topic Re: Sooo who's got sucked in in Community Spirit

Sooo who's got sucked in

darksideofthemoon — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 06:39:38 GMT

and spending megga bucks on their kids?

You know, it's a real off put thing isn't it or am I wrong?

I was born before WWII and so Christmas was a bit on the lean side, although my mother made beautiful presents for me. One year I found Father Christmas had left me a pink Tutu with a wand that had a sparkly star and a crown with a sparkly star.... I was about 5.

Another year when I was older I received a watch. 'Santa' (my mother) had to laybuy it so it would be paid off for Christmas.. I was about twelve and even today it happily keeps time

Now Christmas for me is waiting for my family to finally sell their property in Queensland and move down here to Tasmania. We have waited three years, and since I have not seen my son more than three times in the last 18 years you can imagine how much I want to share a Christmas with him and his family....

So have you been sucked in to believing you have to buy up big for the kids or do you keep within your means?

Re: Sooo who's got sucked in

love*today — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 06:59:13 GMT

Very other year we have. Our children only get presents on their birthday and at Xmas, so we made it a big event for them with gifts.
Now that their older and not into nasty under quality toys that break within months, we decided this year only one small present to unwrap on the day,,,,like jewellery or a book. And instead of wasting money on commercialism **bleep** we are taking a family holiday.
My New thing is that memories with the family are worth more than what Xmas has become these days 😕

Re: Sooo who's got sucked in

shoptilludroptara — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 07:10:44 GMT

usually i go all out

but with the selective high school fees and extras i had to pay last week

plus all the expensive uniforms to buy in jan 2014 and the year 6 formal next week

i had to be more realistic and cut it down

my 11 year old girl gets a new computor chair(the back on old one snapped)

a new graphics pad as she loves to draw and the last one stopped working

and something online she needed for a game(around $60-)

my middle son 21 gets a new graphics card thats over $250-

my oldest son 27 lives away and earns heaps so i just give him $50-

then i spend about $60- on my mum and the same on my dad

and i have several teachers gifts already i brought a bulk lot of same item for ladies

and thats me done for the year lol

and im broke again lol

tara

Re: Sooo who's got sucked in

icyfroth — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 07:14:18 GMT

Not me I think. (well maybe a bit).

I don't have littlies any more so I gift money in a card and a small stocking filler style of gift which I send in one parcel to Mackay.

Any other kiddies in the family, I just give money ($20) in a card.

Re: Sooo who's got sucked in

***super_nova*** — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 07:18:26 GMT

We stopped giving each other presents years ago; we just have a lovely family day with beautiful food and good wine. Now, that there are grand kids it is bit different, but they also only get some good quality toys that they really want, and I have to admit I did got bit carried away with books. Might even save some for later; I just love really nice well illustrated kids books 🙂

Re: Sooo who's got sucked in

ten*teeny*tiny*toes — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 07:19:08 GMT

Not yet...because I haven't started. OMG

I thrive on the last minute panic.

But I am going cheap this year so there

Re: Sooo who's got sucked in

crystal**flake — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 08:20:13 GMT

About $500 each but that is for one quality pressie.

Re: Sooo who's got sucked in

buzzlightyearsgirlfriend — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 08:27:17 GMT

I work very hard and put in a lot of overtime so I can make a nice Xmas for my kids.

They don't get "stuff" during the year except for their birthdays and they never nag me for anything, so I get them a boat load of stuff at Xmas.

Have done some awesome shopping in the last 24 hours.

Re: Sooo who's got sucked in

imastawka — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 08:33:05 GMT

@crystal**flake wrote:
About $500 each but that is for one quality pressie.

I'm up for adoption...please....pretty please....

Re: Sooo who's got sucked in

purple_haize — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 08:34:12 GMT

My two grandies parents and hubby and me put in to buy a very good quality springless trampoline, the eldest 9yrs. has always wanted one and Isla my 3yr old granddaughter was born with hip dysplasia and the hip still isnt right and the orthopediac surgeon suggested a trampoline would help to strengthen her muscles, so that was the other reason for getting it.

Hubby and me bought Oliver a scooter and Isla a doll & doll clothes, have no idea what their parents bought them, but I know they are only getting one other present each from them.

So, I dont think that is too bad.

Re: Sooo who's got sucked in

purple_haize — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 08:35:48 GMT

@crystal**flake wrote:
About $500 each but that is for one quality pressie.

That is alot of money to spend on each...

Re: Sooo who's got sucked in

imastawka — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 08:38:23 GMT

@crystal**flake wrote:
About $500 each but that is for one quality pressie.

I got you a really nice hat. It suits you, look

Re: Sooo who's got sucked in

ten*teeny*tiny*toes — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 08:38:41 GMT

I prefer to spend the money on birthdays.

Re: Sooo who's got sucked in

belindabargainhunter — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 09:34:41 GMT

How much do u think is the right amount. I have spent about the same. I do get little thoughts in my head saying maybe its to much when shopping but can't help myself I just see things the kids will love.
The only thing I can say is I never pay credit everything is money I have put away in the year.

Re: Sooo who's got sucked in

azureline** — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 10:12:17 GMT

For the last 10 years, we have always spent a lot on gifts for the grandchildren and children. This year we (I) decided that we were cutting back. They all have everything they need, or could want and I don't want to contribute to the excess anymore.(and I am over shopping)

So, I made dresses, shorts, skirts and passport wallets for the girls.

The boys got pj's and a Planes pillow and marble mazes that I made.

Re: Sooo who's got sucked in

azureline** — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 10:13:19 GMT

woops, I also made them an elf for each family................to watch them behave for santa's visit.They are having a lot of fun with the shelf elves.

Re: Sooo who's got sucked in

catsnknots — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 10:26:15 GMT

@crystal**flake wrote:
About $500 each but that is for one quality pressie.

yep.. I am usually close to that mark but like you for specific gifts that are usually one that is desired.

This year they will only be getting cash of about $150 each. One wants to go to Japan and one is going traveling with his Dad so cash is the best gift idea.

Re: Sooo who's got sucked in

belindabargainhunter — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 11:03:03 GMT

Yeh that's what I think it should be like. I need to start doing that sort of thing. Thank you for the ideas

Re: Sooo who's got sucked in

acacia_pycnantha — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 11:28:57 GMT

I stopped getting sucked in to this commerce-driven hype years ago.

In the past, Christmas was more of a religious festival, given over to quiet contemplation.

I think it began to become commercialised in Victorian times with the fashion for giving Christmas cards.

It really kicked off with the advertising of that jolly bearded fat man in a red suit in the Coca Cola promotions, and from there it all went downhill so that people feel held to ransom to spend lots in the shops for gifts, lest they appear to be mean.

Gotta love a successful advertising campaign, don't you?

meanwhile, I'll look out in Coles where last year, just after Christmas, I saw Easter eggs for sale right alongside the post-Christmas sale of Christmas things.

I'll take a pic and post it here for you if I see it again this year.

Re: Sooo who's got sucked in

**meep** — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 12:03:56 GMT

i'm like Buzz. Dont spend much during the year so i dont mind giving something special for Christmas. I don't see it as getting sucked in, to me it is a tradition that i am happy to keep.