... to think the gifts received by GCs are way toooo expensive and sophisticated ...

So - the conclusion could be that no, today's presents are not way too sophisticated - they are of their time.

And if they are too expensive for DGP to buy then they just have to say so and chip in with a contribution.

Precisely, Jalima.
Move over all the stingy, stuck in the past grumps. There's always a compromise.

Sounds good to me Jalima, it's good to feel nostalgic for our own times &memories ,we can only hope our own DGC will feel the same when they are grown up with children of their own, but somehow their games ,toys etc seem quite soulless compared to our good old /bad old days , Happy new year everyone ?

I think I would rather have had what we bought the grandchildren when I was 10 yrs old. A Sony PlayStation VR for one, and a new TV for the other [ smile]

Very good point Petra?X

If everybody with a contrary opinion ignores a thread they don't agree with you just get a series of monologues.
Come to think of it....
Anyway, Scrooge is clearly alive and well in some areas.
" And God bless us every one!"

And if a thread ie entitled "AIBU...." etc, it can as readily invite the answer "Yes" (YABU) as "NYANBU "

Daphne!

All this niggling makes me think I mist have missed something ...but no, its just a perfectly ok thread that someone can choose to join or choose to ignore!
Regarding my presentsvfor my grandchildren, cost varies everybyear according to what they need/ what I fancy giving!

Perhaps we should leave this thread to the usual suspects, then there will be no disagreement

petra I'm not entirely sure who the usual suspects are or why there will be no disagreement ...just don't understand why the thread topic is being bemoaned ...noone has to join in kf they domt want to.

Life is unequal. Some people are rich some are not. Some people are wise parents/GPs, some are not!

I expect there are some children who do receive very many gifts, some of which might be considered by the majority of GNs as OTT.

That is the way of the world and it feels as if it is growing more unequal at the moment. There does not seem to be a will amongst the 'people' to redistribute wealth to make life a bit more equal.

Probably because a lot of the 'people' are struggling themselves and can barely find the energy to provide for their own families, never mind worrying about redistributing wealth!

Ana a cross in a square does not take a lot of effort!

There are plenty of posters to give alternative opinions, if one poster wants to ignore it.
Plus it really wouldnt be the end of the world if a thread did end up as a monologue.

Agree with Granmary18.

Ana a cross in a square does not take a lot of effort!
Sorry, but I don't understand that

Think it means voting, Jalima, but as the next GE is four years away and there's no credible opposition to the current government, I don't know what Penstemmon expects to change!

Well one can lobby, campaign, write letters..not accept the status quo, add a voice to the dissent..unless of course one supports the status quo then there is nothing to do.

Still

No - as regards Christmas presents for the DGC I vote according to the DC!

And as I said before, an awful lot of people have no energy left for lobbying, campaigning etc. - just living from day to day and raising a family is stretching it.

Fine if you're retired and that's what you want to do.

I think -
Horses for courses
It takes all sorts
There's nowt so odd as folk
It is better to give than to receive
The less some people have the more they spend

I have done that all my life Ana..all through the 70s when my kids were tiny, I was working p/t, and we got through each month ..just.. and DH worked more than one job to make ends meet. I have been in tough situations and I know plenty of younger people who are active despite difficult personal situations..that is the driver! Poverty and difficult times are not new..sadly!

Yes, admirable.

I got lost somewhere - is this still to do with gifts?

Of course there is nothing wrong at all with disagreeing- or even saying 'yes, I think you are AIBU- hopefully with a reason why.

As several have said, there are ways and ways of doing so. One way is a reasoned disucssion, the other is just plain and simple, unpleasant 'attacks' - as said, by the usual culprits.

It's sad and unpleasant. So be it.

The OP btw is not a problem at all for us personally as grandparents- but was a general statement of concern about the over commercialisation of Christmas, the influence of advertising onn kids- but mainly the pressure put upon parents who have very little, to compete to avoid 'mocking/bullying' for their children- and the debt some families get into which puts massive pressure on them for the rest of the year.

You can't see it, disagree, that is fine. Again, there are ways and ways- as well you know.