Is Christmas 2009 more frugal than past ones?

[Combover]

I've been sat reading Have Your Say on BBC news website, and the subject is 'How are you paying for Christmas?'

People on there are moaning about bankers bonuses and the usual things.

So my question is, are any of you having a more frugal Christmas than normal this year due to recession, redundancy or just because?

Mine is more frugal due to all 3 really. I just had my 30th in November and was taken on a surprise holiday, so I've told the Missus not to get me anything as that was a fantastic surprise.

I've found I am appreciating the smaller things in life more and a small well thought out gift for someone really outweighs the big expensive un-necessary gifts from past years.

Thoughts?

[kite]

I'm having a more expensive Xmas.
The wife decided about a month ago to redecorate the bedrooms....
Its been nonstop here bloody builders, chippies, painters then it'll be
new soft furnishings........
All because I said I'm not booking a holiday until the bedrooms are done, seems that
she's keen to book.....

[Combover]

oh man she played you like a violin!!!

[Ben]

have to agree with combover there.

I will be spending as little as possible this christmas as i do every christmas. Over commercialised crap. To me, it is nothing more than a couple of days off work, but this year i've booked the 3 days between xmas and jan so i'm off from 24th pm till 4th jan for the 1st time ever. I aim to get my xmas shopping done this weekend. Shouldn't take more than an hour and a couple of shops.

[kite]

Yeah I got played, but the decorating needed doing, I've been putting off for a while.
Just means all the spending at once.....Now where shall we go on holiday....

[zollaf]

we bought all our christmas presesnts weeks ago, but have eaten them all:aargh4:. so apart from a half share in new mountain bikes for my two nephews, no one can expect to do well out of us this year. but thanks for all the chocolate.

[ledburyloafer]

been made redundant this week, ha, spend less, ********, did Xmas shopping whilst I had a job, knowing what was happening work wise.
I've 2 boys and they will have a brilliant xmas, the rest I will sort, that's my job I'm a dad, the best job in the world...... and as long as my kids are healthy and well I will always be rich, the rest can look after itself!:biglaugh:

[sooty]

have to agree with combover there.

I will be spending as little as possible this christmas as i do every christmas. Over commercialised crap. To me, it is nothing more than a couple of days off work, but this year i've booked the 3 days between xmas and jan so i'm off from 24th pm till 4th jan for the 1st time ever. I aim to get my xmas shopping done this weekend. Shouldn't take more than an hour and a couple of shops.

Come on mate where is your Christmas spirit!?

Aint it your Kid's 1st XMas this year?

[Combover]

Come on mate where is your Christmas spirit!?

Aint it your Kid's 1st XMas this year?

Its the 2nd Christmas that you splash out for, when they kind of understand what its all about!!!

[onzarob]

Christmas is great and all the better for having children to share it with. My Family Christmas spend is about the same as usual. Never go over the top try and buy presents that will last and not end up as Car boot fodder.

We only buy what we can afford, so don't get the plastic out (well I do but for online fraud protection only)

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas, its the Family that count not the Bling

Rob:D

[sooty]

its the 2nd christmas that you splash out for, when they kind of understand what its all about!!!

lol

[Ben]

i don't get excited about it like i used to as a kid and like the wife does. I try to make an effort and enjoy watching her struggle to open her gifts due to the excess tape i use to make it more chalenging. Looking forward to regressing back to my childhood as the nipper grows up and that may revitalise me. Can't wait for the christmas lists from him.

[sooty]

i don't get excited about it like i used to as a kid and like the wife does. I try to make an effort and enjoy watching her struggle to open her gifts due to the excess tape i use to make it more chalenging. Looking forward to regressing back to my childhood as the nipper grows up and that may revitalise me. Can't wait for the christmas lists from him.

He'll be like "Dad you can have the B7 and buy me a B8"

[elvismiggell]

Spending less this year, but to be honest I don't think it's a direct effect of the recession.

I've just hit 25, and I just can't seem to find that much to spend lots of money on.

It feels like, dare I say it, I'm getting more sensible!

[sooty]

Spending less this year, but to be honest I don't think it's a direct effect of the recession.

I've just hit 25, and I just can't seem to find that much to spend lots of money on.

It feels like, dare I say it, I'm getting more sensible!

Tell me about it... I am 26 now and I am starting to remind myself of my dad lol

[ledburyloafer]

Tell me about it... I am 26 now and I am starting to remind myself of my dad lol

I have turned into my Dad!:biglaugh:

[fourringsrus]

I horrified myself the other day when my Dad told me that I sounded like him,he's bloody right

[netherfield]

Five years ago we told all the family,not to buy or expect to get any presents,and instead give money to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

This does not include the children under 15,and even then they don't get a lot from us,because their parents spend enough on them already,but have also seen the time when the present came out of the wrapping and within the hour was shoved to one side and probably never played with again.

And it is possible to enjoy a few days of Christmas without spending mountains of money.

[JSH]

been made redundant this week, ha, spend less, ********, did Xmas shopping whilst I had a job, knowing what was happening work wise.
I've 2 boys and they will have a brilliant xmas, the rest I will sort, that's my job I'm a dad, the best job in the world...... and as long as my kids are healthy and well I will always be rich, the rest can look after itself!:biglaugh:

Top Man Good on you Mate!
Good Luck finding a new Job1
Best wishes John:beerchug:

[JSH]

Its all comercial Crap!
Ledbury loafer got right, Christmas should be for Kids & nearest and dearest.
This year my bloody wife spent £140 on cards & stamps this year ... Crazy!, I would rather doubled it for a good cause like the RNLI than waste it on some people we met on holiday in 1987.
Goodwill to all men !...... have you seen the miserable buggers out there who are running around like headless chickens for one day, Yet cannot muster common courtesy or ever a smile for each other
Christmas has long lost it meaning !:zx11:

Humbug!