to think there is an inverse relationship between how little money people have and how much they are willing to spend on presents for their children

[Twiglett]

am truly gobsmacked at some of the things that people I know are buying for their children

truly and utterly, spoilt bastard, gobsmacked

why spend that much money? why?

TinyTim please ignore fuckwitted comments and opinions on this thread

I think people who make a point of being frugal at Christmas (when they can afford to be otherwise) are joyless, grey, pinch-lipped individuals, who are lacking in self esteem (hence they are too analytical about this sort of thing)...they also tend to harbour a superior attitude (as a kind of defence mechanism to counter their esteem issues) which makes them nauseatingly judgemental

OR maybe they know their DC will be getting so much stuff from relatives anyway so they don't see the point in spending a great deal anyway, like me!

Intial paragraph was from HMC who appears to be having a bad day.

And why is it morally wrong to spend a certain percentage of your income on your children?

Do people get angry with people spending too much on their gardens, or on their kitchens?

I am genuinely perplexed by this. I really can only put it down to a gut feeling of victorian disapproval. There is no real explanation given (apart from Moondog's) as to why people feel such gut disapproval.

And why is it political correctness gorn mad, to assert that poor people have as much right to decide how to spend their money, as rich people?

I'll have a degree soon and then an MA is ASD but I have no idea what an Island Princess Head is, I suspect from the name that may be due to me having boys???

I'm having a lovely day thanks Spokette. So kind of you to be concerned

I must be the only person on mumsnet who has got into debt over Christmas. All the rest of you have budgeted and saved. And yes I know I ought to, too, but it never seems to happen. So I have about £3-400 on a 0% credit card (don't know exactly how much off hand because have paid some off but put some more on!). Apart from the mortgage this is our only debt. And we will pay it off at £100/month and clear it by the spring. At which point common sense will dicate that I continue to stick £100/month into a savings a/c, but whether I will or not.....

I don't have Sky though.....

If "poor" people spend loads of money on a new Aga and a bumper Ocado delivery, would that be all right then?

I feel I want to hug hmc, LittleBella, Peachey, Notdoingthehousework and everyone else who has posted along these lines this morning.

Nah, peachy, I have one of each and I have no idea. I think it is because you don't watch enough commercial children's TV. And despite that I have still got into debt.

Peachy, I have no idea either, DD hasn't asked for one...........yet.

"OR maybe they know their DC will be getting so much stuff from relatives anyway so they don't see the point in spending a great deal anyway, like me! "

But addressing your point - the example given is not really making a point of being frugal, it's pragmatic.

Making a point of being frugal is pointing a finger and tutting in silent (or on this thread - vocal) judgement of people who have a bit more of a spending splurge, whilst crowing over the fact that all you have got for your children is a used Beano annual....And making rash unfounded assumptions about other peoples intelligence and educational attainments on the basis of what they spend....Which some posters have done on this thread

But then I think you knew that was what I meant

Have a hug back Tamum, I am actually feeling full of lurve this morning (must be too many late nights)

I do that too bozza. But it will be paid off by January. I don't count that as debt as I know I will have the money to cover it. It's just convenient to do it that way.

But Orm mine won't be paid off in January, it will be more like April. And is interest free so I like to class it as managed debt, but debt it is. And, of course, I am lucky. I fancy a 0% credit card to bung some Christmas presents on, I just go on moneysupermarket, find the best one and away it goes, not everyone is in this position.

I actually find that I compete with the rest of the family to an extent. I just want Christmas morning (and their presents from Father Christmas) to be magical, rather than just a starter for the rest of the day.

I am amazed that so many people on this thread think that giving their children games consoles is such a terrible thing. This is after all an internet forum involving the use of a computer therefore, we are probably all a bit guilty of spending too much time in front of a screen.

In answer to the OP, I don't think it's very sensible to get into debt to pay for Christmas, but I don't think only poor people do it. I know many people who earn very good salaries, but spend above their means and have a fear of opening their mail, so no I don't think there is an inverse relationship.

I am the most technology-hating person ever (apart from my computer ), but I am sorely tempted to go out and buy a Wiii, an Island Princess Head, a Sky subscription and one of those signs saying "Santa Stop Here" and blow a raspberry at all the po-faced Scrooges on here.

Quite, chopchop, and it's not as though games consoles (for appropriately aged children) are going to be sitting around gathering dust by Boxing Day, is it?

Fircone

FioFio -

I don't have a dog Fio but now you come to mention it I am going to follow fircone's example and buy an Island Princess Head (or whatever they are) for the guinea pigs.