The Twitch - How much did it cost you last year?!

[NannyPlumForPM]

Now I am nosy intrigued as to how much the dreaded 'twitch' cost you last year. I probably won't start twitching until at least the second week only December when things are getting wrapped... But it cost £140 with oh I don't think dbil has as much as dfil etc etc .

Tell me your stories and make me feel better

I don't get the Twitch at Christmas time, exactly - but I do get it when I come back to the UK. Because things are generally quite a bit cheaper in the UK than Australia, I tend to "panic buy" toys on offer, books etc. and then hoard them until birthdays/Christmas.

I might get the Twitch about food though... mostly chocolate, I think

I get the food twitch too, we always end up with way too much. If I am in the shops Christmas Eve I also get the twitch for things like matching apron and tea towels and hideously expensive table runners.

I'm trying to resist the twitch-got all the kids prezzies already but when I got them out,although costing more than dd's, Ds' pile is much smaller than dd's and I've not got him a wrestling ring cage (which was one of the things on his list).really want to get it for him but can't really afford or justify it...

Oh yeah.

For me, it starts with a steely resolve that I'll only buy for DD, nieces, nephews and godchildren.
Then I start wondering if godchildrens' siblings won't feel left out.
Then I wonder if other friends' children won't feel left out because I bought them something when I felt bad got the twitch last year.
Then I worry about the godchildrens' siblings who have January birthdays and end up buying them birthday presents as well.

On an extreme twitch year I bought four 'in case' presents for DD that other people could give her (where I had bought presents for their children, in case they hadn't got anything for her and felt embarrassed even though they expected me to get presents for their children...)

this year I may have found a way.... I get the twitch far more than my pretty sensible DH- so each week I have sat down with him over a coffee and reviewed where we currently are with gifts for DCs- is doing a pretty good job of keeping me on track

Vlad - you've got it baaaaaad

Christmas shopping completed in October (except for DH who I always do much closer) - Twitch begins usually around end-Nov. So far this year it has cost me about £40 as I bought extras for my 2 youngest because my older two are getting a big (one-off) present from all the extended family which we have also contributed to and I felt guilty because we were spending less on the wee ones. (even though they will actually have more to open on the day!) Considering we only spend a max of £100 per child £40 is a 10% twitch - dear enough!

Today however I was in Waterstones and couldn't resist a book each for my older two while I was buying a book for DH anyway. I knew I shouldn't but I'm a total sucker for books! Imagine my delight when I got to the till and the woman said I could spend my £13 worth of Waterstones points which would cover both books! Free Twitching - Immense!

£70 as I have ordered a pair of Dr Martens. Plus another £30 for a medals hanger which I am about to order.

Must

ignore

i am the twitch

< slaps hand away on bogof bags of chocolate money>

i am twitching but dont need to buy anything extra for anyone. I would however really like some new pjs for xmas eve as dc and dh have new ones and I dont :(

I am also trying to resist adding to the kids piles as they are truly spoilt this year.

I'm resisting the twitch but I was so tempted to buy dss a tomatoe ketchup set and dd a coca cola set today in argos but walked away from them they have huge piles and dot need anything else I just know they'd really enjoy them.

We've never done the Christmas Eve hampers dss is 10 dd 11 1/2 but last week we decided new pjs would be nice they now have a DVD and sweets to go with them

Twichity twitch twitch twitch

No twitch here. I take ages thinking about what I'm going to get, check things out on line etc. write list and then stick to it. At times I need a will of steel, but I stick to the list.

I resisted the Twitch!
Repeat after me:
I will not look at Reasties bargain thread.
I will stay off Amazon.
I will not eat any of the Chocolate or Wine that is wrapped up under the tree.
I will think only about buying Brussels Sprouts and other things I actually need.

I have the twitch bad. I am doing my vv best to resist.

Lat year's twitch was ridiculous

octopus

Oh damn. You made me twitch. I saw a medal hanger in a magazine the other day, completely forgot about it and now you've reminded me. Aaargh

I twitched.
I have started panic buying chocolate oranges and David Beckham Gift sets

Ds now has a reindeer onesie
He will refuse to wear it

Ffs

I have twitched in a big way already

6 bottles of prosecco (we already have 12 plus masses of wine, beer and spirits)
5 small boxes of hotel chocolat chocs just in case (of what, I have no idea as everyone is already bought for)
A tacky decoration from John Lewis that I just had to have, and felt an overwhelming urge for, which intensified x 1000 when it went temporarily out of stock (it came back in, thank god)
I am tracking a lucy the dog on stock informer even though I have bought everything for the DC

It will get worse, I'm sure

There's a name for this?! I always twitch with Christmas food and presents. Hopefully I'll be able to resist the urge this year.

So what on earth do I do about the Competing need to fill Tardis stocking vs my parents sniffing and huffing due to their rather parsemonious attitude to presents.

Arrrrgghhhhh!!!! Twitching like I've actually got a nervous twitch!

I don't get the twitch. I'm scottish so naturally dour, parsimonious and a tightfisted git ... and my kids are babies so they dont get stacks....we know one day it will change but for now my kids are happy with plastic tat. I'm sure they'll enjoy unwrapping that kinder surprise on the big day.

Last year I was twitching all over the place. This year I'm being sensible and dull.

I twitch like fuck from halfway through november. I get everything bought then eat all the chocolate figures and forget about half the presents so buy more, then get hit with the panic price slash emails so buy more.... The twitch costs me more than the original presents. I need Martin Lewis to bugger me senseless everytime I reach for my credit card.

If you want to twitch like hell, go on NotOnTheHighStreet

I am about to hit twitch central!

I've been so good this year. I really thought my twitch stemmed from lack of organisation so this year I've already bought all my presents. I had a bit of a decor panic which is now sorted without twitching.

Tonight I start wrapping and I can feel the mild panic setting in. Dh is out all week and I have an amazon prime trial until the 27th. I fear for my bank balance.