I am not Christian so have never received or given a Christmas present personally. But starting the advertising in October must place a lot of pressure on families and individuals who don't have much money.
I think if I was Christian, I think I would decorate my living room and invite everyone to dinner. Each family could bring a cake, bottle of wine or a basket of fruit instead of a present. Of course the big gift shops would hate my idea.
That sounds like an excellent idea. Christmas is a largely commercial enterprise these days. My youngest daughter's husband is Jewish and they all enjoy Christmas - it is actually difficult to avoid it if you go to school in UK, unless it's a (different) faith school.
We've pared way down and Christmas is much quieter and simpler now and much happier for me without so much stress. Simpler food, few presents, not always celebrated on the 25th, because of work. It's really nice.
We've tried that in the past, but it doesn't really work for us. We don't have the huge numbers we used to, as everyone's got their own families and traditions.
Yes I have done quite a lot so far & like you, I haven't left the house to do it. Once December rolls around I cannot seem to handle the crowds so I prefer to do most of mine online where & when I can.
My shopping is going very slowly, I have bought only three gifts so far, a fourth will have to be ordered next month with a "day before Christmas" delivery date and all adult family members will be getting cash in a card.
Very well, actually. We have decided what everyone is getting. That is the hard part. We are picking up the things on a weekly basis. We will be done by the end of November at the very latest.
I've bought three presents. What I miss are the paper catalogues from National Trust and so forth; I enjoyed looking through and placing an order. (Then the bafflement when it all arrived and I couldn't remember what my plans were)
We have started, got a great find on Thursday, it's always a struggle to find gifts for George, he has a birthday next month and then Christmas, we found his birthday gift a while ago, and on Thursday we found the perfect Christmas gift, after a quick video call to mummy, plus it was in the sale. So that's the 3 little ones sorted, the older ones get money, there gifts are way outside of our budgets. Just need something for hubby, any suggestions??
Christmas so early ? I hate this season since Rick is gone. Fortunately I don't have to buy gifts, as Toby prefers a well filled envelope and the two others have everything they say ! My DIL as a Dutch girl learned celebrating Christmas with my son, in Holland they celebrate more St. Niclas who navigates on a ship through the canals ! Big event.Father Christmas has nothing to say.
I guess my shopping is limited to deciding what to get for myself, lol. That's what happens when you don't have children or grandchildren I suppose. No need to buy for my husband, he buys anything and everything he wants year-round, again laughing out loud.
I recognise that. So often, I have bought for myself what my husband will 'give' me. I've even wrapped it myself. Now, he insists on finding something for me, but I don't need anything.
I don't need to buy any cards or Christmas crackers - I bought up the market a few years ago. It's raining here, too., but we need the rain. Enjoy your day, Jan. 😊
Luckily our Christmas gift is a new kitchen and we're already getting it it. I'm sure we'll do some little gifts but we both have everything we need and want so ....
I wonder if I could persuade my husband . . . but I know the answer. 'I like these cupboards' and so forth. They're decades old and look tired - but then, so do I, and he doesn't want to replace me, either!
A lot of what we do buy is via online but we are cutting back on present giving this year. Put in cold black and white it sounds so mean and I will find it difficult, but it's done for financial reasons, I won't get my old age pension for a few more years, when I do we'll revisit it! Bah humbug 😉 Alison in Devon x
no Christmas shopping since 2006. we don't do gift swaps, and I don't do decor, so I sit out the tiny tree and that is it. our kids are in their 60's and do not live close, just Me, Bob and Beau their gift is I am their private slave labor.. ha ha... good you could not leave home to shop, I don't leave home to shop, it all comes to us via internet now
We have been paring back, on food mostly, but | have to have the tree and candles and lights. Just for a few weeks there's colour and light in the darkest months of the year.
I am not Christian so have never received or given a Christmas present personally. But starting the advertising in October must place a lot of pressure on families and individuals who don't have much money.
ReplyDeleteI think if I was Christian, I think I would decorate my living room and invite everyone to dinner. Each family could bring a cake, bottle of wine or a basket of fruit instead of a present. Of course the big gift shops would hate my idea.
That sounds like an excellent idea. Christmas is a largely commercial enterprise these days. My youngest daughter's husband is Jewish and they all enjoy Christmas - it is actually difficult to avoid it if you go to school in UK, unless it's a (different) faith school.
DeleteWe've pared way down and Christmas is much quieter and simpler now and much happier for me without so much stress. Simpler food, few presents, not always celebrated on the 25th, because of work. It's really nice.
ReplyDeleteWe've tried that in the past, but it doesn't really work for us. We don't have the huge numbers we used to, as everyone's got their own families and traditions.
DeleteYes I have done quite a lot so far & like you, I haven't left the house to do it. Once December rolls around I cannot seem to handle the crowds so I prefer to do most of mine online where & when I can.
ReplyDeleteTo some extent I miss going round the shops, but I don't miss the queues and the crowds!
DeleteMy shopping is going very slowly, I have bought only three gifts so far, a fourth will have to be ordered next month with a "day before Christmas" delivery date and all adult family members will be getting cash in a card.
ReplyDeleteIt does get more difficult as children get older and their interests more expensive. I like buying for little ones.
DeleteVery well, actually. We have decided what everyone is getting. That is the hard part. We are picking up the things on a weekly basis. We will be done by the end of November at the very latest.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right. Once the decisions have been made it's so much easier. We have birthdays in the weeks before and after Christmas, too.
DeleteHaven't given it a thought yet.
ReplyDeleteI've beeb buying small things, all year for everyone. Can't remember what I've bought. I'll have to get it all out soon and see else I need to get
ReplyDeleteThat's the trouble with starting early. I have some things 'somewhere safe' and must not forget to bring them out!
DeleteI've bought three presents. What I miss are the paper catalogues from National Trust and so forth; I enjoyed looking through and placing an order. (Then the bafflement when it all arrived and I couldn't remember what my plans were)
ReplyDeleteThat sounds so familiar - gazing at something and wondering why on earth I bought it, and who for.
DeleteNooo ... 🫣🫣🫣😱😱😱
ReplyDeleteNot your favourite thing, by any chance?? 😁
DeleteWe have started, got a great find on Thursday, it's always a struggle to find gifts for George, he has a birthday next month and then Christmas, we found his birthday gift a while ago, and on Thursday we found the perfect Christmas gift, after a quick video call to mummy, plus it was in the sale. So that's the 3 little ones sorted, the older ones get money, there gifts are way outside of our budgets. Just need something for hubby, any suggestions??
ReplyDeleteWhat to buy the man who has everything? Impossible. Good luck with that one.
DeleteI am glad you got a start. I am late starting Christmas shopping.
ReplyDeleteYou've probably got it right. 😊
DeleteI have a few things already at home (bought in person at various shops) and some more lined up to do; one is ordered, but mostly I buy things in town.
ReplyDeleteI've never found the right approach - too early, and the items are put away 'safely' and forgotten, too late, and panic sets in! 🙁😕
DeleteChristmas so early ? I hate this season since Rick is gone. Fortunately I don't have to buy gifts, as Toby prefers a well filled envelope and the two others have everything they say ! My DIL as a Dutch girl learned celebrating Christmas with my son, in Holland they celebrate more St. Niclas who navigates on a ship through the canals ! Big event.Father Christmas has nothing to say.
ReplyDeleteDifferent customs are fascinating. I think filled envelopes will have to do for the older children. The adults get our love and best wishes!
DeleteI guess my shopping is limited to deciding what to get for myself, lol. That's what happens when you don't have children or grandchildren I suppose. No need to buy for my husband, he buys anything and everything he wants year-round, again laughing out loud.
ReplyDeleteI recognise that. So often, I have bought for myself what my husband will 'give' me. I've even wrapped it myself. Now, he insists on finding something for me, but I don't need anything.
DeleteI'm way ahead of the game this year since I spent my time off making gifts. I'll still do a little shopping as well but at leas I've got time yet.
ReplyDeleteHomemade gifts are special, and you're so creative.
DeleteWell done for starting your Christmas shopping :)
ReplyDeleteI have bought some cards ...
Enjoy your Sunday, as I look out of the window it's pouring with rain!
All the best Jan
I don't need to buy any cards or Christmas crackers - I bought up the market a few years ago. It's raining here, too., but we need the rain. Enjoy your day, Jan. 😊
DeleteLuckily our Christmas gift is a new kitchen and we're already getting it it. I'm sure we'll do some little gifts but we both have everything we need and want so ....
ReplyDeleteI wonder if I could persuade my husband . . . but I know the answer. 'I like these cupboards' and so forth. They're decades old and look tired - but then, so do I, and he doesn't want to replace me, either!
DeleteA lot of what we do buy is via online but we are cutting back on present giving this year. Put in cold black and white it sounds so mean and I will find it difficult, but it's done for financial reasons, I won't get my old age pension for a few more years, when I do we'll revisit it! Bah humbug 😉
ReplyDeleteAlison in Devon x
No, you're sensible. We all have too much, anyway. It's not mean at all.
Deleteno Christmas shopping since 2006. we don't do gift swaps, and I don't do decor, so I sit out the tiny tree and that is it. our kids are in their 60's and do not live close, just Me, Bob and Beau their gift is I am their private slave labor.. ha ha... good you could not leave home to shop, I don't leave home to shop, it all comes to us via internet now
ReplyDeleteWe have been paring back, on food mostly, but | have to have the tree and candles and lights. Just for a few weeks there's colour and light in the darkest months of the year.
ReplyDeleteI opt out and give money to my daughter who just loves buying stuff for the grandchildren. They are all mostly spendthrifts - sadly.
ReplyDelete