To think that Christmas is just a nightmare for a lot of people.

[MrsSlocombesCat]

I have struggled this year to afford presents and as far as I am concerned Christmas is for children. I can’t be arsed with it all. I keep thinking about all of the people who can’t afford to buy presents for their kids and how it distressing it must be. I think parents on UC should get a decent bonus so they can buy presents for their kids. It really upsets me that there are children who might not get presents on the day. Everything is so expensive now that the cost of living crisis has caused. I thought life would be better under Labour but they’re doing nothing to help disabled people. I had never heard of a right wing government getting into people’s hearts and minds like they’re doing today. So many gullible people.

I do feel sorry for ppl struggling. But absolutely no way do I think tax payers should be paying for ppl in Universal credit bonuses to buy presents.

Its not necessary to spend a fortune. Some parents get ridiculous at Christmas.

https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/26763-christmas-bonus-and-double-child-benefit-payments-to-be-paid-this-week/#:~:text=The%20Christmas%20Bonus%20provides%20a,normally%20receive%20their%20primary%20payment.

they did it in Ireland this year…those on certain benefits got a bonus and everyone got double child benefits (not means tested here) I normally get 280 per month, for Nov and Dec I got 560 per month, it paid for Christmas!!

No one is obliged to celebrate Christmas. If you don’t like it, then don’t join in.
But for most of us it’s a highlight of the year - it’d be a bloody long winter without it! It doesn’t need to be a massive pile of presents that make it special.
As for extra benefit money - no, don’t have more kids than you can afford, like the rest of us!

I grew up in a single parent family and my mother managed to buy small stocking type gifts at Christmas. I never felt like I missed out. I really don't believe that people on benefits are worse off now than they were in the 80s.

These days I expect there will be plenty of people spending a fortune on expensive gifts that they can't afford and then going down the food bank. There is a culture of entitlement.

But that's the point. People feel like it does need to be a massive pile of presents. Which is why is becomes a nightmare. Do you see the difference?

Christmas is what you make it. Step away from the pressure of insta and just make lovely memories whether that’s with a heap of gifts and a load of people or just with a small group of people and less gifts. It’s not hard.

There has never been so many people needing food help from charities.

Rubbish. Food banks are a recent thing. The simple fact is that they didn't exist in the past, it wasn't the case that the need wasn't there.

If they are there, then people will use them.

Important to point out two things.

Firstly taxation is waaaay higher in Ireland and there's a kind of 'redistributive' mindset that encourages this type of thing.

Secondly, this year, the government parties were trying to win an election by handing out goodies.

But it's an interesting point, because Christmas is an even bigger deal in Ireland than the uk and poorer families regularly get into debt to fund it.

Well that's their own fault isn't it? In my experience it's usually people with the least money going overboard at Christmas. It just demonstrates lack of intelligence.

I have a part-time job and a long term health condition so I always have little money to spare but I enjoy Christmas/NY has a time to rest and a break from work.

I have had the same artificial Christmas tree for the past 16 years! Almost everything I buy is from charity shops but I enjoy rummaging for 'treasures' that way :).

This year I bought a new fairy light for the tree to make it look prettier and I will buy a nice Christmas cake on Monday.

My point is you can enjoy the occasion in many ways without having to spend a lot of money on it.

I know it is especially hard with children, but as I mentioned charity shops have a lot of nice stuff and there are charities that can help families too.

I think it is quite silly that people choose to get into debts and overspend for Christmas.

I know, and I am very aware that Ireland is awash with money compared to the uk right now…but they still did it, they did it last year too didn’t they? Definitely the double child benefit anyway. But I am thankful all the same despite it being part of political play tactics

Child poverty should not be norm.

And nor should excessive bonuses and packages for people in business.

I'm sure people have said this for years but it's become completely out of control. Even since my 90s childhood it seems bonkers now. I teach and the kids are currently knackered and overstimulated at the same time. They need a few weeks of R and R and a chilled time with their families. Not loads of stuff and activities.

Christmas is a religious festival and if you are not religious it is a nice midwinter pause in the year to enjoy a traditional midwinter feast with family. All the other stuff is just unnecessary.

I feel very sorry for people in genuine poverty or who are lonely. But I don't think the government should be funding a load of excess consumerism.

No! For people who truly cant afford gifts there are resources to access, Dunelm do a gift tree so does Tesco i am sure there are others as well.

For some people, Christmas is a nightmare...I do think families with small children are under such pressure, both financially and from social pressure regarding what an "ideal" Christmas should look like, which many can't deliver.

However, there shouldn't be UC funded gifts, that's not what financial help is for. For those really struggling, there are extras which can be sourced (eg. via food banks, free trees, Salvation Army or similar).

For others Christmas is magic, a time to get together with families without all the glitz. That tends to be when families are older, the children grown up and everyone is a bit less bothered about present buying. These days we're quite happy to decorate with greenery cut from the country lanes, and presents are as simple as cooking a batch of biscuits and wrapping prettily. So simple, no pressure....

Well you’ve clearly had an empathy bypass.

Your ignorance is astounding. Obviously it’s the people WITH money who go the most overboard at Christmas… because they have the money to be able to! Just look at social media and some of the threads on here. It is no wonder that people with financial difficulties, who may be living in poverty, aspire to this - consumerism is a massive problem but blaming the poor is not the solution.

As an aside, I find it deeply crass when people post pictures of expensive gifts and food etc all over social media.

I'm sure that left a sour taste for the people not on these benefits but struggling for food and bills, never mind Christmas.

Everyone in Ireland gets child benefit.

That’s not a reason to withhold support from people who are struggling!

Personally I think there is a strong argument for helping people in different ways - like including a certain amount of fuel within the standing charge.

No. We all gwt child benefit, we all got double. Benefit claimants also got extra payments on top.

We're all fine with it. We enjoy a generous welfare bet and supports for ALL families.

It shouldn't be. But it is.

This thread is so sad.
Ireland has always given a social welfare Christmas bonus, when we were in the depths of our recession/bailout years it wasn't the full amount but generally it is 100% of whatever the normal allowance received is.
I've never got it myself but in no way would begrudge those that do. Our pensioners get it as well.
A ten pound bonus is pathetically insulting imo.

What £100 looks like for older children
Sock
Bath bombs
Shower Gel
Hair clips
Sponge things
Doesn't go far

This

Just scale it all back. You don't have to go to carol concerts, Christmas markets or ice skating rinks. You don't need to do elf on the shelf or Christmas Eve boxes.

Keep it simple and low key. Presents for children only. Nice meal. Done.