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?

[***super_nova***]

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@acacia_pycnantha wrote:

Well it involves education.

Once we understand the mechanics and the ploys of advertising for example, those adverts cease to have an effect on us.

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I was actually quite surprised how early my daughter understood all that - sometimes between 4 and 6, when her best friends from next door were getting every toy that was the hit of the week; crawling baby, **bleep** baby, vomiting baby or whatever stupid idea somebody had.  These toys were played with for a week, then they either broke or the kids got sick of them.  My daughter had a collection of lovely dolls  including some limited edition and hand made China (still have them now somewhere) and she valued them.  Her friends also got every junk snack and sweets advertised, but by that age my daughter already understood that some food is not good for you and will rot your teeth - I think I told her "if they advertise it, it's bad for you".  When she started school it got lot easier as we sent her to Rudolf Steiner school and no junk food was a rule there.

[***super_nova***]

Sorry but I cannot imagine anything more boring than having to go shopping for some $2 **bleep** and then on Xmas day coming home with bag full similar unwanted "pressies" that would go straight into a bin.  I'd rather give the money to UNICEF.   I am not interested in dressing like a reindeer and  I certainly do not want champagne in the morning. 

We have lovely relaxing day with food suitable for hot Australian day = salads, sea food and cold meat, plenty of fruit and various  cheeses, the only Xmas food we have is pudding later in the evening.  I do not need $500 present  to feel loved and appreciated;  being together & preparing the food together is all I need. 

[lurker17260]

I remember getting an orange in my Santa sack! And a blown up balloon! (my mum was a single mum doing it tough)

These days I don't feel I'm "sucked in" but then I also don't have little people around. We get one large present for each of the "boys" probably up to about $200 - 300. And a couple of little things, maybe socks and jocks or similar.
I do buy a lot for my mum, sisters and their families though. They still all get together in NZ on Christmas Day and its a way for me feeling like I am included. We have discussed not exchanging gifts but my argument is that I don't care if they send nothing, I will continue to give stuff because to me it feels like I'm kind involved in some small way.

[daydream**believer]

I usually spend about $200 on each kid.

This year was because i had done all my Chrissy shopping and was then informed that daughter must have an ipad for high school next year. So that was an extra $550 on top of her $200

[fourandsixpants]

ref. supernova

Sorry but I cannot imagine anything more boring than having to go shopping for some $2 **bleep** and then on Xmas day coming home with bag full similar unwanted "pressies" that would go straight into a bin.  I'd rather give the money to UNICEF.   I am not interested in dressing like a reindeer and  I certainly do not want champagne in the morning.

We have lovely relaxing day with food suitable for hot Australian day = salads, sea food and cold meat, plenty of fruit and various  cheeses, the only Xmas food we have is pudding later in the evening.  I do not need $500 present  to feel loved and appreciated;  being together & preparing the food together is all I need.

...............................................................................................................................................................................................................

LOL super nova!!!!!! ever heard of having some harmless, silly 'fun'?......thought not.

Who says a $2 present cannot be something really FANTASTIC....and something useful.....even 'wanted'?

If someone gifts you a $500 pressie - I'll have it BTW !!! I need these sorts of pressies LOL

I don't want anybody in my kitchen when I'm prepping - OK?   ........

[lobs211]

YAY!! I am sooooooooo sucked in - love it!

They only little for such a short time so I am totally sucked in and I proud of it 🙂

I will spend every cent I have and it dont worry me one bit

YAY!!

[ashjoma]

I hope not

I requested that I not receive anything, as I have enough stuff.

Miss 11 wants  a few things, but she  got  to see Taylor Swift last week as part of Xmas, 

so she will get 2 Finding Bigfoot DVD's and a Finding Bigfoot Book, and some underwear

Master 13 - his dad bought him a laptop

MAster 14 - not sure what his Dad bought him but I will get some iTunes voucher and $50

I said to hubby that if he has to get me something, get bags of Basmati rice, and I will donate that to

Doggie Rescue in Sydney

I will also make a donation to  BARC Bali dog rescue for Xmas.  I already sponsor  and make donations when I can

so will make another donation for Xmas

.

[kengillard]

Is that, or was that, Monikas Doggie Rescue?

[green.fields]

Sucked in? No.....I do however only have one son so I spend about $150 ea on him and his wife. The grandies (2) I do not count the $$$ but do try not to go overboard, I leave that to their other grandparents. This year hubby and I are building them a cubby house (read mansion, lol. No not really) and no it is not costing anywhere near the $1800 or so that they are to buy. Hubby tells me we are not buying for each other, ok, I will buy for myself, lol.

We do not buy for any other extended family but as we are having hubbys family over before Christmas I have bought lots of $2 stuff for a bit of fun. Brother in law remarked "Oh junk". It actually is not junk, I was careful buying and I'd be surprised if any end up in landfill.

To those that turn their nose up I say we need a bit of fun in life, laugh a little, why be a misery. It is what you make of it, you can be sucked in or not.

[izabsmiling]

I'm not even going to say what we do and don't do,how much or how little we spend

and have what  Christmas means to my family judged,weighed up and possibly cheapened by other people who can do Christmas (or not) as pleases them.