www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk

I have this (what I think) is a good idea, but please read it all before your reply.

Imagine the scene
Its Christmas day and you open that present from your favourite granny. "Oh thanks granny, a fake doggy poo, just what I always wanted" (Lets be honest, you don't really want the fake doggy poo)
Its a similar story with other presents.

Boxing day
You are clearing up all the rubbish and you find THAT fake doggy poo, you drop it in the bin along with the other rubbish. End of story.

The facts
We all know the above does happen be it you do it, or people do it to what you brought them. (Yes, they really do)
Yes we know you really wanted that "new and improved electric rotary plunge device" but that costs a lot, it would have been better if the family had clubbed together to buy it for you, but truth known its still a bit too much.

The suggestion
Why not tell everyone, "Please, don't waste your money this Christmas, buy me nothing but a card, I will do the same for you, that way I get what I want, and you don't get some junk you don't really want / use"

The name
This campaign is to be called: Save your money and be happy.

On the side
NEVER buy some one in a foreign country a goat, or give them a coat.
What does some one in a very hot country want with a coat?
What does someone in a hot country feed a goat? (Since they can't grow anything to feed themselves, let alone a goat)

_________________________________________________________________

Before you reply. Be honest, how many times have you binned a present or given it away etc, its a complete waste of money, money some don't have.

I agree about the fake doggy poo...

But I love my goat not in that way...

And my coat...

Years ago my wife bought me a Dremel with all the accessories, she was transfixed by the ads.

I have used it less than a dozen times, has been useful when needed but overpriced for the use it's had.

If I want something I'd rather buy my choice not theirs.

John

You all still get surprise pressies? At your age?

Got mine sorted out, chosen by me, (and I expect I'll probably buy them too).

ayjay wrote: Got mine sorted out, chosen by me, (and I expect I'll probably buy them too).

Well you can't expect your missus to go in 'that' kind of shop

As you know i have a motorbike,folk always buy me something like a mug with a Harley Davidson printed on it,I have never wanted or liked HD bikes
other crap i have received
aftershave,bath suds gift sets from poundland
USB cup warmer
PJ's with stupid slogans on them
My mam usualy puts a selection box together of really useful stuff like duck tape WD40 Superglue etc cheap but really handy and appreciated

Cannyfixit wrote: My mam usualy puts a selection box together of really useful stuff like duck tape WD40 Superglue etc cheap but really handy and appreciated

Bless...you've just got to love a Mother like that..

Some years ago I bought the (now) ex wife one of those digital photo display things, from PC World. I also bought a nice usb stick and loaded it with her favourite photo's of grandkids, pets. Put some videos on it and a load of her favourite songs. (it were all singin all dancing) Wrapped it up and forgot about it till Christmas Eve. She turns to me and says,, " I know what you've bought me for Christmas and I'm getting all excited now." I asked her what she thought I'd bought, and she replied "Well I saw a carrier bag upstairs from PC World, and I just know, you've bought me a laptop."
Christmas morning was ruined.. She hardly spoke all day, cremated the turkey, burnt the veg, lost the recipe for Bisto. I was still apologising well into the New Year.
I can laugh about it now (as did my brother on Boxing Day when I told him)

Razor wrote:

ayjay wrote: Got mine sorted out, chosen by me, (and I expect I'll probably buy them too).

Well you can't expect your missus to go in 'that' kind of shop

..........and Las Vegas is quite a long way to go.

http://bisonstudios.com/index.html

You see that's the problem with Xmas.......people expect a lot......lots of stress and strife......

Cancel the whole lot of this consuming culture and be kinder to folk all year round.

I just buy presses and buns for loved ones all year round......that's how you show you care for people !

P.S. .......probably worth buying wife a computer ......just to get some piece and quiet !

Not Christmas, but i did ask for something that costs nothing one birthday, and I got it, and enjoyed it....although it did only last a day.
I asked to be left alone, to do what i wanted to do on my birthday, no having to sit there whilst people visit me all day long.

My issue with xmas is that it gets pumped down our throats from late October - by the time it gets to Xmas day, everyone is fed up with it.

As with most occasions these days, the commercial aspect of it has taken over. Its just an excuse for the marketing men make parents feel guilty and make kids bend their parents ear for that latest must have toy that will be out of fashion in 3 weeks.

I am an atheist - so the thought of celebrating a birthday for some fictional beardy gonad's kid a little pointless to me. Me and the missus don't do xmas trees and decorations - I don't have foliage in the lounge the other 335 days a year so why would I have in December - and decorations are just something for the missus to set alight with the million yankee candles that seem to just appear...

I am however, glad of a few days off work to spend with friends, family and the likes - splash out a bit on food and drink, have a good time and just relax - I work my ass off for the rest of the year so I enjoy my time off as much as possible. Gifts are nice and all, but I tend to buy people stuff they can use - rather than bin fodder and tat that will spend the rest of its life sat in the attic or a cupboard harbouring dustmites and gremlins - and I buy everything online so I don't have to play MMA with people in shopping centres.

My patience with shopping is thin at the best of times so I refrain from shopping at xmas, and I am banned from supermarkets by the missus after the swearing at the queue jumper incident a few years ago. I only asked her what she thought she was doing and why she should perhaps ask for some manners as her xmas box.

@ JoelC....whilst I agree to an extent (I too am an atheist) I do believe in the spirit of Christmas...

Peace on Earth and goodwill to all men..and all that.

So........less of that "Bah Humbug" please, and go and pull an occasional Xmas cracker..

Last Christmas my partner's daughter bought her bath salts. She knows we don't have a bath in the house, we have a shower enclosure. (yep her daughter really puts a lot of thought into her pressies)

wine~o wrote:@ JoelC....whilst I agree to an extent (I too am an atheist) I do believe in the spirit of Christmas...

Peace on Earth and goodwill to all men..and all that.

So........less of that "Bah Humbug" please, and go and pull an occasional Xmas cracker..

I'm not saying I don't believe in the spirit of Xmas, I just think people should be less concerned with the commercials of Xmas, and think more about it as family time. Xmas is and has been for a long term a marketing tool for making sales figures. It's a great time for people to relax, catch up and be excellent to each other, which is how it should be whatever religious persuasion you are.