exchange it for something you DO like..sm
Posted By: anon on 2006-12-26
In Reply to: Need to Vent. - before I explode
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?
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- Need to Vent. - before I explode
- exchange it for something you DO like..sm - anon
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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.
No, but that's because I didn't exchange,
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
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