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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to do this or is it really awful?

32 replies

DisElfchanted3 · 16/12/2009 09:10

Been sorting out Christmas for a while, started buying little gifts very early on and have things for most people (not expensive things just token gifts).

I planned to put a few quid away each month towards the christmas food shop, but Christmas seems to have flew round!

My Gran hass given us a money envelope each and always puts a tenner in for each of us, Would it be really bad to use the £50 towards the food shop?

DH and I would use our £!0s toards paying something off after Xmas anyways, and the kids have so much stuff (my mum goes mad at Christmas!) and they really don't understand money or are interested in it.

Their money always goes straight into their own accounts but would a tenner be so bad just this Christmas?

Im sure they would apppreciate nicer Xmas food over the week than knowing they will be £10 richer when it comes to their 18th birthday!

OP posts:

supersalstrawberry · 16/12/2009 09:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Fruitysunshine · 16/12/2009 09:13

I think it would be ok for your Gran to pay for your christmas dinner. I have given "meals" as gifts in the past in one form or another.

p.s.: Never understood why people put kids gift money in the bank for years!

Original poster

DisElfchanted3 · 16/12/2009 09:14

I put their money in the banks because whatever they want at birthdays they get from relatives usually so they have nothing they want enought to warrent me letting them loose with £50 iykwim!

Maybe it will change as they get older but for now they are all under 5 so they don't 'get it'

OP posts:

ProfYaffle · 16/12/2009 09:17

I think it's totally fine to put the money towards the family Christmas meal. It's not the same as frittering it away on gin and bingo is it? (or maybe your Nan would approve of gin and bingo, mine would have)

nickytwotimes · 16/12/2009 09:20

Use it.

I have to confess that when times have been tight, we have raided ds's account for the odd 20 quid. We have a direct debit into it (tenner a month) plus what he is given as gifts form relatives. There's also been the odd time we have used his cash for a family day out.

He will ALWAYS get whatever heneeds whenever he needs it, and so long as hte money is used for a family thing, I see no problem.

Original poster

DisElfchanted3 · 16/12/2009 09:25

OP posts:

Pineapplechunks · 16/12/2009 09:28

Absolutely use it, its not awful at all. If it were all they getting, apart from a lump of coal and a tangerine, then it might be a bit mean but they'll be getting loads of presents so you should feel no guilt whatsoever.

I think it was last year my DD ended getting something like £160 odd pounds sent to her from assorted relatives (we're quite spread around so its easier for lots of them to send cash) for her birthday and I thought that was far too much for a 7 year old to be allowed to decide what to spend it on so she was allowed to buy a few toys and I used the rest on her party.

Similar situation you are in now, kids are getting lots of presents anyway and don't need an extra tenner each but you do so go shopping and buy nice food.

Merry Christmas

nickytwotimes · 16/12/2009 09:31

If you really want to feel better, than listen to this: my dear Mum used to use the Family Allowance for her fags. And my pushchair was got by collecting cigarette coupons.

Ah, the good ole days, eh?

(She is a fab Mum, btw. I've wanted for NOTHING my entire life)

merrycompo · 16/12/2009 09:31

Oh yes I would definitely do this go for it!

LisaD1 · 16/12/2009 09:35

Definitely use it, how nice that your gran is buying you all some lovely Xmas food, much better that than some plastic tat to clutter up the house!

Enjoy :-)

SantasKinkyKnickers0nMaHead · 16/12/2009 09:38

Use it. The dc's great Aubtie has given them a tenner each and it got spent on abit of food last night.

MadameDuBain · 16/12/2009 09:41

Have you bought presents for your DC? If you have, just tell yourself that you spent gran's money on all or some of the presents, so they are from her, and it's your money that's going on food IYSWIM.

Original poster

DisElfchanted3 · 16/12/2009 09:57

Yes thewy have some lovely things from us so thats a good way to look at it!

We aren't completely poor its just we totally over looked the food expense and are caught short now!

OP posts:

LoveBeingAMummyKissingSanta · 16/12/2009 10:02

I would use it then toast your gran and say thanks for xmas dinner. I'm sure se wouldn't mind anyway.

Alambil · 16/12/2009 10:02

totally use it... it's for their benefit too, so it's not like you're drinking or smoking their £10s away

MadameDuBain · 16/12/2009 10:18

Also - have you got supermarket loyalty cards? Check if you have any points to spend - I save mine for christmas food shopping and got £30 off the bill yesterday.

Original poster

DisElfchanted3 · 16/12/2009 10:20

No, i should get the tesco one really,

OP posts:

mrspnut · 16/12/2009 10:21

I have used money sent for christmas before for a family meal or a trip to the cinema/bowling rather than buy a present before now and told the sender of the money what we used it for.

The loyalty points thing is good too. I had £65 of nectar points saved up that I used to buy wine and spirits. I also have £25 of co-op dividend points to use as well.

Madascheese · 16/12/2009 10:30

Use it and most importantly don't feel bad.

The money is there as a gift to ensure they have a lovely Christmas. Use it in the best way you see fit to make that happen (and that might well be being a non-stressed Mummy)

I hope you all have a great time
xMad

displayuntiltwelfthnight · 16/12/2009 10:33

yes, use it. Your gran would much prefer you all to have a nice meal and eat well than keep it to one side but then be a bit stuck with food costs.

TheShowMustGoOn · 16/12/2009 10:39

My FIL always sends money to be spent on meals out/ ice skating. In his words 'no point buying plastic tat I'm not sure they will even like'

This year we are going to see polar express 3D and then buy some treats from the christmas market.

maxybrown · 16/12/2009 10:43

Oh god dis use it use it use it!! No point panicking over it, as you already said, the kids don't even get the money thing yet anyway. No point kicking yourself later.

whoopstheregoesmymerkin · 16/12/2009 10:49

use it and don't think anymore about it. just send a lovely thank you card to say thank you for your generous gift, don't say what you spent it on, if she asks just say the kids are going to the sales.

Boys2mam · 16/12/2009 11:34

I agree with MadameDuBain's suggestion - earmark one of the gifts you have already bought for the children as being off Gran and spend the £50 as you see fit.

BitOfFunderthemistletoe · 16/12/2009 11:39

Have you had any post from Shiney, D? She is waiting to hear.

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