When I was married the wife's family decided to start doing a gift exchange and set the amount at $250! I drew my father-in-laws name, he went to Radio Shack and bought a home stero system and told me to go to the store and put my $250 toward the cost. Wasn't that just special!It's the gift giving. They have everything they need, can afford to get anything they want. I have asked to not do gift exchanges but it continues. Argh!
Argh, indeed, my situation exactly with the rich brother and his wife.It's the gift giving. They have everything they need, can afford to get anything they want. I have asked to not do gift exchanges but it continues. Argh!
It's the gift giving. They have everything they need, can afford to get anything they want. I have asked to not do gift exchanges but it continues. Argh!
My goodness. My sis and BIL are rich, so they always played Santa for my kids and she's always super grateful when I buy a plant.Argh, indeed, my situation exactly with the rich brother and his wife.
Long ago, when I was supporting myself and my son on $200 a month, I would shop and shop trying to find something inexpensive but nice for everyone on my list. It's the thought that counts, right? At the MIL's house she opened my present and thanked me sweetly, then I caught her looking at her husband and smirking over it. Same thing happened at my mother's house only she smirked with my brother.
Now it's clubs! The first year with my book club we were told to come to the Christmas party with a covered dish and a book-gift. Okay.
I bought a book and wrapped it in gift wrapping. Everyone else had bought one big book and a little one, just 'cus, wrapped them in quilted book covers and hand made book marks. It can all become very competitive.
Holly, I am here to help! You can send me a giftI haven't even got into the Chritmas spirit yet, much less fatigue.. because I have no-one to buy for...
DD want's nothing....... and I never buy for relatives any more ... but I love to buy things for people.. and now I don't get the chance...
of course I do donate with money and goods at this time of year.. but other than that... since X and I broke up.. Christmas has never been the same..
However I've also been in the situation like @Della when I was broke.. and raising my daughter alone after a divorce .. to be silently ridiculed with regard to gifts, when I've tried my hardest when I couldn't afford anything ... and that stopped me buying for people when I was eventually in the position to be to afford more expensive things..
I've also been in the postion where it was obvious people didn't want to buy me anything.. and I would have been fine with that... but to make it obvious as my late m-i-l did.. and spent a fortune on her son, my husband.. and on my daughter... and give me a melamine chopping board..
Don't bother.. I would rather have had nothing... ...
lol...I would if you wanted me too... ..but don't go asking for stereo outfits like @C50 's in-laws...Holly, I am here to help! You can send me a gift
I also had 4 siblings, and we never exchanged gifts either..never had the money in the first place.....I had four sibilings and we never once exchanged gifts, when there were young children in the family they would get gifts till around their teen years then no more. Honestly the only reason we got together at Christmas was for my moms sake, once she passed no one is concerned about holiday get-togethers.
I do like to give though, so do gift to my adult kids and a niece and nephew.
My cousin is Hank the Wood chopper with Christmas in a Christmas village from a garden center. Kids can make something from wood there and bake bread.I don't like all the new LED lights and two story tall blow up decorations and the lights must move with the Christmas music, no thanks. I don't mind Christmas decorations, but I like the old school Christmas village vibe.