Bah Humbug…

I was scrolling aimlessly through Facebook the other evening (is there any other way to do it?!) and happened upon an interesting post by a lady who had taken A LOT of flack for ‘only’ spending £100 each on her children’s Christmas gifts.

She had been accused of being ‘tight’ (amongst other far more unpleasant things).  She was very clear that this was their family’s decision in an attempt a) to budget for Christmas properly and carefully and b) to NOT spoil their children.

Some commenters were disgusted that in amongst the stocking fillers were things like socks and shower gel (which were considered to be ‘essentials’ rather than ‘luxuries’).

I was utterly incensed that the keyboard warriors and trolls came out to play as they inevitably do but this seemed beyond the pale to me.

Who are we to criticise someone else’s traditions, budgeting, parenting aspirations, whatever?

Anyway – it reminded me of a little rhyme someone told me donkeys years ago that Christmas gifts should include the following:

~  Something they want

~  Something they need

~  Something to wear

~  Something to read

I absolutely put ‘essentials’ in my kids’ stockings (*or rather Father Christmas does) – they get socks, bath bombs, lip balm – that kind of thing.  They also get puzzles, chocolates, bobble heads (google it – so daft!), satsumas, walnuts, party poppers.

I also always attempt to set a budget and stick to it – but invariably I go ‘over’ – well it’s a special occasion!  It doesn’t matter to the rest of the World what my budget is – the amount is NOT important, as long as it is proportionate to your available funds of course!  What is important is that you set a reasonable budget and do your best to avoid getting carried away – yes it IS a special occasion (for some), but it is actually after all only ONE DAY!

Here at Solomon’s, we always ask our clients to be ‘generous’ in their estimated figures for their expenses (and not just on gifting).  It helps build contingency and ‘wiggle room’ in the financial plan; and intrinsic to this is an understanding that life is rarely a straight line.  And it is never the same as anyone else’s – we are our own yardstick; always.