[Tricks]

bootlegga bootlegga:

Tricks Tricks:

Would you guys be appalled by a family spending that much if they could?

Yes. It's their right of course, but I disagree with it.

I've always felt Christmas is more about family and getting together (no matter how much all those kids drive you crazy) than it is about fancy gifts.

I don't see anything wrong with doing both, providing they aren't putting themselves into debt.

[Brenda]

Tricks Tricks:

bootlegga bootlegga:

Tricks Tricks:

Would you guys be appalled by a family spending that much if they could?

Yes. It's their right of course, but I disagree with it.

I've always felt Christmas is more about family and getting together (no matter how much all those kids drive you crazy) than it is about fancy gifts.

I don't see anything wrong with doing both, providing they aren't putting themselves into debt.

Personally, I think people should spend what they want, BUT... setting an example for your kids is not a bad thing either. They can ask for all they want, it doesn't mean they can GET it just because it is Christmas. It's all in the values you want to give your kids. Neither is wrong, but if you have to work hard for your money, you don't "just" spend it "because the kids want it".

Bad thing is though, that lots of people DO put themselves in debt...

[ShepherdsDog]

As an adult I don't remember the gifts, I remember the gathering of my extended family, the food, the card games and the stories of their childhood. When we moved to the prairies, Christmas was always celebrated at my maternal grandmother's family farm. Most of her brothers and sisters made it with alot of their children and grandchildren. It was common to have up to 30+ people there. But no more, as my grandmother is gone as are two of her brothers and two sisters.

[westmanguy]

lol...I usually do pretty well at Christmas.

We've never had any element of surprise anymore though (since after about age 12), and I tell them what I want (and in some instances go with them to buy it), but I can't use it until Xmas day.

This year I'm wanting/getting:

-> iTouch (approx. $300)
-> new power adapter for my laptop (approx. $20)
-> David Archuleta debut CD (approx. $20)
-> Crest White Strip package (approx. $30)
-> $$$ to buy some new clothes.

Fortunately, my family is not hurting that bad during the economic crisis. We just sold this house (as in those flip this house scenarios where you buy a crappy house, do lots of work on it, sell it, and make a good wad of cash), and my parents are very close to being completely debt free.

Oh and we're doing a family gift, where me and my brother are pooling money together, and my uncle, and my parents, to buy a brand new bichon frise puppy (male) for the family, after our dog Jebby died in September.

[Tricks]

Brenda Brenda:

Personally, I think people should spend what they want, BUT... setting an example for your kids is not a bad thing either. They can ask for all they want, it doesn't mean they can GET it just because it is Christmas. It's all in the values you want to give your kids. Neither is wrong, but if you have to work hard for your money, you don't "just" spend it "because the kids want it".

Bad thing is though, that lots of people DO put themselves in debt...

In my family we don't ask for anything. 'Rents just buy what they think we will like, and are generally spot on.

[westmanguy]

bootlegga bootlegga:

Tricks Tricks:

Would you guys be appalled by a family spending that much if they could?

Yes. It's their right of course, but I disagree with it.

I've always felt Christmas is more about family and getting together (no matter how much all those kids drive you crazy) than it is about fancy gifts.

Is it so wrong that for my birthday last year, I got all my expenses paid for an educational Ottawa 1 week trip? Is it wrong I got a $700 laptop for my birthday before that? Is it wrong last xMas my parents paid for all my expense for a school ski trip for 3 days?

My dad is very smart with money, and yes I get a lot during the holidays, but he's not stupid about it.

Last year our big 'family gift' was switching to satellite and buying a $400 HD PVR (to pause tv!)

The year before that the family gift was 50' HDTV and surround sound.

[Brenda]

As long as you don't "expect" it, or demand it

You wouldn't have gotten it if you were my kid. I would at least have you pay for half at your age. Especially the laptop. School trip might be different.

[westmanguy]

That's what happened.

Laptop I put in $200.

School trip I put in $300 (spending $$$)

[Yogi]

I've been pretty fed-up with what christmas has become over the last several years so I backed away from it completely. Rather than send out a lot of cards or give gifts, I invite, and visit family and friends, as it should be. Instead of giving gifts at this time of year, (things that are neither needed or even remembered) I have taken to making each persons birthday a bit more special. For the adults it is usually a gift certificate for their favorite store or spa etc. For the kids, I take them shopping at their favorite store or mall. We get to spend the better part of the day together just hangin out, enjoying each others undivided attention. This has turned out to be something each one of them really remembers and truly appreciates. I know I sure do. Rarely do I spend much more than $100.00 per birthday. An added bonus to this is that I spread the cost over 12 mos.and $100.00 isn`t much of a `hit on the piggy bank`!

[ziggy]

Our family now buys for the parents,we dont exchange gifts ourselves as it was getting too stressfull and way too expensive.so the folks get an outside firepit for their place in Arizona and an electric cooler this xmas from us kids.Last year they got tickets to Neil Diamond.

Funny how now we try and give gifts that are usefull and can be enjoyed or will be remembered.

This is such a bad time for so many people that sometimes i cant wait for it to be over.Such a lonely depressing time for many who get no visitors or gifts or who dont have the big happy family times like they portray on TV.

The saying used to be christmas was for the kids,yet it affects more adults in a negative way.

[novachick]

Dear Santa-

Forget the kids all they do is get you all snotty at the mall anyway.

I want a few pounds taken off my ass and moved up to where my boobs are. Yes I'm still thankful my boobs aren't where my ass is.

My own jet with an all hottie, all male staff. Yes, that's sexist but I don't give a crap.

That friggin dump truck load of coal from last year removed from my driveway.

I'd promise to be a good girl in return, but lets be real there's about a 2% chance of that happening.

Thank You
Nova

* basically put you all have great posts and I have nothing to add *

[DerbyX]

Except your boobs.

[novachick]

DerbyX DerbyX:

Except your boobs.

Hehehe what you wanna play doctor with me

[DerbyX]

novachick novachick:

DerbyX DerbyX:

Except your boobs.

Hehehe what you wanna play doctor with me

Peverted doctor and the busty intern alone at night in the CCU?

[novachick]

DerbyX DerbyX:

novachick novachick:

DerbyX DerbyX:

Except your boobs.

Hehehe what you wanna play doctor with me

Peverted doctor and the busty intern alone at night in the CCU?

I'm in