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?

[darksideofthemoon]

Hahahaaa  Punch look out for that daughter of yours, I can see her making a self contained flat out of her bedroom given half a chance...  

I wonder if the tiger would eat the pug?

[ashjoma]

My daughter wanted a pony in the front yard and a dolphin in the bath tub a few years ago.

Was very upset when I said a dolphin would not be happy living in the bath tub, and she said she would feed it fish and it would be very happy.

So I said, "where will I get one from" ?

Response " get a truck and drive to Seaworld (well over 1000 km). Put the dolphin in a container on the back of the truck"



Whatever I said, she had an answer for !!!



.

[sandypas]

Personally, I'm not sucked in by anyone.  I love Christmas and I love spoiling our 2 grandchildren (and our 2 children before that - and still do). 

I plan before hand so Christmas is not a strain on our budget and I buy what I hear they would like.  For me, Christmas is all the better for children and seeing their excitement on Christmas Day.

I confer with the parents on our purchases and take mum when clothes shopping so I know they'll be worn.  Our first grand-daughter is 8 months old and I cant resist the pretty clothes around plus the matching accessories!  Our 8yo grandson would like an ipad - we are putting in with his parents for that for his birthday on 18th Jan.  We have bought a new trampoline for Christmas plus lots of other bits and pieces.  The tramp has nets etc so the little one can go in it when she is a little older.  All this because my OH and I love to see their excitement.

Can't wait - I'm all ready plus have all the food except for the fruit and vegies.

[darksideofthemoon]

Way to go Sandy and the best way to enjoy Christmas, all done and dusted and not any mental pressure or guilt by the commercial world....

Way to go 

[azureline**]

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@buzzlightyearsgirlfriend wrote:

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@azureline** wrote:

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.

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In my opinion the Elf on the Shelf  is garbage and another stupid American "tradition" of excess.

Children in our society do not need 24 extra days a year of being entertained by another mythical figure. Just another excuse to spend more $$$$$.

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I made the elves................. the entertainment is derived from 5 mins a day that the children's parents arrange.......... and not every day..........( I don't like the Elf on the Shelf myself, I think he is creepy.)

As a child we had something similar but we couldn't actually see the elf.

Bah humbug!

[azureline**]

I made a rule this year, I have not asked who wants what, they get what I want for them, with their tastes in mind.

A niece asked for money............ she won't be getting it.

[carls*world]

I'm on a $50 each limit this year.

But then, they're not my kids.

And actually, they're not even 'kids' any more.