Decisions, decisions ...

[saxy_jag]

Just been watching another spate of christmas ads on the telly and once more, it got me thinking.

Typically there's a shop showing its range of goods and a voiceover telling us what a lovely gift this, that or the other would be for 'young Jenny', 'Auntie Edna', 'the boss', 'the Fosdick-Smythes across the road' or whoever. They seem to advocate that we should be spending a week's wages on our neighbours, friends and colleagues, a bit more on our extended family and a veritable fortune on our nearest and dearest.

But really, who does spend this sort of money on people, especially extended family and friends (unless they're very special to us, of course)?

I'm thinking of getting the bloke next door a bottle of whisky (because he's also a very good friend), but I'm wondering whether he might prefer the digital camera I've just seen advertised. He does travel a lot.

Think I'll buy the youngest (he's 27) the latest Wii, and I'm sure Mum would love one of those digital TVs. Perhaps the complete Lancome collection or a nice Gucci handbag for my sister, and one of those fancy massage chairs for hubby. What do you think?

[NazNomad]

It's your money, spend it however you want.

[cazzz1975]

the neighbours will be lucky to get a card off me :)

[NazNomad]

"the neighbours will be lucky to get a card off me :) "

So we've got no chance then? :-D

[cazzz1975]

sure naz...as long as it doesnt cost me anything ;)

[MickyMacgraw]

If you've got it and think others are deserving of it then do it.
If you have got it and think others are undeserving then don't do it.
If you haven't got it and think others are deserving then any little token would be welcomed as when someones poor it's the thought what counts.
If you haven't got it and think that others are undeserving then keep your pennies firmly in your pocket!

[anneasquith]

dont spend money you dont have.

[boxtops]

I might give a small gift to neighbours if they have done things I really appreciate, and a bottle always goes down well - but by buying a gift like a camera, you might be setting a precedent and then he'll feel obliged to buy one back, and then you are on the spiral. Our neighbours get cards and so do nearly all our friends - no gifts.

[horseshoes]

anneasquith - my sentiments EXACTLY. We have friends, who when our children were little used to go into huge debt to overspend on their kids and then spend the next year scrimping and saving. What's the point? If you can't afford it - don't buy it!

[saxy_jag]

Think I agree with most of you - buy what you feel is appropriate and what you can afford. Thankfully most of my family and close friends are of the same mind (and I was being facetious - there's no way I'd spend that much on any of them at my current rate of pay).

You can't wonder at people getting up to their necks in debt, though, when they have adverts like that shoved in front of them on a daily basis. They make it all look so easy.

[woofgang]

soo agree with you...like some little thing that is 20 quid advertised as a stocking filler