Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3 4

Original poster

I didn't get any presents

99 replies

Badbadtromance · 25/12/2017 17:34

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

OP posts:

C0untDucku1a · 25/12/2017 19:53

Op after many very upsetting birthdays and Christmases etc i now buy my own present and put them under the tree. I deserve them. And im now never disappointed. Also, this year dh’s gifts were spot on, so i think he has realised his competition in buying me thoughtful gifts, ie me, is much better than him so he has had to raise his shit game from crap level.

However, why on earth are you spending so much?!

StarUtopia · 25/12/2017 19:58

i bought my own - if that helps!

Nothing to actually open.

Meh. We're adults. You don't need presents to open. I got way more pleasure watching my kids open theirs.

mindutopia · 25/12/2017 20:06

Spend less overall and treat yourself. My mum was a single mum. I used to make her a nice heartfelt card, but there were no shops near us and I had no money of my own until I was 15 and working. So until I was able to drive and had money to spend, I never actually bought her anything (other than the card). She used to buy herself something special as a treat each year and I'd wrap it up and put it under the tree for her. She felt proud of herself that she was supporting us on her own and making her own money and though we never had huge Christmases (it was just the two of us, and we didn't spend a lot), she was happy she could give me what she could and she enjoyed treating herself as well.

Pennypickle · 25/12/2017 20:06

You make little sense. I offered the OP a bit of sympathy - do you understand what that is?
I'm not arrogant enough to believe I should be offering life lessons

Everyone has offered OP sympathy.

Nobody is offering life lessons.

OP will learn by her own mistakes - the same as everyone else

LazyDailyMailJournos · 25/12/2017 20:11

You don't need presents to open. I got way more pleasure watching my kids open theirs.

That's you though. Does what you do trump other people's wish to receive something to open on Christmas Day? I don't 'do' presents BTW but that doesn't mean I would expect everyone to follow that ethos.

These threads always go the same way; a race to the bottom as various posters compete to be the most sanctimonious and patronising about how they only spend 50p per person and knit their own recycled wrapping paper to save money

SchadenfreudePersonified · 25/12/2017 20:16

In truth it doesn't matter how much she spent, the point is that op is upset no one took the time to think about her in the way she had them. This is hurtful whether you spend 1800 or have everyone homemade biscuits.

This - it's the fact that her family have happily accepted her gifts, and not one of them has given her a single thought! It's heartbreaking - I would be gutted.

All you can do OP is learn from this and give them NOTHING next year.

Meanwhile, have some (((((((((((hugs)))))))))).

We are with you in spirit.

FreshHorizons · 25/12/2017 20:25

It is difficult to pass an opinion without knowing who she was buying for and their ages and what has happened in previous years.

FuckingHateHappy · 25/12/2017 20:26

OP will learn by her own mistakes - the same as everyone else

Good woman! Rub it on her face!

c75kp0r · 25/12/2017 20:31

TitaniasCloset · 25/12/2017 20:35

This happened to me one year, I'm a single mum too, one year I had an unexpected windfall and spent a fortune on kids friends and family, but it just wasn't appreciated at all, so since then I have kept Christmas really simple

zukiecat · 25/12/2017 23:20

I didn't get anything either,

Due to finances DD and me couldn't afford to get anything for each other

DD has a serious mental health condition, and isn't up to seeing anyone, so we had our lunch together then she's spent the rest of the day in bed

Today has just been the same as any other day, I haven't seen or spoken to anyone, and I've just sat in my chair all day

I also have mental health problems and thought I didn't care much about having Christmas, but I feel quite down and isolated by it all

Hugs for you too

Sullabylullaby · 25/12/2017 23:34

Aww, that's just cruel. Everyone deserves a tiny token even. Be more generous to yourself next year.

Tiredtomybones · 25/12/2017 23:40

I'm sorry to hear that OP, maybe next year cut all adults out of your list, along with any children who aren't family, and spend the rest on yourself.

TheHungryDonkey · 26/12/2017 00:26

I’m a single parent. Had an amazing day with my son and trying not to miss my daughter who is at her dad’s. Nobody buys me gifts so I buy myself presents. I get exactly what I want and enjoy them. I cannot understand most of the angst ridden posts I’ve read on here today. Christmas seems well over complicated and dramatic for most people.

Lucylululu · 26/12/2017 00:56

I agree with expatmigrant... I've left the UK now and find Christmas a lovely relaxing experience where I am now. People barely give any presents and if they do its a really small token for the sake of giving, usually something edible. The day is not at all about the presents. People wouldn't dream of spending anywhere near £1800!! Even £100 is WAY too much here. Its not about presents or slaving away trying to make the perfect dinner. Its just relaxing and nice. The way Xmas has become in the UK has made it an ordeal - overpriced gifts, too many gifts, too high expectations leading to rudeness and/or sadness..

GameChanger01 · 26/12/2017 01:28

I predict this thread will be on daily fail by tomorrow

loulou987 · 26/12/2017 02:03

I'm sorry you are upset But I think spending £1800 is far too much. If it's any consolation my Xmas was very low key with only small gifts like a mug, socks & a few smellies... nothing extravagant received here.

Flamingale · 26/12/2017 03:18

I've given money to son, nephew and great nephew. No other presents to anyone else this year.

Also only gave out cards to select few instead to all and sundry like office colleages.

Sometimes I felt I should be doing all the rushing around for Christmas but why stress myself out for the sake of getting someone something that they don't want, don't need or don't like.

I tell people not to get me anything and if they do I have decided not to rush out and get them something in return.

A lot of the time it is having to reciprocate that gets us into the cycle of spending more than we intended.

I'd rather get a present at another time where it would be g

Flamingale · 26/12/2017 03:24

Posted too soon.

Wanted to add that I'd rather be given something at another time rather than because it just what you do at Christmas.

Lollipop30 · 26/12/2017 03:31

Just been reading a different thread about terrible presents given. You probably got off lightly you didn’t get any of those things 😱
Sometimes nothing is the best option.

Mummyoflittledragon · 26/12/2017 05:00

. That is really sad. It would be good to learn to treat yourself and be kind to yourself.

Reddlion · 26/12/2017 05:30

Get yourself something nice in the sales

Want2bSupermum · 27/12/2017 14:17

I hope you have been able to buy something nice for yourself. If you have to take one of the gifts back that the DC aren't playing with!

Constance17 · 27/12/2017 16:35

Next year get your self something special. Wrap it up and treat yourself. If you want something get it yourself.... am sure the children enjoyed the gifts and are very grateful x

Flip

1 2 3 4

Swipe left for the next trending thread