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Christmas Stress
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
in General Chat
Does anyone find buying stuff stressful at Christmas? Never mind the queues in shops, decorating the house without it looking too tacky or too underdone or your granny getting pissed and making a tit of herself (the old flase teeth trick)
But nowadays you have to work out what to buy without looking like a cheapskate. I think anything less than £20 (e.g. giving a HMV voucher) looks miserly (which is bad because I am a student = poor) What would you consider cheap?
But nowadays you have to work out what to buy without looking like a cheapskate. I think anything less than £20 (e.g. giving a HMV voucher) looks miserly (which is bad because I am a student = poor) What would you consider cheap?
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I am in a good position financially at the moment so I have spent quite a bit on my people (and I am only buying for 4). But it doesn't matter how much I have spent as I know that my presents are things that they will all appreciate and enjoy.
And if people think Im being "cheap" with my presents then they dont deserve me spending my money on them in the first place.
Im guilty of going overboard at Christmas with my presents though, not because I feel like I need to buy expensive things, I just like to spoil my nearest and dearest.
which reminds me... I aught to go xmas shopping this week.
I may well look in the toy shops even though I've already got my lil brothers present, yay
I agree 100%. I know I would much rather recieve something that I know somebody took time and thought of me when they bought whether it be 50 cents of $50.
I rarely spend over $20 on a gift. Even for my nearest and dearest. They know I can't afford anymore and its all good.
There are rude people like the boyfriends family where money is all that matters. How much did you spend on him? What did you get him? Thats all? *snob* Bluegh. But as lovely glittery said, if they are nasty enough to complain they dont' deserve it. They could get nothing.
I also don't buy gift cards because they they know exactly how much you spent
Spent a bit more on my girlfriend though.
Thr trick is to find something that the receiver would probably like to begin with like a book about that person/team then they'll find the suprise inside!
this year my limit is £10 per person..but then i am buying for 15 people.
Generally the presents I buy vary hugely in price. It depends on what I see that is the gift for that person. I agree that it's the thought that counts but obviously it is nice to get something thoughtful and expensive that other people can covet when you have your prezzie comparison conversations/competitions with your mates (or is it just us who haven't grown out of that?
:yes:
I love going shopping for people's presents, I always look for something the person can have a laugh at or something a bit quirky. Whether it costs 5 quid or 50 quid (within reason though :nervous:)
This is why I also don't get little Veruca Salts who go on shopping expditions with Mummy and Daddy choosing stuff that they want. Christmas isn't about getting stuff that you necessarily want or need or that costs the world, it's the fact that somebody's thought about you- and as my Mam once there's plenty of kids who don't get sweet fuck all for Xmas (not her exact words) so be grateful for what you get and don't whinge.
This year (although I never usually have alot of money) I'm spending a bare minimum. My whole family have decided to cut back. We're all older now, so it doesn't matter how many presents we get, it's just nice to see someones put a bit of thought into your prezzie.
Although, I have to say, whilst I adore Christmas shopping, it's hard to find a decent present for minimum money. I don't just wanna buy and pair of socks. I wanna buy something extra too, but it's hard with prices nowadays.
And well, over here we get the added stress factor of it being horribly hot outside... imagine treading through the shops and streets swarming with people at 32ºC?
I tend to avoid any of that overpriced Christmas tat that they sell in department stores, where you pay twice as much for something because it's in a Christmassy packet. Or those games that you spend Christmas day playing then never touch again (though there is the odd rarity of a game with a bit of lifespan which my step-dad loves). Plus I have access to their suppliers so I can get that sort of stuff half price if needs be.
And I also tend to try and avoid the sort of stuff that's always expensive, like DVD's, perfume and alcohol, because it costs a fortune to get everyone stuff like that. For the girls I usually order jewellery off the internet. That way it's fairly affordable, but doesn't come in an Elizabeth Duke box, and is a bit more unique. That or accessories like gloves, scarfs or belts so you don't have to worry about sizes. I have this gift of despite not being gay, knowing what looks good on girls, which comes in handy this time of year. Maybe something to do with having millions of female relatives.
I always find blokes hard to buy for, because you can't just buy them something pretty, it has to do something. And you can't really get them a DVD or CD unless you know they want it, or you'll end up having to get them one of the usual Xmas DVD releases that are just overpriced cash-ins. I usually go for stupid games or gadgets, because you can get them cheap if you shop around.
And kids are easy to buy for. The Works for books, sales for clothes, supermarkets for toys. Sorted.
I only have a small family so I only have to buy a couple of presents (save lots of money). :yippe:
You people with 4 people to buy for have got it easy
Same. I promised myself I wouldn't spend much but I've been quite naughty really. I've spent up to £100 so far, and am currently looking for more, including some Metallica autographs on Ebay. He loves them, so it's the most unique present I can think of. I'm bound to find more stuff for him like.
Other than that I've spent (or will be spending) £20 on my mum and dad each, £15 on my sister, £10 each for chris's mum, dad and brother, my best friends £5 each, and various other friends who I see not so often, but don't want to break the tradition of gift buying, between £3-£5. Possibly £5 for my nan as well, because I love her. It adds up unfortunetly. :crying: Hopefully though, I'm getting a discount card for Boots today, so I'll get more presents from there
Everyone else can have a card
love buying it all, getting it home
love wrapping
love puttin my deccies up
my financial situation is poo right now, so for all my girly mates, i went primark and got them PJ`s and matching slippers
and for aunties i got them bags and matching purses from primark
all look good and are well under £20!
Damn! And I thought I might be going overboard sticking my grandma on the list (she would make 5
23rd.
:thumb:
I'm spending £30 each on my parents then £10 on my step dad. Not sure if I can afford to get my two brothers and little sister a present yet. My sister is only two so like, my Mum understands. My brother is 18 and can't afford to get me anything either so thats cool and I doubt my brother of 10 will even notice. He never expects anything from me. I feel guilty though so I might slip them a bit of money or buy something nearer to the time if I have any spare cash.
Not buying any presents for friends this year. I do for birthdays but rarely for christmas. I never do really. Did when I was back in school/college but like, yeah. It doesn't happen anymore. Both me and my best mate usually get each other something but we are both too poor so thats sorted.
HAHA. I sound like such a scrooge :yeees:
I'm half way through my christmas shopping. I'm hoping to finish it tomorrow morning when I go shopping
I'm so glad I don't have a boyfriend this year. I always end up spending a fortune and I really don't have it this year. Also, they are fucking hard to buy for