Sooo who's got sucked in

[darksideofthemoon]

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?

[purple_haize]

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@crystal**flake wrote:

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

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

[imastawka]

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@crystal**flake wrote:

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

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

       

[ten*teeny*tiny*toes]

I prefer to spend the money on birthdays.

[belindabargainhunter]

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.

[azureline**]

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.

[azureline**]

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.

[catsnknots]

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@crystal**flake wrote:

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

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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. 

[belindabargainhunter]

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

[acacia_pycnantha]

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.

[**meep**]

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.