To let people know now that it’s presents for kids only this Christmas

[Ivechangedthis]

There is so much expectation from people around Christmas. July seems suitably far ahead to say, don’t buy for anyone other than the children, unless you really know what someone wants and want to spend on it. Friendship and love not gifts. If you feel bad contribute to the costs of Christmas lunch. or give people cash if you absolutely need to gift (choose a £5 gift from a second hand shop).

tell people now so there are no surprises/expectations.

Totally agree, children only and agree and amount per child!

Who are you telling? I don’t start buying presents until November so there’s no need to tell me now- it’s July! If you want to agree this with your family then it’s up to you

My family and perhaps encouraging others to do the same.

Fine for you to say what you plan to do and to say that you have no expectations but not fine for you to get preachy about what others should do

So long as single people or couples who are without kids are not expected to buy presents for anyone including children. I used to get this “just buy for the kids” malarkey, I would end up spending a fortune whilst parents didn’t have the financial worry or the stress of Christmas shopping and not a single thing for me to open on Christmas day, not even a box of chocolates, and yes I know you don’t give to receive but that’s really not the point.

YABU to start a Christmas thread in the middle of the hottest July ever.

Yep totally reasonable for those without kids to not buy. Everyone just joins in to the celebrations without the shopping.

If I leave it later Le tout Mumsnet Will have already purchased ;)

Wish you'd said earlier OP, I bought your present last week!

We just can’t do this in our family as DS is the only child. Our siblings much younger and in that stage of life where they ask for essentials like a decent saucepan etc to set up home. I couldn’t live with others buying for DS and not buying for them.

YANBU.

This is going to be a really hard winter for most people, energy prices going up etc. I've already told my family not to buy for us and they really insist then £1 selection box for dc is fine.
I'm only buying for dc this year.

Seems very sensible - I don't celebrate Christmas, but it's what I'd do if I did!

Do what you like op

I like presents so I won’t be doing the same

Does that mean that those without children get nothing, but are expected to fork out for your children still?

🤗

totally reasonable for those without kids to not buy. Everyone just joins in to the celebrations without the shopping.

YANBU to suggest it to family now. Lots of people start shopping in the summer.

YABU to tell other people what to do

Totally fine to do what you like with your own friends and family, but why do you want to encourage others to do the same? Surely it doesn't make any difference what other people choose to do?

Well I like to know early as I buy gifts over the year and am about half done now. However I am still happy to buy gifts for my family even if they can't so it doesn't really matter that much to me. We don't go mad anyway so easily budgeted for over a year even though I don't earn much. Next Christmas might be a different story after a year of crazy bill rises.

I think you need to make it clear that those without kids are not expected to buy.

It makes a difference to me because, I’ve been very short on cash before and I remember how painful all the senseless gift giving was during those Christmases and if it can be avoided I’m keen to promote that.

Also I’ve recently been helping a friend clear out this flat and they find it enormously hard to get rid of the accrued gifts they have neither requested nor needed that they don’t have space for.

People should do what they want, it’s a thought at a moment that could make a difference (particularly with the October energy costs on the horizon).

Agreed

If ever there's a year to stop buying superfluous presents it's 2022! I'm sure most people will be of exactly the same mind set. This winter is going to be pants. Economically speaking.

I'd send a generic message saying something like

"Please forgive me for thinking about the festive season in July, however I've been thinking about the rising cost of living and how people are expected to manage financially when everyone including professionals in working families are struggling (or are going to from October once fuel prices have such a massive hike again). Would you mind please not buying gifts for us this Christmas and accept maybe a mutual exchange of practical help ie childminding or gardening, or maybe just a fun video call instead? Thank you for your understanding and I hope you enjoy the rest of the Summer months!"

Like the idea of practical help.