I really cant afford anything madam...Having extensive dental surgery for next 2 years.....Very costly !!! I believe Christmas is in the heart....I have me figgy pudding, and get along as best I can these days...cheers to you ! I do me best to make people smile....Its worth going the extra mile....
I totally agree with you Iiona. I have saved so much money since I stopped 'doing Xmas'. I don't have kids and grandkids so it doesn't have any meaning to me anymore. We are suffering with the cost of living and a housing crisis here in Australia. People need to get a grip and stop spending money that they don't have to keep their spoilt kids happy for one day. It makes no sense to me. We are on the same page 😊
Not all kids are spoilt, and kids do expect Father Christmas to arrive, although I agree generally kids get too much, I was guilty of that when my kids were young, I now see I was making up for my horrendous childhood.
I have struggled year after year with Christmas, sometimes crippling my finances until April. What for, I ask myself, just to give people something they probably don't want anyway? This year, I have been in and out of temporary work. I am 63 and have had enough! This can't go on into retirement or else I won't be able to heat my house and pay my rent. ENOUGH she cried! No more! Stuff what people think. I still take their baby for a walk and cook them all a roast regularly for free etc. There's 23 of them for goodness sake!
I hate Christmas - but as the mother of an adult disabled son (he's 44, profoundly deaf with added learning disabilities) I do it for him because HE loves it. As I get older (now 67) friends leave, they die...circumstances change. Money was a struggle before I became a pensioner! This year I have more money than I thought. I don't do debt. So I've been very indulgent! Just spent £100 on expensive chocolate! Some for my two closest friends and some for me - to celebrate our friendship. I'll buy some things for my son (nothing expensive). The BIBLICAL meaning of Christmas was never about commercialism and greed not that religion sits right with me anymore. What upsets me the most is families struggling to live, pay bills going all out into debt to give their children the presents that mean they won't get bullied by other children! What a world we live in eh! You look fabulous is your purple robe. I do layers of teddy fleece. You know - as a woman of a certain age living on my own to you, a fellow woman of a certain age living on your own.....I'd love to sit with you, we could have coffee and biscuits (I could even get posh chocolates). We could have a right old natter, putting the world to rights. I raise my coffee mug to you. Much love to you Ilona. Julie in Sheffield. 🙂
I love Christmas. I have never had the income to wildly splurge on anything. Every purchase is a calculated one, right down to the candy bar at the check-out counter. Which means every gift I give is given a lot of thought to bring joy to the person I am giving it to, as well as the joy it brings me as the giver. I have a budget, and I don't spend a nickel over it. A lot of my gift-giving involves craft projects that are useful to the recipient.Yes, I can afford Christmas, birthdays, and any other giving holidays because I plan for them and stay on budget.
Iv recently heard of thriftmas it means we all go about Christmas the same but gifts must be either thrifted or hand made and the stress is set free it's both budget friendly fun and environmentally friendly 😊
Cut out the commercialism, that’s what depresses people. A simple celebration of Christs birth, with a lovely meal a few treats and a thankful heart for the freedom we still have in this country. No one should give to receive and if they do, their problem not yours. Wise advice from you again Ilona x
I’ve said in other comments people have been complaining Christmas is too commercialised for hundreds of years, just do Christmas your way. No you should not give to receive a gift it should come from love, but that also means that if you don’t receive a gift back the other person feels unloved. If you can’t or just don’t want to give out cards or gifts I think you should tell people why, then it’s up to those people whether they still want to give to you. If I could afford gifts easily but someone I knew couldn’t I would still give them a gift. I think communication is the key.
christmas is too expensive. I am not getting presents this year and I have asked my relatives not to get me presents. I am going to spend xmas day a lone... to be honest it is a relief
Ilona, you're spot on 😂 Again, I agree 100%, we seem to be back to the pre 2020 merry go round(s), with Christmas being the biggest spending trip of many during the year. Yes, time to bow out. I've cut right back and discourage present giving. I do some small crafts if I want to gift something. Your advise is good, your commenter will feel much happier to do her own thing. Yes, there are bigger elephants in the room to view for us all these days.
Haha, bigger elephants in the room 😅. I stopped doing presents for any adult friends and made it to meet up for coffee and cake chat instead...at least that's socializing and getting out with a mate.
Im glad im not the only one. that stopped doing Christmas. I don't do Christmas trees, or decorations, or outside lights. My kids call my home at christmas Bleak House. I have to remind them I cannot physically do it anyway. decorations or christmas trees, Or Christmas shopping. That's my excuse and Im sticking to it.
Hi there Ilona, you are fantastic! I loved your video and what you said about Christmas. I'm certainly not going to feel guilty about not posting any cards this year!
I'm certainly with you on the state of the country and so many thousands of people coming in. Our services /housing /NHS. is stretched already and building all over our green land will eventually bring disaster I could go on!!!. X
in the summer i went to an estate sale and got piles of yarn for 50 cents a pound. we have 4 grown ups, 18 grands and two great grands! oh my! i knitted most hats,mittens,socks and slippers for xmas. it has cost us 60$ to ship everything thru the mail. its so crazy costly. i knew a little elderly lady which i am too but she knitted her 12 grands sweaters every year.so all year long shes knitting them all a sweater. she was amazing. i make everyone who comes to dinner some gifts. i have a little tiny tree up. i get sort of tired of making all the holiday dinners but two little grand girls have no mama.so i am at least steady for them. thats as cheap as we could do but still make a personal gift for each person. too its Jesus's birthday not ours! i got the one little grandgirl some beautiful dolls last year and she doesnt even know where those dolls are. lol.
I do do Christmas but only now buy for my niece who’s 11 and my friend. My parents we take out for a meal later on in the new year. I don’t send many cards but have brought mine in the sale, but at work I get a tin a chocolates for them. I’m glad I don’t have too many ppl to buy for anymore. My niece just gets cinema vouchers. I’m not putting up decs this year as we are at my parents for a change. I usually work Xmas but have it off this year. For me it’s about the birth of Jesus and celebrating his birth. I’m happy with that x
A bar humbug here n proud😜 told my sister 10 Yr ago no more gifts, it stresses me out of what to buy her, her hubby her 2 kids and their partners. Told mother in law last year no more spending on crap ( which in the past I saw her friend wearing the jumper we bought her) 🤔 she called us miserable 😂 I replied you would be too if you knew what's coming, to which she replies oh don't start with ur conspiracy things again 😂😂🤦♀️🤡🌎. Me n hubby just don't care anymore, don't want to play the phycopaths games, don't bother with cards either and life is beautiful when you do what you want to do😘 well said lovely lady, I'm not boasting I'm just supporting you👍
The first year I got married we didn't have much money for christmas presents, my twins were 2, so i went to the thrift store and got 10 storybooks for 1.00 that looked new. We also bought 12 christmas vhs for them to watch, also a dollar.. Our tree was small which was decorated so that was good 1.25 .. A small meal . I put a bow on our door and the kids were happy. It doesn't take a lot of.money to be happy
I remember my childhood Christmases. We didn't have much money and mum did her best by keeping things simple. We knew we weren't going to get anything big and expensive, but we were grateful that we got smaller items.
Thank you Ilona I stopped buying years ago as a singleton I used to get so stressed with the cost of it I said to myself this is so silly to get to this state so just told family and friends that I wont be buying I do all the birthdays because its spread out so it suits my budget .xx
I used to walk around the shops with a list of names, searching for the perfect present for them. One day I thought this is madness, I don't have to do it. Just say no.
You certainly cheer everyone up Ilona you are an amazing woman we can see you in our living rooms but you can't see the amount of people who are truly helped by your company this year iv told my family because I am in the middle of moving to a new house this Christmas I can not afford to buy gifts but will get family together for a meal in January with a few gifts later on and I will not feel guilty it's how things are at the moment also I agree with you about the state of this country bringing people in with our building homes for people who have been on waiting lists x
Just inviting people to your home is enough without the gifts I’d be over the moon with an invite, a cup of tea and a biscuit! Good luck with the move! Wishing you years of happiness in it x
Someone said something to me recently and it's true, when people are dying, some have regrets, but no one has ever regretted not having enough 'stuff'....
My friend died in a hospice last week... no family , she had nothing much materially, but dear friends by her side to the last... giggling until the end ( she was very naughty )... we will all remember her with a giggle and possibly a drink in our hands to toast her on the next step of the journey... If someone keeps the smiles going after they go... what a great legacy...Wishing you and yours a peaceful Happy Christmas x@@teres469
Great advice Ilona . As a human race it's a habit many have got into and guilt can play a part in feeling we have to continue to buy . I have cut back and already feel relief . I still buy for birthdays because I want to and it is after all my friends/family special day and above all I can also afford to . If I could not afford I definitely wouldn't be doing either present giving . Carry on ranting ... You male total commonsense to me . 😉
Most people want to be accepted, especially if you have family (kids ,grandkids). It is sad that Christmas means spending a lot of money. Love is money these days. My Grandmother had 6 kids and numerous grandchildren and she would spend the whole year knitting something for each of them.😊
Well I can but don't really like Chrismas. Don't mean to sound like a Scrooge but always pleased when it's over. It's because I don't like winter. I'm a spring and summer person. Fed up of the long hours of darkness already.
Thanks Ilona for videos & content & sharing with us your valuable time.... making them. You are fabulous & a breath of 'fresh air.' You are an honest, human being with lots of wisdom - which you share in a lovely 'down to earth' manner & no bullshit!! I agree re Christmas + other topics you hit on. I'm on my own too. It took me a long long time to accept that. But thanks to Covid (imagine that) & isolation rules 😃 I got used to and fully accepted - being on my own.... & it's life changing for me in a really good way. Love you seat cover. Arts/crafts ... you are so talented & lots of patience creating all those different pieces. Regards. Rose 🌻
Thank you IIona. It is so refreshing to hear someone with so much common sense talk. What a rare thing common sense seems to be these days! You are so right, we are all individuals and we should do what we want. If you don’t want to do Christmas or anything else for that matter just say no. NO is a very powerful word. It can actually be a full sentence. We need to learn to use it more at Christmas and throughout the rest of the year. If the recipients don’t like it then honestly that’s their problem. We have to respect other people choices. I do feel for people with children who genuinely cannot afford Christmas though, The pressure to provide is huge. I just wish we could all take the ridiculous materialism out of Christmas and bring it back to how it used to be.
We stopped Christmas full stop 2 years ago. We do Christmassy things, like listen to Christmas carols, have some Christmas candy and treats, watch Christmas classics on TV etc. We don't do many Christmas cards, I think maybe 3 or 4.
I don't do Christmas it's me and my pets I stop the cards as well what was lovely to hear today in the fabric shop that is family run, the daughter in law was telling me today she makes things for her family jumpers she knits and hats she knits socks and aprons for the children fabric I feel that wonderful. I am on my own 7 -24 I feel for the homeless with the cold weather rain. I will be taking my dog out if the weather permits I buy flowers for people all the year round and give the bus drivers fruit. We have 8 billion on this planet. Love your video it is fab. I am happy love your mat it is fab. We have too many robot thinking out there.
I agree totally. If there was a point to Xmas, it was not about merchandising, but then they do that with all the significant festivals now. I have always balked at the idea of giving something on a particular date because i was expected to. My children will always get a small gift on birthdays but even then i don’t go mad. If I see something i think a particular person might like or need I get it for them. You see it means I have actually thought about them , not the date on the calendar. If you get something when you are not expecting it it’s much nicer and far more personal. I am always na bit sad when I see folks laden down with cheap gifts which will probably end up in landfill because they feel they don’t have any other choice than to buy them. It’s all very different to how it was in the past. If more people speak out then at some point people might even get around to working this out for themselves. As for being on my own it beats being cooped up with a load of relatives I am not that keen on and being guilt tripped in to eating too much. Anyway keep up with the re-education you are doing a worthwhile job ❤
I’ve been practicing not feeling guilty for few years now. Each year is better and better. I must say it feels good, and I discovered that actually people are relieved because they themselves didn’t know how to do it. Funny when you think about it . Thanks Ilona as always intelligent advice. Merry Christmas.
So True ! Christmas is only One day and doesn’t define the Gift of giving which many do all year round not always monetary but time too given to others 🎁 🎅🏻
If you can’t afford Christmas or don’t want to celebrate don’t. I can understand if you haven’t any family this time of year especially can make you feel very lonely. As a society we do over board but I understand why people try to squeeze happiness and joy where ever they can, we have to stop equating that with spending too much money. People say it’s too commercialised now but people have been saying that for hundreds of years. We are cutting down drastically, one reason is the cost of living means I couldn’t save much and what I had saved has gone missing. I presume when I had a big clear out about a month ago I accidentally threw out my savings😢 had a few tears this week but just getting on with it. A nice Christmas dinner a few sweets and a few Bailys with my family are all I need.
I have a lovely Christmas on my own. Beats the horrors of an abusive family and later abusive in laws. I eat what I like and when I like. I watch what to I like or don’t watch it at all. I don’t do presents or cards and don’t want them from anyone else. Baa Humbug rules!
I go to my local thrift store and look for the gifts with tags on, brand new, save them in my gift box and when I need one I go through it. Last week I gave my friend two china mugs in a box brand new for her housewarming gift, they came from a very expensive store and she loved them, $5 dollars !!!!
We buy a gift for our little grandson. My son buys and cooks a nice, but not extravagant Christmas lunch main course and I make the Christmas pud. We take my 100 year old Mum out from her care home once a month but add in a run round in the car to see the lights in town after a special meal out in December, because it is her birthday. Apart from that, my husband, son, grandson and I spend he holiday days hiding in our two houses that are next to each other, playing games, watching a film and eating ordinary food together and taking long walks with our dog. If there's snow, out come the pledges and, even though I'm 72 now, I'm the first on my way down the hillside behind our field! Your proddy mat is gorgeous!
I agree with somethings you say but when I was growing up up we did not have a lot I have always tried to sent some nice cards with word my granny taught me this it is not how much you spend if you cannot afford it I buy what I can afford and set a budget for each year some are better than others but you if you have a nice tea on Christmas and have a tree and enough to pay your bill 🐝🐝
We tend to forget the definition of Christmas.We celebrate the birth of Christ. We do not celebrate how many presents we are going to give each other at that day. As a Christian Orthodox here in the East of Europe and especially in my country, Greece most of us that we believe in Christ is a joy every year to go for the morning mass that starts at 5:00 o' clock early in the morning! And then return all joy to a christmas breakfast with family or even by yourself without any hint of presents. It is not in our culture. The only presents that someone gives is in New Year's Eve, when the parents leave some presents underneath their children's pillow that Saint Basil left. We do not have father Christmas here! And that' s it! My good people do not celebrate materialistic your Christmas day it is not about presents but about Christ. If you believe in him you shouldn't feel depressed and anxious. It is a joyful day. If you do not believe in him is okay do your own things at this day without paying much attention to what everyone else does at that day.As lovely Mrs Ilona said! My sister that lives in England will come for Christmas and it was such a gift to me when she said we are coming to the morning mass with you and then for breakfast! The best present for me!! So, if you do not want to follow your gift tradition ask from your loved ones a walk in the park, to ring you and say hello,to share some lunch or tea! Do not get depressed in this lovely day even if you are alone or you are not religious.It is fine do you! Thank you so much Mrs Ilona for your lovely video and great talks! As I have said before you are a mother figure!❤
I live in Australia and hate Xmas - theses are the reasons: The weather - I hate the heat 🥵 of summer. All the decorations become landfill. It’s a waste of money that puts pressure onto people 💰. *Christmas gift giving (within family budget) should be all about the children/ adults with special needs and only close family if it’s a special gift/ momento. - I’m often joking called “Scrooge “ at Christmas 🎄 time but I just laugh 😂. I’m a 52 year old single mother of a 26 year old daughter- unfortunately she hasn’t caught onto my way of thinking …….yet but she’s giving birth to my first grandchild next April and will be on maternity leave for a year so I’m hoping she starts to realise what budgeting means - and that she uses cloth nappies instead of disposable ones 😒 Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a happy new year to you all 🎄….that should be all that needs to be said and done ! 👋🏽from 🇦🇺
Thank you, Nicola. I think a lot of people are going to become destitute before they realise that they have made massive spending errors. There is hope for your daughter when she has to start coping with all the extra expenses that a baby brings with it.
@@meanqueensuperscrimper8908 I hope 🤞🏽 so . My dad was an Italian immigrant to Australia when he was 30 and he never borrowed money from the bank after he paid off his first mortgage. His motto was you only spend what you have , never get a credit card and only do jobs for people you can trust to pay - he was Sicilian so the person was lucky to get 1 chance 😏🤌🏽!!!
I think you guys would appreciate this video on you tube by a band called the drop kick Murphys called the season’s upon us. It will show you what a sensible lot you are .💋
can a camel climb a mountain missus ? of course no way I can afford anything missus......I have had dental surgery costing me thousands of American dollars ! I love Christmas, but have NO money ! Not to be like I am being offensive, just down on me luck missus !
I just sent checks for Christmas totaling $350 to children+ a cousin all of whom live far from me, but with the cost of living eroding my budget, I don’t know if I can afford to do this anymore. How do I tell my family not to expect any money gift each year?
You tell them the truth. "I love you and wish you all the best at Christmas. I'm not going to be sending checks this year because I am just barely keeping my head above water due to inflation, and I'm having to pinch my pennies to stay solvent."
1st class stamps are £1.10 and 2nd is 75p. Why would anyone choose 1st class when the 2nd class gets there just one day later? Crazy to me. I think people see 2nd class as cheap but it's just silly to waste 35p for every card you send. I send out 10 cards to family and save £3.50 by going second class.
The cost of postage stamps is ridiculous. I have one stamp, bought ages ago, and will use it to send one card. Even 75p is too much to pay. Are they trying to get rid of Royal Mail?
I could do, but then they would think they have to give me a present, and I don't want anything. I don't want them to feel bad if they can't afford to buy presents, and I don't want them to skint themselves and get into debt.
I really cant afford anything madam...Having extensive dental surgery for next 2 years.....Very costly !!! I believe Christmas is in the heart....I have me figgy pudding, and get along as best I can these days...cheers to you ! I do me best to make people smile....Its worth going the extra mile....
I’ve been an individual, just me for years! 🤣
As for Christmas I don’t want materialistic junk, just my dog 🧡🐕
Amen.
@@julienolan5022 💛🐕🌲🏴
@@teres469 For my dog and the animals!
I think it's still beautiful to get a card popped through your door and I love giving cards too. Christmas is about love...
I totally agree with you Iiona. I have saved so much money since I stopped 'doing Xmas'. I don't have kids and grandkids so it doesn't have any meaning to me anymore. We are suffering with the cost of living and a housing crisis here in Australia. People need to get a grip and stop spending money that they don't have to keep their spoilt kids happy for one day. It makes no sense to me. We are on the same page 😊
Not all kids are spoilt, and kids do expect Father Christmas to arrive, although I agree generally kids get too much, I was guilty of that when my kids were young, I now see I was making up for my horrendous childhood.
I have struggled year after year with Christmas, sometimes crippling my finances until April. What for, I ask myself, just to give people something they probably don't want anyway? This year, I have been in and out of temporary work. I am 63 and have had enough! This can't go on into retirement or else I won't be able to heat my house and pay my rent. ENOUGH she cried! No more! Stuff what people think. I still take their baby for a walk and cook them all a roast regularly for free etc. There's 23 of them for goodness sake!
I don’t understand what you said.
I do. @@garyfrancis6193
I hate Christmas - but as the mother of an adult disabled son (he's 44, profoundly deaf with added learning disabilities) I do it for him because HE loves it. As I get older (now 67) friends leave, they die...circumstances change. Money was a struggle before I became a pensioner! This year I have more money than I thought. I don't do debt. So I've been very indulgent! Just spent £100 on expensive chocolate! Some for my two closest friends and some for me - to celebrate our friendship. I'll buy some things for my son (nothing expensive). The BIBLICAL meaning of Christmas was never about commercialism and greed not that religion sits right with me anymore. What upsets me the most is families struggling to live, pay bills going all out into debt to give their children the presents that mean they won't get bullied by other children! What a world we live in eh!
You look fabulous is your purple robe. I do layers of teddy fleece. You know - as a woman of a certain age living on my own to you, a fellow woman of a certain age living on your own.....I'd love to sit with you, we could have coffee and biscuits (I could even get posh chocolates). We could have a right old natter, putting the world to rights. I raise my coffee mug to you.
Much love to you Ilona. Julie in Sheffield. 🙂
I love Christmas. I have never had the income to wildly splurge on anything. Every purchase is a calculated one, right down to the candy bar at the check-out counter. Which means every gift I give is given a lot of thought to bring joy to the person I am giving it to, as well as the joy it brings me as the giver. I have a budget, and I don't spend a nickel over it. A lot of my gift-giving involves craft projects that are useful to the recipient.Yes, I can afford Christmas, birthdays, and any other giving holidays because I plan for them and stay on budget.
Iv recently heard of thriftmas it means we all go about Christmas the same but gifts must be either thrifted or hand made and the stress is set free it's both budget friendly fun and environmentally friendly 😊
I love homemade gifts
It’s people with young families who have the burden, adults can agree to not give gifts.
Cut out the commercialism, that’s what depresses people. A simple celebration of Christs birth, with a lovely meal a few treats and a thankful heart for the freedom we still have in this country. No one should give to receive and if they do, their problem not yours. Wise advice from you again Ilona x
I’ve said in other comments people have been complaining Christmas is too commercialised for hundreds of years, just do Christmas your way. No you should not give to receive a gift it should come from love, but that also means that if you don’t receive a gift back the other person feels unloved. If you can’t or just don’t want to give out cards or gifts I think you should tell people why, then it’s up to those people whether they still want to give to you. If I could afford gifts easily but someone I knew couldn’t I would still give them a gift. I think communication is the key.
Very true. They started the commercialism in the shops at the beginning of September. Ridiculous.
Remember the reason for the season. It is not gifts or money.
christmas is too expensive. I am not getting presents this year and I have asked my relatives not to get me presents. I am going to spend xmas day a lone... to be honest it is a relief
Me too.
You make me laugh….love your rants…..but you speak the truth. Too many people get so stressed and in debt for one day in the year.
Ilona, you're spot on 😂 Again, I agree 100%, we seem to be back to the pre 2020 merry go round(s), with Christmas being the biggest spending trip of many during the year. Yes, time to bow out. I've cut right back and discourage present giving. I do some small crafts if I want to gift something. Your advise is good, your commenter will feel much happier to do her own thing. Yes, there are bigger elephants in the room to view for us all these days.
Haha, bigger elephants in the room 😅. I stopped doing presents for any adult friends and made it to meet up for coffee and cake chat instead...at least that's socializing and getting out with a mate.
Make memories. Visit or phone friends. Smile at strangers and say a cheery hello. Don't join in the madness if you don't want to.
Just offer consumable gifts!
Particularly food!
Most importantly the gift of our Saviour, Jesus.😊
Im glad im not the only one. that stopped doing Christmas. I don't do Christmas trees, or decorations, or outside lights. My kids call my home at christmas Bleak House. I have to remind them I cannot physically do it anyway. decorations or christmas trees, Or Christmas shopping. That's my excuse and Im sticking to it.
A small Xmas tree in a pot wouldn't go amiss!
Hi there Ilona, you are fantastic! I loved your video and what you said about Christmas. I'm certainly not going to feel guilty about not posting any cards this year!
Hi Ilona, I do love you, you make me laugh. You always cheer me up, that's why I follow you. I love your common sense approach.
Take care Ilona xxx
I'm certainly with you on the state of the country and so many thousands of people coming in. Our services /housing /NHS. is stretched already and building all over our green land will eventually bring disaster I could go on!!!. X
in the summer i went to an estate sale and got piles of yarn for 50 cents a pound. we have 4 grown ups, 18 grands and two great grands! oh my! i knitted most hats,mittens,socks and slippers for xmas. it has cost us 60$ to ship everything thru the mail. its so crazy costly. i knew a little elderly lady which i am too but she knitted her 12 grands sweaters every year.so all year long shes knitting them all a sweater. she was amazing. i make everyone who comes to dinner some gifts. i have a little tiny tree up. i get sort of tired of making all the holiday dinners but two little grand girls have no mama.so i am at least steady for them. thats as cheap as we could do but still make a personal gift for each person. too its Jesus's birthday not ours! i got the one little grandgirl some beautiful dolls last year and she doesnt even know where those dolls are. lol.
I do do Christmas but only now buy for my niece who’s 11 and my friend. My parents we take out for a meal later on in the new year. I don’t send many cards but have brought mine in the sale, but at work I get a tin a chocolates for them. I’m glad I don’t have too many ppl to buy for anymore. My niece just gets cinema vouchers. I’m not putting up decs this year as we are at my parents for a change. I usually work Xmas but have it off this year. For me it’s about the birth of Jesus and celebrating his birth. I’m happy with that x
Ilona, YOU'RE SPECIAL. Thank you.These are words a lot of people need to hear.
I have been bingeing on your older videos :) I’d rather get something for someone if they NEED it.. most people really ‘need’ nothing
I’m with you regarding the people moving.
A bar humbug here n proud😜 told my sister 10 Yr ago no more gifts, it stresses me out of what to buy her, her hubby her 2 kids and their partners. Told mother in law last year no more spending on crap ( which in the past I saw her friend wearing the jumper we bought her) 🤔 she called us miserable 😂 I replied you would be too if you knew what's coming, to which she replies oh don't start with ur conspiracy things again 😂😂🤦♀️🤡🌎. Me n hubby just don't care anymore, don't want to play the phycopaths games, don't bother with cards either and life is beautiful when you do what you want to do😘 well said lovely lady, I'm not boasting I'm just supporting you👍
I'm the same. Just don't do any of it.
The first year I got married we didn't have much money for christmas presents, my twins were 2, so i went to the thrift store and got 10 storybooks for 1.00 that looked new. We also bought 12 christmas vhs for them to watch, also a dollar.. Our tree was small which was decorated so that was good 1.25 .. A small meal . I put a bow on our door and the kids were happy. It doesn't take a lot of.money to be happy
I remember my childhood Christmases. We didn't have much money and mum did her best by keeping things simple. We knew we weren't going to get anything big and expensive, but we were grateful that we got smaller items.
Children don't know it's Christmas. Easy to please them.
Thank you Ilona I stopped buying years ago as a singleton I used to get so stressed with the cost of it I said to myself this is so silly to get to this state so just told family and friends that I wont be buying I do all the birthdays because its spread out so it suits my budget .xx
I used to walk around the shops with a list of names, searching for the perfect present for them. One day I thought this is madness, I don't have to do it. Just say no.
You certainly cheer everyone up Ilona you are an amazing woman we can see you in our living rooms but you can't see the amount of people who are truly helped by your company this year iv told my family because I am in the middle of moving to a new house this Christmas I can not afford to buy gifts but will get family together for a meal in January with a few gifts later on and I will not feel guilty it's how things are at the moment also I agree with you about the state of this country bringing people in with our building homes for people who have been on waiting lists x
Just inviting people to your home is enough without the gifts I’d be over the moon with an invite, a cup of tea and a biscuit! Good luck with the move! Wishing you years of happiness in it x
Someone said something to me recently and it's true, when people are dying, some have regrets, but no one has ever regretted not having enough 'stuff'....
No but they will always want to remember being kind ....
My friend died in a hospice last week... no family , she had nothing much materially, but dear friends by her side to the last... giggling until the end ( she was very naughty )... we will all remember her with a giggle and possibly a drink in our hands to toast her on the next step of the journey... If someone keeps the smiles going after they go... what a great legacy...Wishing you and yours a peaceful Happy Christmas x@@teres469
Great to see you again. 😊
Great advice Ilona . As a human race it's a habit many have got into and guilt can play a part in feeling we have to continue to buy . I have cut back and already feel relief . I still buy for birthdays because I want to and it is after all my friends/family special day and above all I can also afford to . If I could not afford I definitely wouldn't be doing either present giving . Carry on ranting ... You male total commonsense to me . 😉
I love Christmas but accept some people don't
Most people want to be accepted, especially if you have family (kids ,grandkids).
It is sad that Christmas means spending a lot of money. Love is money these days.
My Grandmother had 6 kids and numerous grandchildren and she would spend the whole year
knitting something for each of them.😊
I bet that still had to be saved for let alone the time it took all made with love.
I would say that a lot of people crave to be accepted.
Well I can but don't really like Chrismas. Don't mean to sound like a Scrooge but always pleased when it's over. It's because I don't like winter. I'm a spring and summer person. Fed up of the long hours of darkness already.
Thanks Ilona for videos & content & sharing with us your valuable time.... making them. You are fabulous & a breath of 'fresh air.' You are an honest, human being with lots of wisdom - which you share in a lovely 'down to earth' manner & no bullshit!! I agree re Christmas + other topics you hit on. I'm on my own too. It took me a long long time to accept that. But thanks to Covid (imagine that) & isolation rules 😃 I got used to and fully accepted - being on my own.... & it's life changing for me in a really good way. Love you seat cover. Arts/crafts ... you are so talented & lots of patience creating all those different pieces. Regards. Rose 🌻
Thank you IIona. It is so refreshing to hear someone with so much common sense talk. What a rare thing common sense seems to be these days! You are so right, we are all individuals and we should do what we want. If you don’t want to do Christmas or anything else for that matter just say no. NO is a very powerful word. It can actually be a full sentence. We need to learn to use it more at Christmas and throughout the rest of the year. If the recipients don’t like it then honestly that’s their problem. We have to respect other people choices. I do feel for people with children who genuinely cannot afford Christmas though, The pressure to provide is huge. I just wish we could all take the ridiculous materialism out of Christmas and bring it back to how it used to be.
We stopped Christmas full stop 2 years ago. We do Christmassy things, like listen to Christmas carols, have some Christmas candy and treats, watch Christmas classics on TV etc. We don't do many Christmas cards, I think maybe 3 or 4.
I don't do Christmas it's me and my pets I stop the cards as well what was lovely to hear today in the fabric shop that is family run, the daughter in law was telling me today she makes things for her family jumpers she knits and hats she knits socks and aprons for the children fabric I feel that wonderful. I am on my own 7 -24 I feel for the homeless with the cold weather rain. I will be taking my dog out if the weather permits I buy flowers for people all the year round and give the bus drivers fruit. We have 8 billion on this planet. Love your video it is fab. I am happy love your mat it is fab. We have too many robot thinking out there.
I agree totally. If there was a point to Xmas, it was not about merchandising, but then they do that with all the significant festivals now. I have always balked at the idea of giving something on a particular date because i was expected to. My children will always get a small gift on birthdays but even then i don’t go mad. If I see something i think a particular person might like or need I get it for them. You see it means I have actually thought about them , not the date on the calendar. If you get something when you are not expecting it it’s much nicer and far more personal. I am always na bit sad when I see folks laden down with cheap gifts which will probably end up in landfill because they feel they don’t have any other choice than to buy them. It’s all very different to how it was in the past. If more people speak out then at some point people might even get around to working this out for themselves. As for being on my own it beats being cooped up with a load of relatives I am not that keen on and being guilt tripped in to eating too much. Anyway keep up with the re-education you are doing a worthwhile job ❤
I’ve been practicing not feeling guilty for few years now. Each year is better and better. I must say it feels good, and I discovered that actually people are relieved because they themselves didn’t know how to do it. Funny when you think about it . Thanks Ilona as always intelligent advice. Merry Christmas.
Yes, I find it quite liberating to say I am not joining in with Christmas presents and cards.
I felt a little bit sad but you made me glad.
So True ! Christmas is only One day and doesn’t define the Gift of giving which many do all year round not always monetary but time too given to others 🎁 🎅🏻
If you can’t afford Christmas or don’t want to celebrate don’t. I can understand if you haven’t any family this time of year especially can make you feel very lonely. As a society we do over board but I understand why people try to squeeze happiness and joy where ever they can, we have to stop equating that with spending too much money. People say it’s too commercialised now but people have been saying that for hundreds of years. We are cutting down drastically, one reason is the cost of living means I couldn’t save much and what I had saved has gone missing. I presume when I had a big clear out about a month ago I accidentally threw out my savings😢 had a few tears this week but just getting on with it. A nice Christmas dinner a few sweets and a few Bailys with my family are all I need.
You did what you had to do and are probably stronger for it!!!! ❤
I have a lovely Christmas on my own. Beats the horrors of an abusive family and later abusive in laws. I eat what I like and when I like. I watch what to I like or don’t watch it at all. I don’t do presents or cards and don’t want them from anyone else. Baa Humbug rules!
Why would you not want them from anyone else? Your past doesn't define you X
Dear Ilona I agree with you now I'm 66 and pick up my pension I've cut right back..
I go to my local thrift store and look for the gifts with tags on, brand new, save them in my gift box and when I need one I go through it. Last week I gave my friend two china mugs in a box brand new for her housewarming gift, they came from a very expensive store and she loved them, $5 dollars !!!!
Brilliant!!!!!
We buy a gift for our little grandson. My son buys and cooks a nice, but not extravagant Christmas lunch main course and I make the Christmas pud. We take my 100 year old Mum out from her care home once a month but add in a run round in the car to see the lights in town after a special meal out in December, because it is her birthday. Apart from that, my husband, son, grandson and I spend he holiday days hiding in our two houses that are next to each other, playing games, watching a film and eating ordinary food together and taking long walks with our dog. If there's snow, out come the pledges and, even though I'm 72 now, I'm the first on my way down the hillside behind our field!
Your proddy mat is gorgeous!
I agree with somethings you say but when I was growing up up we did not have a lot I have always tried to sent some nice cards with word my granny taught me this it is not how much you spend if you cannot afford it I buy what I can afford and set a budget for each year some are better than others but you if you have a nice tea on Christmas and have a tree and enough to pay your bill 🐝🐝
We tend to forget the definition of Christmas.We celebrate the birth of Christ. We do not celebrate how many presents we are going to give each other at that day. As a Christian Orthodox here in the East of Europe and especially in my country, Greece most of us that we believe in Christ is a joy every year to go for the morning mass that starts at 5:00 o' clock early in the morning! And then return all joy to a christmas breakfast with family or even by yourself without any hint of presents. It is not in our culture. The only presents that someone gives is in New Year's Eve, when the parents leave some presents underneath their children's pillow that Saint Basil left. We do not have father Christmas here! And that' s it! My good people do not celebrate materialistic your Christmas day it is not about presents but about Christ. If you believe in him you shouldn't feel depressed and anxious. It is a joyful day. If you do not believe in him is okay do your own things at this day without paying much attention to what everyone else does at that day.As lovely Mrs Ilona said! My sister that lives in England will come for Christmas and it was such a gift to me when she said we are coming to the morning mass with you and then for breakfast! The best present for me!! So, if you do not want to follow your gift tradition ask from your loved ones a walk in the park, to ring you and say hello,to share some lunch or tea! Do not get depressed in this lovely day even if you are alone or you are not religious.It is fine do you! Thank you so much Mrs Ilona for your lovely video and great talks! As I have said before you are a mother figure!❤
Bah Humbug! You are hilarious Ilona!!! Stuff christmas!!!
Love the dressing gown,stay warm take care heavy frost here in Essex.
You make me happy and at peace.i feel that way too that i cant do enough
To your viewer; They may want to gift you with something because they care for you, don’t take that pleasure away from them!
Smart seat cover brilliant.
Brilliant x
Always like your chats, look forward to your next shopping video.
🧚♀️So nice to see you back 🥰enjoy what ever you do Happy New Year also.🎉🍷
I'm not sure what you mean, I haven't been anywhere. 🤔
We keep Christmas low key. A few presents for the kids and special treats to eat and drink for the adults about sums up our Christmas. .
Enjoy your videos
I live in Australia and hate Xmas - theses are the reasons:
The weather - I hate the heat 🥵 of summer.
All the decorations become landfill.
It’s a waste of money that puts pressure onto people 💰.
*Christmas gift giving (within family budget) should be all about the children/ adults with special needs and only close family if it’s a special gift/ momento.
- I’m often joking called “Scrooge “ at Christmas 🎄 time but I just laugh 😂.
I’m a 52 year old single mother of a 26 year old daughter- unfortunately she hasn’t caught onto my way of thinking …….yet but she’s giving birth to my first grandchild next April and will be on maternity leave for a year so I’m hoping she starts to realise what budgeting means - and that she uses cloth nappies instead of disposable ones 😒
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a happy new year to you all 🎄….that should be all that needs to be said and done ! 👋🏽from 🇦🇺
Thank you, Nicola. I think a lot of people are going to become destitute before they realise that they have made massive spending errors. There is hope for your daughter when she has to start coping with all the extra expenses that a baby brings with it.
@@meanqueensuperscrimper8908 I hope 🤞🏽 so .
My dad was an Italian immigrant to Australia when he was 30 and he never borrowed money from the bank after he paid off his first mortgage. His motto was you only spend what you have , never get a credit card and only do jobs for people you can trust to pay - he was Sicilian so the person was lucky to get 1 chance 😏🤌🏽!!!
But you have to maintain your own happiness..Life Short !!!!
Thanks for sharing
I think you guys would appreciate this video on you tube by a band called the drop kick Murphys called the season’s upon us. It will show you what a sensible lot you are .💋
Thanks for your thoughtful message today and every day. 😊
Love your videos!!! X
can a camel climb a mountain missus ? of course no way I can afford anything missus......I have had dental surgery costing me thousands of American dollars ! I love Christmas, but have NO money ! Not to be like I am being offensive, just down on me luck missus !
Spot on hope your well love watching xx
Rant on Ilona 😂❤
I just sent checks for Christmas totaling $350 to children+ a cousin all of whom live far from me, but with the cost of living eroding my budget, I don’t know if I can afford to do this anymore. How do I tell my family not to expect any money gift each year?
You tell them the truth. "I love you and wish you all the best at Christmas. I'm not going to be sending checks this year because I am just barely keeping my head above water due to inflation, and I'm having to pinch my pennies to stay solvent."
1st class stamps are £1.10 and 2nd is 75p. Why would anyone choose 1st class when the 2nd class gets there just one day later? Crazy to me. I think people see 2nd class as cheap but it's just silly to waste 35p for every card you send. I send out 10 cards to family and save £3.50 by going second class.
The cost of postage stamps is ridiculous. I have one stamp, bought ages ago, and will use it to send one card. Even 75p is too much to pay. Are they trying to get rid of Royal Mail?
@@meanqueensuperscrimper8908 I agree 75p is too much but it's family so I feel obligated.
@@meanqueensuperscrimper8908But it's worth it for the recipient 😊
@@davidthomas-ot4clAnd giving love. ....
It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags.....
Are you alone at Christmas?
I live with three cats.
Normal speed at 1.5X.
I can see yooooouuuu❤
😂
If you are a crafter then you can make some present.
I could do, but then they would think they have to give me a present, and I don't want anything. I don't want them to feel bad if they can't afford to buy presents, and I don't want them to skint themselves and get into debt.
Soon as i learnt Christmas is Saturnalia the decorations went to the charity shop. Some other cats can have fun with them
What is Saturnalia???
❤❤