Do you feel you have to spend money on Christmas.

I have to say I never really did, maybe its because I had girls and they never wanted expensive presents from Santa, Christmas is always great in our house but we never spent a lot of money on it.

FullblownRose

I tend to buy things throughout the year because i know they'll benefit people at the time, so it's spread out rather than a yearly blow-out. Christmas kind of takes me by surprise then, though!

ancapailldorcha

No. I tell people not to get me anything to relieve myself of the obligation.

I like getting things for people that I think they'll love and use, so it's not really a "have to"

hfallada

It's the people without money who feel like they have to spend. They also feel like they need to to spend €400 on a communion dress with a loan from the credit union. Also a hummer is a must for going to the debs. The wealthy don't spend money for the sake of spending money. Where as lower classes tend to.

In my family we don't feel the need to buy **** for each other for the sake of it being Christmas. Where as we buy things that each of us need throughout the year

Tarzana2

Just had to pay €170 to get an ultrasound so it's socks all round this year!

ScumLord

I give my nephews the gift of learning about communism. I think they're a lost cause though, they can't resist the temptations of the pig dog society.

Akrasia

I've got 3 kids, my brother also has 3 kids.

This year I said to him that we should just buy gifts for our own children because it was getting out of hand, the kids get overwhelmed on christmas morning, it's expensive, and our house gets filled with rubbish afterthought toys that never get played with.

I was called scrooge and he is still gonna buy toys for our kids meaning we have to buy them something in return

On top of this, we also got dragged into buying toys for my brothers sister in law's kids and my wife's friends kids because they're gonna buy something for our kids so we have to get them something for theirs

In my day, christmas was a gift from Santa, and something from Mammy and Daddy, none of this craic that goes on today.

The idea of giving presents is lovely, but for small children, it overwhelms them and I've seen the sweetest little children go into meltdown because of the constant parade of presents for them to open

Tarzana2

So much reference to the 'lower classes' on AH and in life generally lately. Do people actually not realise how cúntish they sound?

Meathlass

Instead of buying presents for all those kids @Akrasia, why don't you and your partner buy something the whole family can enjoy instead of individual presents e.g. a board game, family pass for some leisure centre or heritage site etc.

It'll probably work out a bit cheaper and will mean more to them. I wouldn't buy anything for the brother's sister in law's kids - that's ridiculous.

I'll get a few small presents for my immediate family (siblings and parents only). I might get something for my friend's children but only because they're small and they're not that many of them. I'll contribute money to my mum to put into the pot for Christmas dinner and I'll spend a small fortune on myself - clothes, going out and drink.

King George VI

In my house it's not about how much we spend, it's about what you buy. Like my mother got my favourite old watched fixed. I loved that watch but the strap broke and I was terribly pissed off. I never got around to fixing it so last week she decided to have it repaired and gave it to me as a present. It probably didn't cost a great deal but it meant something to me. She also got me two guitar cables because she always sees me angry when I break mine.

Last Christmas I bought my brother an old Playstation 2. We used to spend hours a day playing Abe's Odyssee or Hitman 2 or something like that. It's a very fond memory we both have of our childhood. He started unwrapping the present expecting a new expensive XBox or some ****e like that, but was ecstatic when he seen a cheap oul PS2 that cost me €30 instead. Every now and then we play Abe over a few beers and get all nostalgic.

Little things like these that are inexpensive but have thought put into them. That's what really means Christmas for my family.

Meathlass

Meathlass wrote: »

Instead of buying presents for all those kids @Akrasia, why don't you and your partner buy something the whole family can enjoy instead of individual presents e.g. a board game, family pass for some leisure centre or heritage site etc.

It'll probably work out a bit cheaper and will mean more to them. I wouldn't buy anything for the brother's sister in law's kids - that's ridiculous.

Agreed.
Or stick it into a post office account on their behalf if they don't have one already

EazyD

Tarzana2 wrote: »

So much reference to the 'lower classes' on AH and in life generally lately. Do people actually not realise how cúntish they sound?

On AH, your income=class. It's pretty pathetic.

cloud493

I don't, but I'm stingy most of the year, so I like to treat the small amount of people in my life I care about in my life.

Shenshen

Not really. I'm that odd type that tends to make most of the presents I give myself.

Jewellery or knitted things for my female friends, homemade plum liqeur for my male friends, jam for those of them who I know love it, and tons of homemade German christmas biscuits for all.

I'm kind of lucky that I don't really have any children to consider, but I'll be buying a few presents to put under the SVP giving tree we've got up at work.

Tarzana2

Shenshen wrote: »

and tons of homemade German christmas biscuits for all.

Hey shenshen, me ol' pal, we're buds, right? G'wan, make me a load of German Xmas biscuits there, love. Ah go on. :P;)

anncoates

I like to spend money at Christmas and to treat myself and the people close to me.

Shenshen

Tarzana2 wrote: »

Hey shenshen, me ol' pal, we're buds, right? G'wan, make me a load of German Xmas biscuits there, love. Ah go on. :P;)

Nice try :P

I've got 4 boxes full at home right now, and they're all spoken for already.
Next weekend I'll be trying my hand at making chocolates - salted caramel ones and pistacchio ones.

The Backwards Man

I haven't bought anyone a Christmas present in about 15 years.

anncoates

The Backwards Man wrote: »

I haven't bought anyone a Christmas present in about 15 years.

Your campaign to actually become Patrick Kavanagh continues apace.

The Backwards Man

anncoates wrote: »

Your campaign to actually become Patrick Kavanagh continues apace.

Fcuk off Tiny Tim!:pac:


At least they had stony soil in Monaghan, we just have stones.

Sleepy

Yep. There's loads of people I'd love to have the "lets not waste money buying ****e for each other" conversation with but unfortunately they're not the type who'd go for it...

I have enough material things. If there's something I really want, it'll either be way too expensive to ask anyone to get me (a new car, a holiday, a house etc.) or I'll have picked it up for myself at some stage during the year.

There are some people though that I love buying presents for: my wife, kids, niece etc. and while I tend to go more for "thoughtful" than "expensive", I can rarely stick to my budget for them.

Graces7

No apart from a little festive fare similar to what many would spend at a weekend or a night out.. We dont give presents.

But I love it that I can sell my work at craft fairs for folk to give as gifts... Yesterday the little Christmas bells I knit and small soft toys sold out.. every cent goes to family feeding babies in India...

I live the traditions but they cost nothing these days,, will sit in the Cathedral by the Christmas garden in utter peace.

Graces7

No apart from a little festive fare similar to what many would spend at a weekend or a night out.. We dont give presents.

But I love it that I can sell my work at craft fairs for folk to give as gifts... Yesterday the little Christmas bells I knit and small soft toys sold out.. every cent goes to family feeding babies in India...

I live the traditions but they cost nothing these days,, will sit in the Cathedral by the Christmas garden in utter peace.

Tar.Aldarion

I like to get people things that they will like, if it costs a lot or not doesn't matter as long as i can reasonably pay for it. Something they wouldn't get themselves but would want.
Family are very lazy these days, its more like gimme some money or I want this or that.

uch

I'm a miserable Bollix, I buy the Kids & My Missus a gift, everyone else can píss off

The One Doctor

This Xmas is unusual for us as our first child is due on Christmas day. This means that I don't give a **** about Xmas, having far more important things to keep us busy. My brother has forced us to do a €50 Kris Kringle and I know I'll get something crappy like aftershave. Frankly I want to spend as little as possible as both of us will be unemployed, and with half our SW payments going on rent, €50 presents seem a bit superfluous.

Gael23

Well you must only spend what you can afford. But yes I think you do have to spend money to enjoy Christmas.

nilsonmickey

I think it's a load of horse ****. I did all my shopping online this year so at least avoided the shops

hfallada

Tarzana2 wrote: »

So much reference to the 'lower classes' on AH and in life generally lately. Do people actually not realise how cúntish they sound?

There is a social divide in Ireland, whether we like to admit it or not. Some people like talk **** about the "rich", its considered ok. But when the role is reversed they are considered *****?

There is a large amount of people in Ireland, you have literally worked their ass off since they were since 16 to get into a good college and worked hard through college to get to where they are in life now. But its perfectly acceptable to bash the hard working wealthy people Ireland. But yet you cant make a comment with someone from a lower economic background than yourself without being called a snob

onethreefive

I won't be spending much because I don't have much to spend. In my house we don't really do presents etc we just buy more junk food :P

Tarzana2

hfallada wrote: »

There is a social divide in Ireland, whether we like to admit it or not. Some people like talk **** about the "rich", its considered ok. But when the role is reversed they are considered *****?

There is a large amount of people in Ireland, you have literally worked their ass off since they were since 16 to get into a good college and worked hard through college to get to where they are in life now. But its perfectly acceptable to bash the hard working wealthy people Ireland. But yet you cant make a comment with someone from a lower economic background than yourself without being called a snob

"Lower class" has connotations greater than simply being from a lower income socioeconomic background, as I'm sure you well know.

Talking about one's wealth is, ironically, completely classless.

Letree

Hundreds

NotASheeple

mariaalice wrote: »

Do you feel you have to spend money on Christmas.

Once upon a time yes, but not any longer.

Venus In Furs

Want to rather than have to. And whatever I can afford. People who care about you won't want you to be spending beyond your means.