Sounds like everyone's buying into the commercial side

[supersallymum]

We are not religious so don't do the god thing chrimbo is a time for family and gifts a nice..but reading a lot of the "I WANT" and didn't get or the crap, I've got the wrong thing sounds all a little bit middle class when people up and down the country have bugger all or will go into more debt to get the latest bit of landfill coz thats where it ends up....maybe we Mumsneters should pave a new way for Christmas and give to others 1st?????? discuss
Sal

Eh?

we do give to others dear
Children In Need day at school last week?
Mumsnet Xmas Appeal

I always find posts that end "discuss" very odd - a bit like an exam question!

I think it's actually a very middle class thing to eschew the materialistic angle and emphasise the whole 'love thy neighbour' charitable vibe.

Ah see, my children know that "I want" doesn't get, so they tend to say "I would like..." but I guess that is not the point you are getting at.

Your point re giving to others: see cjbartlett's post.

I am not sure why you think you know how everyone is viewing Christmas.

why is caring what you give to others a bit 'middle class'?

The OP has obviously not been to ToysRUs at this time of year.

We're middle class (though unemployed--does that count?). We try and get involved with voluntary organizations all through the year, but especially at Christmas. And you know what? The charities and local help groups are pretty well all manned by middle class people. A few working class people get involved but most of the planning, asking for help, getting invitations out, cooking, present wrapping and graft is solidly middle class.

I don't understand the question.

I'm a bit at the point you are trying to make op . My dc's will do a "shoe box appeal" at their school next week , and we always pick a card from our local shopping centre's xmas tree that means you buy a nice present for the child that's named on that card and then place the gift back under the tree with the card stuck to it . It's not much but my dc's love doing this .

So my post seems to have hit a nerve,,,Hmmmm
Kinda what I thought very defensive, yes you can be middle class and unemployed, yes you can give to other, but the thread I was reading was so so "did I get the right thing" "should I change it now" etc it just made me feel sad for those who would love this to be their biggest problem

oh, a thread about a thread

have you taken your views to the thread then?

Oh, so this is a "Is this all you have to worry about?" post then.

In that case YABU.

I know you didn't ask, but you are.

Hmmm is this about my thread? If so you should see that I make sure my kids know about giving to / thinking of others too.

Yes, xmas is a VERY commercial / materialistic time BUT its also, ime, a time of a lot of kindness and altruism too.

how many words are we supposed to write?

Oh and I'm sure that this isn't anyones biggest worry, it isn't mine but I'm not about to do competitive misery tbh. I indulge in christmas chat because it takes my mind off shit things!

So, OP, what have YOU done this christmas period to help others? Are you buying no gifts?

they may vey well have, given there bit to charity have there name on every volunteer list they fancy and still oddly enough write on the christmas part of a forum regarding a present,

may also not be there biggest problem, but the one they wanted help with.

bravo leftmy :)

We do Christmas pressies, we also do many other festive things some involving charitable things.

Come here so I can give you a wedgie with those judgypants you are wearing.

I haven't started writing yet. How long til the end of the exam?

Sanctimonious bullshit.

There's nothing wrong with getting overexcited about the idea of giving your family pleasure, material and otherwise. Especially when you have scrimped and saved and plan and yes, get excited and want to chat about it.

Huh? Who is everybody? We celebrate the real reason for the season.

Sparklingbrook - stop talking!

I am OP, we've enjoyed fuck all this year that spending a couple of hundred pounds of money (we've saved, no debt) on some toys to make my daughter smile means a lot to us. We don't bother between us and she doesn't get toys in between as her bday is a week before Xmas so thanks for your concern luv but not really needed. Go and knit yourself a bauble - Merry Xmas.

I wish I had revised better now. And I need a wee leftmy.

Charity begins at home...with an iPad, PS3 and lots and lots of shoes.

None of which I'm likely to get.