To really, really, really dislike having to buy presents for people.

[MaidenMotherCrone]

Not just at Christmas but birthdays, anniversaries etc. I do buy them but get I'd rather not have to bother. I dislike receiving presents too. I've done the 'let's not do presents this year' to be met with 'oh we have to do presents, just a little thing yes?'

Noooooooo!

I fully accept I probably ABU and a massive misery but it's the whole expectation thing.

Yanbu. I hate it too. I dont like giving or receiving. I find it stressful figuring out what to buy and find it equally as stressful when people ask me what i want.
Nothing.

Id rather pass on christmas all together, but i am as everyone calls me...a scrooge

We must unite in our Scroogedom!! Hold fast to your views

YANBU, I hate it all too. I want to buy really thoughtful presents but I never know what people would like, so I just worry and worry. I'm also not fond of receiving presents either, especially when I have to open them in front of the giver. There's usually nothing I want or need, and I'm also very particular in my (unusual) tastes so the chances of the person choosing "correctly" are slim.

The only person I've ever enjoyed buying for was my late Mum and that was only because 1. I knew her tastes really well, 2. she wasn't at all well off so there were plenty of things she'd like but couldn't afford, and 3. she didn't have internet access so had no idea what great things were available, meaning I could really surprise her.

See if one of my SILs had ever asked me what she could buy me i would have had no clue what to say. I would probably have said oh don't bother honestly, or don't spend a lot. which is why everyone ends up with B&H

To be brutally honest i tend to have expensive taste and like to save up and buy very specific stuff. I can't ask for what i really want so i do the face 'light up' thing and then go to charity with it all.

So now when people open a gift and say
"You shouldn't have!"
We can assume that they actually mean it

This year is the first year we are only buying for the kids in the family. So niece and nephew thats it. I obviously buy for my OH and ds and my parents but thats it. Lovin it this year

This year is the first year we are only buying for the kids in the family. So niece and nephew thats it. I obviously buy for my OH and ds and my parents but thats it. Lovin it this year

Not sure it’s obvious.......

We buy 1 secret santa gift each (5 adults on my side) and a few bits for DD. Don’t buy for any adults or kids on DH’s side or for each other. It’s bliss.

And spare a thought for those of us who grew up in "blended" families
double the parent pressies.

I agree OP.

I tackled it this year by saying 'one present and that present will be (bloody decent quality) bedlinen because you spend a third of your life in bed'.

With the kids we are doing the 'something you want, something you need, something to wear and something to read' rules.

The problem is people give each other so much stuff these days no-one has to WAIT for stuff. I remember poring over the Argos catalogue dreaming of the latest craze from about October. We didn't always get it. Now, they want, they get, kids and adults. It's a shame. Humbug!

I recently made my life easier by choosing a female gift and a male gift and replicating it for all the family. It's usually nice make up /smellies etc but saves so much time.

For the adults I mean.

my family made it kids only once everyone was married with kids of their own and there was 35 of us. Used to get into debt with credit card and paying it off 6 months later, buying Christmas stuff for DH relatives, MIL we knew she didnt like want or need, she didnt even pretent to like. So one year we said please dont buy us anything we arent buying present this year, she didnt need to work, we had 4 kids, 2 mortgages and I often had 2,3,4 jobs just to keep a roof over our head, she was furious, and didnt speak to us for 23 months.

But @MsHarry you are doing exactly the thing that makes it pointless. You are buying those gifts so you have a gift to give.

I recently made my life easier by choosing a female gift and a male gift and replicating it for all the family. It's usually nice make up /smellies etc but saves so much time.

Why? Does everyone want smellies? Are they all identikit pod people with exactly the same tastes?

It makes your life easier but what's the point if you're just giving for the sake of giving?

I don't buy presents. Even for the hideous secret Santa at work. Stopped the stress instantly. Highly recommended. The whole thing has got ridiculous.

blimey!! everyone agreeing for once LOL!!! i totally hate the whole Christmas present buying thing !!! only buy for my kids and a little something for my parents...It's complete crazyness and people just buy because they are made to feel obliged to. I get annoyed at my Mother in Law every year, as she knows i really HATE presents, but just grins and buys me stuff anyway...grrrrrrrr...if only folk would listen!!!!!! that would be a great present in itself!!!! Christmas is about people being together in peace, aswell as a relgious festival....this has been totally forgotten in the panicked frenzy of Xmas crap gift shopping. Merry Christmas everyone !! xx

Well said Queenie!

I totally agree.

haha!! thankyou cathyclown !! good evening to you !

Yes!!!!!!! I'm so over it. Spending money you can't really afford on tat people probably don't even want and sending yourself into a stress hole in the process. I genuinely couldn't give a shit if I don't receive a single present but I don't feel like anyone else shares my way of thinking.

Cosmic,

Believe me I share your way of thinking.

Our family is all good with such thinking too, which is great. So stress free and lots of money and precious time saved all round.

Little ones are looked after though. That's a given. Everyone else a big fat NO anymore. The relief from all sides is immense.

Of course they are nice gifts that I know they will like. Only buy for my sister and niece and they like things that I like. Then there are 4 youngish males who like nice male grooming stuff. I think that's the way to go because they are things that will get used regardless of how much they get. I've just finished using some bath oil I was given in March. I only buy for immediate family so it's not an issue.

It makes your life easier but what's the point if you're just giving for the sake of giving?

I realised I was spending so much time trying to buy different thing when they like similar stuff anyway. I will alter the colour choices of make-up etc and the fragrance depending on the person obviously.

Do their faces light up @MsHarry?

Yes they do because I know them very well. I buy a Chanel nail polish rather than a basket of crappy bubble bath and body butter.

Don't get me wrong, there is nothing I need anyone to buy me. I would be happy to not receive anything but we keep it small so its not a big deal.