Why do we feel it necessary to spend so much money at Christmas?

We don't spend a lot of money. We buy the kids each one big toy, Christmas outfits and clothes and the stocking is stuff from the dollar store. We also buy one big family gift. It's about a $200 Christmas. For family members we make our own candy, breads, cookies and things and give them baskets. The kids help too and we really enjoy it.

It's called commercialism and society has impressed it upon us, it used to be people made things for each other with their hands and gave things that were really needed. Has anybody NEEDED a game boy lately???

It's not so much people want to spend so much money as much as things are just so freaking expensive today. Believe me, if I could find something decent at the dollar tree, I would be doing my shopping there.

My husbands step-mother makes cookies for us every year and they buy gifts for the kids. Personally I prefer the cookies over a store bought gift for the simple reason that it too more time and effort to make the cookies(since she cooks from scratch) than it does to go to a store and buy something. Also for me the meaning of christmas is not about the presents it is about spending quality time with family, and friends. That is most important for me.

I believe in a lot of instances it HAS become about spending more and more. Parents want their kids to have the latest toys and gadgets, and some people even compete with each other on who can get the best gift. This would be ok if we were all millionaires, but unfortunately this is not the case. It would also be alright if people didn't tend to forget the meaning of Christmas. It's not open presents (even though I LOVE to give on Christmas), but more about celebrating the birth of Christ with loved ones. I know there are many out there that don't necessarily celebrate Christmas for the birth of Christ, but even in that case I believe it should be about celebrating a special day with loved ones.

yes because the peolple are celebrating so the yspend more than the usual expenditure..anyways its once in a month and fr me it okay...

The only reason we spend more money at Christmas is that we don't buy a lot of stuff for the kids during the rest of the year. Occasionally we pick up one or two things but we save most new things for birthdays and Christmas. I usually want to get new things because they have changed so much over the year and now have different interests. I try to find things they are interested in and not just buy them the biggest, most expensive toy of the season (there will be no tickle me elmos in my house, lol).

i never feel that I have to spend a lot of money with chirstmas because I wouldnt do it. My daughter she will get a present just a small present. that is enough

I have never understood this as well. I know people that go in debt each year because of the christmas holidays and they are still paying for it all year long. THis is something that we as a family do not do. We do have a great holiday time and we do exchange gifts but we are not going to put her self in debt for a holiday.

well,it a necessory because it's aonce a year to celebrate it was like chinese new year where we can gather together and celebrate the specail they,i would think it's a nescessary for buying a present for christmas

christmas is for having a blast. so we should spend a lot, to have a blast

its a kind off feelin good every human being want's to feel good.and this is one season of feelin good and this season is all about the birth of jesus so that is one more kind of feelin good and relieved. and comin to the eating part its fun to share many kinds of yummies like cakes and cookies over all its nice to have one season like this every year to enjoy.

Well for us we do not give the girls a lot of toys & such threw out the year. I know some parents get their kids something everytime they go to the store. We usually wait for Christmas, birthday, a good report card. That does not mean that we give our children tons for these occassions either.

i think.... --not everybody's like that. there are a lot of other people like you who appreciate more traditional gifts.. --those who spend tons of money for christmas probably do that simply because they have the money to spend (think christmas bonus or 13th month pay) --the amount people spend goes up because the prices of everything do the same --or maybe so many people just go with the flow --or just show off what they have --but some do spend a lot because it's their way of showing love or appreciation for those people they give gifts to--like mothers who would spend a lot on toys because they want to see their children happy. the thing is, it's different for every person so we cannot really generalize.

I entirely agree with you... People give so much importance to the gifts they give. Sometimes people think the most expensive present is the best. In my case i much apreciate hand made presents cause they have much more meaning.

Its not how much we give money but its how joy we give to those people we give gifts.

the whole purpose of life is to enjoy. and human live for it. so they always look for ways to it. and christmas is such an opportunity. so we spend a lot, and it should be like that also. so lets spends a lot, and have lot of fun.

This is not like this. ppl do spend money on . chirstmas...because u cannot celebrate without spending money some spend more money for a lavishing . celebration some do it in a simple way . .no one is doing extra...they are doing because they thing they can afford to do its not harming them .

i too feels this as TREND, its because people are finding new ways of earning money and becoming financially free . The more money one makes the less time he has, people trade time for money and money for time,so people want to CELEBRATE the time during CHRISTMAS they never bother about money because they are finding some relaxation from the stressful life

i don't spend very much. i spend on sale