Would you rather have Xmas with or without presents?

fuzzybuddy · Jul 27, 2023

If you're in your 60s, you have already given your loved ones every 'great' gift you could think of. Plus, your loved ones don't light up when they unwrap six pairs of glow in the dark socks, or a must have melon baller, which you are sure they don't have. Let's face it, a lot of Xmas gifts get stuck in a closet or a junk drawer never to be seen again. Do you think the thought a is nice, but the cost isn't? Would you rather have Xmas with or without presents?

Pinky · Jul 27, 2023

We could do without getting gifts, though our daughter loves gifting .. so, we continue the tradition.

oldaunt · Jul 27, 2023

Neither. I don't celebrate it.

CallMeKate · Jul 27, 2023

fuzzybuddy said:
Do you think the thought a is nice, but the cost isn't? Would you rather have Xmas with or without presents?

My answer actually goes both ways. I would much rather have it with no gifts for *me* because it's very stressful coming up with answers when asked what I want for Christmas... I have what I need.

But on the other side, I'd never want to stop giving gifts to people close to me, and especially my daughter. I don't give things like glow in the dark socks or melon ballers... I start looking around in August for gifts that would be absolutely perfect for someone on my list.

bowmore · Jul 27, 2023

At our age, we either have everything we need. The most important thing is to be with family.

jimintoronto · Jul 27, 2023

Wife and I stopped doing that at least 15 years ago. Grands are now mid 20's adults, so no gifts for them, either. The cat gets a new scratch post, or a new bag of nip. At 17 she isn't that active any more. Wife calculated that a 17 year old cat is the equal of a 85 year old human. Squeeky still has most of her teeth, eats OK, and her fur is still pretty sleek, credit to her Vet's care and the food she gets to eat. JimB.

Pepper · Jul 27, 2023

I find choosing gifts to be very stressful. I like Halloween & Thanksgiving but not Christmas or Chanukah. I don't need to receive gifts either although my DIL always gives perfect gifts! Christmas is a very big deal for her & her family.

Lilac · Jul 27, 2023

There is nothing that my husband & I need. With our siblings, Christmas turned into a combined Birthday/Christmas gift. We give gift cards to their favorite restaurants. They do the same for us. So in the end, we all break even, LOL.

A long time ago, we also decided that nieces & nephews were old enough they didn't need gifts. Since most have kids, the kids get the gifts. Some of those kids however, aren't so little anymore. Their gifts are either money or gift cards, so they can get what they like.

As far as our kids, we ask for Christmas list & go off of that. I'll pick up small items like you @CallMeKate when I see them. Usually I'm done by November with everything.

We usually do a round of dropping off cookies to our favorite docs, vet & friends/neighbors.

Jules · Jul 27, 2023

We stopped exchanging gifts between the two of us many years ago. It was pointless spending money for things we didn’t need. The grandkids are sent cash by a money transfer. We don’t travel at Christmas time so haven’t spent the day with them in years.

Sassycakes · Jul 27, 2023

I love buying gifts for my loved ones, but hate receiving gifts. Just having my loved ones around is the best present I could receive.

Retired Monica · Jul 27, 2023

For myself, I don't want presents. It is presents enough to be spending Christmas with my Son, His Wife, and my Granddaughter. I do however, give a combined gift to my Son and his Wife and the other presents I get are for my granddaughter.

CallMeKate · Jul 27, 2023

Sassycakes said:
I love buying gifts for my loved ones, but hate receiving gifts. Just having my loved ones around is the best present I could receive.

Same here, Sassy. I said that to someone a few years ago and the response was "Yeah, right... I know better than that!" But I knew it was true and it didn't matter to me one whit what they thought or if they believed it.

@Sassycakes

Judycat · Jul 27, 2023

Please. I beg you. Stop giving me stuff!

BC Flash · Jul 27, 2023

I give my daughter and sons a "lump sum" in June - this covers birthdays and Christmas for their family. They can split the money amongst the grands or put the money towards a trip or a new TV or ??? for the family to enjoy.

I tell my family: "NO PRESENTS - whatever you give me will be in my will to be returned to the giver"!! I rather they spend their money on a trip home (I live in Canada, both sons & family live in the UK; daughter live in a "burb" about 30 miles away)

hollydolly · Jul 27, 2023

No-one gives me melon ballers or socks... never have... . I love Christmas gift giving, but equally I love getting gifts too.. I kinda live out my childhood Christmases as an adult after not having them as a child... BUT.. now no-one wants to give gifts.. everyone says just give money....and because they've decided that's what they all want.. then that's what I have to expect in return.. I hate that..I want a gift... I don't see the point of me sending money only for them to send money in return...

katlupe · Jul 27, 2023

I stopped celebrating Christmas. No gifts. My son doesn't even know when it is Christmas Day unless I tell him. Sometimes he doesn't even come over that day. I am fine with it. It was a stressful season for me almost my whole life.

Muskrat · Jul 27, 2023

I like to give and recieve food baskets. Hate buying gifts under pressure…we all seem to have so darn much stuff.

caroln · Jul 27, 2023

I finally told my daughter and adult grandkids no more presents last year. I still buy for the little ones though.

hollydolly · Jul 27, 2023

Muskrat said:
I like to give and recieve food baskets. Hate buying gifts under pressure…we all seem to have so darn much stuff.

'tis true..too much stuff now... but I like an experience..I want to go and enjoy something, with a family member..I don't want to give or receive money...

Gary O' · Jul 27, 2023