UK GNer who celebrates Christmas? Take our survey - £50 voucher to be won *NOW CLOSED*

Since I was retired through ill health, and then my PIP was stopped, I have found it very difficult as in how am I going to manage. We have a extra one this year Ollie a pleasant really beautiful smile, his mum sends me photos and he has this infectious smile, that I always smile back. Back to the subject in hand!!!!!! I am dreading it this year more than last, I try to get the children what they ask for! I start to put extras away in to a box treats I call them. I have made some snowmen from toilet roll tubes and put sweets in rather than by a selection pack Everything just seems so expensive. I use to love cook for everyone and all the grand children have them all over. This year the thought scares me.

Why is this only open to UK Gransnetters. Another fall out from Brexit ? ?

We may not be able to get sprouts this year ( nothing to do with Brexit I assure you)

Whether or not you love Christmas, this survey was very commercially based and had little to offer to anyone who genuinely celebrates the festival ( in whatever way they choose.)

Monica I'm with you , its what you make it. Spend/don't spend . I definitely don't feel pressured to overspend and I love every minute of the whole darn thing !!

First Christmas content I've seen in 2018!

Half way through I dropped out, thought it very intrusive, why should I have to state my income? We have a very low key relaxing Christmas plenty to eat a little to drink, dozing in front of the fire and TV. My treat is always some new books and a few glossy magazines. Kids can visit anytime if they want to but no worries if they want to stay in their own homes. I love the week between Xmas Day and New Year’s Eve, a whole week of doing very little, no need to food shop as plenty in the cupboard.

All done!

I have a list of tasks from Mid November onwards. I have developed a routine that I enjoy i.e. week one buying a poinsettia, week 2 up dating the electronic address book ready to print labels for cards etc. I enjoy watching the grand children decorating their tree and if they have time they come an help me with mine. Lidle and Aldi have plenty of good Chrismas food and I am happy to stock up as their goods come in.

I have a CD with some cheerful carols to play in the kitchen whilst I am cooking and may order a new one this year. Nothing over the top. I enjoy Christmas, try to avoid the highstreet, give money to close relatives, and enjoy hosting the family when it is our turn which it is this year.

The real meaning of Christmas has been completely ignored - it is obviously a marketing exercise so I am sure my answers were of no use at all.
To be honest we spend very little hard cash on our grandchildren actually for Christmas - we treat them to outings etc. throughout the year which they enjoy far more than a mountain of presents on 'the day'
Wouldn't it have been lovely if family traditions such as placing the baby in the manger, attending Church services etc. had been included? Sadly everything now has to be PC!
Telly I didn't tick any of the income boxes so basically I created my own 'opt out' My response will probably be totally ignored

Hillwalker70 that is why the questions asked are irrelevant to many. It is only about marketing and how to ensure more money can be made.

can you tell me why the questionnaire does not have boxes to tick ? I never know whether my answer has registered or not

I have read though it but there is nothing about the Birth of Christ and relevant celebrations.

I happily fill in the income amount because I never enter my name in the prize box, so my contribution is entirely anonymous.

Sorry, but asking for income with no option to opt out is too intrusive

Can’t be bothered to negotiate the questionnaire (what is the point of it anyway). Since my DS and DiL decided they didn’t want to come to us on Xmas Day we have been going away to a rented cottage at the seaside and simply avoiding Xmas. My husband never enjoyed it, even as a child. We exchange small presents, drink champagne all day and have a good walk on the beach. The main meal will be pizza or a curry! We see the GC when we get home and they are given money and a book.

Well, I've put the sprouts on!!


Was anyone else a Girl Guide? Be prepared!

Its too hot to think of christmas

Can not believe we are talking of Xmas. I have joined in the antics of an Elf on the Shelf, the youngest DGC loved looking each morning to find him and the eldest the fun of re hiding him each day.

It’s not working !

Monica I could have written your post - and after I had completed the survey I thought that I (and my entire family) must be the marketing men's worst nightmare.

Why are they using non words as in obligated instead of obliged?

I love Christmas and believe it is only commercial if you let it be. I do not watch much tv so see very few of the Christmas adverts. Anything else in the commercial line goes over my head because I am not interested in it.

Each year we do the usual thing in the usual way. I can do it in my sleep. Same decorations, same menu, same traditions, some pre-Christmas ones for DH and I and for the family over the Christmas period. Most presents bought on line. Everyone seems to love it and so do I. It is all remarkably hassle free.

I struggle with the commercialisation of Christmas. I find preparation for Christmas stressful as I sing in church and also in a local choir so there are so many extra choir practices and concerts to do that there isn't time for everything else. Last year was great as I went to DS and DiL for Christmas so didn't have as much to do. As I was only having my daughter to stay for one night on her way between her dad's and her friends I didn't bother putting up decorations at all. I hope to be away at my daughter's this year so should be easier again apart from the travelling as she lives 400 miles away!

Wow! Could it be any more commercially based?
Not completing that!

I wish I could like Christmas. A big dark cloud surrounds me at the thought of it. The nearer to Christmas, the bigger the cloud gets. I wish I could run away and hide from November to January. I dont know when or why I started to feel this. I remember it used to be so much fun - a long time ago