No, but that's because I didn't exchange,
Posted By: receive or buy any gifts this year. -nm- on 2009-01-16
In Reply to: Did you go into debt over the holidays? - GabbyChick
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exchange it for something you DO like..sm
see, this is why I don't like the Christmas holiday...so many expectations and so many disappointments. So much hoopla for nothing in return. Some people got nothing for Christmas *Me*, so how would you like THAT?
we don't exchange gifts either
We stopped exchanging gifts about 30 years ago. When my husband and I first approached the subject, we met with some resistance, but we stood our ground and said we would not be buying gifts. My husband is the oldest in a family of 7. By the time they all married and had children, the number could have been quite staggering to buy for. I was a surprise baby, my sisters being greater than 11 years older than I am, so when they began their families I was too young to buy anything to buy for them and so never started doing so. Now both of our families agree the holidays are much more enjoyable without the stress of the gift buying, worrying about what to get, how much, will the like it, can I afford it, etc., etc. The true gift of Christmas is the love we feel for our families and all we ask is time with them, and everyone agrees on this. We usually bake or take small treats to the families are who have misfortune of spending Christmas at the Ronald McDonald House in our city due to the illness of a child. Often the other kids in the family (the healthy ones) get lost in the shuffle of caring for a child with cancer. There is no gift one can give as great as giving and bringing joy to a family in such a situation. Anyway, my point is that there may be others in the family who will feel the same way, that it is just too stressful, and you may find that they will appreciate the holidays much more if the gift stress is taken out of the equation.
I should add here, I do buy something for my own children but usually one or two things and my grandchildren because, after all, Santa still comes (!) and I do think Christmas gift giving is for children. Watching my little ones open is a gift a truly a fun thing to do and makes me happy. I do ask my kids not to buy for me or my husband because they have young families and can't afford the extra money. I have always told them I would rather they spend time with me any day then go out and buy a gift.
We exchange names, so we don't have to give many, but
this year DH and I drew my parents. Since it is a couple's draw, it gives you the freedom to spend $100 on the couple or $50 for each. Well we got nice sheets in the color they wanted, from the store they wanted, got mom a pretty silky nightgown and robe she could pack easily, and got Dad the digital tire gauge with the big readout he wanted. So they each had one to open and then a couple gift. They seemed pleased, especially about the sheets.
christmas gift exchange again sm
Our family has always picked names for Christmas and bought only for that person. The limit is supposed to be $25. You know how hard it is to just spend $25 especially on someone that basically has everything. In the past this had just included the adults in their 40s and 50s. Of course one felt obligated to buy the teenagers and younger children something. I'm single with no kids. Last year I spent close to $200 on Christmas. I really couldn't afford it last year, absolutely cannot afford that this year.
This year my SIL presented the idea of a low cost gift or gift card (my mother hates gift cards) and playing the game of picking a number, then picking a gift, etc. Well my other brother and his wife, who are well off, and my mother decided they didn't want to do that and also now want to include the teenagers and young adults (20s) in the gift exchange. I told my mom I don't want to participate. I can't afford it. "Its only $25 they say. Aren't you making any money?" Well its never "just" $25 and what can I buy a teenager that has everything for $25? They turned up their noses on the small gifts I gave them in the past. I also don't want others to spend more than $25 on me when I could only afford $25. I already feel inferior about my financial status in comparison to my siblings and I feel the best thing for me is to not participate. What's the problem?  I really loathe Christmas anymore. No one really appreciates any gifts they are given and I don't want to participate anymore. I guess I'm antisocial. Why can't we just have a family dinner and forget about the gifts?  Thanks for letting me vent.
How to tell a friend not to exchange gifts?
I have a very dear friend who lives on the opposite coast from me. We have exchanged birthday and Christmas gifts since I moved 10 years ago. Any ideas on a kind way to tell her I no longer want to do this? She *seems* to enjoy it, but I am not certain. I no longer know what her decorating needs/wants are anymore, and even though we meet somewhere once a year for vacation, I really do not have a grasp on her fashion preferences (vacation = shorts and T-shirts). And vice versa. Plus it can cost quite a bit mailing a box of gifts. I value time with my friend--in person and on the phone or e-mailing--and do not want to hurt her feelings in any way. So, what do you think?
Need ideas for a GUY and GIRL gift for x-mas exchange
anywhere from $25-70...any ideas would be appreciated...
My son had a white elephant gift exchange
at his youth Christmas party. He got a can of beenie-weenies. He was like "Totally cool". LOL!
Speaking of cookies, do you exchange with neighbors, bake only for family, or
s
Thank you! I didn't realize they made computer glasses. Will make an appt. Spit didn't wor
3
I didn't say her decor didn't sound great.
It's not ridiculous.
I would seriously doubt the Christianity of anyone who feels it is okay to celebrate Halloween. It is anti-God in every aspect.
You can only service 1 God and the folly of man and carnality is in direct conflict with holiness.
Thanks - I didn't realize they didn't like the smell of citrus
I have the feeling he doesnt have a UTI and he's trying to tell me something else, but I'll be taking him to the vets to be safe.
I didn't phrase that well. I didn't mean to SM
offend. I think I said that to other lady below!
I wouldn't want to be told that myself. I guess you sounded down. Again, if I offended anyone, I'm sorry.
I'm a channel surfer. Last night watched PBS documentary on Kennedy assasination, then PBS show on Dick Cheney. Yuck. Then watched show on stem cell research to cure paralysis. There were two young woman, both with paralysis, who were so inspiring. Watched another segment on Current about blind people using their voices to "see". That had to be seen to be believed. Anyway, positives offset the negative.
Again, sorry if I said anything out of line.
I didn't say she should sue them. I said that
her sister legally is obligated to pay for it. Me, I would have probably told her I was unhappy with her, learned my lesson and would have moved on.
If I was the sister though, I would have admitted my fault, at least partial fault, and made amends.
Yep, I didn't know that either. Thanks. :) NM
NM
I really didn't know all of this.
thanks
She didn't come with us.
NM
It must be because I didn't owe very much
I had my husband take extra out of his check every year and most of the time it's enough to cover mine too. Last year I owed under $100 as I made more than I planned. I am an IC and use my SS#. I don't remember how much you have to owe for the fine/quarterly taxes either, like Patti stated.
well thank you! I didn't know being in --sm
the 50 year age bracket was young, but I appreciate the comment! Maybe in 20 years I will be able to retire.
I can't believe the mom didn't take him to the ER...
Wow.
No, I didn't know that...but (sm)
I don't have Soapnet...so! But thanks for the update...
Do you know for SURE he didn't
make an effort to see you all these years?
My friend of 30+ was told by HER mother that her father was dead. Come to find out when she is her 20's he's not only alive and well, he's happy to meet her.
It's always a good thing to take what ANYone tells you with a large grain of salt.
As to how to approach him? I would find out where he works and send a letter there - that way it can't be intercepted by his wife. Alternatively, you could call him on the phone, but that option does not allow him time to absorb the news he's been "found" by you.
Provide all your contact information and ask him to at least meet/talk to you once. I would be very surprised if he does not grant your request.
I didn't know that!
nm
no, I didn't mean all that *lol* - but your one
you said: Why don't we all learn Mandarin?
-----------------
you don't know HOW astute a statement/question that is!!! We all will have to know Chinese/Mandarin within the next 25 years or thereabouts....as China slowly takes it ALL over.....the world, that is...don't laugh or think I'm talking out of left field.... - Miami and Broward now offer Chinese and Mandarin classes in college.........the past few years....and then there are those subliminal fortune cookies...teaching us the Chinese or Cantonese alphabet......*ROFL*....but I'[m not really laughing.........
My Hispanic friends in Miami are speaking better English year by year, the longer they are here.....I stay out of the areas where they ONLY speak Spanish.....I'd be lost, as I only speak Spanglish.......Franglish, et al.
Yes, while in foreign countries, we speak their language and they all should be speaking English here but we cannot force it, unfortunately....hence, I learned some Spanish over the past decade and utilize it with English; hence=Spanglish.......*laughs* I think folks need to lighten up about language - we are all the same - we really are - just the amount of melanin in our skin or the slant of our eyes.....we all believe in the same G_d I do believe no matter what the name for G_d is......we all hurt, bleed, and die....it's all RED BLOOD....*grins*
Again, Tolerance........
HAPPY JULY 4TH :)
Of course, and I didn't even say that...
Just saying that not loving animals does not make one a bad person, simply put. I do not agree with the abuse of any living thing...animal or person, but people sure are more passionate about animal abuse than they are about child abuse...can I get an amen???
Can you believe I didn't get to see it!!
Work was backed up so I was doing extra, darn it! I bet it was a great show though. I hate these insurance companies refusing to pay for procedures, especially when someone's life depends on it. What mess. Something has to change, for sure.
I'm not the OP. Just didn't want to see...sm
The thread get out of hand is all. And I see that it hasn't.
Yes you can say what you think, it just sounded to me like you were getting ready to *pounce.* LOL
BTW, it isn't statuatory rape at 16 if they're both 16, so there would be no legal course for you to follow. You'd just have to try to keep them apart I guess. And good luck with that! Ahh, young love...
Ha, really! We didn't
get any T-shirts or anything, but I told my kids they could go to school on Tuesday (out tomorrow) and tell all their friends they went to the fair and got to see Hannah Montana's dad in concert! I've been looking for a good video or clip whee it shows how he used to do Achy Breaky Heart back when my husband and I used to go to his concerts (my choice of course), but all I can find is the original video, which doesn't really show a lot of the way he danced around! My kids are only 6 and 8, so it was really something big for them!
wow - didn't know there were that many of us
born and raised in WV - moved the other direction from you - KY - GO CATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Didn't say that did I?(nm)
x
Oh Wow. I didn't even think - this could be
mother Spears THIRD shot at a gravy train. It won't be long before they are pimping the new baby all over Hollywood too.
I didn't know that! (sm)
Since switching from DirecTV to cable (moved), I don't get Court TV any more :0( so I had no idea she had even gotten married!! Good for her!! And twins :-)
...thanks for the update...
I have one of those! I just didn't know its name...
It was something we got as a wedding present 10 years ago and I have not used it much. I kind of forgot I had it.
I didn't know either.
I googled internet abbreviations to find out what all the ShortHand meant.
You didn't need to be there...
There are facts in that case. It has already been investigated.
And you didn't even have to
Get under a doorframe if it happens again. It prolly will, but not as big.
It didn't...thanks though!
It's not anywhere, no matter though...she made it!
Exactly - you didn't know
That is why you should have not made those comments.
OMG - you just didn't do that did you?
We all knew she meant leaving. Give the girl a break! She's down in the dumps and you kick her even more by pointing out she made an error in her post. Has everyone gone nuts. Just read it, you don't need to comment about an error.
Um, no I didn't.
.
SURE DIDN'T LOOK IT!!!! nm
nm
duh, why didn't i think of that. :) Tx!
x
I didn't say it.
It was on the national news. Maybe it's the younger generation of men. They've been so spoiled and given everything at home that when they get married they expect the same as their parents gave them. Someone else always taking care of them. I think the clear roles of men and women from years ago have diminished and men are just kind of floundering.
When I got married 16 years ago, my husband moved into my house. When he asked me where I kept my ice (?!), I knew I was in trouble.
I didn't know that either
And that's not like me. I'm usually the celebrity gossip queen. All my friends say I should have been an entertainment reporter.
I didn't want one either, but tried one
because I discovered DH had 3 of them! I just asked him if the tiny one I'm using is a shuffle, and he said it was, so I learned something from your post. His other iPods seem annoying to use, but I do love the simplicity of the shuffle. Except that it doesn't hold a charge long at all. It's plugged into a spot in my car, but it doesn't charge from there. It only charges when it's on a base DH has in the house. Other than that, I love it. I wouldn't enjoy having to scroll through playlists to get batches of music, but I do enjoy having all the up-tempo rock and bluegrass I like playing for me in the car without static and commercials.
I didn't mean he was right ...
I just meant this could be his point of view. Establishing a few ground rules MIGHT prevent this. Just a thought.
Your mom probably didn't want you to
give your kids McD's because it reminded your mom of what she did to you. Your mom probably sees in you the parent she wishes she had been. It may help to tell your mom you realize she did the best she could. She must have done something right because you sound like a pretty decent person.
I didn't think of that, thanks, but what
is "ombudsman"?
Didn't know you could put in
chicken frozen. That little tip has just made my day. Thanks!
Something you didn't know about me
I loved the dear.... thread so I wondered if this might be as fun.
Here's something you guys didn't know about me:
In 8th grade I went to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park and hiked thru Kilauea after it had erupted 3 months earlier. Steam was actually coming out of cracks in the earth around us.
OK Who's next?
Something you didn't know about me
I can't swim.
I didn't know that
clothes lines, gardens and animals were undesirable. So glad I own a home on 13 acres and can do what I want without a neighbor closer than 1/4 mile away looking down their nose at me!
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