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Martin Lewis Urges People Not To Feel Obliged To Buy Christmas Presents For Friends

Martin Lewis Urges People Not To Feel Obliged To Buy Christmas Presents For Friends

The Money Saving Expert says Christmas has become a retail festival but that's what it shouldn't be

Rebecca Shepherd

Rebecca Shepherd

As you get older, the priority list that comes hand in hand with Christmastime changes. When you're a kid it goes something like: opening presents, playing with said presents, and maybe finding out what siblings/cousins/friends have received. Oh, and eating all the chocolate. Standard.

As an adult, however, you'll spend weeks if not months deciding what to get for your nearest and dearest - the gift of giving seems hugely important, but it's stressful as hell.

Luckily, savings guru Martin Lewis is on hand to remind us that we can give ourselves a break - and maybe not everyone on our shopping list really needs to be there.

The familiar sight of presents under the tree on Christmas morning.
PA

Makes sense - things can start to get out of hand if you're not careful. If you buy for one friend, do you have to buy for them all? What about your relative's new partner who you've never met before? That uncle you never, ever see?

That's why Martin is back to remind us all of a bit of advice he passed on last year, he urging shoppers to stop buying gifts they don't need to.

In the resurfaced video, the Money Saving Expert founder said: "Christmas has become a retail festival, but it shouldn't be. Christmas should be joyous, but causes some people unhappiness, debt and worry."

Martin Lewis says Christmas isn't a retail festival.
PA

He continued: "Many people feel obliged to buy gifts for others that they know they don't use, with money they don't have, and cause themselves stress they don't need. And I think part of the reason for this is because we have disconnected from why we give gifts.

"Some people say to me, 'What about the gift of giving?' But I have to be honest and say that can actually be selfish because it can mis-prioritise peoples' finances and create a financial burden."

The 47-year-old went on to explain: "We're not talking about gifts from parents or grandparents, but the ever-widening glut of friends, extended family and colleagues.

"Christmas isn't a retail festival - we need to end obliged giving and think about what we're giving, to whom and why.

"If you're yelling over your wrapping paper, 'What about the joy of giving?', remember gift-giving creates an obligation on recipients to give back, whether they can afford it or not. For some, the gift of 'not obliging you to buy for me' is actually better."

Martin regularly advises people on how best to save money.
PA

This isn't the first time Martin has tried to point people in the direction of saving some cash. A few weeks ago, he urged people to open a Help to Buy ISA before the deadline is up (30 November).

He said: "If you think you'll need these [the Government top-up] but aren't sure, just open them. You need £1 in a Help To Buy Isa by November 30 or you lose the opportunity."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: UK News, News, martin lewis, UK