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.

I 100% agree. I have been on both sides, and I hated being the aunt expected to buy for 2 kids, 2 adults and getting one gift back.

I know you don't give to receive, but it just felt like I didn't matter, that I was an afterthought. We now only buy for each others kids and its better.

Except for family that don't have kids. We still buy for them and they buy for the kids, its fairer that way!

Regardless of age, as long as I’m in their lives my nieces and nephews will get a gift from me.

I should add that it's never buy for the kids if they don't have kids and we do. We'd either buy for the adults or have a truce.

The other way we've done it is allocate a budget, the person buys what they want and we exchange it. It's a bit transactional and not very 'magical' but you don't end up with unwanted presents at least.

My in laws love buying presents, and it's very kind of them, but most of them end up in the charity shop or donated to friends as we wouldn't use them or have them already. We have so much stuff in our house as a family of four that we're trying to shed, not accumulate.

Exactly!

I have a DS but this is basically people with kids saying - "buy for our kids only" and then they won't buy anything for the person because they don't have a child! Grabby and joyless

SIL tried this once before we had kids. So basically she wanted everyone to buy for her kids and she spending nothing on others.

This rarely works unless you only celebrate christmas with families with children.

Or just give everyone some hand made cookies or hand cream or cuttings from the (someones) garden or home dried herbs. It doesn't have to be "stuff".

Erm. As if anyone here would eat presents made in another household😂

What is it with posters defensively claiming OPs are "telling" them how to live when people are clearly SHARING IDEAS that might help others????

In this case the OP might give someone on their uppers the confidence to tackle a regular problem; the ridiculous annual obligation to get into debt

When you say, "here" do you mean;

1. Your household
2. Mumsnet?

The latter. 😁

Totally unfair on childfree/childless people. I wouldn't be buying for your kids.

We do a secret Santa between adults with a budget of £10 and a £20 budget for the kids. Me, my sister & my brother then often club together to get something for my parents.

This makes it much more affordable, there are 5 adults (not including my parents) & 6 kids.

*What about the child free couples?

And the child free singles*

And the childless not by choice, who would love to be choosing presents for a child of their own.