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Christmas

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

do you HAVE to buy people presents?

46 replies

stitch · 26/11/2008 22:05

if it is not completely obvious what to get them, then do you really have to get them anything at all?
and if a child has everything, then why on earth are you asking for ideas on what else to buy them? surely they already have more than enough?

OP posts:
cherryontopofthexmastree · 27/11/2008 12:38

Danae- i'm sorry if i upset you sweetie, i really was trying to help. i think your best bet would be to make your christmas about spending time together and doing things you all enjoy, and less about fc and presents and stuff. maybe go for a nice walk, eat mince pies and 1 or 2 small presents each. it really does need to be whatever makes you least uncomfortable, and if you have bad memories of your childhood, now may be the time to focus on creating some lovely christmas memories for you darling child. xx

Danae · 27/11/2008 12:47

Message withdrawn

katch · 27/11/2008 12:54

Martin Lewis www.moneysavingexpert.com suggests filling a big box with balloons and wrapping it up - that would be magical for a 2.5 y/o to open, imo.

mazzystartled · 27/11/2008 12:57

danae, that sounds lovely. you could make biscuits and ice them, or chocolate truffles or a special collage with photos of her on it.

and a blank slate with just the three of you is a great start. eat things you like, choose something for her gift that you can all do together, go for a lovely walk and shout merry christmas to all the strangers that you meet [guaranteed cheerfulness].

Eddas · 27/11/2008 12:58

katch, that's a fab idea, my dd would love that, actually so would ds!

Annthecat · 27/11/2008 13:18

Danae, now while she is little may be a good time to think how you want your family Christmas' to be.

I think alot of the magic of christmas comes form the little traditions that build up. We have found our 'traditions' have developed since having kids and they are not a replica of what we had when kids.

I don't go in for the FC thing in a big way, I underatnd what you are saying, they get most of thier FC ideas from school TV etc , but I don't dispel it, and what really amazes me is they realy seem to belive it, and DS1 is 8!! I mean come on son, how do you really think he does that???

...anyway..some suggestions for things that I thnk make christmas feel magical..

Twinkly lights
putting up the decorations togther
getting the decs out the loft and unpacking them and remebering all the things we've got, some from hols some made by kids etc
christmas music from naff to carols LOVE it
Coming out the Panto into the cold dark night and seeing the decorations up in town
Sally Army playing

Traditions we have developed:
Classic FM on chrustmas eve ALL DAY, we always put a request in but never had one played!
Fish pie made by Grandma for tea on christmas eve (not sure why but we do)
watch Snow man in PJ's before bed on christmas eve then go out all togteher to put up Snata stop here sign (while I roll my eyes but say nothing they love it)
FC presnts by fire in morning
Church
Drink with neighbours
Lunch (always late)prawn cocktail made by Grandad for starter
family pressies
playing/tv
kids to bed
tea, alcohol and games for adults.

I think yor DD sounds like an age where you will find these things begin to develop naturally, you'll do someyhing nice togther this xmas and think 'great we'll do that again next year.'

Do it more than twice and it's a 'family tradition'.

It doesn't have to be about FC and pressies.

piscesmoon · 27/11/2008 13:53

Sorry Danae, I have just come back on after work and see that I upset you, I didn't mean to. I agree with a MuminScotland. You don't have to do the whole FC thing, I can see why it is difficult for you, just make it special in your own way.

Danae · 27/11/2008 13:53

Message withdrawn

Danae · 27/11/2008 13:55

Message withdrawn

Annthecat · 27/11/2008 13:56

That sounds brilliant Danae, your dd will have very special memories of christmas with her family, I am sure.

hazeyjane · 27/11/2008 14:00

Danae, please don't be too hard on yourself.

My sister and I had a hard time at Christmas as children. Now I have children I want so much for dd's to have a better Christmas than I did. but Dh is always reminding me that one of the things that can ruin Christmas, is when one person feels too much pressure for it all to be perfect.

We spend Christmas on our own (see family either side of Christmas), and do what we want. Gifts don't have to be big and showy, just little things, we did the big box of balloons last year and it was brilliant, dd was happy to play with them all day. Dd1 loves baking with me so I'll get her some cookie cutters this year and we can make some biscuits and decorate them.

Also don't get too het up about having the 'right stuff' IYKWIM, so if you can't be arsed with turkey then have whatever is your favourite (fishfingers for Xmas lunch if dd1 has anything to do with it!)

Danae · 27/11/2008 14:05

Message withdrawn

hazeyjane · 27/11/2008 14:06

Also, I don't know if you know anything about Yule, celebrating light and warmth at the darkest coldest time of year. There are some lovely tradtions there to explore, some of which involve swapping little gifts, maybe have a google.

We are going to make a little picnic (cake and mulled wine/apple juice) and a little offering (something glitteryinvolving a log)and go for a walk, snuggle on a bench, eat cake, drink mulled wine, watch dd's noses turn blue, leave offering then back home to get warm and eat more cake.

UpSinceCrapOClock · 27/11/2008 14:17

I think your dd will appreciate those memories more than mountains of presents.

And stuff the turkey (scuse the pun) - I actually really dislike turkey and we have roast pork with crackling instead - lamb sounds lovely, mmmm!

Reclaim Christmas for your own

cherryontopofthexmastree · 27/11/2008 14:23

danae- could i have your email address please? i would like a private word.

Danae · 27/11/2008 14:24

Message withdrawn

hazeyjane · 27/11/2008 14:31

Thankyou for not being offended by my paganish suggestions Danae.

I'm liking the idea of carol singing to the animals, maybe we'll put some Christmas decorations on the bird feeder and serenade the badgers that snuffle around our back garden!

piscesmoon · 27/11/2008 17:09

I love the idea of singing in the garden-but I'm not surprised the rabbit is bemused!
I think you should do things the way that you want to, but that it should be special.

cherryontopofthexmastree · 27/11/2008 22:05

danae- i would like to send you a little something to help you find your christmas spirit

Danae · 27/11/2008 22:10

Message withdrawn

katch · 27/11/2008 22:56

Can't remember which thread, but the poster described how she draped her DS's bed with a girly canopy on Christmas Eve, much to her delight.
You could maybe use fairy lights/paper chains/ decorations in her room to make a magical morning.
Wish I'd thought of that when my LOs were that age.

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