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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 ...
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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!)
BellyBelly Member
BG, A double deep frier & a hotdog station?? Do you parents think you are planning to run a sideshow at the next carnival?
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OMG BG I love those one use gadgets LOL DH hates them!!! My BIL loves them too so I get them for him.
I love christmas, I love buying for my family (even though we haven't got much money) I always over spend but then again all my family ILs included expect nothing and are such beautiful people that I like doing it.
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NFI FJ! drives me nuts. because DH had ONE hotdog one day, she assumed we needed a stupid hot dog machine - and because SHE lives on crap, she assumed that my bro and I would want to have deep fryers. it's just gross - they stink, they encourage you to be unhealthy - blurgh!
BG, A double deep frier & a hotdog station?? Do you parents think you are planning to run a sideshow at the next carnival?
i'm being a bit "pointed" this year - getting them a picnic rug to encourage them out of the house occassionally! what a biatch!
BellyBelly Member
LOL good on you!
DH bus me appliences like that though I must admit.
He bought me a deep frier one year. I also have a veg steamer (at least thats healthy) Im sure they ain't the only things like that he has got me. I hate it. If I want something for the kitchen I will go & buy it. If im going to get a present I would prefer it to me something I would like. Not something I can use in the kitchen KWIM... That sounds ungrateful I know LOL
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with my family, i'm happy to get kitchen stuff - if it's appropriate (cos DH and I will buy ourselves what we want during the year with no fear of double ups) - last year we got a slow cooker which we use heaps!
we've decided to do secret santa/KK next year with the adults in the family (there are only four kids, so no biggie there) - it should be a lot easier - esp seeing there are only 7 of us.
SJ - go the photo option - that's the one thing my parents (well my mum) has said she is happy with every year - and next year you can do the photos of bub thing! it's an ongoing thing - each year you can just update photos...
Registered User
Ooohh good point, from now on I will always have good photos for presents!! lol, this bub is definately coming in handy haha.
I am going to do the photo thing coz it's cheap. But I am pee'd off b/c my mum hasn't even ordered or put up any of her own wedding photos from our wedding which was 3 years ago!! All my other family members ordered theirs. So I feel like I shouldn't be giving her one b/c she obviously doesn't care enough to get some. Or then again it could be making a statement like I have noticed she still doesn't have any after 3 years so here's one!!! hmm.... lol
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