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Christmas

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

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Original poster

Adult DC and Christmas

50 replies

KittenCatt · 13/11/2022 09:35

Those of you with adult DC, do you still buy for them at Christmas?

I’m an adult DC in my mid 20s, and my mother and I still exchange stockings and Christmas gifts. I’m just asking out of curiosity because every family is different.😊

OP posts:

Original poster

KittenCatt · 13/11/2022 17:38

@70isaLimitNotaTarget So cute! It’s my kitten’s first Christmas - my DP and I got him a treat puzzle with some treats 😊

OP posts:

LittlePearl · 13/11/2022 17:43

We still buy for ours (3 in their 30s) plus other halves and now grandchildren.

We're thinking of doing Secret Santa for the adults which I think is a good idea. It's less the expense because we budget for it and buy accordingly but finding interesting and thoughtful gifts for everyone on the run up to Christmas is a bit stressful, I find.

ThankYouVeryMuchGerry · 13/11/2022 17:45

I'm 44 and my parents still buy me and my sister loads of presents. We've tried to take control this year and insisted on a family secret Santa, so one present per person, plus a charity donation and a stocking with sweets in.

We thought we'd got Mama on board when she chose a name and were feeling really chuffed with ourselves, then she announced she was doing presents anyway!

I know why she does it, she and Daddy didn't have much as kids and she overcompensates with us because of that. Also, due to having no grandkids (tried but hasn't happened), she still sees us as the only "children".

We have decided to just let her get on with it, it brings her pleasure and she does pick nice gifts.

MWNA · 13/11/2022 17:46

My adult daughter (31) and I stopped buying Xmas presents for each other when she had her son 2 years ago. Now we only buy for the little children. I'm very happy with this arrangement.

Abraxan · 13/11/2022 19:23

Dd is 20 and we buy for her.
She also buys us smaller gifts too. She's a student so no money for big gifts.

I'm 49y and my parents still buy us gifts, as does mil. We buy those gifts too.

bananaboats · 13/11/2022 20:37

We do a secret santa with my side of the family £50 budget which works well. No stocking since I left home but me and DH have always done them for each other.

chisum · 13/11/2022 21:21

My mum bought me presents until she was in her nineties bless her (and also bought my shoes to make sure I only ever had Clarks)

Changechangychange · 13/11/2022 21:27

Cash is completely pointless for adults, unless you are literally giving life-changing amounts (we aren’t). I can save up £50 as easily as DM can.

We still exchange gifts, obviously fewer now and often things like experiences or tickets to something. I have asked DM to focus on DC now, as it isn’t fair that she ends up spending twice as much, and I don’t really need or want much now I’m in my 40s. I am getting her a beauty advent calendar, and got her a kindle last year. She got me an Italian cookery session last year, which was loads of fun.

bloodywhitecat · 13/11/2022 21:31

Mine are 30 and 32, I still buy for them and can't see me ever stopping. It is often something like National Trust membership or a voucher for a favourite restaurant although I do always buy them some naff socks.

DisforDarkChocolate · 13/11/2022 21:33

Yup. A main present or money and stocking fillers. If they are with me on Christmas Day then these go in a stocking. I love Christmas.

DisforDarkChocolate · 13/11/2022 21:36

I can't imagine stopping until I retire and have a more fixed income. They it might be grandchildren only (but then what if some don't have children). I love picking things people like.

TheFairyCaravan · 13/11/2022 21:37

My DC will be 26 & 28 by Christmas. I will always buy them Christmas and Birthday presents. I, also, buy them for my DDIL.

I love buying for her because she just loves surprises. She doesn’t ever give hints of what she’d like, she likes the whole surprise element of receiving the gift. I do run ideas past DS2 so I’m not going to get her something she’d hate, but she’s like a little kid and I love that.

MissyB1 · 13/11/2022 21:44

Yes two adult sons, ages 32 and 27. Still buy for them.

StopsWalkingToSneeze · 13/11/2022 21:52

My DC are 23 and 21, neither live at home anymore but they will be home for Christmas. No stocking but we’ve never done those. Spend about £150 on each of them. I’m 51 and parents are 74 they get me and my brothers and grandchildren gifts, they spend up to £30ish on each of us. Happy with that.

Riverlee · 13/11/2022 21:54

20 and 22 (23 by aChristmas).

I still get them presents (and do a stocking!).

CaronPoivre · 13/11/2022 21:56

Yes of course. Plus their spouses and partners. Stockings too, if they're at home. I can't imagine ever not wanting to.

thismeansnothing · 13/11/2022 22:03

I am the adult DC. So it my Dsis

My DM will get me and DH a token gift like a nice box of hotel Chocolat as she buys for my kids (her grandkids). She still buys for Dsis but she doesn't have kids.

jocktamsonsbairn · 13/11/2022 22:07

I still buy present and do stockings for my 2 - age 19 and 20. They may also still have to leave a baileys out for Santa...

Mrsfussypants1 · 13/11/2022 22:08

Yes we still buy for our adult dd (26) and our lovely son in law (30). They both have winter birthdays and receive a small gift and money, for christmas it's gifts. Sometimes it's a joint gift either for their home or an experience, this year its separate gifts of equal value. They've had a tough year financially through no fault of their own but things are looking up now. We did ask if they'd rather have cash this year and chose gifts.

pinkksugarmouse · 18/11/2022 19:36

DD turns 20 at the end of the month. As well as her birthday presents she will have two Christmas presents from her stepdad and me. Just 2 medium gifts costing about £50 in total. She will also get a Christmas present or two from her Dad. I don’t know how much he will spend somewhere around the same amount I would imagine. We tend to spend more for her birthday because that’s personal.

She has to manage on disability benefits as she has Aspergers and severe anxiety. But she wanted to buy a present for me, her dad, her Nan and contribute towards her stepdads watch.

I will always give her a Christmas present. My parents and are are no contact so we don’t.

Idontmeanto · 18/11/2022 19:53

I’ve agreed with my eldest (20) that this will be the last year I do a stocking. She graduates this summer and the last few years I’ve used it as an opportunity to give her a few everyday luxuries; candles, nice shampoo, kitchen accessories, but that won’t be needed. It’s also awkward that she comes with her boyfriend and I want to give them a thoughtful gift each.

SilverSalver · 19/11/2022 15:29

My DC are 24 and 26 and I still buy them a "big" present plus lots of little ones and a stocking.
One of them has a birthday a week later so it can be tricky.

Wilkolampshade · 19/11/2022 15:59

@chisum well bloody bless your mum, how lovely. Made me cry that did. 😢❤️

mam0918 · 19/11/2022 16:12

We didn't have stockings growing up so our parents dont do them... we do still do gifts with parents though.

Erictheavocado · 19/11/2022 16:13

We always buy for our adult DC's. Can't imagine a time when we wouldn't. We also buy for dils as well as dgs. We do individualists and a 'joint' gift for each couple, usually something they have requested for the home. We also give them all a stocking. We spend more on dgs, but try to fairly even on DC's and dils.

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