There are some families who have lots of children to spoil at Christmas, then there’s those who have an adult-only unit. An imbalance, however, is created when one single family member is then tasked with buying for lots of children belonging to the extended family. That’s without adding in step-family dynamics, the reality that some people are financially struggling, the disparity in disposable income, and not wanting to seem like a scrooge.
“My family do individual gifts for children, then a ‘hamper for the house’ for the adults to share,” wrote one Reddit commentator, DendroNate. Clarifying what goes inside the house hamper, it’s noted the basket is filled with “some chocolates, maybe a bottle of something nice, some nice crackers and chutney”.
This typically comes up to “£20 per hamper” which is “a cheaper option” than getting everybody a gift each. “And we all end up with lots of nice stuff to nibble on over Christmas.”
Another person posted what their family do at Christmas on the popular forum website.
“I used to go all out at Christmas as I love trying to find thoughtful gifts, but being the only unmarried one and childfree, it was starting to drain me,” one candidly wrote.
“I don’t give to receive, but it did start to feel very one sided. We did try a secret Santa for a few years…”
“Gift dynamics are so different between families I don’t think there’s a right answer,” wrote another contributor.
“My brother and I are both adults with no kids – we don’t do gifts for each other but commit to doing something fun together once a year.
“We each get our parents a decent gift, or chuck in for something substantial if they need or want it.”
Somebody else posted: “For my side of the family, adults get a tin of fancy biscuits per couple and children get proper gifts.”
