So, apparently it’s a low brow thing to spend a lot of money at Christmas?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm so glad my kids are getting a low-brow Christmas then. Upper class kids are "over" getting presents because they get them year-round? Sad.

Not so, my dc would love a room full of gifts! We choose to have them see the holidays as a time to do more for others and appreciate your loved ones. It’s a value choice that anyone can make regardless of wealth. My sister piles the room full of presents and it is clearly a small esteem issue she has, something she has passed onto her dc.

Oh brother, No Candy On Halloween mom. We emphasize giving and appreciation of others year-round, and celebrate Christmas as a time to remember Jesus' teachings and exchange gifts.

[Anonymous]

In our family this has not been true. I don’t buy my kids stuff just to buy them during the year , they’ll either earn the money themselves or get stuff on birthdays or Christmas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I guess our Christmas ski trip to Switzerland is lowbrow then.

Nice flex

[Anonymous]

A highbrow thing is an expensive trip and a small number of expensive gifts.

[Anonymous]

However when kid was small he enjoyed many toys so we had a lowbrow Christmas. Now it just works better for us to not have as much stuff.

[Anonymous]

Toys for Tots! Santa's Ride! Shop with Santa! What is the focus? Giving material items (toys) to poor children so that their Christmas will look and feel like the aspirational lower middle class they've been unable to obtain.

These families outsource and value experiences over material items, order and simplicity and aesthetics over clutter. Quality over quantity. Why would the holidays be any different? So, it is lowbrow to spend a lot of money on cheap plastic toys but instead maybe fancy vacations or a huge gift like a new car or a Peloton! Nothing gets wrapped!

I'm one generation removed from dire poverty. My parent had bleak, depressing Christmases.

[Anonymous]

Anecdotally this seems true. I think it’s because wealthy people can just buy whatever they want year round. Christmas is the only time poor people can splurge for that XBox or what have you.

[Anonymous]

I think it has as much to do with religion as money. Christmas was and is religious holiday with my family but not with my DH's family. My family has a much smaller focus on large gifts and a much large focus on the religious aspects of the holiday and with DH family - the opposite.

But both are great.

[Anonymous]

Yup. You should have taken care of your wants and needs by yourself.
So now the trick is to buy something that actually will be appreciated.
Creating a photo book of pictures that means something to them. Digitalizing old tapes and pictures. Making your special recipe cashew clusters. Experiences. That bottle of vintage wine for the collection.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Toys for Tots! Santa's Ride! Shop with Santa! What is the focus? Giving material items (toys) to poor children so that their Christmas will look and feel like the aspirational lower middle class they've been unable to obtain.

These families outsource and value experiences over material items, order and simplicity and aesthetics over clutter. Quality over quantity. Why would the holidays be any different? So, it is lowbrow to spend a lot of money on cheap plastic toys but instead maybe fancy vacations or a huge gift like a new car or a Peloton! Nothing gets wrapped!

I'm one generation removed from dire poverty. My parent had bleak, depressing Christmases.

I’m not sure which side you’re arguing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Toys for Tots! Santa's Ride! Shop with Santa! What is the focus? Giving material items (toys) to poor children so that their Christmas will look and feel like the aspirational lower middle class they've been unable to obtain.

These families outsource and value experiences over material items, order and simplicity and aesthetics over clutter. Quality over quantity. Why would the holidays be any different? So, it is lowbrow to spend a lot of money on cheap plastic toys but instead maybe fancy vacations or a huge gift like a new car or a Peloton! Nothing gets wrapped!

I'm one generation removed from dire poverty. My parent had bleak, depressing Christmases.

I’m not sure which side you’re arguing.

+1

[Anonymous]

It's true in our case.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Toys for Tots! Santa's Ride! Shop with Santa! What is the focus? Giving material items (toys) to poor children so that their Christmas will look and feel like the aspirational lower middle class they've been unable to obtain.

These families outsource and value experiences over material items, order and simplicity and aesthetics over clutter. Quality over quantity. Why would the holidays be any different? So, it is lowbrow to spend a lot of money on cheap plastic toys but instead maybe fancy vacations or a huge gift like a new car or a Peloton! Nothing gets wrapped!

I'm one generation removed from dire poverty. My parent had bleak, depressing Christmases.

I guarantee their kids don't value order and simplicity and aesthetics over getting gifts.

It's for THEIR KIDS, not for adults who've never learned to think about what anyone else wants but them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yup. You should have taken care of your wants and needs by yourself.
So now the trick is to buy something that actually will be appreciated.
Creating a photo book of pictures that means something to them. Digitalizing old tapes and pictures. Making your special recipe cashew clusters. Experiences. That bottle of vintage wine for the collection.

Ha ha, yeah, what kid wouldn't be excited to race out to the living room to find out which bottle of vintage wine is under the tree with their name on it? Or look through a meaningful photo book?

We're talking about CHILDREN. We don't seem to be having the same conversation....

[Anonymous]

I think it’s true. People who really can’t afford to spend a lot at Christmas tend to be the ones who go way overboard.