Meow

If you have a couple of minutes to spare I'd be grateful if you would complete this relatively short survey for me. It's for a show on Dubai Eye on 14th when I will be talking about seasonal spending habits.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XmasSpending2015

Most of the respondents from other sources are women so I am particularly after some responses from men, for balance. Totally anonymous so no one will know if you're in the bah humbug or overt consumerism camp although I can make educated guesses for many of you!

Thanks

mentalist

Done, but hardly necessary to be anonymous in my case.

NorthernLad

Done!

scrubbedexpat141

Done as well.

Just to be open about some of the questions - we (my Mum, Sister and I) have traditionally had loads of presents to open. They both buy through the year and we generally had one main one and lots of bits to open - socks, pants, choc, games etc.

I now try to limit the amount of presents to just what people really want. I always ask for cash for something - last year was golf clubs, this year golf lessons, year before new iPhone etc. Big things that I will take convincing to buy myself but with cash I will buy instantly and really enjoy and get the value from.

Rarely nowadays is anything a surprise, which is kind of sad but means I hopefully don't end up with half a suitcase of 'bits' that I don't really need / want to bring back.

Oh, in the early parts of the questions - I don't really enjoy Christmas that much. I enjoy how happy people are about it (my Mrs particularly loves it), I enjoy that people are generally nicer around Christmas but I have had some truly awful Christmases that I'd rather forget. I associate it with seeing one parent, occasionally being asked to pick which and sometimes - major arguments. That being said, some people have much worse, so I should be grateful not grinchful.

Meow

"grateful not grinchful"

I'll be stealing that!

scrubbedexpat141

Royalties in lieu of financial advice already taken.

Jef3

Boxing Days great tho ! Its all over then

soukie

Done - currently in UK making the most of all the Christmas sales etc. UAE is way too expensive for my Christmas shopping!

Pongo

Q19... I usually do my shopping on Christmas Eve in the morning, followed by a pub lunch if at home. Sometimes it's not been possible due to being 'away' with a few 100/1000 colleagues, which in its own way was memorable.

Millhouse

I'm with you Scamp - for exactly the same reasons. Far too many millhouse "family" Christmas resembled the mitchell's in the Vic.

scrubbedexpat141

I think our issues not just from the picking parents bit but from the pressure that Mum puts on herself to make sure it's perfect and a nice day / time. Everything has to be just right and if you interfere in her plans you're in the shit.

Doesn't help that my Granny's (Mum's Mum) birthday is Boxing Day so that always adds complication as she favours my Aunt it's awkward every year. It's just something I never look forward to now.

Nevermind.

DXBtoDOH

Ah well. I enjoy Christmas but it's important not to make a big deal out of it.

I get a few nice gifts for the ladies in the family, never expect to get something as nice back and never do but that's fine. A nice big meal, a few Christmas parties, a concert or two in a pretty church, moaning about the crowds whilst shopping in London but secretly enjoying it, some booze and some rich food and a long walk on Boxing Day.

What am I looking forward to the most? The new Sherlock, of course