Christmas

[MarieJ1987]

Anyone else not buy for others apart from DH and DC? We get something for our parents but that's it. We don't buy for friends or other family members. We've asked for no gifts and have been like this for a few years. I've mentioned to a few people and they've all said we are a bit tight and it's nice to buy for people. I personally see it as a big expensive day that doesn't justify the cost of giving gifts to everyone.

I personally do not discuss with people who I buy for. That way I get no negative comments.

I haven’t bought gifts for anyone other than DH & kids for a long long time.

We don't buy our parents presents. What on earth for? We are all adults and can buy what we want when we want it.

No, just DH and my DC here. And I asked DH if he wanted to bother this year (he does) so sadly I can't scratch that one from my list!

I could easily do without Xmas though. I like sale shopping in January but that's it.

I agree, would love to only do DC and DH but DH insists on our parents.

We don't buy our parents presents. What on earth for? We are all adults and can buy what we want when we want it

I agree with this. Although we do buy parents token gifts like a fancy chocolate box or a bottle of wine.

I guess it is good for the economy that so many people seem to spend like mad at Christmas.

Gifts only for our son,husband and myself. We have ditched gift giving to others a long time ago and we are better for it ! If you still want or have to give a gift make it something homemade like cookies or a cake. It is a bit more personal and it doesn't have to be expensive. I know people that spend a fortune for Christmas , can't really afford to and then spend the following year paying back the loan or the credit cards! Utter madness! If there is a time to ditch this merry go round it is now...even if you can afford it use this challenging financial time to put a stop to it.

This is for first year I haven’t brought gifts for anyone who doesn’t live in my house. I told the family back in the summer I’m not gifting and I don’t want gifts. I will probably give my parents a nice bottle of wine. I wish I done this years ago I feel so calm ! Normally I’m panicking, trying to find decent gifts that don’t cost the earth!

Us! Well me and Dp have decided not to buy each other anything so we are only buying for dc, a gift for my disabled sons taxi driver who is fab, the two children he shares a taxi with (£1 chocolates for sure) and a gift for my DD's best friend! (They are 8 and exchange gifts) and that's it.

I have told family and my in laws we simply cannot. Even at a fiver each it'll be a hundred quid, secret Santa is not an option as all in different places.

we are the only family in our families at risk of losing our home with our mortgage due to renewal. Everyone else has a mortgage paid off or very little left or in council housing.

I don't even buy for my DH and he doesn't buy for me ... we tend to give our 21 year old DS cash and a few 'stocking fillers'. To be honest (& I appreciate we are very lucky) it is not so much the cost but the absolute waste of money on stuff that people don't want or need. I manage a charity shop and you should see the piles of donations we get after Christmas... clearly unwanted presents.

I think it is so sad that people seem to value 'love' with buying expensive presents . You frequently read on here about people going without basics just to be able to buy their DC numerous gifts at Christmas and being overdrawn in the New Year.

And I also volunteer in a Food Bank where endless boxes of posh chocolates and 'hamper' foods are donated in the new year......

Kids aside, we don't spend loads on other people but do buy for a couple of friends and family.

It's never "for the sake of it". And it's genuinely nice getting something under the tree that is a surprise.

It's not x8 bubble bath gift sets being passed around.

For me it's away to show family a bit further away that we think of them even if we are too busy for communication most of the time.

Basically it's given in the spirit of Christmas. But it does extend further from our house and our parents. For instance I have a village friend who gives me wheelbarrow loads of allotment fruit and veg for half the year, so I get them a present of course I do. Why wouldn't I?