I didn't get any presents

[Badbadtromance]

So upset I got nothing from anyone. I know that you don't give to receive but I spent in excess of £1800 including kids.
Can't even drink as on meds. Just feel so let down. I'm a single mum

I'm sorry OP and I do not want to give you a lecture, but we are a family not in need of anything and could easily go mad, but would never think of spending that much money on Christmas presents. Christmas presents are a privilege and not something to be expected. More fool people who spend all that money.
I'm not British and looking at all the presents we did buy, I said to my DH this morning, that even after 30 years in the UK, I'm still not used to how much people here buy and spend on Christmas. People do need to get in touch with what is 'real'.

Concentrate next year on helping your children get each other presents. Rather than you be the sole provider. Facilitate. You might find then they start thinking of getting you one.

Nothing from DH even though it's our first as parents. Even the card 'from DD' was shite. Actually gutted. Did them both stockings and the cats but did get a few things off my parents.

Thats not nice. expatmigrant you should never come to Denmark!

Yes metronidazole is definitely a NO!!!

Badbadtromance £1800 on Christmas presents?!? That is madness!!!

Next year spend the money on yourself instead!!! Send yourself on holiday.

That is ok redexpat not intention of travelling to Denmark any time soon. Have just spent the last 4 years living in Africa and I can assure that even amongst the slums we managed to have a fantastic Christmas without the £££ and $$$.

You spent what?

Blimey.

That was an astonishing amount of money to spend!
Next year hold some back and spend a bit on yourself

So sorry OP. Same here and my children are spending the day with their Dad so am alone. Next year make sure you buy a few nice gifts for you - I know it's not really the same but it's nice to have a few lovely things! And I would keep the spend to way, way under 1k.

Awww, that's horrible Badbadtromance. I'm sorry. Are you able to get yourself something small? Also, can you at least tell your kids how hurt you are? This is awful.

expatmigrant - I had a fabulous Christmas in Africa one year.... no presents at all apart from coffee and cake.

OP what on earth did you spend so much money on?

If it makes you feel better I haven't received any presents either, (and a single mum :-) ).

Even worse, my son has not even turned up for Christmas dinner. I'm not pleased. Next year I won't bother and will haul myself off to a tropical beach for it.

Also a single mum and don't expect my kids to get anything obviously so for the past 3 yrs I've just bought myself a few little bits that they wrap for me.

That was already in the planning by the way before today.

Our Christmas consisted of spending a limit of £10 per person per present. We long ago did away with spending money on tat for “relatives”.

DS gave me a lovely pic of himself and his sister in a frame - I love it!

DD gave me a pair of comfy slippers - Always great to have. I can now throw last years inthe bin.

DH received “Greatest dad” sox and a pair of boxers from DD and a bottle of whiskey from DS.

The teens each received a stocking of “essentials” like deodorant, perfume, aftershave, undies etc plus £100 each from us.

We are all having a fab Christmas.

Why did you spend so much OP and on whom??? 😱

pennnypickle happy for you mate but how on earth is your post helping OP?

Next year I would get yourself some gifts from your DC. If they are old enough, take them to a shopping centre or the shop and give them £10 or £20 and a few ideas, then let them pick some wrapping paper / bows in the pound shop and wrap it all up like a dog's dinner and 'surprise' you on Christmas morning. You can also get them involved in wrapping the other gifts so they start to see that Christmas involves work! (And they'll enjoy all the messing around with Sellotape way more than you).

Can all of you miserable cows just stop focusing on the money part of it?

@Badbadtromance is just feeling shitty that she put a lot of thought and love into providing a loving Christmas for her family, and not one of them bothered to give a single shit about their own mum/friend/relative and arrange anything. FFS, even a handmade card would have been fine.

It's just the hurtfulness of not being cared about.

But no, you all feel free to put the boot in with your catsbum superior acts and make her feel even worse

*FuckingHateHappy

pennnypickle happy for you mate but how on earth is your post helping OP?*

Just wondering why she felt the need to pay out so much and for whom? Maybe OP will learn that Christmas doesn’t need to be costly.

Don’t get me wrong I feel sad that OP spent so much for no return... we live and learn...

Oh, for goodness sake. Why does someone's post about how (understandably) disappointed they are to have been ignored and sidelined turn into an interrogation as to why they spent what they spent or a lecture on the evils of UK consumerism at Christmas?

I am so sorry OP. I can imagine how hurtful it must be and some of the replies on this thread certainly won't have helped.

There's probably more to this story than OK is letting on. Have your children been brought up to think of others? Honestly? Or have they been brought up to know that they're getting over £1,800 worth of presents no matter what?

Did they get you a present last year? Did you make it clear you expected something this year?

I feel for you, it's crap to get no presents. DS1 didn't get as many as everyone else and was a little despondent. Next year £1800 should get you a cruise to see the northern lights

Maybe OP will learn that Christmas doesn’t need to be costly.

Don’t get me wrong I feel sad that OP spent so much for no return... we live and learn...

Jesus.

How old are your kids, @Badbadtromance, how old are the people you gave gifts to? £1800 is a lot. I hope that won't be a huge stretch for you.