I think it's a nightmare, I've got two kids and they have loads of stuff, everything is so expensive now. I like to see their faces when they think santa has left all the presents, but I hate all the hassel, its all a money making gimmic. Whats your thoughts ?
2007-11-25 22:27:40 · 37 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Christmas
I have to say I completely agree with you.
I thought it was supposed to be a religious celebration
(and I'm not even religious!)
The one thing I do like is putting up the tree though.
(My rule is to buy one decoration for it a year)
2007-11-25 22:35:35 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I remember those days. In fact, it's been years, and I still grin every time I zip past Toys R Us without stopping!
To make it easier:
1. Figure out how much you spend on Christmas this year. Keep track. Then divide that amount (or a smaller one) by 52, and save that much in cash or a bank account every week -- next Christmas, that's your budget.
2. Look into giving a gift from the family to a charity -- like a goat to someone in Rwanda, say. There are a lot of places that do this, and it helps the kids and you to concentrate on others.
3. I used to disallow any commercial kid TV, except a few Christmas specials, after Thanksgiving. It helped a lot.
4. Some families pick out toys to give away at Christmas time.
Good luck!
2007-11-26 00:21:47 · answer #2 · answered by bonitakale 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I love Christmas but i do have to agree that the present part of it drives me mad. I am fortunate enough that so far my children have been understanding when i have explained that "Santa" can only afford so much, so they have to think very carefully about what they want and if its too expensive he will not be able to get it for them. But my nieces and nephews who are teenagers, are terrible, they only want branded things, for example this year i was told that they'll only wear clothes if they are nike and they have to be in black! It puts me right off getting them anything especially as its 9 of them!! They also don't appreciate anything so they don't even look after their stuff and it ends up being binned after a few weeks. I am hoping my two are not going to turn up like that as they are in for a big shock if they do!!!
2007-11-25 23:44:35 · answer #3 · answered by Francesca 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I hate Christmas in the way its become commercialised - adverts in September for all the latest toys and gimmicks that will be short in supply by October, the bulk buying of food as though the shops are closing for a month. This year I'm trying to get back some of the tradition of Christmas - going to a carol service, Putting my decorations up a week before (and not now like some do), making christmas puds and mulled wine. Hopefully I'll enjoy it more xxxx
2007-11-25 22:34:08 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
My thoughts are that your kids probably don't know the true meaning of Christmas. When I was a kid my parents invited relatives that we don't see often for a Christmas dinner. Simple gifts were passed around and everyone was happy, even us kids.
Christmas is not about spending a lot of money on gifts that will be ignored after a short time. It is a time for celebration of Christ.
Celebrating in this manner will bring joy to you and not hating Christmas.
2007-11-26 07:37:45 · answer #5 · answered by Yafooey! 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't take on so much. I have five kids, and we make the Holiday mellow!! We do things as they come, and never try to pull off a miracle or wait until Christmas eve to ready things. If what they want (or what I think they want) is unavaliable we don't kill ourselves to score, we move on to another gift. If the kids are spoiled, who's to blame?
Every year before Halloween we have the kids go through the toys. Anything broken or missing pieces goes out. Anything they just don't play with is cleaned and donated to the second hand store, and anything precious is stored away. Then for months they have less to play with and less to keep track of. They have more room for the new toys and are more excited for them. We also store about half of the toys and switch them out in the summer.
Christmas, like anything, is what you make of it.
2007-11-26 02:16:52 · answer #6 · answered by Mrs. McK 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hate the commercialism and the forced extended family togetherness. It's like people hate each other every other day of the year, but on Christmas they pretend to be a happy family. Other than that, I really love the holidays. The decorations, the festive atmosphere, the seasonal treats and the happy mood.
2007-11-25 22:45:08 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I do like Xmas, but feel that it is far too commercialised and stressful. My solution to this is: I buy all the Xmas cards in the sale in January. This makes it cheaper and also is one less thing to do before Xmas. I buy Xmas presents as early as possible. (starting in the summer sales). I do not get a panic over food shopping as there is always a shop open over Xmas. All our family has agreed, that we only buy something for the children and not for the adults. For the adults we do a secret Santa thing which goes like this: We put every ones name into a hat and draw one name each. This means we only buy for one adult and yet everyone gets a present. We also agreed that no one is to spend more the £5 on this present.
2007-11-25 22:54:48 · answer #8 · answered by Bibsy 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I agree! I think shops shouldn't be allowed to mention Christmas until December 1st. It is rammed down our throats from August on and children are taught to demand more and more stuff (that, lets face it, will be broken by boxing day anyway!)
I heard 2 kids of about 5 or 6 arguing the other day, one of them saying "well I'll get more presents than you anyway because we've got more money than you" and the other one saying "but father Christmas will bring me about 50 presents anyway"
Why can't Christmas really be a day when we think about friends and family and peace and goodwill. All our kids are learning is how to be really really greedy and the best way to manipulate parents into spending more than they can afford!!
2007-11-25 22:41:56 · answer #9 · answered by Dark Fairy 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
It is a hassle on some days trying to get all the shopping done when you work and are so busy with other things and everything is expensive but I still love Christmas and I have lots of fun with my family.
2007-11-25 23:27:52 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that Christmas is beautiful and it's all about the atmosphere you create in your family. And by the way it's not all about presents or how expensive they are, you can make a great present without any money...
2007-11-25 23:51:11 · answer #11 · answered by blue 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋