Christmas presents seem to cause dread at the thought of all that shopping and expense and then, how much should we spend, when should we open them? And what expression is on your face when you get one you really didn’t want?
But presents give a great deal of pleasure too. Perhaps the best ones don’t cost a lot of money – the well-worn saying “it’s the thought that counts” is always true, even if it’s yet another giftbox of bathroom soaps.
Presents on a budget
Richard Hall
With personal debt rising and serial complaints about the cost of living popping up everywhere, it is madness to think that the average adult spend is around £600 on stuff that no one really needs. How many people who receive expensive gifts are in the returns queue a few days later? Some families agree on how much each person has to commit on buying individual gifts; for example, £10 per head. Others donate what they would have spent on them to a local food bank, charity or other worthy cause.
Gemma Gould
Buying Christmas presents on a budget is becoming increasingly challenging. Gone are the days of Secret Santa for a fiver or filling stockings on a shoestring. Nowadays, finding a thoughtful gift for under £50 can feel impossible. With the cost of living tightening purse strings, how can you manage? Charity shops are great for books, games and DVDs, combining budget-friendly options with supporting good causes. Handmade gifts, especially from children, are heartfelt and inexpensive. Reflect on special moments from the year ̵ a framed photo can make a cherished keepsake.
As my parents wisely say, time is more precious than money. This Christmas, stay within your budget and give the greatest gift of all: your time and presence with loved ones.
Robert Postings
Board games make good presents and have been having a moment recently. Gone are the days when mentioning board games received a scoffed response about not liking Monopoly. Now, more and more people have been taking up board games as a hobby. The likes of Wingspan, Settlers of Catan, and Ticket to Ride are all well-known and enjoyed. But the downside of board games, like many hobbies, is the price.
Step in TK Maxx. Last year in the run up to Christmas, TK Maxx started stocking a variety of good quality games at very good prices. My dad’s Christmas present was a copy of Seven Wonders from TK Maxx that I got for under £20. Its recommended retail price is £44.99.
This year is the same; pop into a TK Maxx and you can find a variety of board games at much reduced prices.
The joy of opening presents
Gemma Gould
When I was younger, we used to open all of Santa’s presents first thing in the morning. My sister and I would climb into our parents’ bed and excitedly open our stockings. The rest of the presents were opened sporadically throughout the day, with one of us playing ‘postman’ by retrieving them from under the tree. My parents still carry on with the postman tradition to this day.
However, these days, with a family of my own, all the presents are opened in the morning. Santa’s gifts take precedence, followed immediately by the family presents. The mere suggestion of following the old family tradition elicits horrified expressions from everyone – even the dogs, who are always quick to make light work of any wrapping paper.
Richard Hall
Opening presents is part of the Christmas Day routine and we all do it differently. First thing is obviously a good time, especially when small children are involved. The post-lunch period is also a good moment, as long as you have a dishwasher to take the stress out of the tidying up. But leave it any later and you run the risk of trying to sound pleased by the packet of socks you didn’t really want while fighting the influence of a large meal or too much red wine and whisky.
The best present ever
Gemma Gould
For me, the best Christmas present wasn’t something commercial, but a complete surprise. Many years ago, I worked in the pub trade, which meant working on Christmas Day. As a result, I hadn’t spent Christmas with my family for years. That year, I had been up since 5am, enjoying the excitement of Christmas morning with our very young son, then working through a busy shift serving Christmas dinner until 4pm, doing silver service the whole time. Exhausted, I didn’t expect anything beyond the usual routine.
However, my other half suggested we go for a drive to see a Santa parade that he had heard about. Too tired to question it, I didn’t realise there wouldn’t be any parades on Christmas Day. To my complete surprise, he drove us instead to my godmother’s house, where we spent the rest of the day with my parents, sister, godmother and godbrother. I hadn’t seen my parents on Christmas Day for so long, and Christmas is such a special time for me. That unexpected moment, spending time with my loved ones was, without a doubt, the best Christmas present I’ve ever received.
