Skip to main content
Skip to main navigation
Skip to talk navigation

Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Saved Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

AIBU?

Fucking Christmas Jumper Day

195 replies

SkateAway · 09/12/2019 22:49

AIBU and a scrooge?

My work are having a Christmas jumper day. We are a small team so it will be noticed if I don't join in and it has been implied I will be making my team look bad if I refuse.

I don't own a Christmas jumper and I don't want to waste money on something I'll never wear again. The idea is that we bring in a monetary donation and also have a donation tin for clients to donate. I have suggested a local charity for disadvantaged children.

I'd rather put an extra tenner in the donation bucket than spend it on a hideous piece of glittery landfill. I've asked around and nobody has one I can borrow, can't make it round the charity shops before the day and I'm told wearing a festive colour with some tinsel in my hair isn't in the spirit of things.

I don't like Christmas but I'm not outwardly scroogey about it. Unsure if I'm being a total bore and "that person" or if I'm justified in not being arsed with it.

I don't buy my children new ones every year, they have got one each that others have bought them and they wear those a few times over the holidays until they don't fit.

OP posts:

Report

Am I being unreasonable?

562 votes. Final results.

POLL

You are being unreasonable

19%

You are NOT being unreasonable

81%

BlueJava · 10/12/2019 08:12

We have this too. In the past i just wore black and stuck a tenner on the tin. If anyone says anything I either say "yeah i dont have one so put the price in the tin" or laugh and say the black balances out everyone else.i am not client facing though.

Likethebattle · 10/12/2019 08:14

They aren’t ‘single use’ though. You buy one and then wear it every year surely? Mine is about 8 years old.

Piglet89 · 10/12/2019 08:14

@PlanetMJ WANT.

Piglet89 · 10/12/2019 08:15

I have 3. Even if you’re pudding shaped, my robin one would probably fit you...where do you live?

shinynewapple · 10/12/2019 08:16

I totally get not wanting to spend money on something with a Santa or reindeer on particularly if you think you are only going to wear it for one day.

I normally have 'semi Christmas jumpers ' I.e something with Nordic pattern , stars, snowflakes or fair-isle which I wear throughout the cold months and if it's in good enough condition it comes out following year as well. Appreciate if this isn't your style of clothing though.

If your issue is principle based rather than money, Asda has a couple of Christmas print shirts which look fairly subtle, you could order next day delivery. They wouldn't be as hot as a jumper and then just keep and bring out again next year.

Whiskeylover45 · 10/12/2019 08:18

I get mine and DS's from charity shops. Pay a fraction of the price yet get to join in the fun :D.

ChristmasCakeLover · 10/12/2019 08:23

Do you have any old ones your kids have grown out of? One year my mum tacked the old 2-3 jumper of my then 4 year old brother to her jumper and a hat to the the back of it. Looked weird but kids loved it.

PineappleDanish · 10/12/2019 08:24

Why can't people read.....

OP works weird hours and can't get to a charity shop before Friday.

She doesn't perceive it as "fun".

Murraygoldberg · 10/12/2019 08:28

If you don't want to wear one, don't. I certainly don't wear one and the year I refused to do secret santa, 8 out of 10 in my office agreed with me, it just needed someone to say no. I'm not a bah humbug, go to nights and lunches out but will not be made to feel uncomfortable so others can feel better than themselves

Monsterinmyshoe · 10/12/2019 08:28

Ah Christmas bloody jumper day. Hate the whole "you MUST join in" thing. You don't have to.

I'm always a bit sceptical when certain individuals are insistent on donations and joining in at a time of the year when nobody has any money I prefer giving to a food or present bank for this reason.

You could just say you are an atheist and don't celebrate, but see family as it's a bank holiday and an opportunity to meet up (incase they ask about your plans over Christmas)? That's what my mum and sister do. The xmas jumper pound shop thing is an idea too, but I would definitely stand your ground on this.

spiderlight · 10/12/2019 08:29

My DS's school insists on doing this. He's chosen this jumper which I bought big enough to last him several years.

Ragwort · 10/12/2019 08:30

I was about ‘meh’ about them until I found a very tasteful one in a charity shop a few years ago, cost me £1 (on the bargain rail in the summer ) and I wear it loads in the winter months.

OneOfTheGrundys · 10/12/2019 08:36

Sod them. Wear whatever you like and donate some money. Future landfill and total waste of money.

I love Christmas but the crazy pressure of it that’s ramped up over the last 20 years is shocking I think.

PaulHollywoodsSexGut · 10/12/2019 08:37

I’m completely with you OP.

The best suggestion on this whole thread is from @PorridgeAgainAbney

Just “forget”.

And if anyone challenges you for being a “Scrooge” - fuck ‘em.

You’re donating 8+ times what their donation will be because of what you’ve saved on dodging the purchase of a shit jumper.

I think I know what will do most good in the wider scheme of things...

Dandelion1993 · 10/12/2019 08:38

I don't do it op. I just stick a £5 nite in the donation.

tttigress · 10/12/2019 08:41

This actually pretty environmentally unfriendly.

Doesn't make sense to use all that energy making something that will be worn once.

CruCru · 10/12/2019 08:43

Out of nosiness, what makes a Christmas jumper? If someone wore a tasteful fair isle jumper, would that count?

Sorry, it’s a bit off topic.

Figgygal · 10/12/2019 08:47

As much as I don't think it's fair to force you into festive fun I also don't agree that it's a single use item I've had the same two Christmas jumpers for 5+ years you can get loads of wear out of one

I know you can't get to the shops but I was in home bargains yesterday and they had a make your own Christmas jumper set which I assume is just tap to stick on one. Can you attach some Christmas tree decorations to a jumper ?

uggmum · 10/12/2019 08:52

Can you just nip to the pound shop, buy a headband with antlers or a Santa hat and wear those instead.

It shows that you're taking part. I would be too hot in a jumper at work (menopausal).

CaptainMyCaptain · 10/12/2019 08:55

Stick Some tinsel and baubles to an existing jumper
I'd do this. I hate the idea, I think Primark used to make more money than the charity at my school.

PrincessHoneysuckle · 10/12/2019 08:57

I got a xmas t shirt from asda.Ill wear in next year and it's not scratchy and hot like most jumpers

bumblingbovine49 · 10/12/2019 09:03

this is my Scrooge jumper. That's Christmassy."

My favourite Christmas quote so far in response to all the bollocky work Christmas stuff'

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Email address

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

Monsterinmyshoe · 10/12/2019 09:05

If you must try a supermarket. They might have a t shirt which would be cheaper and you can use it as slouchy sofa day wear (if you have those!).

Or just get a pack of mint humbug and see to a t-shirt.

Monsterinmyshoe · 10/12/2019 09:06

*sew

Allyg1185 · 10/12/2019 09:06

I have wore the same Christmas jumper every year for a good 4/5 years and put in a donation into the tin. My ds school doesn't seem to do it which I'm glad of as he would need a new one every year

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.