Are you and DP / DH buying each other gifts this year?

[doris9034]

DP & I have been together 11 years, lived together for 9. We bought a house this time last year, and due to DP not currently working, cost of living etc etc things are a bit tight at the mo. There's nothing either of us particularly want or need, so we have decided not to get each other gifts for Christmas this year. We'll be on our own for the day, so plan to just have lovely food, wine / cocktails and chill out!
Not sure if that's weird or not - but I really don't see the point in spending money on "stuff" for the sake of it!!
We also both have our birthdays in the first week of Jan - haven't thought about what to do gift wise for these yet!
Anyone else done / considered doing similar?

Similar.... I want a new iphone (mine is a 6S) and that will be my present from DH. So I will have something to open on Christmas Day, but definitely a practical one rather than romantic!

Our situation is v similar to yours (except for bdays). I want to do Xmas as normal. DH has made your suggestion. I like something to open on the day, doesn’t need to be extravagant but some bubble bath or a cookbook (2 things I love) wouldn’t go amiss. I think I’m disappointed because DH is generous in respect of if we want it or need something throughout the year then he’s an advocate for just getting it. Last two Xmas’ were lazy in respect of gift giving (not things that were particularly ‘me’) so this feels like he can’t be bothered and the new stance is to avoid it

@SadieContrary same here - we do get things as and when we need. And when DP was working, he would spend a fortune on me (too much sometimes !!) Maybe we'll just get each other a token gift eg up to £10 just so we have something to open

We aren't getting each other gifts as such, but said if we get eurovision tickets that's our gifts to each other. We also are just in the middle of an extension so would rather save the money for nice bits for that in the new year.

Nope. Just stuff for the kids. Same as you, we dont want or need anything

@Angelicapickles1 we did say if we got Peter Kay tickets that would be our joint present to cover all occasions. When I went on to TicketMaster and was 409,386 in the queue, that idea went out the window!!

I'm not sure. We're hoping to move so need to tighten the purse strings. We already have a few comedy nights out booked between now and April so I might suggest that for Christmas we each put the same amount into a new savings account for our future garden. It won't touch the sides on what needs doing but it's a start.

Yes but to be honest I already know what DH is buying for me because he got me to pick them out. 🤣
He knows my DD (his step-DD) & I are choosing a watch and he knows that I have bought him 2 hardback books but I’m not sure if he knows which ones.

We always spoil each other tbh but will dial back a little this year given the circumstances. We both love buying presents though so not a chore for either of us and both have hobbies that make it easy to gift

We always have a £30 limit and will do the same this year.

We did this last year.
Just did little stocking gifts, nice food and normal gifts for DS.

Family just exchanged cash (pointless to me but that’s a whole other thread!) so there was nothing to open on the day which felt a little flat.

I’d be tempted to get each other one thing to open on the day. Doesn’t have to be big but might make the day feel a bit more special.

Last year was utter shit. Dh was leaving us and everything was fucking terrible. It all sunk in and he realised that he was making a mistake a few days before Christmas but there were no presents etc

We are big on christmas in our family and I will be beyond furious if I don't get an apology present. I'm not even a bit materialistic but it had better bloody sparkle.

This is the first year we have jointly decided not get gifts for each other. I've purchased some small gifts for him from DD but nothing from me. Neither of us need or want anything, we'd rather hold onto our pennies for another time.

We've agreed to exchange 1 main present between us so we can focus our expenditure on our DC. And turkey!

We get each other gifts, I think this is a bit sad really but then I love giving gifts.

As for 'theres nothing we want or need'... well every best gift I ever got was stuff I didn't even know about so how could I possibly have wanted it? The whole point of a gift is it isn't something you need or buy yourself.

How on earth does 'exchanging cash' work?

I give you £10 and you give me is straight back lol.

Its like Sheldons rant on big bang about how people each give each other £10 on their birthday back and forth every year forever until one of you dies and the other is FINALLY £10 richer.

@mam0918 I know!!! DH’s family pass around the same £20 for every birthday. Christmas is a mix of cash and Amazon vouchers. Utterly pointless. I’ve suggested they stop exchanging ‘gifts’ as they’re all over 30 now. But DH thinks it’d be weird for them not to exchange anything.

I’ve suggested doing only cards. I’ve also suggested a secret Santa. I’m getting no joy. Off to withdraw £120 in cash. Merry Christmas everyone!😂

My husband is so awful at buying presents that we don't both for Christmas or birthdays. We do enjoy nice meals out, going away a few days etc. We always have a busy run up to Christmas, enjoy being with friends and family and spoiling out daughter and granddaughter who's 3. I love the saying - it's not what's under the tree but who's around it x

This year we're buying something for the house and calling it our gift to each other. I will still get him a little something to open though and he will for me. Probably booze and/or chocolate that we'd get anyway but wrap up as a 'gift'!