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Christmas

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

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Original poster

Who else is in panic mode thinking they haven't bought enough presents?

20 replies

Sonicandknuckles · 23/12/2015 22:45

Every bastard year! It doesnt matter how many i buy, how much i spend i always, always end up in a huge panic thinking its just not enough.
Even though, i keep trying to tell myself its not about the amount of gifts...it still happens!

OP posts:

Iflyaway · 23/12/2015 22:49

Well, I haven't bought any presents at all this year for Christmas.

Cos I prefer to give a gift when it suits me during the year.

Not at all in panic mode. Cos it's just big business/advertising putting on the guilt if you wanna buy into that.

AnnaMarlowe · 23/12/2015 22:52

Not enough for what?

Who are these gifts for?

Make a budget, write a lift working out what you are going to get, stick to that.

Original poster

Sonicandknuckles · 23/12/2015 22:53

That is exactly what it is. I hate the worry that much i wish i could do what you do, but the kids love the whole santa thing.

OP posts:

IamFatherChristmasNOTsanta · 23/12/2015 22:57

no, i think i have gone too far this year

nocutsnobuttsnococonuts · 24/12/2015 08:55

I had the opposite thinking I had bought too much for the kids. Definitely reining it in next year.

Dp ive only bought 4 small things so feel bad about that.

flanjabelle · 24/12/2015 08:58

I think I have gone over the top for dd, but scrimped elsewhere. Luckily my family agree that Christmas is for the kids really (re gift giving) and would rather I did it this way.

BrandNewAndImproved · 24/12/2015 09:03

Yes usually every year but as I wrapped yesterday and the day before I can see they have loads.

I'm twitching about my dms presents now. She's bought us a nt pass, plus money and a few bits and bobs for the dc and she's hosting and spent loads on that. I've got a bottle of barefoot wine for her and cider for my step dad then a picture clock that I've put photos in, a laura ashley body cream and a box of tangfastics. It doesnt feel enough.

JimmyGreavesMoustache · 24/12/2015 09:10

we've got quite a conservative number of packages by my usual chavvy standards, but each of the DC has the three items they asked for on their lists, so I don't think anyone will be disappointed.

PhoebeMcPeePee · 24/12/2015 11:04

Me! I just Completely forgot a couple of things - a present for BIL (despite knowing what I was getting weeks ago), after shave and stocking fillers for DH. Dreading town but can't have gifts for everyone except bil and the kids will be really if their daddy doesn't have a stocking and the rest of us do.

DH stocking filler ideas under a tenner please...

PhoebeMcPeePee · 24/12/2015 11:13

I clearly need to RTFT as I've just realised this thread is about not having enough presents rather than who haven't you bought for . We're reasonably retrained on present buying even for DC as they have so many generous relatives. Me & DH buy each other a couple of gifts (I've got him a cookbook, jumper and electric razor) and DC have a joint present of Disney Infinity then each has book, puzzle, a small game (dobble, bananagram and top trumps) and a selection box.

It's not masses but one set of gps are buying bikes () and the other those big dirt-buggy remote control cars plus with 9 sets of aunts & uncles they do pretty bloody well.

SitsOnFence · 24/12/2015 11:48

I tend to swing between worrying I have bought our DC too much and will grow up spoilt, wasteful and entitled, to worrying that I've been too stingy when we could afford more and putting my adult feelings and politics ahead of my DC's happiness.

I'm currently 50-50 between the two, so conclude I have probably got it spot on

Original poster

Sonicandknuckles · 24/12/2015 12:05

Sitsonfence - thats what im like! Only im stuck in the feeling stingy mode ha.

I have been extremely stressed and irritable today with all of the stupid worrying over it. Im trying to get into the mindset of 'fuck it'. If they dont like them, then sod it. I will cancel next years christmas lol. Deep down, i think they will. I just need to believe that so i can actually enjoy christmas myself, even if only a tiny bit!

OP posts:

Flangeshrub · 24/12/2015 12:15

Sitsonfence me too! Swinging between the two minute by minute.
Obviously got it right this year!

twirlypoo · 24/12/2015 12:18

Me! I have cut back loads and now, looking at it, im worried I have gone too far.

Worse still though, I've just had a chat with my mums foster kids and found they have got her nothing I am seething, and now rushing them over to boots so they can buy her a last minute gift. Apparently they were too busy.... Grrrrr!

bantamgirl · 24/12/2015 13:48

Me too! DS2 (12) has just counted his and seems disappointed there are "only" 11. I had to explain and say as you get older the presents end up costing more, so there just looks to be less. (there's 13 + 3 money wallets actually). I was even thinking of hiding the presents around the house to try and string it out a bit longer.

DreamingOfAFullNightsSleep · 24/12/2015 13:54

Me. Also because we didn't think about it properly so DD is getting a slyvanian house (eBay bargain) and a micro scooter and the dts.... Micro machine play set each (eBay again) more train track and stations (yet more ebay) and....stocking fillers. We had bought a carrera (scaletrix type thing) for them but have decided at only 3 (not 4 til April) they're too young for it. They are getting remote control cars from PIL though but I'm worried they'll notice dd has more from us.

OrangeNoodle · 24/12/2015 13:57

I got the fear this morning and twitched. Extra gifts for the DCs and DH. And more Christmas food.

I must not leave the house again!

twirlypoo · 24/12/2015 19:35

I have started putting the wrapped presents under the tree and have now swung the other way to feeling like we have too much again - Ds has the ikea kitchen off his dad, and it makes it look like there's loads under the tree. Dunno what I will do when he's older and the prezzies get smaller but more expensive!

CharleyDavidson · 24/12/2015 19:49

I'm fine for tomorrow.

But we see MIL and her sister a few days later, when they are back from their festive break.

They buy all year, bits and pieces and when we arrive their living room is like Santa's grotto. And she buys almost as much for the adults as for the kids. We will have about 8 gifts each. At least.

So we try and make their budget stretch to several things, but can never match what they've bought. And they don't want much so it's difficult.

MIL declared this month that it's the last year for presents and when the dcs are both in high school next year, then it's money instead of gifts.

SIL buys MIL and her sister one gift each. That's fine, but I can't bring myself to do that when they shower us with gifts each year.

CakeNinja · 24/12/2015 22:00

I always wonder if i go overboard with presents and so plan to get a few and a couple of extras. Then think, fuck it, it's Christmas and I'll spoil them rotten so do.
They are lovely well rounded and undemanding children so I don't think I've ruined them by showering them with gifts one day a year.
We also both have enormous families who buy for the Dc (we buy for them too, my list is 45 people long!) so they get properly spoiled.
I care not a jot if it's frowned upon, it's how we do it.
Dps on the same page as me, it's Christmas!

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