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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Christmas Jumper Day. And other school dressing up

45 replies

Jillyhilly · 28/11/2019 08:26

Here we go again. Class message this morning about xmas jumper day, following last months dress up as a hero day, so that the school can collect £1 from each kid. The real beneficiaries are Primark and then landfill. It’s all cheap disposable rubbish, nobody makes their own jumper and do the kids really care past a certain age? I’d rather give the jumper money directly to the school if it’s about fundraising.

OP posts:
OnlyFoolsnMothers · 28/11/2019 08:28

Couldn’t agree more and I’m only about to partake in my child’s first.
We have though used this argument with success at work so at least we save that! I guess my
LO will wear the jumper throughout December

ByeGermsByeWorries · 28/11/2019 08:40

We had own clothes day asking for £1 two weeks ago, and there’s another non uniform tomorrow asking for a “bottle” followed by Christmas jumper day in 2 weeks for another £1. I know schools are struggling for money but there are a lot of people at my sons school who will be struggling with all this outlay, especially those with more than one child at school.

greenlynx · 28/11/2019 08:43

I agree with you. DD’s secondary hasn’t got Xmas jumper day last year and I was very relieved. At primary I used to decorate her jumper/ top with some Xmassy things a night before, mainly because of the short notice and general busyness of December. I’m not very crafty tbh so not excited about doing this. Some children just added something Xmassy like hats or festive hair clips but DD didn’t like wearing them.
This year I’ve actually bought her a Xmas jumper at Primark Blush but just because she needed a new jumper. I expect her to wear it at least 2 years.

ShatnersWig · 28/11/2019 08:48

Oh for the days when I was growing up and there was nothing more than dress down day once a year on Children In Need day at secondary school.

Original poster
Jillyhilly · 28/11/2019 09:26

Yes, I don’t remember any off this dressing up days stuff when I was at school. I don’t mind the school asking for donations, but what’s the point of a donation on top of the £8 you’ve spent on the crappy jumper?

Our school has just set up an eco council, so I think I will raise this with them...

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 28/11/2019 09:30

Here is the thread for you OP

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3753134-To-Find-Christmas-Jumpers-Morally-Abhorrent

AutumnRose1 · 28/11/2019 09:37

“ The real beneficiaries are Primark and then landfill”

This. Can you get a group to say no?

Justanothernameonthepage · 28/11/2019 09:41

Meh, depends on the school really. Ours is tomorrow and it's non-uniform/Christmas clothing day. They've encouraged Christmas jumpers, DIY Christmas tops, colourful clothes or just whatever is the kids favourite outfit. They also have a donation bin for previous Christmas jumpers that have been outgrown if kids forget/feel left out. Donations are suggested, but not chased/demanded.
Kids enjoy it, most parents don't mind it, there's no pressure.

Ponoka7 · 28/11/2019 10:06

Primarks is among the biggest tax payers in the UK and you can go from shop floor to management, so although MN hates them, they are a good employer.

I agree that for struggling families, his can be tough. But, they can be worn for Christmas days out and over Christmas then put in the charity shop.

Every year our charity shops have a, good selection of Halloween costumes and Christmas jumpers. So perhaps do more to encourage recycling, if that isn't happening were you live.

I agree that it's pointless, though and if we just gave instead of dressing up/supplying cakes, we would raise more.

LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD · 28/11/2019 10:09

Where do the donations go? I'd pay not to wear a Christmas jumper (as I am a misery and don't like enforced jollity)

katmarie · 28/11/2019 10:13

I got my ds's Christmas jumper, a party shirt and clothes for christmas day all on ebay, for about £10 plus postage all together, and they're all immaculate. They will go back on ebay when he grows out of them. I wouldn't buy anything like that brand new, as pp said, charity shops are also good for this kind of stuff. Plus you're saving something from landfill.

CookPassBabtridge · 28/11/2019 10:16

I bought my childs jumper big so he's worn the same one over the christmas period for the last 3 years. Still got a few years wear I think!

motortroll · 28/11/2019 10:20

My daughter has a jumper with a penguin on that my mum got from the charity shop. She wore it last year and will wear it again this year then it will go back to the charity shop. Also for dressing up they use what they've got or I cobble something together.

I agree it's so wasteful but because they enjoy it I've found ways round it!

midnightmisssuki · 28/11/2019 10:23

Is it compulsory?

QuarterPastMidnight · 28/11/2019 10:25

I hate it.
DDs school has had non uniform days every Friday for the last 4 weeks. Last week they also had to send in a gift for the tombola at the school fete.
Next week is Xmas jumper day and it's driving me mad!
School must think we're made of money Angry

Minionbums · 28/11/2019 10:26

Who on Earth is putting a jumper in landfill??? Seriously?

Our school is doing a Christmas jumper swap event, so kids can bring in a small jumper or get a bigger one. Or trawl charity shops or fb marketplace. You don’t have to buy a new one.

NoSquirrels · 28/11/2019 10:26

If they’ve said the DC have to wear a Christmas jumper, that’s no good.

If it’s a general non-uniform day with a Christmas theme if you want, then what’s the problem?

AutumnRose1 · 28/11/2019 10:36

“ Who on Earth is putting a jumper in landfill??? Seriously? ”

Well, not immediately but all that tat ends up there.

The best thing would be not to buy all the shit in the first place.

walktheplank · 28/11/2019 10:39

I've always bought my kids' Xmas jumpers from charity shops, or sewn an ornament on a normal jumper. I don't like the thought of buying something new that can only be worn for a limited period of time (and it's cheaper too!).

I feel so strongly about this issue that I'm running a second hand Xmas jumper stall at the Xmas fair this year, so parents and kids can get their jumpers there...am really hoping it'll be a success!

Whattodoabout · 28/11/2019 10:41

I get my DC second hand Christmas jumpers on eBay, nice brands so not primark crap and generally they will last them a couple of years. They wear the jumper throughout December so not purely for Christmas jumper day. You can also make your own jumper if you’re the creative type.

I do understand the sentiment though, there’s a lot on during Christmas. My DC’s school have thankfully stopped charging for the nativity this year at least...

FizzyIce · 28/11/2019 10:42

Not this again.. there’s a whole thread on it.
My dd’s school don’t support every charity ,the student council choose a couple to support which makes it easier .
They’ve chosen Christmas jumper day this year instead of children in need .
They don’t have to wear a jumper ,they can choose Christmas coloured clothes or even just a bit of tinsel, you don’t have to buy tat

RightOnTheEdge · 28/11/2019 10:49

My dc have been asked to wear a Christmas jumper for their Christmas concert and usually have a Christmas jumper day.

There are always lots of Christmas jumpers for sale cheap on eBay and Facebook.

Our school is also having a Christmas jumper swap which I think is a good idea.

Marellaspirit · 28/11/2019 10:49

The school the kids I look after is terrible for non uniform days and dress up days. Minimum of a pound a time and they have one every few weeks, usually not announced until 2 days before. This time they have been told they can either bring a pound or donate a prize for the school fayre tombola. This is in addition to the McDonald's cups that were sent home yesterday with a note requesting that the cup is decorated and filled with sweets before being returned for the fayre. Which then the parents will be expected to buy back... Another local school had the children make personalised baubles with their name and photo on which were then "sold" at the Christmas fayre. Anyone who didn't turn up was shamed on the FB page as a photo of all the remaining baubles was put on and a note saying "if you didn't attend and you still want to buy your child's bauble please bring £1 to school tomorrow".

All of this is on top of the £7 "voluntary" donation for the school trip with £2 spending money!

sweeneytoddsrazor · 28/11/2019 10:52

Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if people made some of the costumes. When my eldest was at school World book day, nativity and anything else was always home made. By the time youngest was at school most peole were buying costumes.

NoSquirrels · 28/11/2019 10:56

Anyone who didn't turn up was shamed on the FB page as a photo of all the remaining baubles was put on and a note saying "if you didn't attend and you still want to buy your child's bauble please bring £1 to school tomorrow".

I’m not sure this is shaming anyone? Just getting the word out that they can still buy it if they couldn’t make it to the fair?

I don’t know - it’s an expensive time of year, yes, and it can feel like death by a thousand cuts with the £1 & donations adding up but really, £7 for a school trip is probably already heavily subsidised, you dint need to buy the bauble and some sweets in a cup is a pretty cheap fundraiser - and without funds schools are buggered because the government has slashed support.