Christmas excess
Discussion
We have had christmas rammed down our throats for months. Endless sales. Black friday, cyber monday, sale, sale, sale.
As usual, trying to go to the shops just for run of the mill stuff has been hard work for the last week. I saw people with trollies piled really high with food and the queues were crazy.
Yesterday whilst out in the car, I hear endless adverts for sales staring today. Then after the excesses of yesterday, I hear that people have been queuing at 5am today to get to the shops for yet more sales.
It's a bit much, isn't it? We do seem to live in a very greedy society. I dread to think of the waste generated over the christmas period.
It got me thinking because there are people in the world with absolutely nothing. Yet they give so much. In a modern western society, we are more likely to kill each other over the last cheap, tatty TV in stock. Or have a fight because we have queued to get into a popular toy store.
Oh well. I have enjoyed the family time over the last few days. That is the most important thing.
As usual, trying to go to the shops just for run of the mill stuff has been hard work for the last week. I saw people with trollies piled really high with food and the queues were crazy.
Yesterday whilst out in the car, I hear endless adverts for sales staring today. Then after the excesses of yesterday, I hear that people have been queuing at 5am today to get to the shops for yet more sales.
It's a bit much, isn't it? We do seem to live in a very greedy society. I dread to think of the waste generated over the christmas period.
It got me thinking because there are people in the world with absolutely nothing. Yet they give so much. In a modern western society, we are more likely to kill each other over the last cheap, tatty TV in stock. Or have a fight because we have queued to get into a popular toy store.
Oh well. I have enjoyed the family time over the last few days. That is the most important thing.
I agree on the commercial push and wastage. Not sure on the level of contributions from those who have nothing at all mind.
The wife and I had a minor disagreement on Christmas Eve on the excess of it all and how crass and vulgar the volume of (cheap tat) presents that her family had bought for our daughter was. The result is two car loads of packaging to take to the tip at some point after we get back from holiday in early January.
The wife and I had a minor disagreement on Christmas Eve on the excess of it all and how crass and vulgar the volume of (cheap tat) presents that her family had bought for our daughter was. The result is two car loads of packaging to take to the tip at some point after we get back from holiday in early January.
O/H and I agree we've spent no more than £50 on Christmas food and drink for the two of us. We don't feel we've missed out on any Christmas goodies at all, we probably have enough to get us through to the weekend.
This morning we discussed if there was anything we might look for in the sales. Apart from some new blinds and bed linen there's nothing - it's all a matter of will power.
This morning we discussed if there was anything we might look for in the sales. Apart from some new blinds and bed linen there's nothing - it's all a matter of will power.
I think with anything like this is the more you notice stuff you more you notice it going forward
I personally was thinking it’s been the opposite for me this year, but we have a baby so not really been out and about as much. I find listening to non commercial radio helps as well and believe it or not we don’t have a plumbed in tv!
I know certain people who get whipped up into a frenzy, my sister for example will get everything personalised for each year, mugs, matching clothes, funny dressing gowns, naffs signs etc
We are polar opposite which I guess makes the world a more interesting place
I personally was thinking it’s been the opposite for me this year, but we have a baby so not really been out and about as much. I find listening to non commercial radio helps as well and believe it or not we don’t have a plumbed in tv!
I know certain people who get whipped up into a frenzy, my sister for example will get everything personalised for each year, mugs, matching clothes, funny dressing gowns, naffs signs etc
We are polar opposite which I guess makes the world a more interesting place
b
hstewie said:
hstewie said: I heard something on the TV or radio that I"m sure suggested that the average household spends £3K on Christmas.
I'm sure I didn't mishear but equally I can't believe that number is accurate as I simply can't wrap my head around how it's possible to do so as an average spend
Its insane, but I think theres a bit of sheep mentality going on, same as with rented cars....Little Jimmy cant possibly not have the latest whatever....can be beaten by the Jones'.....I'm sure I didn't mishear but equally I can't believe that number is accurate as I simply can't wrap my head around how it's possible to do so as an average spend
Our entire xmas cost us less than £100.
We dont bother with presents, as if we want something, we buy it. If we havnt bought it, then its too dear or we dont want it bad enough.
Didnt even bother with a big dinner yesterday either.
Ive said before, the rampant Cansumerism this time of year is getting beyond vulgar in my opinion.
bhstewie said:
hstewie said: I heard something on the TV or radio that I"m sure suggested that the average household spends £3K on Christmas.
I'm sure I didn't mishear but equally I can't believe that number is accurate as I simply can't wrap my head around how it's possible to do so as an average spend
Depends how far they push it thought to come up with an average. If I think about our household spend ... plus people pay all year to cover the extravagance of December (either in savings or settling credit). Plus does the £3k cover the interest payments on what people are splashing out on - id guess not and the true cost for many is probably higher.I'm sure I didn't mishear but equally I can't believe that number is accurate as I simply can't wrap my head around how it's possible to do so as an average spend
Spends on works/friends nights outs and outfits/clothes for the aforementioned ... in the region of £200min per night ... 5 nights out across december for the Mrs and I combined which I wouldnt say is abnormal
Food and booze for christmas/NY, £250ish
Presents ... we spend about £500 each on each other and about the same on our daughter ... so I can easily imagine its in that region on average.
I know of several households where they have between 2 and 4 kids and all the kids got iPad Pros / iPhones / Macbooks each this year ... there is an easy £1000 per child and thats before anything else.
In our case we are going on holiday tomorrow so there is no NYE spend but that can easily run into £300 for a night out for 2 with food and drinks plus a babysitter and taxi/uber (sorry Frank)
ETA: I dont have a problem with the amount spent as such, its the vast volumes of rubbish people buy that have excess packaging and poor quality which will likely be landfill by the end of Jan.
Edited by alorotom on Thursday 26th December 17:26
At least in this day and age you have more options to shun it despite their efforts to ram it down your throat.
I don't watch TV, adblock, try to avoid the news and did my food shop in the middle of the night on the 20th. I had a modest budget for gifts and stuck to it. But for that I would barely have known Christmas has been and gone.
I don't watch TV, adblock, try to avoid the news and did my food shop in the middle of the night on the 20th. I had a modest budget for gifts and stuck to it. But for that I would barely have known Christmas has been and gone.
My 13yr old son has been invited by his pals to go clothes shopping tomorrow. I think he managed to amass around £150 cash from family etc which is a decent amount, but £50 x 2 from grandparents and £50 from aunts/uncles isn't unreasonable.
One of the kids he's going with was given £850 cash by their parents. £850.
One of the kids he's going with was given £850 cash by their parents. £850.
ben5575 said:
My 13yr old son has been invited by his pals to go clothes shopping tomorrow. I think he managed to amass around £150 cash from family etc which is a decent amount, but £50 x 2 from grandparents and £50 from aunts/uncles isn't unreasonable.
One of the kids he's going with was given £850 cash by their parents. £850.
That's the kind of thing I struggle with a little.One of the kids he's going with was given £850 cash by their parents. £850.
I get that it's all relative and £850 might be nothing for some people but bloody hell, I'm lucky that I can afford pretty much anything I like but I wouldn't be comfortable spending £850 on clothes now let alone as a kid.
bhstewie said:
hstewie said:ben5575 said:
My 13yr old son has been invited by his pals to go clothes shopping tomorrow. I think he managed to amass around £150 cash from family etc which is a decent amount, but £50 x 2 from grandparents and £50 from aunts/uncles isn't unreasonable.
One of the kids he's going with was given £850 cash by their parents. £850.
That's the kind of thing I struggle with a little.One of the kids he's going with was given £850 cash by their parents. £850.
I get that it's all relative and £850 might be nothing for some people but bloody hell, I'm lucky that I can afford pretty much anything I like but I wouldn't be comfortable spending £850 on clothes now let alone as a kid.
bhstewie said:
hstewie said:ben5575 said:
My 13yr old son has been invited by his pals to go clothes shopping tomorrow. I think he managed to amass around £150 cash from family etc which is a decent amount, but £50 x 2 from grandparents and £50 from aunts/uncles isn't unreasonable.
One of the kids he's going with was given £850 cash by their parents. £850.
That's the kind of thing I struggle with a little.One of the kids he's going with was given £850 cash by their parents. £850.
I get that it's all relative and £850 might be nothing for some people but bloody hell, I'm lucky that I can afford pretty much anything I like but I wouldn't be comfortable spending £850 on clothes now let alone as a kid.
BrabusMog said:
Trainers can easily be £150 if not in the sale and assuming sports brand. Jacket for £200-£500. Pair of jeans £100-£200, jumper the same price. Tee for £35-£150. Easily done.
Oh I get it I don't wear rags I just struggle with the average family giving a child £850 cash for clothes.Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff