Christmas Spending & the True Spirit of the Season 🎄

[damno]

Parents who boost are doing it all for show on social media. Christmas is persnonal to every single family. Everyone has their own budgets. I remember how much my mum and dad struggled but by god my Xmas memories are amazing and the best times of my childhood!
To me Xmas is all about family and enjoying having everyone together means way more than gifts

 

[sookie]

I’ve luckily never witnessed any parent judging other parents for not spending as much although there can be judgment on others that spend more. I don’t understand the comparison as another family’s situation is of no concern to anyone else. You do you. I have literally witnessed arguments where parents are getting angry because someone chooses to do all presents from Santa rather than just the stocking presents. More money does not equal better memories. It’s the presence not presents that counts.

 

[mvh1992]

@sookie I do all presents from santa

 

[heshani1999]

You'll still see the tone deaf posts about cost and gifts framed as questions. A lot of people have bought completely into the marketing of consumer Christmas. The tide is strong and won't be stopped this year

 

[vannessa405869]

Beautiful post well said

 

[mvh1992]

I never know how much I've spent , I start buying in the January sales for the next year and I buy all year round , if I see something I think someone will like I buy I it makes Christmas alot less stressful

 

[brothertim]

Love this post everybody's situation is different. People have a range of budgets and can afford to spend different amounts. What we spend on our girls will be completely different to someone else! We shouldn't be slamming people for what they buy, it's their business and none else's!!xx

 

[kingsolomonskey]

I spend a lot on my kids....I think it's something deep rooted in me mentally that I'm not doing enough but actually some of my best childhood memories are just being with my family by a thrown together christmas tree, with the 80s style lights and cheap foil ceiling decorations and not much else. I dont know where I got the idea that I need to spend a lot....kids are happy with the memories most of the time. X

 

[lovedforever]

Well said,I've tried to add as much sustainable christmas shopping this year,and have found some lovely presents in charity shops even my 2 grandchildrens advent calenders I've done thrifty charity shop ones,little bits I've bought over the year in charity shops

 

[tonertee]

@lovedforever that’s lovely x

 

[lovedforever]

@tonertee better than expecting a chocolate each day x

 

[kaca]

@lovedforever you know, instead of buying selection boxes at £5 or whatever they cost now for a few bars of chocolate that include something nobody likes, I go to poundland, buy a large gift bag and load it with sweets and chocolate that I know my kids like and they love that instead of selection boxes! I usually do at least £15 worth on “gift bag sweets”.

 

[ricklove]

Well said

 

[luigi203]

I always like these posts because they make me realise how tight I am! We generally spend £100-£150 per child, not because that's what we can afford but because I think that's a fair amount. If there was something specific that cost more then I'd consider that but as a general rule of thumb then we stick to the budget, our children have five aunties, a granny, a nanny and various other friends and family that buy for them so they have plenty. We do lots of stuff throughout the year too, we have mini breaks, go to theme parks and days out all of which cost a small fortune. I do sometimes question myself and wonder if I should up the budget but then I remind myself how lucky the kids are all year round not just at Christmas and I begin to wonder if the people that spend 'ship' loads (as my seven year old would say) of money at Christmas are trying to make up for something.

 

[mlinsk777]

@luigi203 that's not tight at all!! I spent about £50 combined for two kids. Looool

 

[luigi203]

@mlinsk777 I never used to think it was until these posts started popping up! I could spend £1000 each on the boys and they’d still spend Boxing Day on their iPad/tablet so what’s the point?!

 

[moguillemette]

@luigi203 we're exactly the same. I also question myself about whether we are doing the right thing and if my lo will feel they get less in comparrison to their peers. But we try not to be materialistic so that's a value we try to promote.

 

[xyss]

@luigi203 someone on my wace length!

 

[madrone]

@luigi203 I used to fall for the "they can't get less than others nonsense" my budget was £400-500......over the years I came to realise they don't need half the nonsense so I now use at least half that budget on a holiday and days out rather than toys/clothes.

 

[tabamalk]

Absolutely!