Christmas presents

Is it only me who feels a bit uncomfortable with such phrases as "we like to spoil our GC's"?

Presents are bought for the DGCs, but for the DCs it's a small financial contribution and I make up a hamper of all sorts of bits and pieces, so that they have something to open on The Day. DCs have always said that they loved their stockings best when they were little, so this is the 'adult' version of that ( I don't mean adult as in X certificate ) - just everyday things, plus little treats that they can't afford to buy themselves.

gillybob - my sentiments, entirely!

I buy everyone what I think they would like; I don't spend exactly the same on each of them, life is too short to count. I don't think they sit there on Christmas day looking at each other's presents and counting the £'s. They are all usually more than happy with what they receive, and if they are not, then they don't say - I have obviously brought them up 'proper' . It's about the giving and the thought which is put into each present, not the receiving..........

We spend rather a lot on our DD and DGD. We don't get into debt for it though as we put so much a month away each year to cover Christmas.

As someone who always goes over the top at Christmas because it gives me pleasure to choose the things it may sound strange when I tell you that my adult children never say anything about things we bought them. Their memories are all about what we did together.

Going to Newcastle shopping with DH straight from work tomorrow. That should be a barrel of laughs He will be useful for carrying the bags but not much else. Like most men he doesn't "do" browsing. I will take the opportunity to point out the bottle of Daisy Dream perfume that I had better hope to find in my stocking.

I like giving them nice things too jingl

After all (in the voice of Noddy Holder) IT'S CHRISTMAS

I bought DD a "blanket scarf" today. Not sure whether she'll put it round her neck/shoulders, or lie under it on the sofa.

I like giving 'em nice things - adults and kids. It's Xmas.

Gillybob

Hear hear!

we do a secret santa for adults and then I wrap up things for G/c after asking parents what they want.

The secret Santa is a truly marvellous idea

a] saves having to trek round shops
b]saves on cost and people don"t get inundated with STUFF.

Nice to receive a little something, but really for us as a family, Christmas is being together, having nice food and generally having a jolly good old time !

I spend quite a lot on my three DGC. I love to spoil them with love and attention all year round, aswell as nice Christmas gifts.

Yes I could clear my credit card debt.
I could look at a bank balance.
I could worry about how much interest said bank balance attracts.
I could pay off my mortgage.

There again I could be dead tomorrow !

A good web site for unconventional and reasonably priced stocking fillers is
notonthehighstreet.com

so agree J52, and I am not religious at all. Must say I am glad Christmas here is so much less commercialised.

We have a £25 limit on presents for all the family sometimes it can be challenging but we all manage to keep within our limits and it works well for us. DD and myself feel for youngest DS and brother who isn`t married and had no children but hey what can you do he seems happy enough to go along with above.

I don't buy any gifts for my children and they don't buy for me. We all have enough and more besides.
My dgc get cash, which is what the three older ones want anyway. My little dgd is awash with toys and clothes, handed down from a pair of slightly older twin girls, who get everything from a doting granny!
So her cash is saved in a bank account.

For me,the spirit of Christmas is not about buying lots of presents, especially if you can't afford them.

UnconventionalGran, I think your dh should be the one to talk to his dd.

Well said, PRINTMISS.

Of course it is a pleasure to give to people we love and like, but there does for some people come a time when it is necessary to 'count the cost'. Everything continues to rise in price - except of course gift vouchers, but you can buy less with these this year than you did last. I think it is wise to cut back if money becomes a worry and you get into debt. Why do that when Christmas is supposed to be a happy event? We never started by giving our grandchildren expensive presents, and our children never received these either, so no-one expects anything very much from us. Which is just as well because as time has passed, less money has become available. They don't think any the less of us, and know that we will always give them what we can, and our love is always there which is the important thing.

I think you need to reassure her that both sides are being treated the same and then let her get on with it. You can't please everyone so do what is right for you.

I love Christmas and I love buying presents for people so often get told off for buying too much but then they know how much pleasure it has given me to choose the things and they forgive me. I think it is all about communication.

My policy is not about HOW MUCH I spend but what I spend it ON. My GC will all have around £20 spent on them but I'm not being precise about that because I will be giving them something that they really want and which I have agreed with their parents. My DiLs give me links to web sites where I can buy just what they want and will be appreciated long after Christmas. The adults will mostly have vouchers to spend as they will.

It is sad that Christmas equates to presents. If you are not religious, then it is a family time ( close friends, if no family) and showing appreciation of them as people, in whatever way is appropriate. Time to spend together, sharing some food perhaps. X

DSiL's family have always done a Secret Santa and I am going to suggest it to my lot for next year. Thanks suzied for the website to help!!