Stocking Fillers
A company I’ve previously purchased products from sent me an email with the above title. The gifts in question started at £20 and were priced up to £100. Frankly, I was a shocked. £20 - £30 is my maximum present budget for family and friends. I hardly buy any present these days as most of my friends have everything they need and my family mostly want comestibles - Christmas pudding, cakes, shortbread, fudge etc. Is it just me who thinks that £20 - £100 is a lot for a ‘stocking filler’? When I was a kid our stockings were filled with satsumas, something my Aunt had made and maybe a selection box. In latter years we dispensed with the stockings and had a ‘tree gift’ on boxing day - a way of extending the Christmas giving without breaking the bank. It could be anything, but was almost certainly under a fiver and probably closer to £2.
There is so much pressure at this time of year to spend, spend, spend and yet it really isn’t necessary. Your kids will remember the daft games you played, the walk in the park and all sorts of other stuff you might incorporate into your own Christmas traditions. They won’t remember the expensive gifts that your maxed out your credit card to buy, believe me. What I remember most is the food and the visitors. Christmas was also the only time of year we played games at home and was a particular highlight for me growing up. I couldn’t tell you what I had for Christmas in any given year, though I’m sure my parents saved up to buy us things. I can tell you what we ate, who visited and if where we went for a walk.
Whatever you do and however you celebrate (or not), concentrate on spending time with your friends and family, being present rather than giving presents. It means less financial burden, less stress and you might even find you enjoy the festivities more. Don’t succumb to the email blackmail. Companies may want impressive end of season sales figures, but it shouldn’t be at the expense of your mental well being.
I agree. There is a huge discrepancy between what the sellers of (useless) goods and (dubious) services charge, and what ordinary people have to live on. One example. We need a new boiler. The recommended ecological one costs between 15 and 18k euros. My annual income is 13k euros. The electrician wants 20k to rewire four rooms and the kitchen. How do they imagine normal people pay for this stuff? Fact is, they don't. They buy crap second hand white goods, and DIY the electrics.
We bought gifts for our kids when they were small, but they can buy what they want for themselves now. This year, we're feeding and lodging the five thousand and have just done one mammoth food shop. It's nowhere near enough for the coming week though. They'll eat well, we'll ply them with drink and I think they'll enjoy themselves just the same. Have a lovely quiet end to the year, Debbie xx