For yet another year our family is doing the whole 'not buying gifts' thing.
The only person that consistently flouts it is my brother, he always insists on swapping presents. So to please him I grit my teeth and buy him a bottle of good Port. The youngest of the grandchildren get cash sent directly to them, and the great-grandchildren all get money sent to their parents with the instruction that they can use it for whatever they need to use it for. The little ones are happy with a big but cheap present, but now the eldest great-grandchild is nearing double figures he 'needs' the latest computer game seemingly, so his money won't go as far.
Taking pressure off Christmas for everyone, especially parents with young children can only be a good thing in my opinion.
Sue xx
Mum and Dad used to feel as you do, as does son Dave. Beth, Alex and I are quite different but we do try to make it stuff that will be used, not just a gift for the sake of a gift that's going to add to the general clutter. I do love parcels under the Christmas tree though!
ReplyDeleteI think if it caused stress, I'd rethink but there are no children in the family (sadly, but it is what it is) and we are a small group so that does simplify matters.
xx
If it's what you all like then that's good. But when we don't see our children, grandchildren etc very often we don't know what they are into now and they couldn't grasp our limitations. So, we decided a couple of years ago enough was enough, that swapping gifts made no sense. This way is so much better. There are always presents under the tree, as me and Alan buy each other gifts and each fill the others little stockings.
DeleteChristmas is for children who believe in Father Christmas…no one else! There I’ve said it!!
ReplyDeleteControversial I know…I’m prepared for the onslaught.🤣 June xx
Not controversial at all, I am pretty much onboard with that. :-)
DeleteA small gift given with great love...
ReplyDeleteThe original one was, that is sadly getting more and more lost. xx
DeleteThe larger the family, the more expensive it can become. Some in my family like to give presents, others prefer not to.
ReplyDeleteWe have quite a normal sized family but we all live far apart and rarely see each other, so buying for someone that you don't feel you know enough about can be a waste of money on both sides. We all came to the conclusion that enough was enough, especially for the grown-ups.
DeleteI like to give gifts. The gifts I give are generally not that expensive; much of it is homemade, and I keep to a budget.
ReplyDeleteThat is a lovely way to do it. xx
DeleteI choose not to take part in the secret Santa at WI, and we agreed to stop giving presents to our siblings and their grown up children. My grandsons get to choose pyjamas from Granny, and I choose their socks. I collect a vase of greenery instead of a tree, and hang up the few Christmas cards, the card list gets shorter every year. I have planted some indoor hyacinth bulbs in a pot, and made a pomander with an orange and cloves. We enjoy Christmas much more by keeping it very simply.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds just perfect. xx
DeleteThe simpler the better for us now. Gifts are restricted to our daughter and her family, small kids get money in a card.
ReplyDeleteAngie
We do need to all do what's best for us don't we. My grandsons like the money straight into their bank accounts, one spends it and one saves it. The great grandkids have present bought with the money by their parents. We have no idea what they are into at the moment, it changes so much when you only see them once a year.
DeleteOur daughter is usually a road for Christmas and New Year but her mother in law dies suddenly in May so they will be at home this year. Her husband has decide that it would be nice to exchange small gifts when we see the on Christmas Eve. I am now racking my brains for three small gifts which are not tat (or alcohol) Catriona
ReplyDeleteMaybe nice foodie treats, it does put a bit of pressure on when it's so last minute doesn't it.
DeleteThe last few years I have been making baskets for the sons. They contain some homemade items like this year a woven rug, a quilt to use around their fire pits, some oven mitts and then some homemade consumable things. We usually throw in a bit of cash as well. Seems that they both really enjoy these and the baskets I put everything in I tell them to keep and use for storage.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
That sounds perfect, and very useful too. 😀
DeleteI've already decided that gift giving and money giving as gifts for Christmas will be reined in next year. I've found this year so overwhelming and not knowing what to buy so stressful and i've not enjoyed the process at all. Of course we will enjoy seeing the grandchildren opening their presents but I think it's time we cut back. I'll be glad when the shops are closed and all the presents are wrapped.
ReplyDeleteIt does seem very hard the first year you cut back, but it's been three years for us now so we are all more accepting of it. It does really take the pressure off. 🙂
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