Have I got out of the wrong side of the bed?

[whitesnake]

Anything over a fiver constitutes a proper gift in my opinion and if you shop around on the High Street you can find nice presents for just that. QVC are bonkers thinking we can spend like they suggest on teachers/table and TREE gifts, yes tie a ribbon round a L'Occitane handcream or OPI nail polish. Honestly what do they think the majority of us earn? I hate the way we are brainwashed (and its not just QVC) into thinking you are a failure if you don't have a traditional, cheery Christmas with all your family around you, throwing parties for all and sundry and giving everyone a gift to take home! Aaaargh!!!!!!!!

 

[Mazza]

I had forgotten the hand cream tree gifts!!!! I quite agree with you about the enforced festivity as you describe. Well what about those of us that have no family??? Are we automatic failures then?? Actually I am quite happy with my own modest Xmas, thank you QVC and other retailers.

Surely an awful lot of this has come over from the US? I do not mean QVC US but the states generally. We now go bonkers for hallowe'en and will be having Thanksgiving soon, IMHO. However whilst we import all these traditions, we don't get rid of any so it is overload.

 

[srhgts]

I'm not keen on the huge family xmas hoo ha shops etc promote either. They make out like you have to have 3,000 much loved relatives and be massively popular and adored, and no doubt have endless pots of money to buy numerous things for each of them. I spend xmas with my partner and my mum, and sometimes my dad might come round. We don't even hear from any other relatives, they don't really bother with us at all, so it makes me feel a bit sad and inadequate that I don't have the cast of thousands all playing charades etc. Don't get me wrong, I'm very grateful to have my ma and my partner and we have a lovely time at xmas, I just always wished for a huge family gathering like a lot of my friends and neighbours had.
Also, where did this whole thing come from about everyone needs to get a posh dress every year for all those dozens of xmas parties they'll inevitably be going to?! I've been to three xmas parties in my life...