Christmas is making me angry!!!

[Shanti]

Sara I hear you.

One xmas my sister wrote me a text message and said "don't worry about presents this year because we're not gonna have much room in our car, so instead just give us some money will do"
Can you believe that?!?!?

I told her to get stuffed and that it was rude to ask for anything!!!! She learnt her lesson

This christmas is great.... it's just me and DH

eta - just buy her something she hasnt asked for haha

[Heaven]

lol Ren, wtf?? I just don't understand some ppl!!

lol, might just have to get some laxatives FJ.

[Shanti]

that was my sister you met.....

[Snowy Love]

Evil thought - I'd keep buying the charity cards till she gets the hint - you know the (real) receipient is going to appreciate it.

Where do people get off telling you how to spend your money?

With my family we're doing the charity thing from now on, but we have to buy stuff for DH's family 'cause they're more materialistic and wouldn't appreciate the charity gifts.

[Meegs]

I am a little disheartened this year as well... We do buy presents for our immediate family, but I really wish we didnt. My in laws are soo ungrateful. I can guarantee that Xmas morning we will get a call from them ( we do not live in the same state) asking if I have kept receipts as they presents do not fit or they have that already or they do not like it etc etc. It really gives me the pips as I always put effort into what i buy...

I too think that the whole spirit of Christmas is lost on a lot of people. Buying just for the sake of buying is ridiculous. We may as well all stand in a room and swap $50 notes!!

[Heaven]

rofl Snowy, I should have ordered the charity things! Now it's too late!

[Phteven]

rofl Snowy, I should have ordered the charity things! Now it's too late!

It's never too late for Oxfam unwrapped. They will email you the card

[christy]

We have an oxfam shop in our Westfield as well where you can get the cards.

[Olive]

we do kris kringle with both sides so 4 presents between DH and i plus DD, makes things much easier and cheaper!

[Heaven]

We're doing that with DHs side. Much easier!!

Why can't everyone be like my Nan?? She sent up some presents for us then she rang and said 'Now don't you dare buy me a present, you have a baby on the way so don't waste your money on me I don't need anything I just bought you something because I enjoy it'. She's the best.

[Meegs]

Your Nana sounds like the pin up girl for Christmas Spirit this year!!!

[Lulu]

How did that NOT rub onto your mum??

[Nelle]

We may as well all stand in a room and swap $50 notes!!

Hahahahaha!

Sucks to have to deal with demanding people hey Sara. I agree that food/hamper thingys are great for people you're not overly fond of (if you've ever received a hamper from me, don't take that the wrong way!!).

Have you decided what to get her? What did she originally want? Perhaps we can help you decide what to get her.

[Heaven]

Lulu- I have no idea what planet she came from. I am more like my Nan.

Nelle- Well I think I've decided to go with the photo idea. Only costs like 50c or something to get a photo printed then I can get a cheap frame from crazy clarks or something, lol. I want to spend as little money as possible on her now because she's so annoying!!

[aussienic]

Just wanted to drop off a Same here.. I dont mind buying for people but I don't want to be expected to..

MIL walked up to me about a month ago and handed me a phote and said "get us this for Xmas" it was a $99 Rocket Blender.,,,, Um hello we have 4 kids.. I don't even spend that much on them.. I found the same thing different brand for $40 so yeh she will get it and no doubt complain it wasn't the right brand..

[MistyFying]

It is hard sometimes I agree. We don't have much money, but we have enough. We also have a budget and we stick to it... sometimes it takes a lot of thought to come up with something that they will enjoy but that also fits the budget. For us, Christmas is all about an expression of love and so the gift giving is just an extension of that (mind you, some of the gifts cost $0).

Even if you plan not to give physical gifts, perhaps there's some other way of expressing love and value to your family? Maybe take the time to sit down and write a letter mentioning all the things you appreciate about them, and their characteristics that you admire (leave out those less admirable )

And I don't think you should be thought any less of (by your relatives) if you have a year where you can't afford to give physical gifts... afterall, the reason behind giving is not so you can get something in return.

I hope you can work something out.

[SamiH]

Isn't christmas supposed to be about the kids, family, and appreciating each other and not the $$$$.

My DH and I buy little something to wrap for under the tree for the kids sake - things I would normally buy though - this year he "bought" me a 2009 calendar, a mini massager thingy and I "bought" him a new hubcap for the other car and some new cables he needed .... again, it is for the kids really cos they get excited when we give each other gifts too ...

Only 3 sleeps ...

[briggsy's girl]

i'm a gift giver - i will find something that is appropriate (cost doesnt' really factor into it as i tend to shop all year, and never pay full price) - i don't go "commercial" - i get something i know the other person will appreciate. my brother is forever saying not to spend money as they can't afford it, and i'm forever saying it's not about the value it's about the thought - i have a DH that lives away, earns ok money - but he's not here so when i need someone to help, my bro jumps to my rescue. Christmas is the one time he has no choice but to accept some sort of thankyou as it's under the tree!

having said that - i've worked all of my adult life - next year, i'll be a SAHM - so money situation will be a bit different - and we'll have to do things differently. we don't expect anything, and if we're asked what we need, we give a list of things that suit all budgets (and by all budgets, i'm talking pretty much zero dollars cos i have said forever i'd prefer a pic of my bro's kids than anything else!) i think it's really rude of anyone to say "get me this" or to say "i want this" and give a brand of product - annoys me no end. my parents will suggest something they're thinking of getting us (this year it was a double deep fryer - wtf???), and if it's something we can't use, we'll find something in a similar price range and suggest it in conversation. i'd prefer to give them ideas (within a budget THEY set) than to get something we won't use (like the hotdog station thingy we got for our wedding - which is still in the box and when it gets unpacked from the storage room, will go to charity - i'm sure SOMEONE can use it!)