[Kizzy]

I have done in the past yes, I don't do that now thankfully.

[Vicky.]

My kids aren't even into electronics and stuff yet and I am fairly sure its going to be at least 500 between them needed for a few decent presents. FFS the new sea patroller thing seems to be 80 quid. For a lump of useless plastic but James will be heartbroken if he doesn't get it so suck it up I must do

[Cal.]

If I had kiddies then yes. Otherwise no I'd be honest with the people I was buying gifts for and I'm sure they'd rather me not get into debt than me buy them a gift and if they didn't understand then they weren't worth getting gifts for in the first place!

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Cal.

If I had kiddies then yes. Otherwise no I'd be honest with the people I was buying gifts for and I'm sure they'd rather me not get into debt than me buy them a gift and if they didn't understand then they weren't worth getting gifts for in the first place!

Exactly and you can just say, I'm broke this year lets not buy eachother anything or just decide to buy eachother a novelty gift or something

[Cal.]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

Exactly and you can just say, I'm broke this year lets not buy eachother anything or just decide to buy eachother a novelty gift or something

Yep!

Me and my friends all have our money wrapped up (lol!) in other things this year with driving lessons and saving for uni and cars and stuff so we've all agreed to leave the presents this year. It's harder for me too because I don't have a specific group of friends. I have lots of groups of friends so even Secret Santa wouldn't be cheap for me because I'd still end up buying 3/4 people for every group of friends. I'm only buying my mum and dad a bit of something this year but obviously they expect something thoughtful, not expensive. I'm doing a photo album of their lives together thus far and leaving loads of room for them to continue it themselves.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Cal.

Yep!

Me and my friends all have our money wrapped up (lol!) in other things this year with driving lessons and saving for uni and cars and stuff so we've all agreed to leave the presents this year. It's harder for me too because I don't have a specific group of friends. I have lots of groups of friends so even Secret Santa wouldn't be cheap for me because I'd still end up buying 3/4 people for every group of friends. I'm only buying my mum and dad a bit of something this year but obviously they expect something thoughtful, not expensive. I'm doing a photo album of their lives together thus far and leaving loads of room for them to continue it themselves.

aww that's really cute Cal and yeah I'd definitely prefer a pressie like that that some time and thought went into

[Cal.]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

aww that's really cute Cal and yeah I'd definitely prefer a pressie like that that some time and thought went into

It must be hard as your kids get older to get what they want out of them. My mum is practically badgering me now because she's almost finished my sister's and she hasn't started mine because she doesn't know what I want but I actually don't want anything

[caprimint]

Originally Posted by Cal.

I'm doing a photo album of their lives together thus far and leaving loads of room for them to continue it themselves.

That's a really nice idea Once for my mom I got a photo frame and put in pictures of her with me, my dad, her parents and some of her friends/family and I think it was legit one of her favourite gifts ever.

[GoldHeart]

Originally Posted by Gusto Brunt

I know someone who is taking out a £700 loan to buy Christmas presents.

Dunno if she'll pay it back on time, or the interest rate.

But it wouldn't be me. I don't have much money anyway, but I wouldn't borrow money for presents. It's insane putting yourself in debt to buy gifts.

Madness. What do you think.

It's completely nuts .

I wouldn't put myself in debt for anyone not even family just for Christmas presents .

I think people get too carried away at Christmas, it's nice buying gifts but if you can't afford the items then don't buy them .

I know parents want to treat their kids but it's always taken to the extreme to the point where the kids become spoilt.

I remember on telly there was a mother who over spent so much presents on her kids you couldn't even see the Christmas tree it was like a huge mountain of wrapping papers .

I think best thing to do is save up money instead of taking out a silly loan . But don't go crazy .

[Crimson Dynamo]

Originally Posted by GoldHeart

It's completely nuts .

I wouldn't put myself in debt for anyone not even family just for Christmas presents .

I think people get too carried away at Christmas, it's nice buying gifts but if you can't afford the items then don't buy them .

I know parents want to treat their kids but it's always taken to the extreme to the point where the kids become spoilt.

I remember on telly there was a mother who over spent so much presents on her kids you couldn't even see the Christmas tree it was like a huge mountain of wrapping papers .

I think best thing to do is save up money instead of taking out a silly loan . But don't go crazy .

How much would you say you spend on presents this year?

[GoldHeart]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

How much would you say you spend on presents this year?

That's a personal question that I'm not answering . I could ask you the same question?.
But I would never put myself in debt .

[Crimson Dynamo]

Originally Posted by GoldHeart

That's a personal question that I'm not answering . I could ask you the same question?.
But I would never put myself in debt .

yeah and you dont have kids either so not sure how you can answer

id like to see you giving a 10 year old a food blender on xmas day instead of a PS4

because its "practical"

[GoldHeart]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

yeah and you dont have kids either so not sure how you can answer

id like to see you giving a 10 year old a food blender on xmas day instead of a PS4

because its "practical"

bloody food blender for a 10 year old ???? Omg don't be ridiculous .

When I say practical I mean something they can use over and over again like a laptop that's what I meant by practical !! . Omg I can't believe you thought I meant food appliances .

Plus I never said theres anything wrong with getting a PS4 but that's an expensive treat and that should be the main gift , rather than going over board with other expensive stuff . There's nice stocking fillers that kids will enjoy to add to the PS4 .

[bots]

even leaving aside the commercial pressures at Christmas, there can be huge emotional pressures too. What if you have a very ill child, we don't live in an a world where its easy to be strong and say no

[GoldHeart]

Originally Posted by bitontheslide

even leaving aside the commercial pressures at Christmas, there can be huge emotional pressures too. What if you have a very ill child, we don't live in an a world where its easy to be strong and say no

Yes pressure is there and emotions but what about the important things at Christmas that money can't buy , like family time, watching Christmas TV and enjoying the day itself , eating festive food . Listening to Christmas songs.
Everything isn't about presents and money .

And if you want to treat your kid then buy them one or 2 big presents that they'll actually appreciate and then stocking fillers for them to also enjoy.

And kids usually don't really need or want all the things they write in Christmas lists as they just get carried away and caught up in the whole commercial side .

And I think practical gifts are better as well rather than a million toys that will get broken .

[Drew.]

I used to get stressed out when i was low on money and Christmas/Birthdays came around, spending money stresses me out anyway, i'm a tight bastard really. But Christmas is pretty much the only time of the year when i don't mind spending some, its the only time i really ever put thought into buying things for people, especially my mum so its nice to treat her a bit.

Past few years i've saved up for Christmas so it's been a lot less stressful but i'd never leave myself in debt over it. If i was in a position where it'd leave me in debt i'm pretty sure my family and close friends would understand if i wasn't able to buy much or anything at all and if someone else was in that position i'd probably be angry if they spent money on me and i was the reason for them being in debt.

[Vicky.]

A laptop and a PS4 are pretty much the same price tbh. Infact for a half decent laptop the laptop will likely be more expensive.

I tend to get a couple of big presents and then some littler things. Just so they have a bit to open tbh otherwise its all done in a few seconds But even without electronics, christmas is pretty expensive when you have young kids. Evey year I say I will buy presents earlier or start saving, every year I fail and start getting stressed by about now

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

A laptop and a PS4 are pretty much the same price tbh. Infact for a half decent laptop the laptop will likely be more expensive.

I tend to get a couple of big presents and then some littler things. Just so they have a bit to open tbh otherwise its all done in a few seconds But even without electronics, christmas is pretty expensive when you have young kids. Evey year I say I will buy presents earlier or start saving, every year I fail and start getting stressed by about now

It's a bit difficult to buy presents earlier with young kids as they change their minds and the "must have" present doesn't make itself known until about October time

[Jason.]

If I know I can't afford Christmas presents, then I won't buy any or I'll just buy smaller presents.

I'm sure my family would understand and I would too if somebody else I knew was in that position. If they simply don't care and want you to go into debt just so they have something flashy to open for themselves, they're not worth a dime as far as I'm concerned.

Obviously it's different when you're a parent and you want to please the kids, but then that should be an all year-round thing. I think children would understand too when they're a bit older.

[GoldHeart]

Originally Posted by Jason.

If I know I can't afford Christmas presents, then I won't buy any or I'll just buy smaller presents.

I'm sure my family would understand and I would too if somebody else I knew was in that position. If they simply don't care and want you to go into debt just so they have something flashy to open for themselves, they're not worth a dime as far as I'm concerned.

Obviously it's different when you're a parent and you want to please the kids, but then that should be an all year-round thing. I think children would understand too when they're a bit older.

Exactly

[Tom4784]

**** no.

[Jake.]

Nah, dealt with debt at home first hand and it isn’t pretty

[LukeB]

depends on the situation really

if it's for family and friends then no but for kids then yes

[y.winter]

So basically buying yourself a debt for Christmas? A very... festive way of doing wrong.
People will survive without ANOTHER gift.

[DemolitionRed]

I've never bought my kids much for Xmas because my parents and in-laws compete in the present buying. When they were little, we did car boot sales and charity shops and they were just as delighted... played with the toy for five minutes and never really looked at it again.

I'm a firm believer that Christmas is not all about presents. Don't get me wrong, presents are nice but we don't need twenty or thirty things or things that cost hundreds of pounds to make our children happy. My eldest son told me recently that his childhood Christmases were really special, so we must have been doing something right.

My parents have bought each of our children a half gold sovereign every birthday which wasn't appreciated by them when they were little but once they were old enough to understand its accumulating worth, they were very happy. If they wanted a PlayStation or a xbox, they came to us and discussed selling a coin or two. They had to take some responsibility for owning expensive things.

As Livia says, doing a secret santa is fun and meaningful. We do this with the adults in our family. We all know who we are buying for and we all have a set amount. I think its the thought that counts.