Irritated

[Vivalavid]

Without sounding ungrateful, does anyone else hate when their parents get them stuff they know they won't like. I'd prefer money and did the same for my parents and sister and it annoys me because my mum knows I'd prefer money, I hate Christmas here anyway it's just a normal day nothing different, so I end up staying in my room. Rant over.

I don't really agree with giving money. If everybody did that it would be pointless unless you get back more than you gave!

Don't have a family so wouldn't know (Dad died and Mum recluse alcoholic, siblings do their own thing) but also spent most of today in a bedroom. At PiL and it's miserable, so formal here, no PJs, no tv (ever) came down to musli on offer for breakfast..... PiL had done presents in bed and eaten already. DH was finishing his bowl alone, entertaining our 2 year old, I came down with newborn and ate musli alone. Complained to DH not one present been mentioned (we did ours yesterday to save room In the car) but what about for their grandkids? DH put on Christmas music, next time I walked I. It had been turned off! Between feeding and putting baby down for naps and showering I'm trying to not go back down. BiL and SiL have older kids so refused to come this year and last, as not 'kid fruevdky' so just us until tomorrow!

When you get to a certain age though, there's nothing you can get people that they don't have/or need.

But what's the point off all just handing each other money!

Here you go mum here's £20. Thank you darling here's £25!

Don't you have Christmas dinner together OP? Do you mind me asking how old you are? Did you have a conversation with your parents about gifts?

@Vivalavid - I don't think that's true of everyone. Some people like stuff, others don't.

Is it realy that you hate xmas or hate the pressure of expectation to have a day like the tv ads ?

Stay in your room hating it if that's how you feel but take up some yummy food and chill watching a movie or something. Maybe next year if you still feel like that tell people not to buy you gifts etc and get yourself things you will know you will like and do it however you want it with zero expectations of how it should look and feel.

I dont set expectations on how the day should go apart from a faulty towers monnent which I have already by nearly flooding a bit of the kitchen floor when I was watering the poinsettia and water got dangerously close to the tree in the kitchen electrics and after getting the water up stubbed my toe off the table and then nearly stabbed my finger with the wooden cocktail stick when making up the fruit tree for later but after shouting oucha fucker I laughed. Teenager was up at 06.00 like a demented buddy the elf and had the adult kids on the phone already having a million questions about today's food, games etc which I answered yesterday but embrace it and do it your way.

No, very strained family, and in my 30's. I never ask for anything, but my mum knows what I'd like and not like. It's the fact of getting the same gifts each year that makes it tiresome.

Money is pointless unless you’re a teenager or a student

It's not pointless, it's more useful.

Not for me personally- I’ve had some lovely gifts this morning! Things that are nice luxuries I wouldn’t just randomly buy for myself, but I love. Does your mum ever ask you in advance what you want?

Why not all just keep your own money and don’t do presents? Money is fine for children and young adults starting out but it’s just so transactional.

I understand your mum wanting to give you an actual gift and actually get into the spirit of Christmas.

There is. The stuff you would be spending the money on.

Bottle of your favourite perfume
Bottle of wine or spirits
New pyjamas
New wallet
Make up
Things for a hobby
Gym kit
Favourite chocolates and sweets
Bits for the house
Board games
New book - even if it’s a Kindle edition
Tickets for the theatre, cinema, afternoon tea
Slippers
Dressing gown
Scented candles
Scarves and gloves

More luxurious versions of everyday items like socks, handcream, shower gels, soaps, hair products, face cream…

Things they knew and didn't bother to get