Now I know why Scrooge was so bitter

My belief is that people get what they would like to have instead of buying for the person for which the gift is intended. Can some people be so dense as not to realize that not everyone has pierced ears or might be allergic to goat products?

One lady I know said she bought an item for her retiree Christmas party and ended up grabbing it back because she liked it herself.
 

Okay..cool stuff at the dollar store is packages of notecards ..or get a pretty scarf on sale, or a 5 dollar gift card for Starbucks or Taco Bell or iTunes or $5 worth of sugarless gum or...hmmm...or a little flashlight for your purse or..

anybody else have ideas? But everything brand new.

I'm sorry you got yucky presents, Deb..so sending you warmest wishes for a Happy New Year. I hope next year is better..but I guess it's important to realize most gifts in this grab bag are going to be less than stellar. I'm sure others are disappointed as well.
 
I have seen elegant candles in a variety of shapes. I would choose white or cream unscented taper type candles as they would likely go with most people's decor.
 

In our family we sometimes play a Christmas game called "Stealing Santa".
Everyone brings a wrapped gift which can be nice or silly.

All of the gifts are placed together and the players take turns to select one from the pile.
The present is unwrapped to reveal the content and then the next player takes their turn by either selecting from the pile or by deciding to steal the unwrapped gift. This goes on until everyone has something to keep.

Some gifts are highly sought after, especially chocolates, but after they have been stolen three times they cannot be stolen again.
Some gifts are gender specific and a lipstick or bracelet may end up in the hands of a man and no-one is prepared to steal it so he is stuck with it.

The success of the game depends on the spirit of the players. If a sense of fun is present then the game can be very entertaining.
 
have seen elegant candles in a variety of shapes. I would choose white or cream unscented taper type candles as they would likely go with most people's decor.

Then see in our house I have lots of scented candles on a high dresser upstairs for the fragrance...but anywhere else in the house is LED pretend candles. Our cats are so dim they've almost set themselves on fire a few times. Ohhhh purrrr, it's so nice and warm here, wonder why I smell smoking fur?
 
Warrigal said:
In our family we sometimes play a Christmas game called "Stealing Santa".
Everyone brings a wrapped gift which can be nice or silly.

All of the gifts are placed together and the players take turns to select one from the pile.
The present is unwrapped to reveal the content and then the next player takes their turn by either selecting from the pile or by deciding to steal the unwrapped gift. This goes on until everyone has something to keep.

Some gifts are highly sought after, especially chocolates, but after they have been stolen three times they cannot be stolen again.
Some gifts are gender specific and a lipstick or bracelet may end up in the hands of a man and no-one is prepared to steal it so he is stuck with it.

The success of the game depends on the spirit of the players. If a sense of fun is present then the game can be very entertaining.
Click to expand...
Warrigal, that sounds really fun. I've never heard of anything like that before. I'm going to tell my youngest son about that because the family he just married into is large and very much into games and having a fun time. They do a $40 secret santa gift exchange and as far as I heard, everyone was happy with it. One game my daughter in law won was you put a golf ball at the bottom of your husband/boyfriend or whoever's pant leg and work it up to come out the neck of their shirt. It's a family game by the way, nothing "adult" about it. Whoever gets it out the neck of the shirt first is the winner.

Debodun, you really did get the short end of the stick. I'm sorry about that. I've never been in any kind of a gift exchange like that since I left elementary school. When I worked I refused to take part in the gift exchange at Christmas although I did take part in the food potluck. I think next year you might want to scale back on the exchanges or try to get them to do that terrific game of "Stealing Santa" that Warrigal and her family are involved in. :)
 
I have to say my SIL started a strict kids only gift giving rule for our Christmas get together. A few years back I gave some thoughtful gifts. It was maybe six adults. In return we got whatever office gifts they wanted to get rid of. Better kids only if they can't make the effort:(
 
I quit wanting gifts years ago. I've found that when you have expectations, you're likely to be disappointed anyway and besides, I'm going through my closets and cupboards right now because we're downsizing from a 12 acre parcel of land with barn and garage and a 1600 sq.ft. house into a two bedroom apartment and it is amazing the kind of stuff I'm putting in the moving sale pile. If I'd only saved a lot of that money, custom drapes for the new place would be paid for.
 
I know what you mean Debbie. I've collected books and knickknacks forever. Now I think twice before adding any decorations. Only when you start down-sizing to you start to see stuff as dust catchers. Even with books, if I'm not going to read it again right into my trunk to donate.
 
Gift giving can steal the fun from Christmas. Over the years the extended family has scaled right back on presents. We stop buying for the kids once they turn 18 and this year the adults exchanged food/drink related items. I gave everyone either a wine glass or a coffee mug with their footy team's emblem. I received chocolates, wine, gourmet sauces, home made cookies and a cook book....all very much appreciated. We are all of the age that we have enough "stuff" and don't need anymore.
 

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