To think your DC don’t want to be dragged around shops on Boxing Day

[AaronPurrSir]

Fully prepared to be flamed for this, but having no DC myself I need to know what goes through some parents heads.

I never normally shop on Boxing Day as I don’t agree with it in principle, but I was forced to spend an hour in a town centre earlier today and I couldn’t believe the amount of parents dragging their DC around.

I saw several children who were clearly completely and utterly fed up, crying, tantrumming (and these were children too old for the tantrum stage - think 6-10yo).

They have had a week of over excitement from Christmas, too much sugar, probably more gifts thrown at them than they can handle and are then dragged around a hellishly busy town centre for hours on end because their DM/DF can’t possibly cope without getting 10% off some tat in sports direct. I don’t understand it at all. When I was small, Boxing Day was for eating leftovers, watching films and relaxing. The most we would do would be a walk to get some fresh air, or visit family members we hadn’t seen the day before.

If you want to inflict the horror that is Boxing Day sales on yourself, go for it. But don’t inflict them on your overtired, overstimulated DC.

Not sure it's my business what other people do on Boxing Day to be honest.

Or yours OP

Boxing day shopping baffles me. We've just been given presents, why do we need more stuff?

In fairness DH popped out for disinfectant and crisps because the children recreated the exorcist yesterday but that's emergency rations

Maybe not everyone is Christian and actually goes out to shop and get bargains??!

Or maybe we didn't get presents but vouchers and want to maximise what we spend them on!

I was dragged to the shops by my DCs. They had Christmas money to spend. (Thanks Granny).

Because some people would get no presents if they didn't go and buy their own in the sale? I love this tunnel vision you get on MM where everyone is the perfect nuclear family who shower each other with gifts

“Boxing day shopping baffles me. We've just been given presents, why do we need more stuff?”

I didn’t get any presents. Went out today because DP is back at work tomorrow and it’s the only chance we had.

I don't like staying in pjs though - I tend to feel a bit scuzzy if I do that.

running not sure I mentioned anything about being Christian?! I’m not religious.

If children want to shop/are keen, that’s fine. I’m just saying that from what I saw today, a large number of them clearly didn’t want to be there and were utterly fed up.

@dontbesillyhenry - I think the point was about going to the sales on Boxing Day. Rather than just buying stuff in the sales.. the same reduced stuff will be in the shops tomorrow. I’ve always boycotted because I feel sorry for the staff and hate the commercialisation (is that a real word?) of it all..

Not many of us surely need a 4 seasons ago fushia pink tee shirt that’s been sitting in a huge warehouse by Next for years and dragged out for the Xmas ‘sales’. Of course if there were ‘genuine’ bargains like there used to be 30 years ago it would be a different story.

@Bluelonerose
I can't believe people get dressed boxing day! I'm staying in my pjs till kids go back to school grin

Spot on. I just finally hosed myself down only an hour ago. OH wants to walk around the city and go see a movie in an hour or so and I'm still in cozy sloth mode. Sigh. I guess I'll have to find a way rally.

I'm sure there would be sales for a week ? Not just on Boxing Day?

Yes aaron you mentioned 'boxing day'

Not really a relevant day if you aren't Christian is it? It's just s normal day fgs!

topcat so do I!!

Lazy and dirty and a bit dim to be expecting everyone would want to do the same

I have my dsd staying and she was desperate to go to the anime/manga shop as there is not one in her town so for the first time in years I went out on Boxing Day to the shops

while out though I suddenly remembered I had ordered a click and collect order to new look before Christmas (I stupidly thought I'd ordered it to be delivered but hadn't) so I had to nip in before they sent it back.

barbies

You'll be pleased to hear I was very nice to the woman in newlook and apologised profusely for being one of the people who had made it necessary for her to be at work. She said not to worry but thankyou for acknowledging that she had to work.

Want to like dontbesillyhenry's post because it's the position I'm in, though not completely. I get money from dps and dc go to their dad's today, but he's not always reliable and, if he did let them down, not sure I should martyr myself by not going bargain shopping, though I probably would do that.

Also, what's all this about too old to tantrum? Both my dc(10 &8) have their moments still and get exemplary reports from school, their child minder and whenever they visit friends.

Stop judging others. You have no idea what their lives are like or what their reasons are for doing as they do.

Well I have to drag my toddler around with me but I go early and finish as quickly as I can , but it's the only way I can afford good quality clothing for all three of them . Everything I got was for them at 50-70% off. It's once a year and we don't have to set foot in a shopping centre for a whole year after that .

we went to the sales for an hour and a half just now because DD needs new socks and I need some nursing tops. Nursing bras were reduced in Mothercare from £30 to £9 for 2.

We are on a budget and it makes sense to have a rubbishy 2 hours out of the house to pick up some discounted essentials which we'll use daily for several months at least.

Surely some fresh air and exercise is good for kids...., despite their miserable faces!

Can anyone confirm how long the Boxing day sales runs till ? Isn't it till mid- January ? Or is it just today ?!!

Dd wanted to go to the cinema in the city to watch something not on at the out of town one as it would be hell to get in and park. I persuaded her and dh to go drive to the big park on the other side of town instead. Avoid avoid avoid. I used to love the sales once upon a time. Now it’s so easy to get things reduced all year round. And if not, online ordering is my friend.

Are shops open? All shut here. My mum said the same, near her. Whatever happened to the Boxing day sales?

notgiving
At least until mid January

How can people be so sure Boxing Day isn't the one day people have to go to the shops? I got some much needed clothes for my ds today - no idea if they had been in a warehouse or in the shop itself, but ds will be in some of them tomorrow!

Also got some lovely candles that are cheering me up now with my dc away. I was obviously polite to all workers and if a ban was put on BD shopping I would not complain but it suits me atm, Lots og people have no cc at all.

all my 3 dc wanted to go shopping. It's also one of the few days in the year where the whole family is free to go together to go shopping.