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mattyb
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Dec 14, 2010, 09:17 AM
 
We all know that Christmas can be VERY expensive. I put it to you dear MacNN Lounge readers and commenters that I have spent the most.

Fridge (with freezer), washing machine, dishwasher, oven (with hob), double bed, mattress for double bed, childs bed, mattress for childs bed, toys for 2 kids (3 and 6), delivery of previous products and finally the removal company that is coming to take us and all of our shit to a new (rented) house. I would have liked it to have been our new (bought) house, but paperwork turned out to be more powerful than money.

All told, just under 4200€. And I haven't even got my wife or parents their presents yet. Reckon that we'll have our Christmas meal in McDonalds.
     
alligator
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Dec 14, 2010, 09:38 AM
 
I bought a new car for myself, does that count?
     
mattyb  (op)
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Dec 14, 2010, 09:46 AM
 
Famous for 21 minutes.
     
imitchellg5
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Dec 14, 2010, 10:49 AM
 
Congratulations?
     
The Final Dakar
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Dec 14, 2010, 10:53 AM
 
Does it even count if its shit you need?
     
mattyb  (op)
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Dec 14, 2010, 11:31 AM
 
Originally Posted by The Final Dakar View Post
Does it even count if its shit you need?
In theory I could wash the dishes in the sink, clothes in the bath, sleep in sleeping bags etc etc. I reckon that a good 90% of the presents that I've had in the past 10 years have been things that I've needed. Essential to maintaining vital statistics no, but I needed a new zoom lens for example. We NEEDED a large screen TV.
     
SpaceMonkey
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Dec 14, 2010, 11:35 AM
 
I haven't spent a dime on the holidays yet this year.

"One ticket to Washington, please. I have a date with destiny."
     
The Final Dakar
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Dec 14, 2010, 11:36 AM
 
What I'm saying is, if you moved into this house in July, would you have waited 6 months to get this stuff? Is the timing happenstance?

And getting stuff you need for xmas is missing the point.
     
osiris
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Dec 14, 2010, 11:45 AM
 
Sounds like a whole lot of bad planning or incredibly bad timing, but shit happens no doubt.
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Dec 14, 2010, 11:53 AM
 
I've definitely spent far more than I've made, thats always a bad habit to get into.
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Kitchenall
     
Shaddim
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Dec 14, 2010, 01:16 PM
 
More than I care to think about. So far, probably close to $15,000 and I'm not finished yet, and that's just me. We don't go into family birthdays, so Christmas is when we catch everyone.
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
- Thomas Paine
     
mattyb  (op)
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Dec 14, 2010, 01:44 PM
 
Originally Posted by SpaceMonkey View Post
I haven't spent a dime on the holidays yet this year.
Lucky barsteward.

Originally Posted by The Final Dakar View Post
What I'm saying is, if you moved into this house in July, would you have waited 6 months to get this stuff? Is the timing happenstance?

And getting stuff you need for xmas is missing the point.
Sorry, I was being sarcastic. Yes, its all about bad timing.

Originally Posted by osiris View Post
Sounds like a whole lot of bad planning or incredibly bad timing, but shit happens no doubt.
Market for rented houses and a non-negotiable 'we want our apartment back by end of Feb' sort of shit.

Originally Posted by Shaddim View Post
More than I care to think about. So far, probably close to $15,000 and I'm not finished yet, and that's just me. We don't go into family birthdays, so Christmas is when we catch everyone.
I'm just a lightweight.
     
ort888
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Dec 14, 2010, 01:51 PM
 
So far I've spent about $100 bucks. Hoping to not spend more than $200 total. My family is not so focused in gift giving and material goods. We all pretty much have everything we could want within reason.

My sig is 1 pixel too big.
     
SpaceMonkey
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Dec 14, 2010, 01:56 PM
 
Originally Posted by mattyb View Post
Lucky barsteward.
Lucky, cheap, and very lazy.

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Snow-i
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Dec 14, 2010, 02:46 PM
 
My xmas bill is looking to be in all $500+. This includes an anniversary though.
     
imitchellg5
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Dec 14, 2010, 03:14 PM
 
Originally Posted by Shaddim View Post
More than I care to think about. So far, probably close to $15,000 and I'm not finished yet, and that's just me. We don't go into family birthdays, so Christmas is when we catch everyone.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Are you buying everyone cars?
     
andi*pandi
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Dec 14, 2010, 03:22 PM
 
I spent more than I'd thought I would, but not too much. Not even sure really. under $1k. $230 at lego.com, $200 at amazon, $220 at ToysRUs... $180 at Landsend... even the little stuff for stockings adds up. This is mostly kids and spouse, some friends.

We do buy each other things we "need" even though it's not as exciting. I'm foreseeing a humidifier in my future. My husband will enjoy using the toaster oven.
     
mattyb  (op)
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Dec 14, 2010, 04:01 PM
 
Originally Posted by andi*pandi View Post
I spent more than I'd thought I would, but not too much. Not even sure really. under $1k. $230 at lego.com, $200 at amazon, $220 at ToysRUs... $180 at Landsend... even the little stuff for stockings adds up. This is mostly kids and spouse, some friends.
Parents who give kids Lego I loved Lego. Got my son a fire-station set. Reckon that I'll be playing with it as much as he will.
     
imitchellg5
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Dec 14, 2010, 07:04 PM
 
My parents used to always get me LEGO® sets and a HESS® truck every Christmas. Loved it every year!
     
Shaddim
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Dec 14, 2010, 07:23 PM
 
Originally Posted by imitchellg5 View Post
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Are you buying everyone cars?
Last year I bought most of the people in my family Kindles, or was that the year before last? This year we're buying different things for everyone; TVs, BD players, BD box sets, a couple Nook Colors, etc.. The girls are getting new 15" MBPs, leather riding gear, spa memberships, and misc stocking stuffers.
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imitchellg5
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Dec 14, 2010, 07:48 PM
 
Sheesh. Boggles my mind that some people spend more on Christmas than I make in a year.
     
turtle777
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Dec 14, 2010, 09:57 PM
 
Originally Posted by imitchellg5 View Post
Sheesh. Boggles my mind that some people spend more on Christmas than I make in a year.
There's only one way to fix it: you gotta spend more on Christmas

-t
     
imitchellg5
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Dec 14, 2010, 10:05 PM
 
Ha ha ha. Yes! That's the spirit!
     
Captain Obvious
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Dec 14, 2010, 10:47 PM
 
Originally Posted by mattyb View Post

Fridge (with freezer), washing machine, dishwasher, oven (with hob), double bed, mattress for double bed, childs bed, mattress for childs bed, toys for 2 kids (3 and 6), delivery of previous products and finally the removal company that is coming to take us and all of our shit to a new (rented) house. I would have liked it to have been our new (bought) house, but paperwork turned out to be more powerful than money.
None of that counts as presents.

You are furnishing your own home and that it coincides with xmas doesn't mean that they are presents. If you'd bought them for someone else other than your immediate family they'd count as holiday expenses but you are just making necessary purchases at this point.

Barack Obama: Four more years of the Carter Presidency
     
turtle777
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Dec 14, 2010, 10:54 PM
 
Thanks, Cpt. Obvious, we love your voice of reason

-t
     
Laminar
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Dec 14, 2010, 11:32 PM
 
I think we're keeping it under $600 this year with family, friends, and each other. Thankfully we're doing a gift-swap type thing at a couple family gatherings so we'll only need one gift each instead of buying something for everyone. Picked up a Shake weight tonight for one of those swaps.
     
King Bob On The Cob
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Dec 14, 2010, 11:51 PM
 
I was supposed to spend $2k on a ring for my girlfriend of five years. Instead I spent $1.5k trying to save our 6-year-old Golden Retriever. She didn't make it. It's going to be a terrible Christmas.
     
andi*pandi
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Dec 15, 2010, 12:23 AM
 
Oh no. That sucks.
     
Doofy
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Dec 15, 2010, 02:27 AM
 
I've managed to keep it under $150k this year.
(Did I win?)
(Yes, I have been buying cars for people)
It's all bullshit, ain't it? A good open fire, couple bottles of Baileys and some Bing is all you need.
Been inclined to wander... off the beaten track.
That's where there's thunder... and the wind shouts back.
     
mattyb  (op)
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Dec 15, 2010, 11:22 AM
 
Originally Posted by Captain Obvious View Post
None of that counts as presents.
Actually some of it is presents (toys for kids), although the percentage is small.

Originally Posted by Captain Obvious View Post
You are furnishing your own home and that it coincides with xmas doesn't mean that they are presents. If you'd bought them for someone else other than your immediate family they'd count as holiday expenses but you are just making necessary purchases at this point.
All I wanted to point out was how much I'm spending over the Xmas period, not necessarily just on presents.
     
imitchellg5
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Dec 15, 2010, 11:31 AM
 
Originally Posted by Doofy View Post
I've managed to keep it under $150k this year.
(Did I win?)
(Yes, I have been buying cars for people)
It's all bullshit, ain't it? A good open fire, couple bottles of Baileys and some Bing is all you need.
Yes, you win.
The Range Rover just showed up. Thanks Uncle Doof <3
     
Shaddim
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Dec 15, 2010, 11:43 AM
 
Originally Posted by Doofy View Post
I've managed to keep it under $150k this year.
(Did I win?)
(Yes, I have been buying cars for people)
It's all bullshit, ain't it? A good open fire, couple bottles of Baileys and some Bing is all you need.
I didn't know we were counting vehicles.
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
- Thomas Paine
     
Laminar
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Dec 15, 2010, 12:38 PM
 
If I had my way this Christmas I'd put this under my own tree:

     
imitchellg5
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Dec 15, 2010, 01:26 PM
 
Flog it in the snow? Or just a winter car?
     
bstone
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Dec 15, 2010, 01:29 PM
 
I don't celebrate X-mas. Thus, I don't buy people X-mas gifts. Thus, I save a lot of money.
Emergency Medicine & Urgent Care.
     
Laminar
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Dec 15, 2010, 01:44 PM
 
Originally Posted by imitchellg5 View Post
Flog it in the snow? Or just a winter car?
Both. I'd be a blast. But I have those whole "saving for a house" thing going that I don't want to mess up. Maybe next year.

Originally Posted by bstone View Post
I don't celebrate X-mas. Thus, I don't buy people X-mas gifts. Thus, I save a lot of money.
And fun.
     
turtle777
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Dec 15, 2010, 01:48 PM
 
Originally Posted by bstone View Post
I don't celebrate X-mas. Thus, I don't buy people X-mas gifts. Thus, I save a lot of money.
Pfff, don't tell me Hanukkha is cheaper. 8 gifts ? You're killing me.

-t
     
Laminar
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Dec 15, 2010, 01:49 PM
 
Wait...bstone is Jewish?
     
tooki
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Dec 15, 2010, 01:49 PM
 
I got myself a Nikon D7000 body, two more SB-600 flashes (before they go out of production), new boots, and a new vacuum cleaner. All of it absolutely essential, I assure you!
     
SpaceMonkey
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Dec 15, 2010, 01:55 PM
 
Originally Posted by Laminar View Post
And fun.
Giving and receiving gifts are fun. Selecting gifts is not fun.

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osiris
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Dec 15, 2010, 03:13 PM
 
I love the eating and drinking part. The gift part not so much - I don't want anything anymore, but it is still fun to surprise someone with something. I think I spent a little over a thousand so far on gifts, but will easily spend that much more on food and booze over the next week.
"Faster, faster! 'Till the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death." - HST
     
imitchellg5
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Dec 15, 2010, 03:18 PM
 
Originally Posted by Laminar View Post
Both. I'd be a blast. But I have those whole "saving for a house" thing going that I don't want to mess up. Maybe next year.
Yeah I've been wanting to get an older Subie for both reasons as well, especially a first-gen Legacy BF.
     
Shaddim
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Dec 15, 2010, 03:27 PM
 
Originally Posted by SpaceMonkey View Post
Giving and receiving gifts are fun. Selecting gifts is not fun.
Shopping with your wife to find leather bike gear (for her) = fun.
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
- Thomas Paine
     
Laminar
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Dec 15, 2010, 05:26 PM
 
Originally Posted by imitchellg5 View Post
Yeah I've been wanting to get an older Subie for both reasons as well, especially a first-gen Legacy BF.
And when the Impreza's 110hp gets boring, all it takes is a late model WRX swap and I have the ultimate sleeper.
     
SpaceMonkey
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Dec 15, 2010, 05:30 PM
 
Originally Posted by Shaddim View Post
Shopping with your wife to find leather bike gear (for her) = fun.
I've been looking for something that says, "Dad likes leather."

"One ticket to Washington, please. I have a date with destiny."
     
Doofy
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Dec 15, 2010, 05:40 PM
 
Originally Posted by Shaddim View Post
Shopping with your wife to find leather bike gear (for her) = fun.
Best kept secret: Lingerie and stilts (for her).
Been inclined to wander... off the beaten track.
That's where there's thunder... and the wind shouts back.
     
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Dec 15, 2010, 05:44 PM
 
Originally Posted by Laminar View Post
Wait...bstone is Jewish?
Pay attention. He just finished saying how he likes to save money


Originally Posted by mattyb View Post
All I wanted to point out was how much I'm spending over the Xmas period, not necessarily just on presents.
Well if thats the bar we're setting then people should add in their spending on rent, loan payments, car, social activities, and groceries over this two month period in to their figure.
( Last edited by Captain Obvious; Dec 15, 2010 at 05:51 PM. )

Barack Obama: Four more years of the Carter Presidency
     
imitchellg5
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Dec 15, 2010, 05:54 PM
 
Originally Posted by Laminar View Post
And when the Impreza's 110hp gets boring, all it takes is a late model WRX swap and I have the ultimate sleeper.
Yep, found a 93 Legacy sedan here with the parts and tools for the swap, $1k for the whole thing.
     
Laminar
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Dec 15, 2010, 05:57 PM
 
Originally Posted by Captain Obvious View Post
Pay attention. He just finished saying how he likes to save money.
     
Person Man
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Dec 15, 2010, 06:57 PM
 
When it's all said and done, I'll probably have spent between $1000-$1500 for Christmas gifts this year.
     
   
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