[Chris]

* It's obviously likely to be far higher than that, but it does show that it's not really a lot of money

Not necessarily the case - what percentage of the population is too young to buy Christmas presents ... and how many people, particularly the older generation, just buy 'together'.

[Console]

And what are Giga and Tera?

Giga is 10^9 and Tera is 10^12, essentially it's the difference between what is sometimes referred to as the American billion (1,000,000,000) and the British billion (1,000,000,000,000).

[Vivienne]

Good point. The reality of the situation is some people will go nuts, and spend way over their heads, whilst others will be far more sensible, and spend the minimum amount possible.

[Console]

* It's obviously likely to be far higher than that, but it does show that it's not really a lot of money

Not necessarily the case - what percentage of the population is too young to buy Christmas presents ... and how many people, particularly the older generation, just buy 'together'.

Ah, that's a good point. I did consider that some percentage of the population would be children, but I forget to take into account that some people do buy together, which may make the percentage lower than 50%, which does make the value far more likely.

[MK Chris]

Good point. The reality of the situation is some people will go nuts, and spend way over their heads, whilst others will be far more sensible, and spend the minimum amount possible.

Is the minimum amound possible sensible though? I will spend what I can afford and not more, that is sensible in my opinion.

[Vivienne]

Well, that is my point: what each person can afford. I think it just depends on personality what you will spend. I mean, some people just will go way over the top for no particular reason, whilst others won't. I heard someone in my local Tesco say that the carry-on every year for what is just the one day (Xmas day) is ridiculous. Totally agree!

[MK Chris]

Well done on writing "Tesco" in the non-annoying form.

[Vivienne]

It's part of my new image as a "sensible poster" that Tesco will no longer be written in capitals.

[Console]

I heard someone in my local Tesco say that the carry-on every year for what is just the one day (Xmas day) is ridiculous.

It is a bit ridiculous in some respects, but you have to remember, it's a rare time of the year where most people have time off and can celebrate. It's not really my sort of thing, but people enjoy to have a party, get presents and eat far too much turkey and potatoes. Karl Pilkington (not in any way a reference to you, Viv) once said that Christmas was stupid because it forced everyone to have the same day off, that the country was brought almost to a standstill (para-phrasing, obviously); that is a downside, but it's also the point in many cases.

[Vivienne]

It's not my sort of thing either, Cons. I always fancied "disappearing" somewhere at Xmas to avoid all the queues and fuss, etc. I remember one year where someone punched me into a display (punch in my back) in Glasgow city centre.

[Yudster]

I heard someone in my local Tesco say that the carry-on every year for what is just the one day (Xmas day) is ridiculous. Totally agree!

So - if thats what this person and other people think, why are they doing it? People are such sheep, they'll do what everyone else does whether they're enjoying it or not. I buy into the Christmas frenzy exactly as much and no more than I need to to fully enjoy it. When it gets close to the stage of thinking "this is ridiculous", I stop. Just because it's happening doesn't mean you have to do it, and if all it makes you is grumpy and stressed, why do it!

[Vivienne]

The person in question was a "relaxed type" with a minimum amount of shopping, who was questioning why others were going "bonkers" all for the sake of one day. I found myself nodding my head.

[Yudster]

I imagine then that the people who were "going bonkers" were doing it because they wanted to. Why is this a problem for anyone?

[Vivienne]

Basically, yuds, because it's totally unnecessary, and will result in many people paying off credit card bills, etc. until the Spring. Bah humbug.

[MK Chris]

If they end up doing that, though, that is their problem.

In the past it has been my problem and I have dealt with it (the hard way). There's no need for others to stand at the shops commenting on how I am spending my Christmas thank you very much, that's my look out.

[Yudster]

Basically, yuds, because it's totally unnecessary, and will result in many people paying off credit card bills, etc. until the Spring. Bah humbug.

Totally unecessary to whom? You? Well ok, don't do it then. Perhaps the reason it actually happens is because people do feel it's necessary - and even if that's arguable, it's no-one else's business. And - stop press - believe it or not, there is a significant number of people out there who actually enjoy Christmas, for a lot of very different reasons. Wow, think of that!

[Vivienne]

OK, calm down! I wasn't meaning to upset you! :-0 And ok, it's your own business.

[Vivienne]

And I usually pay with cash, resulting in an absence of credit card bills.

[MK Chris]

This year I'll also be paying with cash, as I don't have a credit card (and won't be getting one again.)

I joined a Christmas club this year, that my great-aunt runs; I paid a tenner a month and got £120 back a few days ago. I'm upping it to £20 next year.

[Vivienne]

My mum does that (the Club thing), then gets a sensible lump sum back.

[catherine]

I don't really have any money i get about 200 pound a month and 120 of that goes on college. I usually ask for my dads christmas money early so i can buy people presents with it, including my dads.

[Chris]

I joined a Christmas club this year, that my great-aunt runs; I paid a tenner a month and got £120 back a few days ago. I'm upping it to £20 next year.

Isn't that just the same as a bank account, except that you don't get interest?

[MK Chris]

Yeah, pretty much, but the difference is I've committed to a family memer that I am going do it and so I will do it. The interest would be minimal anyway (I also don't pay tax on it, I don't know what the difference works out as).

[Chris]

You also don't get anything if your great-aunt decides to run away to Aruba with it. It's less likely that the NatWest will steal your money for a holiday, however trustworthy your great-aunt is. You may as well hide it under the mattress, it sounds an insane scheme.

[MK Chris]

Unfortunately NatWest will also allow me to give in to my temptations to withdraw the money and spend it when I'm short.

I know it seems like a backward thing, but if it's under my mattress, I know where it is. If it's in the hands of a (highly trusted) family member, who does the same thing for quite a few others too, then I have no access to it until it's time to Christmas shop. This is important to me, because I don't trust myself.