Just Stop

[LuxLiving]

I'm trying to teach my young adult sons not to load anybody onto their Christmas gift list unless it is really necessary and somebody they really want to gift. I tell them, "It's far easier to start giving to someone than it is to quit." Easier to never put them on the list to begin with!

[disneysteve]

I agree, that is why I tend to like gift cards. It kind of "forces" you to use it.

I agree for restaurants but not for stores. I hate having a store card and having to find something to buy. I've posted before about how much trouble I have spending the amazon.com credits that I get. I'm just not a big shopper. Now a restaurant gift card or a hotel gift card, that would be fine. I actually told my wife that I'd like a Harrah's gift card if anyone wanted to buy me anything. Since we go to the casinos regularly, we could use that for meals or toward an overnite stay.

[patrenia]

I am laughing so hard at the original poster. I don't like doing all of that either. It relieves sooo much of the unnecessary stress. I love being able to do ALL of my Christmas shopping online for my children. The hustle and bustle going from store to store irritates me.

And no, I'm no scrooge either. I just don't like stress. Thanks for telling us your story.

[wincrasher]

I guess it's the whole philosophy of gifting. Do you buy a gift (or gift card) that is something you think the recipient would use or enjoy, or do you gift something that you think they "should" enjoy.

My mom is one of these people that buys a wierd gift that, in her mind only, you "should" like, if not for you being such a strange person. I've got a closet full of these things I don't know what to do with.

I spend alot of time thinking about what I know they'd like or could use. One year I got my brother in law a $100 gift card for Lowe's. But I knew he was spending $200-$300 a week in there.

[wincrasher]

Here's two gift card cases I'm pondering right now.

Brother moved his store to a mall location. He wears a suit at least 2 days a week. Try to pick out 2 suits for him or just give him a $500 gift card to Men's Warehouse?

His wife loves Eddie Bauer. I don't have a clue what items she'd like. But I know she shops there all the time. Boom - $500 gift card - she can shop all the after Christmas sales until she drops.

[PrincessPerky]

I tend to do all the baking though only a few types I am known for.

And I give gifts to everyone...but they get the baked goods. So a marathon session or three of baking makes sure my scout leaders, Sunday school teachers, and others know I care.

I am also the type to make a Christmas card with note on how the family is doing. (and photos)

BUT I don't decorate more than I love, setting up the tree is a fun trip down memory lane. hang some stockings and I am done

And I tend not to visit family on Christmas, nothing ruins an awesome Christmas gift like having to clean it up to put on fancy clothes and go be on your best behavior....

Over the years I try to take a good hard look at what I am doing and if it is really important to me, or a waste of time good ones stay, others are tossed. IE: found out the fudge that is requested by many was never eaten by my brothers family, crossed them off the list right quick! Tried a gingerbread house discovered it was great fun, if you have enough folk to eat it that no one gets sugar sick. So we take it to the carol sing -20 odd teens can decimate a house right quick!

[ceejay74]

I absolutely agree--each year my family scales our holiday celebrations to fit how we are feeling and how busy or stressed with other things we are. I appreciate it when someone sends me a gift or card but I don't notice when they don't--so I assume most people are the same. They might get a little extra rush of pleasure out of receiving a nice gift or note from me one year, but that doesn't mean they're going to get depressed the next year if I'm just not up for giving gifts.

This year for example: gifts only for the nuclear family and our parents. Simple tree with a reasonable amount of lights and ornaments. However, we've decided that cooking would be a pleasure this year since we did Thanksgiving out of town, so we're planning elaborate meals and indulgent desserts for Xmas Eve and Xmas Day that we can all pitch in preparing. It'll still be fun and relaxed because it's just for the three of us.