occur to me at all that it would be considered

ChipsandGuac · 17/12/2015 16:50

Considered bright!

ChipsandGuac · 17/12/2015 16:50

Arggghhh! BRAGGY!!

Original poster
Notimefortossers · 17/12/2015 17:04

Maybe because you don't feel you've bought a ridiculous amount Chips?

This is the kind of thing I'm talking about . . .

www.buzzfeed.com/stephaniemcneal/viral-christmas-tree#.kfbyq539qW

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MincePiesTasteBetterHot · 17/12/2015 17:06

I actually really enjoy seeing pictures of other people's presents on Facebook. I like seeing photos of their Christmas trees too. Though not many people I know post pictures actually. I think most of the ones I know that do, are doing it as a sort of "phew, I am organised enough to wrap all the presents in time, and am proud of my wrapping skills, and I think they look nice", rather than a boast.
I don't think it is competitive. People are just excited, and want to share the excitement, imo.

Sallyhasleftthebuilding · 17/12/2015 17:16

Its not the tree or presents - its the vast amount some kids seem to get thats vulgar - and their parents wonder why they are ungrateful.
Its just gone too far.
Where do you put it all?

MincePiesTasteBetterHot · 17/12/2015 17:16

Ha ha, Notimefortossers, I will admit that photo caused my jaw to drop a little Grin. I've never seen anything like that before!

I think that person has got rather carried away , but was probably still more excited than boastful.

I don't think anyone buys loads of presents in order to boast that they can buy loads of present. It's surely just because they want to buy their children loads of presents.

Original poster
Notimefortossers · 17/12/2015 17:53

Yes I agree they're not buying them in order to boast . . . but they're still boasting about it all the same!

And I agree with Sally. I could spend more on my DC at Christmas if I wanted to, but I don't want them to be spoiled kids and I want them to appreciate the true meaning of Christmas. I am also not prepared to work myself into the ground (I know people that don't really see their kids all through Nov and Dec because they're working so much overtime in order to pay for it all) or to get myself into debt in order to buy an obscene amount of stuff!

But I fear I have now strayed slightly from the point of my thread! Lol!

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BooOzMoo · 17/12/2015 17:57

Sometimes I feel bad because people have had a fabulous dinner and I couldn't be arsed and just had beans on toast !!!
Arrrrggghhhhhh

Sallyhasleftthebuilding · 17/12/2015 17:58

I agree, its just stuff!!

Original poster
Notimefortossers · 17/12/2015 18:15

Lol @ Boo. I know you didn't ask but YABU, Christmas dinner is an absolute must have essential. If you can't be arsed book in at the pub, or impose on family or friends ;)

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DontOpenDeadInside · 17/12/2015 18:33

Like this? Wink. I post a picture to let everyone know Santa's been. It's the final bit of the run up to Christmas. I like seeing everyone else's too, even though I'm probably one of the least well off, so others' piles are much bigger (or at least more expensive)

Christmas stealth boast posting pics of Christmas present piles
DontOpenDeadInside · 17/12/2015 18:35

Oh and that's 3 kids' worth, mine, DPS and our extended families prezzies too. Doesnt seem as many once you realise how many there is for.

x2boys · 17/12/2015 19:20

I also agree with Derek and barbara its the same on here but the opposite ie instead of people showing how many giftts they have bought their kids its youv,e spent £20 ,ive only spent £2.50 i dont want my children to get spoiled and dont get me started on the santa thing mumsnetters dont want to lie to their children apparently so they dont do santaHmm

Hygge · 17/12/2015 19:29

That photo has only been plastered everywhere because it's unusual.

Most photo's people post of trees and presents look nothing like that one.

coffeeisnectar · 17/12/2015 19:40

I did post a picture last year. My friend was living in a refuge with her two youngest kids and the only way she could spend Xmas with her oldest two was by someone offering to have them in their home.

We were in a tiny two bed cottage and already had four people living there so in total were six kids and three adults. There were piles of presents, not just from us parents but from extended family of all the dc. Xmas morning was utter mayhem.

So I took photos and my favourite was them all piled up on the two tables with one of my cats just visible amongst the paper.

sugar21 · 17/12/2015 19:59

I don't fo fb and like EatShit I don't have a home. I have a live in job at an hotel.
I won't be seeing dd1 at Christmas because she is living with her Dad. I have to work, when and if I get a break I'll skype her.
I think threads on here saying how much have you spent on your dc are the same as fb, but I can only spend what I can afford and dd knows this. There is no point in me getting into credit card debt because it has to be paid back.
So no presents around a tree but a skype call will be my best present this year. Who knows maybe next year I will have saves enough money to put a deposit on a rental. That would be good
Pictures are just pictures, I don't care how big the present pile is.
Did anyone see the news item about homeless children?

FreeSpirit89 · 17/12/2015 20:13

I don't think people do it to make anyone feel shit, I post photos on my Facebook like that for my grandparents and parents because they like to see stuff like that.

I don't advertise that I've been heavily involved with a food bank drive for all of December.
Got staff at work to donate an advent calendar for the food bank so kids had one.
And did a present drive to be given out with every food parcel for children from vulnerable struggling families.

Sometimes it best to see the bigger picture before judging, on a snapshot of there day.

Sallyhasleftthebuilding · 17/12/2015 20:33

The difference us ... you wouldnt say to a hard up friend ..guess what i brought DS a 100 presents this year ... oh you cant heat the house and eat a square meal never mind ... but its ok cos its FB.. and it doesnt matter because its not real?
Its very real to some.