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Christmas

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Original poster

To think what's the point? Christmas

51 replies

RoastPotatoQueen · 08/12/2021 11:45

DH is asking for money this year for Christmas. Fair enough, he's saving up for something for his hobby and has wanted it for a very long time but has put mine and the kids needs first.

SIL/BIL are asking for money for Christmas.

MIL is also asking for money for Christmas.

Would it just make sense to tell everyone to keep their money and spend it on what they want rather than swapping money around? Hmm Apparently it goes against Christmas by doing this but it baffles me as someone is going to end up out of pocket with less money than they put in. And Nobody's even asked what I want for Christmas... not that I'm bothered Grin

What do your families do? I need a solution!

OP posts:
RubyFakeLips · 08/12/2021 11:50

I agree, hate just giving money. Vouchers at a push or suggest token gifts like consumables (chocs, wine, shower gel) and otherwise keep the money yourselves.

DockOTheBay · 08/12/2021 15:05

I agree, it's totally pointless to all exchange money. The only people I would give money to are kids/ teens who don't have jobs to earn their own money. Adults can just buy their own things.
I would say bring in a suggestion to just get token gifts and then keep your own money.

Pennythoughts28 · 08/12/2021 15:54

We are all big into Christmas so every year we pick out a few decorations we like or we might need new lights ect then we all make eachother Christmas hamper for example I got my sol and brother this year a beautiful snowy house decoration my sol was with me when she picked it out, they bought a house this year so needed outdoor lights and a light curtain for front window and then i git a few wee surprise decorations 2 baubles that say godmother and godfather as I had a baby a few weeks ago and Christmas chocolate snacks ect

IgneousRock · 08/12/2021 15:57

I know what you mean OP, but logically is this any different to families who ask for specific presents? Again, each person could just go out and buy their own things instead of everyone exchanging them. (It's different when the presents are a surprise and are chosen by the giver without any hints.)

CrimbleCrumble1 · 08/12/2021 16:03

I only buy for DC, DH and DM. My DH and I have a night out with siblings instead of buying presents. They didn’t mind at all when I suggested this.
I wouldn’t mind if my DH asked for cash but I don’t think he ever would, I have bought him book tokens before which he really liked as he loved to buy books.

Poppins17 · 08/12/2021 16:13

Agree… I don’t see the point of giving £20 to someone to then give it you back.. either don’t bother or buy a gift!

Plopcorn · 08/12/2021 16:32

Tell them it’s pointless, because it is, and that you’ll leave them to it this year. Buy yourself what you want instead.

Kirstos1 · 08/12/2021 16:44

I know it seems pointless to give someone twenty quid just to get it back but if I have put the money to one side to give someone I won't use it for an essential bill or something whereas I would if it was 'mine'. Then when I receive it for Christmas it's a present that I can actually justify treating myself with. I don't know if that makes much sense to be honest!

Onionbhajisandwich · 08/12/2021 16:49

I could have written this haha. I don’t get it either.

Bagelsandbrie · 08/12/2021 16:52

I agree. Totally pointless and defeats the enjoyment!

Nevertime · 08/12/2021 16:53

Yes. If they must have a swap do a £5 secret santa.

Bontanics · 08/12/2021 21:25

Exactly why we as whole family stopped. We buy no presents and we get no presents. No money stress, no shopping stress and no disappointment.

Bluntness100 · 08/12/2021 21:29

Your husband wants you to give him money for Christmas?

2WeeksTillChristmas · 08/12/2021 21:51

I wouldnt give money,
I actually think its rude to ask for money

PickleSarnie · 08/12/2021 22:03

Your MIL wants money?! That's really weird. I can't imagine giving my inlaws or parents for that matter money.

Me and my sister ended up just giving each other a list of stuff to pick from any gave up after a couple of years so don't do gifts at all. Money for kids/teenagers is fine. Anyone else is pointless and a bit weird

Plopcorn · 08/12/2021 22:07

Your husband wants you to give him money for Christmas?… Please tell us more. This is beyond weird.

Bluntness100 · 08/12/2021 22:14

@Plopcorn

Your husband wants you to give him money for Christmas?… Please tell us more. This is beyond weird.
Thank goodness it’s not just me. I can’t imagine my husband asking me to give him money for Xmas, and I say that as soneone with our own accounts as well as joint accounts. Worst case if he wanted something really expensive he’d transfer me some money and I’d still buy the gift and contribute to it,

What are you going to do, give him a card with some cash in?

caketiger · 08/12/2021 22:32

We All swap amazon vouchers. It's totally pointless. Yay, Christmas!

StartingAgain33 · 08/12/2021 22:36

Hahaha. My mum has asked for money and will give me money. The difference is I’ll give her way more than she’ll give me, but she’ll feel like she did something.

It’s bloody ridiculous.

thelegohooverer · 08/12/2021 22:39

It sounds like the perfect opening to have The Conversation and end the madness of adult gifts once and for all! Bite the bullet OP!

Holothane · 08/12/2021 22:41

Dh has asked a dressing I’m happy to buy it it’s something he wants and he’ll have his bottle of whiskey. Job done this year.

MamaFirst · 08/12/2021 22:42

I wouldn't do this, totally pointless and weird. I would say we won't do adult gifts this year as nobody actually wants anything - children I understand why money is gifed though I still don't really like it personally.

Bluntness100 · 08/12/2021 22:44

I’m guessing everyone is proper skint. Hence why everyone asking each other for money. You’d never do it otherwise. Your own husband asking though is weird

Lollypop701 · 08/12/2021 23:40

Maybe suggest a secret Santa between adults with a limit, depending on how much you spend. So if you spend 20 pp that’s 40 per couple, up it to 40 so you get one really nice thing each? Or Maybe no one wants anything right now…..

Fromthebirdsnest · 09/12/2021 01:11

As a family we do get nice gifts for each other for Christmas but we also do a secret santa for our Christmas meal we have a lot of children between us so we have a "pot" for them and one of us buys a load of selection boxes with it and another orders them all a present of amazon from their christmas lists (around £30) with the pot budget then for the adults we have a max budget of £35 and we get very personal secret santas it can be funny or just something unusual and personal to your secret santa .. maybe this would suit you all better rather than passing cash around seems really odd ... my teenager wants cash as one of his present so I have got some money mazes as it seems so impersonal to just give cash .. x