Giving Christmas presents?

[Silver993tt]

Our family and all of our circle of friends stopped giving each other Christmas presents years and years ago. We still buy them for children in the family but as soon as they reach 13 (teenage) they get given money. It's given us years of stress free Christmas weeks and everyone is happy with it - even my girlfriend thinks it's agreat idea not to waste time/money etc on a pointless (for adults) excercise. What's others thoughts on it?

[LaserTam]

Totally agree. I still buy for my siblings, their other halves, their kids, seemlingly endless list. I know its the giving and receiving and all that malarkey, but I really can't be bothered with it. Luckily my wife does the bulk of the purchases, but its still a pain trying to think what to get.

What would be easier is if everyone comitted to providing lists for everyone else. At least that way people get what they want rather than a crap tie that I will never wear. But no, people think it takes the fun out of it - FUN. I know there is an F in fun but its not F'in Fun to me.

Yeah yeah Bar Humbug. Dont even get me started on decorations going up in November.

Edited by LaserTam on Thursday 24th December 15:03

[Nolar Dog]

I don't celebrate christmas.
No hassle buying presents because it's "normal" to do so.

I buy people gifts throughout the year for no reason other than I can and I choose to.

[TheCarpetCleaner]

I did not buy presents for anyone this year, due to a financial "hiccup" regrettably.,

Everyone understands, I did of course ask everyone not to buy for me also.

[chimera40]

Nolar Dog said:

I don't celebrate christmas.
No hassle buying presents because it's "normal" to do so.

I buy people gifts throughout the year for no reason other than I can and I choose to.

Your not one of those bloomin Jehovah thingies are you, or you just a miserable old git.

Edited by chimera40 on Thursday 24th December 17:28

[V8mate]

chimera40 said:

Nolar Dog said:

I don't celebrate christmas.
No hassle buying presents because it's "normal" to do so.

I buy people gifts throughout the year for no reason other than I can and I choose to.

Your not one of those bloomin Jehovah thingies are you, or you just a miserable old git.

No. He had an operation so now he's Thai and they don't celebrate Christmas.

[Stevenj214]

I love Christmas. I enjoy both giving and receiving presents. I like to put a bit of time and thought into my gifts, and their presentation and appreciate it when the same is done for me.

[TheCarpetCleaner]

Stevenj214 said:

I love Christmas. I enjoy both giving and receiving presents. I like to put a bit of time and thought into my gifts, and their presentation and appreciate it when the same is done for me.

I did take some time and thought of getting you a gift, however I didn't.

[bonsai]

V8mate said:

chimera40 said:

Nolar Dog said:

I don't celebrate christmas.
No hassle buying presents because it's "normal" to do so.

I buy people gifts throughout the year for no reason other than I can and I choose to.

Your not one of those bloomin Jehovah thingies are you, or you just a miserable old git.

No. He had an operation so now he's Thai and they don't celebrate Christmas.

[Silver993tt]

We never spend Christmas/New Year in the UK. The habit of spending loads of money on presents at this time of year seems to be a UK/US thing. On the continent, people generally give very small value (moneywise) gifts as a gesture which I think is a much more fitting approach - it's the thought rather than the amount spent. They also treat the time of year as a period to properly socialise with their familes and friends (not just going to pubs/bars etc) and don't have to involve much alcohol in doing so.

Edited by Silver993tt on Thursday 24th December 17:47

[Mutley]

TheCarpetCleaner said:

Stevenj214 said:

I love Christmas. I enjoy both giving and receiving presents. I like to put a bit of time and thought into my gifts, and their presentation and appreciate it when the same is done for me.

I did take some time and thought of getting you a gift, however I didn't.

But it is the thought that counts

[TheCarpetCleaner]

Mutley said:

TheCarpetCleaner said:

Stevenj214 said:

I love Christmas. I enjoy both giving and receiving presents. I like to put a bit of time and thought into my gifts, and their presentation and appreciate it when the same is done for me.

I did take some time and thought of getting you a gift, however I didn't.

But it is the thought that counts

Oh yeah In that case - pat on the back for me. Pat is a heavy bugger though, so he had best get off soon.