topic Re: Christmas Lists in Community Chat

Christmas Lists

Biftu — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 01:20:43 GMT

I asked my goddaughters girls (ages 14 and 11) what they wanted for Christmas. They said that would text me their lists. One had 76 items and the other had 64 broken down by category and a link to where they could be purchased! Some fairly expensive items and some very inexpensive ideas. Well I asked for it and I surely have plenty of options.

Made me realize how the world has changed. When I was young I wrote out my list that probably had three or four ideas. What a consumer culture we have become.

Re: Christmas Lists

Carmie — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 01:26:45 GMT

Christmas is no longer recognizable. It's become a horrible gift grab occasion and money maker for businesses.

Maybe, just maybe, we will all come to our senses and celebrate the true meaning.

Re: Christmas Lists

threecees — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 01:28:10 GMT

Wow!

That's alot of things your granddaughters want this year.

My daughter used to say when she was little she would like Santa to bring

her whatever he wants. I sure miss those days having little kids.

Good luck, you have plenty of items to shop for!

Re: Christmas Lists

Desertdi — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 01:32:55 GMT

@Biftu

I got a wedding invitation...from a couple that was living together for years, and had a very expensive house in Beverly Hills. You should have seen THEIR gift list.

I felt embarrassed for them...on second thought...I felt they were IGNORANT. Such is life... di

Re: Christmas Lists

Biftu — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 01:36:44 GMT

I blame a lot of this on Tik Tok influencers.

Re: Christmas Lists

Tori3569 — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 01:37:18 GMT

Besides the use of technology, I'm not surprised at the number of items on their lists. My nephews and nieces used to wait for the Toys R Us catalog / flyer that would come and circle at least 5 things on each page--each.

They never looked or probably even understood the prices in comparison, they just saw it as a big wish list. They would never have expected to get everything. I loved seeing them going over the catalog with a fine tooth comb. 😹

I miss those days just because they're all grown up now with their own families and don't live nearby. We have very little family here at all, unfortunately.

Re: Christmas Lists

spumoni99 — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 01:59:16 GMT

My 13 year old twin granddaugters are like pulling teeth to get a christmas list out of them, they are shy about asking for things and I do a lot for them, I take them back to school shopping every year. Not all kids are the same. I am sure the girls don't expect everything on the list its just ideas for everyone that shops for them.

Re: Christmas Lists

Rockycoast — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 13:24:59 GMT

We didn’t do any different when the Sears catalog came out when we were young. All us kids poured over it and circled and put our initial next to the toys we wanted. Didn’t mean we got it all. So things have not changed so much with kids now a days.
Christmas is what you make of it. It can be whatever you want it to be or mean. Nothing I fret about.

Re: Christmas Lists

charsha — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 02:10:25 GMT

@Biftu How sad.

Re: Christmas Lists

Love my grandkids — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 02:14:29 GMT

I have to say I've never dealt with this. When my DS marrried my wonderful DIL she was, and is, a Jehovah's Witness. He converted which was fine. Since they don't celebrate Christmas this left me free to get gifts for my grands any time I wanted (usually checking with their mom first, who always said yes).

I feel for those who have to plow through huge lists.

Re: Christmas Lists

OKPrincess — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 02:28:38 GMT

For three years, my 9 yr old great nephew puts his wish list on Amazon and several of us can look at it and order from it. Makes like easier especially those old us on limited income.

Re: Christmas Lists

JeanLouiseFinch — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 12:31:13 GMT

We were also raised to be polite and mindful about the expense, and to not be greedy and over ask.

I blame Tik Tok and peer pressure too. A certain teenager we know has a $700 camera a $170 pair of light colored Ugg boots on her list and she's very specific. Knockoffs are unacceptable. She's getting neither from us. She probably won't like our gift because I chose what to give her. Well part of it is a gift card so she'll like that. 🙄

Re: Christmas Lists

rms1954 — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 02:51:04 GMT

@Carmie wrote:
Christmas is no longer recognizable. It's become a horrible gift grab occasion and money maker for businesses.

Maybe, just maybe, we will all come to our senses and celebrate the true meaning.

Hasn't it always been that way?

Re: Christmas Lists

1Snickers — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 02:59:17 GMT

With grown adopted grand kids a 17 year old granddaughter and 5 great grandkids who don't know me because they live in States far away I put money in their savings accounts for birthdays and Christmas.
I've had no complaints, shop only for the local one to have something open at Christmas and save on postage.
🏦 💵

Re: Christmas Lists

Carmie — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 02:59:46 GMT

@rms1954 Not at my house when growing up. We were never encouraged to make lists or ask for things.

Our Christmas's were wonderful....more about family, food, church pageants. Yes, we got gifts, but not many.

We had everything we needed.

Re: Christmas Lists

Desertdi — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 04:15:17 GMT

My husband came from a HUGE family. His relatives ALL expected gifts from me (even after he died).

Some of these "requests" were for kindergarten graduations for great-grand nieces and nephews.

I had to have a job to make ends meet for MYSELF...and I put an end to the gifting. (They don't speak to me any more, either.)

Edited to add:

I live in Phoenix, and all these "relatives" live in New York. I've never even met them...

Re: Christmas Lists

QVCkitty1 — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 03:22:24 GMT

It's all how you are raised. I was an only child and I got gifts galore, it was magical. However I was not spoiled and was taught to be grateful and not take anything for granted. As an adult one of my great joys is selecting the perfect gift, and I'm told I'm good at it. Last year the daughter of a good friend wrote a note on my Christmas card saying how they always looked forward to my gifts as they were just what they wanted. My mom love Christmas and probably went overboard sometimes, but the values she taught me balanced out the bounty.

Re: Christmas Lists

Bookplate — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 03:23:19 GMT

I would suggest they shop around for a new godmother.

Re: Christmas Lists

Bookplate — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 03:28:19 GMT

@QVCkitty1 wrote:
It's all how you are raised. I was an only child and I got gifts galore, it was magical. However I was not spoiled and was taught to be grateful and not take anything for granted. As an adult one of my great joys is selecting the perfect gift, and I'm told I'm good at it. Last year the daughter of a good friend wrote a note on my Christmas card saying how they always looked forward to my gifts as they were just what they wanted. My mom love Christmas and probably went overboard sometimes, but the values she taught me balanced out the bounty.

@QVCkitty1 I completely identify with your very happy history, your indulgent but wise mother, and your received values.

Re: Christmas Lists

bikerbabe — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 03:30:59 GMT

When I was little, I marked up the Sears Wish Book with tons of items circles.

I just marked everything I liked. I certainly didn’t expect to get all or even most of it.