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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

Is anyone else really not bothered about getting presents this year?

31 replies

headfairy · 02/12/2011 21:21

I'm not trying to be all pious and one of those "oh I just love the gift of giving" types... I have lots and lots. All I really need is practical stuff like a couple of new tops that don't need to be smart as I dont' need to wear smart stuff to work.

I can't think of a thing I want or need. And for the first time I'm not that bothered, even if I dont' get a single present on Christmas day.

I'm getting old aren't I?

OP posts:
overmydeadbody · 02/12/2011 21:23

I'll join you there though.

I ran the suggestion past DP of us nor doing presents this year, but when I saw his face drop I retracted my suggestion. He loves receiving presents (as do I) but I really don't need anything and wouldn't mind not getting anything.

piratecat · 02/12/2011 21:26

same here, am getting old too!

wouldn't say no to a boyfriend tho.

OtterHumbug · 02/12/2011 21:28

I don't particularly want or need anything, but I would be quite upset if I didn't get anything at all.

Original poster
headfairy · 02/12/2011 21:28

me too, dh keeps asking me what I want, and I don't really want anything. I'm kind of making things up.. bottle of perfume... some socks... just to give him something to wrap. He looked similarly dejected when I suggested no presents this year. We've got a £50 limit this year so it's not going to be Xboxes all round, but I can't even be bothered with a £50. I know my mum and dad will get us something, but I can't get excited about it as I usually do (my mum and dad are very generous with their presents).

I'm just looking forward to having lots of time off and lots of food with all the kids running around having fun together

OP posts:
RoxyRobin · 02/12/2011 21:31

It's not just an age thing - I've felt like this all my adult life. And I'm relieved to find there is at least one other person who holds a similar view. Most of the people I know (whatever their age) attach enormous importance to presents and are not above sulking on Christmas Day if disappointed.

OtterHumbug · 02/12/2011 21:32

I'd quite like a new book and some chocolate brazils. And a couple of quiet hours to read the book and eat the chocolate brazils.

Perfume is always good, and my DH picks well.

girlywhirly · 02/12/2011 21:34

I sort of know what you mean. DH and I give each other ideas for presents, but usually we know what we are getting. This year I bought him golf shoes, which he had to try on obviously. But they were reduced in price so I was able to buy him a few extra bits too. He is afraid of buying me something that I don't like, so if I spot something I like he buys it. No surprises these days.

We don't spend ridiculous amounts for Christmas on each other, if it wasn't Christmas we would buy each other things all through the year anyway.

Original poster
headfairy · 02/12/2011 21:39

Roxy I can't believe anyone over the age of 18 would seriously throw a sulk on Christmas day if they got a present they didn't like.

A lie in and the chance to not have to corral toddlers all day is all I want.

OP posts:
Bethshine82 · 02/12/2011 23:37

I'd like a lie in, a chocolate orange and then to lie on the sofa all day with the fire and the Christmas tree lights on watching crap Christmas TV.
All free or inexpensive. However there is no chance of any of the above with a toddler and a DH who thinks Christmas day is "his day" and has already put his order in for breakfast in bed. Not that I'm bitter. At all. In any way.
Actually I suppose the chocolate orange is a possibility.

LordOfTheFlies · 03/12/2011 00:46

I've bought some glamerous drop earrings for my Christmas (sad I know to choose my own presents )

Ordered some face cream but that's for now, can't wait til Christmas.

Some new pants? I'm more M&S than La Senza TBH Blush

GwendolineMaryLacedwithBrandy · 03/12/2011 03:26

Me. Haven't been fussed about birthday or Christmas presents for years now and am getting less fussed as I get older. Have bought myself a box of chocs to scoff after Christmas when baby comes (currently monitoring blood sugar) and that's as much as I want.

Poor DH keeps asking me what I want, he still doesn't quite believe that I really really don't want anything.

sommewhereelse · 03/12/2011 05:43

I've been like this since the children were born. I was 30.

I'm not in the UK and we don't have UK tv so DH usually buys me a DVD box set of a series that we will both enjoy. I don't really follow what's available so I never "want" anything so does all the research but he usually gets it right. I really appreciate this because it means we make time to sit and snuggle on the sofa together otherwise my only sitting and relaxing time would be on here!

olibeansmummy · 03/12/2011 07:07

No! We've not done presents for a few years now so if dh won't, I'll buy myself a load of crap that most people sniff at for Christmas like smellies, slippers and pjs Smile

aStarInStrangeways · 03/12/2011 07:38

Same here. My side of the family have thankfully decided not to do presents except for the children, and DH and I have agreed no presents for each other as we're hoping to buy a house next year and it seems a bit pointless taking £20 out of our own pockets to spend on random books when we could just put it towards a nice new kettle or something. Although I love giving and getting presents, I am actually feeling a bit sickened by capitalism atm and being skint also takes a lot of pleasure out of gift-buying.

Bethshines no fucking way would my DH be getting breakfast in bed on Christmas Day! Not unless it was of the 'everyone snuggled together eating unsuitable cake' type affair. Throw him a Ginsters and a warm can of Coke and let him get on with it Grin

poorbuthappy · 03/12/2011 07:43

We haven't done any adult presents since our twins came along 3 years and everything became a lot more expensive for everyone!
Birthdays OTOH, birthday g/b gets spoilt rotten. They don't do anything all day (unless they want to Wink) and today is dh's birthday so I'm gearing up to bacon sardines after my first cup of coffee!

franke · 03/12/2011 07:53

We only do presents for the dc. We never do gifts for each other - don't see the point really. In fact we have a completely pared down Xmas, no family, just us, no big dinner (nobody wants turkey except me), very low key. Sounds rubbish? Not for us, we like it. We do presents for our birthdays and, oddly, wedding anniversaries.

sunnyday123 · 03/12/2011 08:02

we only focus on the kids too. We tend to buy each other a new top or something similar to wear xmas day. Our parents give us the cash to spend in the sales so no actual presents o open! Dont mind at all.

SayYuleNowSayWhipTheReindeer · 03/12/2011 08:08

Have told DH not to buy me anything. As OP said there's genuinely nothing I particularly want or need apart from chocolate coins. DD is only just 1 so won't appreciate any well-thought out or expensive presents.

I'm just looking forward to having some time with my family, and eating ridiculous amounts of food.

MotherPanda · 03/12/2011 08:12

me too - probably because we had a baby and got married this year, so gifts have just been flying through the doors.

Me and DH are going to buy each other a highchair/booster seat for christmas (we got each other a pushchair for our birthdays!)

ShatnersBassoon · 03/12/2011 08:24

I'm of the same opinion. I really don't want anything, would happily go without and just enjoy watching the children open their things. Not many of the adults I know think the same way unfortunately.

It's not exciting to receive presents you had to send the giver a link to.

InsomniaQueen · 03/12/2011 08:32

I don't think it's age - I think it's the general mood in the county to be honest!! Times are hard and their only going to get worse next year so the thought of getting people to buy me lots of stuff I don't really need is just a bit pointless at the moment IMO.

I've just asked for vouchers or money which I plan to spend on the baby (due march 2012) because car seats with iso fix bases aren't cheap and I have 2 wardrobes of stuff already!!!!

GoEasyPudding · 03/12/2011 11:31

I enjoy the decorations and the food way more than the gifts these days. DH and I have a small budget, enough for a few books or cd's.
I would be very sad though if I didnt get any gifts!

hiccymapops · 03/12/2011 11:33

Same here, I'm really not bothered either. Is it really a sign of getting old? Grin

hiccymapops · 03/12/2011 11:34

I would be upset if dh didn't get or make cards from the dc's though. Not bothered which, as long as they've at least scribbled on it Grin

Yorky · 03/12/2011 12:17

I'm not fussed about presents this year - can't honestly think of anything I want apart from curtains for our bedroom and the dining room!
Would like to turn the alcove in our room into a wardrobe with sliding doors to, but its not the sort of thing santa can bring!

Am I being ungrateful to be dreading unwrapping assorted token tat from relatives and in laws and smiling and telling them its lovely, while inwardly thinking, 'Oh look, more STUFF'