Rightly Or Wrongly; This Is The Only Way I Could Buy Xmas Presents
By Janey1966
@Janey1966 (24170)
Carlisle, England
November 21, 2010 8:04pm CST
Christmas is upon us and it's a time that skint people like me really start to "feel it" and realise that we can't get along without money after all. Why? Because I can't NOT buy anyone presents, it's just not me. I love watching the faces of those I love opening presents that I KNOW they will like.
So, with all this in mind I had to go grovelling to hubby for money. This is something I really hate doing.
Anyway, I have bought most of the presents from Amazon, my favourite internet shopping site. Mum hasn't got many DVDs to watch on her lovely television so I made a point of picking some really cheap (but new) ones for her. These include "An Idiot Abroad" that she's seen on Sky but said that it's always worth watching again as it's so funny..so I bought her the travel diaries to go with it. Then I decided to buy "Stuart: A Life Backwards" that I have seen on YouTube but am unsure if Mum saw it when it was originally shown on the BBC. Even if she has seen it I don't think she'll remember it all so I reckon it's a bargain at less than a fiver for a drama lasting an hour and a half. I've also bought "The Bucket List" "Young Victoria" and "The Duchess" so I'm really chuffed with my choices and how cheap they were.
My Dad can't hear the digital cordless phone that's in the back (he sits in the front room) so I've bought a corded telephone to go in the hallway. This will be very useful as it has big buttons and is great for the hard of hearing..oh, and it's hands-free too. I'm so chuffed I've saved money buying this from Amazon as it's £24.99 on the BT website (it's a BT phone). I got it for £17.99.
Last, but by no means least I've bought some Jean-Paul Gaultier Le Male smellies for my wonderful nephew, Tom. It will be his 21st on Christmas Eve so it's for that. I have yet to buy him fleecy jogging bottoms for Christmas but that will come another time.
I am one of those people that listen to what people like and want as presents. I know for a fact Mum likes period dramas and I know that Tom loves the Jean-Paul Gaultier Le Male stuff as I've bought it before and he loves it (and requested it again as Mum quizzed him about what he wanted) so I only hope my Dad will like the phone.
Makes a change from slippers!
Anyway, I have bought most of the presents from Amazon, my favourite internet shopping site. Mum hasn't got many DVDs to watch on her lovely television so I made a point of picking some really cheap (but new) ones for her. These include "An Idiot Abroad" that she's seen on Sky but said that it's always worth watching again as it's so funny..so I bought her the travel diaries to go with it. Then I decided to buy "Stuart: A Life Backwards" that I have seen on YouTube but am unsure if Mum saw it when it was originally shown on the BBC. Even if she has seen it I don't think she'll remember it all so I reckon it's a bargain at less than a fiver for a drama lasting an hour and a half. I've also bought "The Bucket List" "Young Victoria" and "The Duchess" so I'm really chuffed with my choices and how cheap they were.
My Dad can't hear the digital cordless phone that's in the back (he sits in the front room) so I've bought a corded telephone to go in the hallway. This will be very useful as it has big buttons and is great for the hard of hearing..oh, and it's hands-free too. I'm so chuffed I've saved money buying this from Amazon as it's £24.99 on the BT website (it's a BT phone). I got it for £17.99.
Last, but by no means least I've bought some Jean-Paul Gaultier Le Male smellies for my wonderful nephew, Tom. It will be his 21st on Christmas Eve so it's for that. I have yet to buy him fleecy jogging bottoms for Christmas but that will come another time.
I am one of those people that listen to what people like and want as presents. I know for a fact Mum likes period dramas and I know that Tom loves the Jean-Paul Gaultier Le Male stuff as I've bought it before and he loves it (and requested it again as Mum quizzed him about what he wanted) so I only hope my Dad will like the phone.
Makes a change from slippers!2 people like this
10 responses
@shaggin (72131)
• United States
22 Nov 10
I'm not sure what you are asking is right or wrong? Are you asking if its wrong that you asked your husband for a little money to buy the rest of the people presents that you needed to buy for? No I dont think its wrong of you to ask. All he has to do is say no if he doesnt want to give you the money. I love buying people presents as well it makes me feel good.
1 person likes this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
22 Nov 10
No, I'm not asking if it's right or wrong..just the fact that I'm not working and hubby is, so why should he contribute to my pressie-buying? You see, hubby is very accommodating, even if (deep down) he may not have enough money. Pride keeps him silent but if he told me he couldn't afford it I would understand his predicament.
That doesn't change the fact that I like buying presents for family though.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160665)
• United States
22 Nov 10
No matter who is earning at our house, it is our money, no groveling, we share. I am building up an Amazon gift card account through one of my earning sites and I have things picked out to order. That is also where I spend my MTurk money, if I ever get over and earn any. It does feel good to give people things that you know they love.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
22 Nov 10
I have heard of MTurk and it's for US residents only. Well, it was when I used it. I remember doing some tasks ages ago on MTurk and wasn't paid for them because I was outside the US, so - basically, the people submitting the tasks got them for nowt (nothing) lol.
@carolscash (9492)
• United States
24 Nov 10
It sounds like you have been busy shopping. I do not have money this year to buy much with and I have been hoping that I would get some ideas from people online as to things that I could do to make gifts, but haven't had much luck. I think that I will be doing some real fun gift baskets this year since I will be able to buy several items from the dollar store.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
24 Nov 10
I like the sound of those "fun gift baskets." It is good that we are all thinking of different ways of "giving."
I still have 5 presents to wait for but none of them are mega-expensive and I've thought a lot about what I was ordering at the time and have listened too. My brother mentioned an Alan Sugar autobiography he quite fancies reading so I ordered it from the WH Smith online store (reduced), along with a 2011 Diary that I would've bought from there anyway, and I've got free delivery to boot. So, that's an example of thinking about what I'm doing - in advance! I like ordering things on Mum's behalf too. Yesterday I ordered her some wood bleach that she finds difficult to buy round her way..and it's everywhere on the internet. I just found her the cheapest one and, even though the delivery charge is £4.99(!) it still works out cheaper than when she last found it in a shop!!
I still have 5 presents to wait for but none of them are mega-expensive and I've thought a lot about what I was ordering at the time and have listened too. My brother mentioned an Alan Sugar autobiography he quite fancies reading so I ordered it from the WH Smith online store (reduced), along with a 2011 Diary that I would've bought from there anyway, and I've got free delivery to boot. So, that's an example of thinking about what I'm doing - in advance! I like ordering things on Mum's behalf too. Yesterday I ordered her some wood bleach that she finds difficult to buy round her way..and it's everywhere on the internet. I just found her the cheapest one and, even though the delivery charge is £4.99(!) it still works out cheaper than when she last found it in a shop!!
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
23 Nov 10
It's creeping up though! Christmas Eve will be here before we know it!
I think I did the right thing ordering on the internet during November as EVERYONE orders stuff online during the month of December, even people who don't bother using the 'net the rest of the year!
@knicnax (2233)
• Philippines
22 Nov 10
This is the first Christmas where I can afford to buy gifts for people aside from my family without asking my parents for money! Haha! I'm so excited! When gifting though, I consider what the receive would like, and what color is their favorite. I have this love for orange that I want my gifts, gift wrappers and ribbons to be in orange. That's why I thought maybe others would love that too.
When I buy gifts for my god-children though, I make it a point to give gifts that will be useful to their growth. I love reading, that's why I usually give books. Bible for kids, or some stationery or art supplies. Things that will help in honing their character and skills.
I hate buying presents for my mum cause she's so picky. I want gifts to be a surprise but with her, if she doesn't like your present, she gets disappointed and tells you that "I wish you bought this instead of this" or "do you have the receipt? I'll try to return it and choose a different one for me" etc. One time (during her birthday) i just gave her cash. hahahah
I love buying for my siblings cause they love anything I give them. I dunno, I guess I know what they like, or they just really like what I give them.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
22 Nov 10
Your Mum sounds a lot like mine although we do share the sames tastes in telly programmes, hence the choice of dramas I have bought for her on DVD.
Clothes are a different matter and I'm still undecided on a jumper I may or may not purchase lol.
I love your present choices..well impressed. I also love the colour orange but for me it has to be "tangerine" as my hometown Blackpool are known as the "tangerines" because they play football in that colour. Everyone is happy wearing tangerine and I think it's one of the most positive colours around..but there again I'm biased.
My Mum is also one of those people that can't hide her disappointment if a present is bought for her she doesn't like. She's a challenge but I do like challenges and I think I've "come up trumps" this time!
Hope so anyway!
My Mum is also one of those people that can't hide her disappointment if a present is bought for her she doesn't like. She's a challenge but I do like challenges and I think I've "come up trumps" this time!
Hope so anyway!1 person likes this
@knicnax (2233)
• Philippines
22 Nov 10
I sure do hope you do.
Right now I don't know what to give my mum. My dad and uncle basically got her covered with the gifts she wants. I guess I have to ask her. No surprise! Bummer!
What's funny is that she loves having our gifts as surprises. I wish I could do the same for her! haha.
She gets mad sometimes when we buy her stuff for the house. Like if we buy her a vacuum cleaner, she might say "Is that my role in the family? To just clean the house?" So you can imagine her reaction if I buy her stuff for the kitchen as a gift. She loves cooking and having new kitchen stuff, but she doesn't like them as gifts for special occasions. (without her consent)
haha.
I hope I can figure something out before the prices double at the malls and thrift stores
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
22 Nov 10
Your Mum isn't a Gemini is she? She could be my Mum's twin lol.
I have found out that Mum doesn't like crew-neck or polo-necks on tops, therefore she wears v-neck versions. I also know she is a petite size 12 BUT I am terrified of buying her the wrong colour!! I know she has a brown one, a purple one, a cream one (I think) but she doesn't have red or light pink.
Mmm, decisions, decisions!!
I have found out that Mum doesn't like crew-neck or polo-necks on tops, therefore she wears v-neck versions. I also know she is a petite size 12 BUT I am terrified of buying her the wrong colour!! I know she has a brown one, a purple one, a cream one (I think) but she doesn't have red or light pink.
Mmm, decisions, decisions!!1 person likes this
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
22 Nov 10
I believe this down turn in our of our finances has caused us in a good way to be practical and more conscious about spending money. I like you love to see the happy faces when they open gifts as well.
I like your ideas very useful and will be cherished by all the receivers.
1 person likes this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
22 Nov 10
Thank you. It's true, when I'm spending someone else's money (so to speak) I really give it a lot more thought as to what I want to buy whereas if I was working perhaps I wouldn't think so deeply about it. I also love saving money on things now and have learned that buying clothes at the full price is a no-no, whether it's for me or someone else. For example, I have two long-sleeved tops I bought recently for myself, each was £10 but originally they were about £35. Offers like these don't come around very often but I'd rather go without than pay full price for them nowadays.
It's true, when I'm spending someone else's money (so to speak) I really give it a lot more thought as to what I want to buy whereas if I was working perhaps I wouldn't think so deeply about it. I also love saving money on things now and have learned that buying clothes at the full price is a no-no, whether it's for me or someone else. For example, I have two long-sleeved tops I bought recently for myself, each was £10 but originally they were about £35. Offers like these don't come around very often but I'd rather go without than pay full price for them nowadays.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
22 Nov 10
Well, I have learned not to get carried away and pay full price for things now. I reckon Amazon UK is my favourite site (2nd only to MyLot) and I have used it even when I have worked, as the high street can be such a rip-off.
I hope your Christmas is merry too!
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
22 Nov 10
Believe me, I've saved a lot of money in the first place, but thanks for that info, I didn't know about it!
1 person likes this
@muchmoremoola (33)
• Canada
23 Nov 10
This year will be the first year that technically I won't be buying Xmas presents. Instead I have decided to use my Airmiles points and put them towards giftcards. So practically everyone I know will be getting giftcards. It will help me out this year and they don't have to know. Sometimes things get tight and you just have to do what you can. I personally am not a big of a fan of Xmas as I use to be. It's so commercial and it seems to be full of stress trying to get everything done!
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
23 Nov 10
Giftcards are great aren't they? Good for you!
When we had our wedding do instead of people buying us presents they gave us (either) money or Homebase vouchers which allowed us to have our kitchen done out. Rather that than have presents we didn't really want!
When we had our wedding do instead of people buying us presents they gave us (either) money or Homebase vouchers which allowed us to have our kitchen done out. Rather that than have presents we didn't really want!
@traxx4dayz (5)
• United States
22 Nov 10
I feel the same way about borrowing money and not just from my wife. I hate borrowing money from anyone. I feel that Im more then capable of making money. I also like to shop fro christmas. I have 2 step sons that we get gifts for on the regular. I think that it is cool to be able to buy something that they want and make them happy. I think that there is no better feeling then knowing that my family is happy.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
22 Nov 10
It's not a loan hubby has lent me, he's actually given me the money, which is kind of him..and I do appreciate his kindness, I really do. All this prevents me from using my credit card as hubby would have to pay the balance anyway (I get no money from the state) so at least I've saved money on the internet buying stuff. On the high street it can be very expensive.
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