Are you going to spend more this year on Xmas?

fuzzybuddy said:
the more you give means the more you get.
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I have less peope to buy for each passing year, and I don't want anything, so if I get nothing, that's fine.

I'm always invited to my cousin's house for Christmas, when they have their biggest family get together, but I never go because of the matter of gifts. I don't plan to buy 30-40 gifts for everyone present at their house for Christmas, nor would they expect me to, but someone (I don't know which one) would invariably give me a gift, and I wouldn't be prepared to reciprocate. It's easier for me to just have an excuse not to go there at Christmas - besides, I usually see them at Thanksgiving anyway when there are no gifts, even though I take a contribution to the dinner.

There is one couple locally I've been friends with for years. For a long time, I had a tradition of taking them to their favorite restaurant shortly before Christmas, but her health has changed and that no longer works well. So, I decide very carefully what to buy them for Christmas. In conversations through the year, I pick up on what's going on in their lives, which gives me great clues on some things I can buy them, then I buy from my list. But, from them I ALWAYS get the same exact thing - a Walmart gift card, so, it's never a surprise, but at least it's something I can use.
 
MACKTEXAS said:
There is one couple locally I've been friends with for years. For a long time, I had a tradition of taking them to their favorite restaurant shortly before Christmas, but her health has changed and that no longer works well. So, I decide very carefully what to buy them for Christmas. In conversations through the year, I pick up on what's going on in their lives, which gives me great clues on some things I can buy them, then I buy from my list. But, from them I ALWAYS get the same exact thing - a Walmart gift card, so, it's never a surprise, but at least it's something I can use.
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JMO. This year why not do takeout from that restaurant. You could pick up and deliver it.
If shes housebound they might enjoy a special meal and a visit from you.
 
Veronica said:
JMO. This year why not do takeout from that restaurant. You could pick up and deliver it.
If shes housebound they might enjoy a special meal and a visit from you.
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Thanks for the suggestion, Veronica. I will see them, but she has cancer and now strange dietary restrictions is the reason I don't do food in or out. But, she is able to eat all kinds of nuts like cashews, walnuts, and so on (so does he) so that's probably going to be part of their gift.
 
My Grandcritters are old enough to appreciate money gifts. GGrands will get gifts which my Daughter will select. One GrandSon is expecting twins just before Christmas so bales of diapers will be welcome. I don't want anything because I'm just happy to still be here at that time. Earlier in the year I didn't think I would be lasting that long.
 
No ….My hubs and I used to buy for each other , then during lockdowns I stated putting $1 and $2 coins in a jar to split up for Christmas …last year we had $275 ..each

Ive got G/ C in their 30’s …and 3 under 14 , so each birthday and Christmas I put $$$ in a bank account
for the younger kids way to hard to buy gifts now days ….

And we are going to Brisbane over Christmas …new year
 
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My sons tell me NOT to buy for them they have everything they want or need.
Then with the grands , may sound terrible but
since most of my grands are adulting and I tend to notice things, (being an observant person by nature) I will spend more on the two working hard to be an adult and pay their way, the one or two that buy their wants and expect Mom and Dad to help them pay for their needs, they get less. Like a $25 gift card from their favorite expensive coffee shop.
The younger one because she makes staying in touch with me a priority in her life, I admit, that one I spoil a bit.
I look at it this way I will not reward someone who shows less incentive to stay in touch with me because I can't hand over cash or
take them out for a meal so they can have endless amazon packages at their door. (Rant over):sneaky:
 
We will. My guy has taken to going out on Christmas Eve with a wad on 100’s and handing them out . This happens usually in the dollar store or walmart. The reactions are priceless and carry us for the year. This year we will pick the community where the project house is and distribute there. I want to pick some of the tiny old churches to assist with finding those folks with the greatest need. That community is a bit trickier…as I do not want us to be identifiable on a regular day .
 

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