I love Christmas but there is something about it that really annoys me - excessive spending and pointless present giving.
I love the build-up to Christmas. I love the cosy evenings in front of the tree. I love watching festive movies, visiting Christmas markets and eating mince pies. I love making decorations and I love watching my daughter get excited by it all.
What I don't love is listening to people say they are stressed trying to decide what to buy people for presents, or even worse saying they are spending money they don't have to buy things for people because they feel like that 'have to'.
The way I see it is that if you find buying presents a chore or you can't afford to do it, then don't.
If you feel bad because you know people are going to buy you something, then tell them not to bother. If they choose not to listen, then that's there choice! It really is simple. Or if you do want to give something, then make it. It doesn't have to be expensive as long as you have put thought into it.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not anti-presents. There are some people who are amazing at buying presents; they see something that they know the person will love. They have a knack for it and receiving a present that you truly love is great. But it very rarely happens and more often you're just given something that you don't really like by someone who doesn't really care because they don't like buying presents and are just relieved they've found something to give you.
It's this that I find such a pointless waste of money and makes me wish it had just been donated to someone who really needed it.
One way people seem to avoid getting something they don't want is to tell people something they do want. This again just defeats the whole point in my opinion as if it's something you want that much then you would have bought it. What I've heard quite a few families do is give each other Christmas lists of things they want - not kids, but adults! I mean honestly! If one of my parents gave me a Christmas list then I would tell them to grow up!
We are spending Christmas with Mr C's family this year and luckily we've decided to 'buy for the kids only' which has taken away a lot of the stress of present buying, well for him anyway. I've been telling him to suggest this for years!
Anyway my rant is over and I will get onto the main point of this post!
When it comes to kids I do think they should receive presents. It's all part of Christmas and I can remember how much I enjoyed opening mine when I was a little girl BUT I don't think you need to go mad and spend a ridiculous amount of money which is why the majority of my daughter's presents this year are second hand.
It has all been through the washing machine (apart from the bus) and is as good as new, and the best part is it came in at just £22, for everything!
Jess is in the last year of her 20's and has two children, one girl and one boy. She is a social media addict who loves taking photos, being crafty and making cakes
Blogs at: Along Came Cherry
Twitter: @alongcamecherry