christmas presents

[ethandron]

further to bobbies (i think it was bobbie) thread yesterday about christmas presents, i was wondering how you all feel about buying them. we have no children in the family, the youngest now is 27, and this year we've decided not to buy christmas presents any more. me and him will still buy something for our two, but that's it. we buy what we want for ourselves as we go through the year so we're not buying for each other either. everyone we've broached the subject with has been extremely relieved and applauded us for suggesting it, saying we're brave to mention it and that they wish they'd had the courage to do so.
as and when any little ones come along in the family i'm sure we'll buy for them in the future, but for now, that's it. no more buying presents for the sake of it, or receiving presents that we don't want and which end up in the charity shop.
what's your honest opinion of buying/receiving christmas presents? if you had the bottle, would you suggest what we did??

[razza]

We have done that for a few years now,but of course the youngest 2 grandchildren still get them.All my family when we suggested this to them were in total agreement.

[China Doll]

I buy for immediate family, a few close friends (unless we decide to go for dinner instead) and the man hostage. I might get some chocolates for each of my consultants as they're very nice to me and I like them as people. I don't buy for cousins, aunts, uncles, people in the office etc... And I don't send bl00dy christmas cards.

[ummmm]

I don't send cards either. Bloody annoying things making the living look a mess....

I buy for Ginger and I give my kids money. That's it.

Ginger will give me money towards the money I give the kids and give money to his Mum&Dad, Niece and Nephews. He might get me something small...but then he might not. I have a sneaky feeling that I will be getting a Glastonbury ticket.

[Jemisa]

We buy for children only. G/children, G/nieces/nephews, and God children.
11 in total.

Best Wishes.

jem

[rowanwitch]

my sister and I are a bit daft when it comes to pressie shopping but we are a very small family just mum my sister her husband and I with Redman joining us this year so it doesn't get too out of hand....don't buy for friends and we have a secret santa at work with a £10 limit so it isn't too bad...I normally get asked to make things eg my sister wants new cutains so she will get a Rowanvoucher as one of her perssies this year and my mum will get a promise of theatre tickets...I took her to see strictly the professionals last year she loved it rather than clothes or smellies

[NOX]

I like Christmas and buy for partners, kids, friends and family and send cards to those who I can't get to see, but if I don't like someone then I don't get them anything, I wold never send stuff to people just for the sake of it, but nor do I get offended if people aren't big on Christmas- each ot his own.

[woofgang]

We are a small family with few close mates. I give gifts for my pleasure as much as anything else..I do tailor it to whatever the budget allows and don't care if I get nothing back.
Between DH and I its different, we are like kids about christmas

[queries]

I love Christmas but it all gets very out of hand - I work in an office and some people send cards to literally everyone else - gets so stupid. I'm already thinking about cutting back on things present-wise - especially as money is so tight for everyone these days.

[Bobbisox]

we do the 'in the hat' names, pick out the person in the immediate family of cause, spend £50 on that person, it works for us

[gingejbee]

Don't really "do" Christmas at all. We aren't religious so it seems pointless. Most people end up spending money they haven't got on things that aren't wanted by people they don't particularly like! Sorry for the downer, but that's an honest answer.

[Bobbisox]

I love Christmas Cards in the house and a Tree, we are going away this year on the 23rd but I will still have the cards and the tree up
I love Christmas!

[ethandron]

i buy all my christmas cards in the cancer research shop, in january when they're all reduced. even when they're half price at least i know the money is going to a good cause. and every year i trim the card sending list down. i use the card sending as a way of keeping in touch with those people i wouldn't otherwise have much contact with but still want to keep that little bit of contact going.
i'm not religeous either gingebee. to be honest over the last few years chrismas has really started to annoy me with all the fuss and if i didn't think i'd really offend or upset my immediate family, i'd be more than happy to ignore it completely.
i'm quite surprised by most of the answers actually, i thought i'd get slated as a miserable old so-and-so, seems most of you do something similar though.

[Bobbisox]

not at all ethandron, this is what CB is about, opinions and respecting other peoples ;-0)

[pastafreak]

Since becoming a single person-I only exchange pressies with my daughter...but as she is 10,000 miles away,not this year. Whenever she asks what I want-I tell her I am happy with vouchers for Waterstones and Boots. She has always thought that was boring...;-)
I used to love the whole present thing as long as I could find things that were special. Unfortunately-I've come to dread the holidays because I just can't afford it anymore....and all the OTT consumerism does my head in.

[annie0000]

I send cards to family and close friends, we have a donation to charity insteand of Cards in work. We buy for each other and our kids and for my Mum. Small presents for any children in the family - nephews, nieces and great nephews and great nieces. The cat might get a wee something too :o) . Don't buy for Sisters, Brothers or friends

[gingejbee]

pasta; "OTT consumerism" - couldn't agree more. It's started already, so that's nearly 3 months of hype on TV and in mags, being told what you must do, buy etc. Just ignore it and do your own thing.

[Bobbisox]

Yankee come with me and Bill To the Canaries pet..;-0)

[pastafreak]

As we AB members are a fairly representative slice of society...it makes you wonder just WHY so many are still out there-spending like there is no tomorrow. I live near a busy city centre-and there will be no let-up between now and the end of January. It makes just day-to-day shopping a pain in the bum.

[pastafreak]

Actually Geordie...I am starting to come to terms that I will be on my own this year....I WILL have to work-as it is the nature of my job. And-my co-workers are VERY supportive...I know they will be there if I get blubby (moi???)
But thanks for thinking of me.....all that sun would be welcome...lol xxxx