christmas gift exchange again sm
Posted By: CrispyCritterMT on 2008-12-02
In Reply to:
Our family has always picked names for Christmas and bought only for that person. The limit is supposed to be $25. You know how hard it is to just spend $25 especially on someone that basically has everything. In the past this had just included the adults in their 40s and 50s. Of course one felt obligated to buy the teenagers and younger children something. I'm single with no kids. Last year I spent close to $200 on Christmas. I really couldn't afford it last year, absolutely cannot afford that this year.
This year my SIL presented the idea of a low cost gift or gift card (my mother hates gift cards) and playing the game of picking a number, then picking a gift, etc. Well my other brother and his wife, who are well off, and my mother decided they didn't want to do that and also now want to include the teenagers and young adults (20s) in the gift exchange. I told my mom I don't want to participate. I can't afford it. "Its only $25 they say. Aren't you making any money?" Well its never "just" $25 and what can I buy a teenager that has everything for $25? They turned up their noses on the small gifts I gave them in the past. I also don't want others to spend more than $25 on me when I could only afford $25. I already feel inferior about my financial status in comparison to my siblings and I feel the best thing for me is to not participate. What's the problem?  I really loathe Christmas anymore. No one really appreciates any gifts they are given and I don't want to participate anymore. I guess I'm antisocial. Why can't we just have a family dinner and forget about the gifts?  Thanks for letting me vent.
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Need ideas for a GUY and GIRL gift for x-mas exchange
anywhere from $25-70...any ideas would be appreciated...
My son had a white elephant gift exchange
at his youth Christmas party. He got a can of beenie-weenies. He was like "Totally cool". LOL!
And why was it appropriate for a Christmas gift? lol
fd
Looking for Christmas gift ideas for
a 14 yo girl and a 17 yo boy. Any suggestions???
Christmas Gift for Boss
My other job is a legal secretary. I am looking for gift ideas for my boss that was not too expensive. Any suggestions would be much appreciated! Thanks!
Well I bought my first Christmas gift today...sm
for this year, and it was a big one. My son has been wanting a Playstation 3 since they came out, which I think was last year. They were $500 last year, and luckily he didn't push the issue cause that was out of the ballpark. Well I saved a little this year so I could buy him this gift for Christmas this year. He says that is what he wants. They are now $400 this year. I saved and saved and I had the money put back to get it. So I gave my mom the money yesterday, and when she went to Walmart this morning, she bought it. I am so relieved because this is a major portion of Christmas bought. I only have the one son. No more children. I am so glad I was able to get this for him this year and so glad I already have it bought and put away for Christmas.
Has anyone else started on their Christmas yet?
Gift certificates for massages for Christmas question. (sm)
There is a little spa near us that has gift certificates for massages, aroma therapy, etc and had thought about getting my daughters each one as a Christmas gift. Thought they could go together as they are good friends as well as sisters. I am a bit of a country bumpkin myself and know nothing about these things. Anyone tell me a little about what they might expect? One daughter is pretty easy going, the other is a little more conservative. I understand sheets covering the body, just wanted to make sure the massage is confined to extremities and back, nothing too personal. TIA
Happy Watching! I'm buying the whole series for myself as a Christmas gift.
Only 10 days til Christmas? I've only bought a gift for my boyfriend so far ...
AND I'M MARRIED!
exchange it for something you DO like..sm
see, this is why I don't like the Christmas holiday...so many expectations and so many disappointments. So much hoopla for nothing in return. Some people got nothing for Christmas *Me*, so how would you like THAT?
we don't exchange gifts either
We stopped exchanging gifts about 30 years ago. When my husband and I first approached the subject, we met with some resistance, but we stood our ground and said we would not be buying gifts. My husband is the oldest in a family of 7. By the time they all married and had children, the number could have been quite staggering to buy for. I was a surprise baby, my sisters being greater than 11 years older than I am, so when they began their families I was too young to buy anything to buy for them and so never started doing so. Now both of our families agree the holidays are much more enjoyable without the stress of the gift buying, worrying about what to get, how much, will the like it, can I afford it, etc., etc. The true gift of Christmas is the love we feel for our families and all we ask is time with them, and everyone agrees on this. We usually bake or take small treats to the families are who have misfortune of spending Christmas at the Ronald McDonald House in our city due to the illness of a child. Often the other kids in the family (the healthy ones) get lost in the shuffle of caring for a child with cancer. There is no gift one can give as great as giving and bringing joy to a family in such a situation. Anyway, my point is that there may be others in the family who will feel the same way, that it is just too stressful, and you may find that they will appreciate the holidays much more if the gift stress is taken out of the equation.
I should add here, I do buy something for my own children but usually one or two things and my grandchildren because, after all, Santa still comes (!) and I do think Christmas gift giving is for children. Watching my little ones open is a gift a truly a fun thing to do and makes me happy. I do ask my kids not to buy for me or my husband because they have young families and can't afford the extra money. I have always told them I would rather they spend time with me any day then go out and buy a gift.
No, but that's because I didn't exchange,
We exchange names, so we don't have to give many, but
this year DH and I drew my parents. Since it is a couple's draw, it gives you the freedom to spend $100 on the couple or $50 for each. Well we got nice sheets in the color they wanted, from the store they wanted, got mom a pretty silky nightgown and robe she could pack easily, and got Dad the digital tire gauge with the big readout he wanted. So they each had one to open and then a couple gift. They seemed pleased, especially about the sheets.
How to tell a friend not to exchange gifts?
I have a very dear friend who lives on the opposite coast from me. We have exchanged birthday and Christmas gifts since I moved 10 years ago. Any ideas on a kind way to tell her I no longer want to do this? She *seems* to enjoy it, but I am not certain. I no longer know what her decorating needs/wants are anymore, and even though we meet somewhere once a year for vacation, I really do not have a grasp on her fashion preferences (vacation = shorts and T-shirts). And vice versa. Plus it can cost quite a bit mailing a box of gifts. I value time with my friend--in person and on the phone or e-mailing--and do not want to hurt her feelings in any way. So, what do you think?
Speaking of cookies, do you exchange with neighbors, bake only for family, or
s
What are people supposed to call Christmas Eve and Christmas Day now?? (nm)
x
Home Alone 1, A Christmas Story, Home for the Holidays, Chevy Chase's Christmas, sm
There "The Gift of the Magi," He sells his gold watch to buy her a comb for her hair and she sells her beautiful long hair to buy him a chain for his gold watch. It used to be on "Short Stories by O'Henry" but that's long gone, long ago. Good moral to the story. I can't stand "It's a Wonderful Life" -- too depressing, especially with banks closing, too intimidating right now!!!
What's your best gift
Dh totally outdid himself this year by getting me a Kodak Easy Share digital camera and printing dock, and a new cordless phone with answering machine so he can leave me messages when he needs to.
Well, we know you were definitely given one gift....
stupidity.
LOL
re: gift
I don't think there would be anything wrong with giving them a nice gift! So what if they're distantly related to you! You enjoyed their company and you could write that in whatever card you send with the gift. I don't see anything wrong with wanting to bless someone with a gift because they touched your heart!
God bless!
Gift
What a wonderful, thoughtful gift. It will mean so much to them.
Lilly
Yes it's a gift tax...
And in our state, its 39% tax. Unfair, plain and simple...
I know these get old, but have gift ?
My stepdad's mother is in a small nursing home. I have called and spoken with the owner about getting some gifts for the residents who maybe don't have family. Those gifts I can figure out, but I wanted to get the owner of this facility a small gift. She is an absolute angel with these people, most of whom have Alzheimer's. I don't know anything else about her really and I wanted to stay away from gift cards only because I am absolutely broke! Any ideas for something small to show my appreciation?
Gift From the Sea by....
Anne Morrow Lindbergh... Cat
You have a gift. Perhaps someone with
a similar gift as yours could refer you to someone. It's not an easy road. My daughters both have gifts and I have sought and received help for both of them from those with similar, more advanced gifts.
Good luck.
If Somebody Gives You a Gift?
How do you react when somebody gives you a gift that is not to your taste? It could be something for the home that doesn't fit in, a perfume that smells like dead roses, or a food item that came out of their kitchen that you know you would never eat because you know how they don't clean the kitchen. I try to be gracious and thank them for thinking of me, but sometimes it's really hard to say "Ewww...what were you thinking?". I have one friend in particular that never, ever fails to give me something that I will either donate to Goodwill or re-gift to one of the relatives that I know would just love it.
best gift
I was unemployed and so poor and my neighbor went up to the mountains and cut down two chrismas trees and gave me one. Years later, I dragged one down to the Salvation Army to give anonymously to a name I got off a wishing tree to a man who asked for a Christmas tree.
a gift
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheFLYLADY
a gift
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheFLYLADY
An easy gift would be
to just get her a gift card to the mall in your area at the service desk, and she could use it at any of the stores there in the mall.
If you want to get a gift, gift, do you know any of her interests?
Gift Card
Just a note. I learned from my daughter and my neices that the VISA gift cards are the prefered gift card. They can be used anywhere salons, stores, and even gas stations which for a 16-yo can be a lifesaver.
Gift Certificate
On the page where you enter your credit card information...look towards the bottom of this page...you'll see-Enter new gift cards, gift certificates or promotional claim codes. This is where you enter your code.
teacher's gift
If your kid has the teacher in the above posting, you could send him a few good lesbian porno websites.
Don't everyone tell me how rotten I am - it was too funny to see this post right after the one about the teacher with the porn on his computer.
My best gift this year
Was from my daughter and she gave me tickets to go see our new baby panda here in Atlanta as soon as she decides she wants to walk. She is a little over 100 days old and they say she should be up and around before too long. Well, one thing for sure- the tickets are good for the next 6 months so the baby has that much time to make up her mind!
What was the best gift you GAVE?
mine was the digital camera to DIL. She is very reserved, but actually started crying, and jumped up and gave me a HUGE, LONG, hard hug! I was shocked!! She had mentioned wanting one last year, but didn't tell us until a week before Christmas, and we already had our shopping done by then. She said we even bought the one she had picked out, and was planning on getting after the holidays, hoping it would be on sale. It is the Kodak one with the printer. I told son later, she took the award for the BEST reaction EVER to a gift!!! He laughed and agreed.
I'd have to say the most DISAPPOINTING reaction was one I expected. It was from SIL. The one I talked about on here, never gives me any feedback, is so exasperating. I had given her a Creative Memories Carry Case, filled with scrapbook making supplies to get started, and three scrapbooks to start with, one with refills. One was a gorgeous victorian one, one was plain navy blue, and the third was a purse sized one, I was thinking to put grandkid pics in. She opened it, and said nothing. I said I hope you like it, I know how creative you are, and how much you love to do crafts, etc., I thought you would create some AWESOME memories for the kids with these! She just said yeah, thanks. *sigh* BIL said he thought it was a great idea. I don't know. It was a letdown to me though, I was REALLY hoping she'd LOVE it!!
What a great gift!
I used to get a free massage once a month when I worked at my chiropractor's office. Now it's like twice a year, if that and I really miss it.
I always leave my underwear on under the sheet and like everyone else said, the therapist should keep everything covered except the part being worked on. The parafin treatment is nice also, especially for tired hands and feet.
ENJOY YOURSELF!!!
need gift idea
Our sons had a special needs teacher in 6th-8th grades and she was wonderful, so when my oldest graduated to high school, I had a dozen roses sent to her with a note written by my son thanking her for giving him the confidence he needed in school, to learn how to read at a better rate, and let him know how smart he was. He went on to high school, construction technology and made the honor roll. She certainly made a difference in his life and our life as parents and she gave him the confidence to believe in himself. A talking picture frame is a wonderful idea with a message from your child to the teacher. I wish they had those years ago.
gift idea
You could do a scavenger hunt. Orientaltrading.com has some good reasonble priced gifts.
I made these for a friends child's birthday to give to her friends in a gift bag. Typed it up on cute colorful paper and put items in a ziplog bag.
Friendship Survival Kit
A toothpick - to help you "pick" out the good qualities in others and yourself
Lifesaver candy - to remind you of the many times others needed your help and you theirs
Hugs & Kisses - for when you need a hug
A puzzle piece - without you, your friends aren't complete
button - to remind you to sometimes "button your lip"
bandaid - for hurt feelings, yours or someone else's
cotton ball - cushioned support of fiends for the rough road ahead
Marbles - to replace the ones you've lost
Candle - for you to share your light
Tissues - to wipe the tears of joy and sadness
penny - so you'll never be broke
Mounds bar - for the "mounds" of love and support between friends
Gold thread - to remind you that friendship is the golden thread that ties together the hearts of everyone
rubberband - try to be flexible
eraser - to remind you that everyday you can start with a clean slate
Jewel - because you are as valuable as any precious stone!
b'day gift
I'll tell you what, I'd hate to go empty-handed too, and I know the BEST b-day gifts I have ever have involve mud packs, facials, massages, etc. Especially if she is a working mom, or just working, she will love you for it!!!
Thank you! Now, Gift ideas?
The 20th anniversary is China. We love Chinese take-out and actucally our dining room is done in a Chinese theme. I promise you it is not "over the top". It is so suttle we still need a few decorative pieces. I tought that whatever I give him, if it will fit, I would put it in a Chinese take-out container. He wouldn't understand it until I explained it, but would then really appreciate the sentiment.
Gift certificates
I think gift certificates for a grocery store, restaurant, beauty salon/spa, or nail salon would be great.
Gift help needed....
For my hubby's company Christmas party this year, we need to take a wrapped gift ranging in price of $18 and $22. They are doing the "everyone pick a gift" sorta thing. So, it will need to be for male or female, ranging in ages from 20-60. See my dilemma? I am thinking a gift card wrapped in a huge box. LOL
I would appreciate your suggestions!
Thanks!
Gift for receptionist sm
This receptionist is Indian and is probably Muslim, takes alternative religious days off which are totally unfamiliar to me, told she is Muslim, last name is Indian. Would like to include her in a Christmas gift for all the office girls, which I would wrap just plain but don't want to leave her out.She is very plain, no make up, no nonsense type of person.Would like to know more about their customs at the holidays.
gift suggestions
5 of us would like to give gifts to 4 tech guys in our office, any suggestions, TIA
gift for owner
How about a pillar candle tied up in tulle with a gorgeous bow? (If you can't make a bow, these are available in stores.) She won't care that you didn't spend a lot, but love you for thinking about her. Or, even less expensive, make her a batch of homemade candy or cookies and present them in a pretty tin - everyone likes to get homemade goodies.
I got a 200.00 gift certificate towards a new sm
pair of glasses. My mother in law kept saying "I hate to give you money. You always use it for bills". So I saw a flyer for eyeglasses and told her to get me a gift certificate there and I could go pick out a new pair of bifocals which I desperately need and never find the cash to go get. I have vision insurance but that only pays some. My glasses usually run around $400.00. I have to get the transitional tinted lenses or I can't see outside in the sun. It's still a bill though, go figure. She made out, though. Got a senior citizens discount, LOL.
Funny gift
My kids got DH a Fart Fan. It is a powerful little handheld fan that blows flatulence up to 100 feet away. I am thinking of borrowing it when my hot flashes start in a few years!
You cannot put conditions on a gift. If you do, it
x
Gift basket sm
Google Dana Farber in Boston. They have a gift shop there. This may come in handy later when she starts chemo/radiation. For now, I would keep it light,perhaps a Women's Magazine that won't mention cancer, i.e., Martha Stewart, Real Simple. If she's having radiation, they are fussy about what kinds of creams, etc., so stay away from that. Gift certificates for pick-up by her family, hard candy, word search books,movie rental gift certificates. I would keep it upbeat for now and later when she starts treatment, she may need turbans, etc., that's when the web sites will come in handy. Think positive, a little angel something or other would be nice. And stay away from the "if there is anything I can do" stuff, just "do it." Sounds like you are doing just that. God bless you for it!
Gift Ideas
You can check out my web site www.marykay.com/kabrown7117.
Need gift ideas
My 20 yo daughter is spending a month in France for college studies and we need gift ideas for her host family, preferably something "American". Any ideas?
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