Isnt it unreal how much cash you spend over xmas

allandanyways · 14-12-2015 01:25PM

I've had a shít year with depression etc, and am really finding it hard to wrap my head around the concept of Christmas this year. I just can't fathom why we have to spend a heap of money, and go out with people we don't see from one end of the year to the next, just "because it's Christmas".

I'd love to have the type of family that I could buy something small and meaningful for everyone as a gesture, but I'm the eldest of a family of Celtic Tiger cubs, so gifts that are less than €50 are met with a begrudging "Oh, cheers" from my siblings. I won't go out over Christmas cos I hate everything and everyone in my home town, but just the expense of the food, the presents, the travel etc, it's just costing me a shítload of money and I won't get paid for another 6 weeks

(someone get this woman a dose of Christmas cheer, stat)

scdublin · 14-12-2015 01:27PM

I've been avoiding calculating what I've spent between presents, food, decorations etc....I think I'll continue to be happy in my ignorance

14-12-2015 01:27PM

allandanyways wrote: »

(someone get this woman a dose of Christmas cheer, stat)

https://www.facebook.com/celia.turner.10/videos/10152105757856214/

This is one of the funniest things I've watched this year - needs sound!

Gatling · 14-12-2015 02:29PM

So far think some where around the €1500 mark all in including food ,drink,kids pressies and clothes .
Didn't help had our wedding anniversary and wife's birthday two weeks before Christmas too

miezekatze · 14-12-2015 05:36PM

I spent a lot less this year than I did in previous years. I got some really good bargains, plus we are doing kris kindle in my OH's family and my OH and I set a budget for each other. My brother and I don't give each other presents, so in my family I just had to get something for my parents and my niece.

Jaxxy · 14-12-2015 06:32PM

Deleted User wrote: »

https://www.facebook.com/celia.turner.10/videos/10152105757856214/

This is one of the funniest things I've watched this year - needs sound!

That was just brilliant, still laughing. You do you, little girl!

ScumLord · 14-12-2015 07:12PM

Specialun wrote: »

Spent last few days getting presents for all, wine for all cousins and the likes

Well that's where you're going wrong. I'm getting presents for the nephews, everyone else can feck off. The best present people can get me is nothing, then I don't feel like such a prick for not getting them anything.

Galwayguy35 · 14-12-2015 07:52PM

I don't spend that much at all, I've lost contact with anyone i used to be friends with so don't get presents and don't have to buy any.

I can see how it would be expensive for people who have a lot of friends or big families.

The shops are doing well though, the recession seems to be over.

Spanish Eyes · 14-12-2015 09:39PM

Galwayguy35 wrote: »

I don't spend that much at all, I've lost contact with anyone i used to be friends with so don't get presents and don't have to buy any.

I can see how it would be expensive for people who have a lot of friends or big families.

The shops are doing well though, the recession seems to be over.

REAL friends don't want your presents, only your "presence", and I reciprocate every time on that one!

AppleBottle · 14-12-2015 09:48PM

It's certainly an expensive time of the year. I've spent a lot of money and still not finished. I just hope everyone likes their gifts.

suicide_circus · 14-12-2015 10:36PM

If you don't spend a fortune at Christmas, you won't appease Jesus

Sam Kade · 14-12-2015 10:37PM

AppleBottle wrote: »

It's certainly an expensive time of the year. I've spent a lot of money and still not finished. I just hope everyone likes their gifts.

They'll be thrilled opening them, when the novelty wears off they'll store them with the rest of the rubbish.

Sam Kade · 14-12-2015 10:39PM

The_Valeyard wrote: »

Family did Kris Kindle this year. Saves a great deal of money. But yeah, with nieces and nephews it can be very expensive.

Giving presents to nieces and nephews, I hope you haven't too many of them.

shugy · 14-12-2015 10:41PM

Specialun wrote: »

Spent last few days getting presents for all, wine for all cousins and the likes

I know xmas is just the once a yr but its unreal how much we all spend. I was in smyths today and some had 2 trollys full up with toys

Id say so far im in the hole for about 500.

You spent much AH

Im touching 5k

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1 · 14-12-2015 10:53PM

I enjoy spending at Christmas as it's a good excuse to spend on, and help, others that wouldn't accept the offer at other times.

I'll spend about 6000 this year but it's all relative to our means. I'm lucky that I'll not accrue any debt as a result.

boobar · 14-12-2015 10:57PM

I used to buy for everyone in my family, brothers, sisters, their kids, their partners...cost a bloody fortune and no one seemed grateful.

Now I buy for the Mrs and my kid, this year I've spent a grand on them, don't mind a bit..they deserve a treat.

looksee · 14-12-2015 11:05PM

Deleted User wrote: »

https://www.facebook.com/celia.turner.10/videos/10152105757856214/

This is one of the funniest things I've watched this year - needs sound!

I've just watched that and have tears running down my face, hilarious!

fleet_admiral · 14-12-2015 11:14PM

Ive spent a few hundred so far and will probably spend around 200 next week on the food shop

charlietheminxx · 15-12-2015 09:43AM

About €550 on presents so far, I'll be spending another €200 this Friday when I get paid. Plus we did a massive grocery shop week which was another €200. I love Christmas though, I am broke but I love giving gifts and I wouldn't have it any other way.

fussyonion · 15-12-2015 10:02AM

Yep, all adds up.
I always start buying presents at the start of November; I hit Amazon for the online pressies and then for the next few weeks I head out to the shops and get the rest.

The trick is to make a list of everyone's names and what you're getting them; I find that once you've got that done, then the shopping bit is easy.

I'm a good bargain hunter though and a lot of what I buy from Amazon are old DVDs/CDs that are going for pennies.
For books and stuff, Bookstation is a lot cheaper than Easons, etc.
Anyway, if you spread the cost, it's manageable.

Frynge · 15-12-2015 10:51AM

shugy wrote: »

Im touching 5k

5k, what an unusual name.

Sh1tbag OToole · 15-12-2015 10:52AM

The_Valeyard wrote: »

Family did Kris Kindle this year. Saves a great deal of money. But yeah, with nieces and nephews it can be very expensive.

Amazamazon will be delighted

PandaPoo · 15-12-2015 05:45PM

I'd say I'm down a grand at least. I wouldn't do it if I didn't want to though. Loads of nieces and nephews, godchildren, friends kids, loads of relatives that have been really good to us, both our parents, close friends, neighbours, etc then our two kids.

I'm literally shaking with excitement for this year, going to visit santa in Armpits on Saturday.

Asmooh · 15-12-2015 05:46PM

i wont be spending everything at xmas

snubbleste · 15-12-2015 05:59PM

PandaPoo wrote: »

I'm literally shaking with excitement for this year, going to visit santa in Armpits on Saturday.

Ye wha'?

PandaPoo · 15-12-2015 06:03PM

snubbleste wrote: »

Ye wha'?

Oops, I meant Arnotts!

Badly Drunk Boy · 15-12-2015 06:34PM

The_Valeyard wrote: »

Family did Kris Kindle this year. Saves a great deal of money. But yeah, with nieces and nephews it can be very expensive.

We did that for a few years but last year we didn't do presents at all. We just got presents for the nieces and nephew, and a relatively moderate value was set for them.

15-12-2015 06:40PM

Badly Drunk Boy wrote: »

We did that for a few years but last year we didn't do presents at all. We just got presents for the nieces and nephew, and a relatively moderate value was set for them.

We changed to doing kris kindle between myself, my parents and siblings the last year or two but we preferred everyone buying for everyone so we went back that again this year like we used to always do. Yeah it's a bit more expensive but you also get more presents too and have the extra excitement of it.

From reading the thread I can see one big expense I don't have compared to others and that's food. The house at home will be full to the rafters with stuff and topped up when needed including all the Christmas Day food so aside from a taco fries or a burger after the pub I don't really spend anything on food over the two weeks of Christmas.

MadDog76 · 15-12-2015 06:45PM

Specialun wrote: »

Spent last few days getting presents for all, wine for all cousins and the likes

I know xmas is just the once a yr but its unreal how much we all spend. I was in smyths today and some had 2 trollys full up with toys

Id say so far im in the hole for about 500.

You spent much AH

500? Sat down with my wife last night to discuss how much she has spent on Christmas to date ....... "about €4,000 so far ......." she says ......... it's the "so far" bit that worries me!

But f*ck it, it's Christmas!!

French_Girl · 17-12-2015 12:25AM

MadDog76 wrote:

500? Sat down with my wife last night to discuss how much she has spent on Christmas to date ....... "about â‚¬4,000 so far ......." she says ......... it's the "so far" bit that worries me!

MadDog76 wrote:

But f*ck it, it's Christmas!!

Money, money, money. Must be funny. In the rich man's world.

Isnt it unreal how much cash you spend over xmas

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