Best present we can give kids is a reality check

Now that's damned good advice! Coming from a big family (2 brothers and 3 sisters), we usually got a couple small toys (like a model kit) and socks, sweaters and such. There was usually a big 'family' gift under the tree too, like a new VCR, microwave or computer.

I used to be amazed when I'd go to school and hear what other kids got...a new TV for their bedroom, a computer, tons of toys, etc.

Christmas has gotten way out of hand and I think it's one reason I don't enjoy it the way I used to.

only child, i did ok at xmas
in spite of dead conservative parents

we did the same, all got 3-4 small things, and one good one for the family.

and it has changed very much over the years.

I liked Xmas in East Europe, very low key.
Now thats changing too.. all the stores are loaded up before Halloween.

just crap

Hell, I was happy to have a Christmas tree after I hit my teens. And when I was little it was rare that I got anything other than clothes for Christmas. But then I see what people do for their kids now and I hear that spending $1k or more per kid is not unusual at Christmas.

Those 'Best Buy' ads just make me sick. "You kids will love you proportionate to the amount you spend on them" is the message I get. And I'll bet they get it as well, just they don't realize it.

Our family stopped the insanity a few years ago. We have a $20 maximum per person, unless you buy a donation to a charity in that person's name, or you make the gift yourself. We draw names for the person you will buy for, but we can also buy for anyone under 14 if we choose. So, Adults get 1 gift, kids get one from each adult.

Ridiculous... Spending that much money, I mean...

My kids "want" loads, and they know I am not gonna give them a dirtbike or a quad, or a Wii or an Xbox.

They can write down all they want, I am the one that is buying it, and that is NOT a quad! LOL

In Holland, we didn't do Christmas presents, we had Sinterklaas for that. On December 5th. Christmas was for going to the Parents (in Law) and the birthday of hubby.
Since we moved here, we don't do Sinterklaas, but Christmas. My spending habit on presents hasn't changed though

pssst, means still a stingy ole cheapo


i had a nice mix... both
chocolate and oranges in the stocking for St. Nicholas,
then Xmas.

I'm very un-materialistic. "Things" mean very little to me, and I've tried my best to raise my children to be the same way. They also submit their outrageous "wish lists", knowing full well there isn't a snowball's chance in hell they're getting any of it. Usually (after the humourous list) the first thing they want to know is which family members will be spending it with us. That's the most important to them.

It never ceases to amaze me how people will go out and spend thousands and thousands of dollars every year. I refuse to work all year to pay off a huge debt incurred for one day that isn't SUPPOSED to be about material gifts in the first place.

pssst, means still a stingy ole cheapo


i had a nice mix... both
chocolate and oranges in the stocking for St. Nicholas,
then Xmas.

I am proud of being a cheapo

At least I have no debts other than my mortgage

Ditto!!

I remember some of my classmates getting one pair of handknitted socks each for xmas and they were gratefull for it.Then the one family gift that all shared,like a board game.

Charlie brown was way ahead of his time with his views on the commercialization of Christmas.

That's why XMas should be replaced with Festivus! Kids deserve Feats of Strength on their Asses and the Airing of Greivances is therapeutic.

Thousands?

Man, my kids will be so hard done by!

Jeez. Usually for my family its a collection of smaller gifts for my siblings and I, and one or two big gifts, usually going along with the 1 or 2 medium gifts. (For example, we all get a Wii, so everybody gets a Wii game, or something like that)

Frankly, everytime I see one of those reports saying the average family will spend X dollars at Christmas, I'm appalled. I think last year the average family (in Alberta) spent almost $1000 on Christmas, and I was thinking, who are they?