General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThis might be a good year to skip gifts for Christmas.
I notice a lot of people buy gifts out of habit. This might be a good year to break the habit, especially for non-spousal adults in your family.
Buckle up, as they used to say, it is going to be a wild ride.
3Hotdogs
(12,416 posts)Then to kids only.
Guess what?
Everybody was happy with the decisions.
Buckeye_Democrat
(14,858 posts)We switched to only gifting the children, plus one inexpensive gift to play "white elephant" among the adults.
Then it was changed again, to only buying gifts for your own young children.
Everyone was tired of receiving gifts they already owned, returning items to stores, etc.
milestogo
(16,829 posts)huh?
obamanut2012
(26,142 posts)I guess my fiancee and I are supposed to not buy one another any Xmas gifts. I wonder if that extends to birthday presents, too?
cinematicdiversions
(1,969 posts)as someone notes below, a fiancee should certainly be included.
I find as much as couples say to each other no gifts, at least one of them will break that rule. So proceed at your own risk there. But adult siblings they are on their own.
Rorey
(8,445 posts)We stopped gifts for adults in the family years ago, and I think everyone was relieved about it. If we get together this year, and I'm not taking that for granted, we'll do the Saran Ball Game again. Great fun, and it doesn't break anyone's bank.
Scrivener7
(51,021 posts)Rorey
(8,445 posts)You don't need to watch the whole thing to get the idea.
The way we make it is one person starts it with the "big prize" in the middle, and then adds various things, layering them all in. Then it gets passed to someone else who keeps it for a few days, doing the same thing. We start it weeks before Christmas. Our ball ends up being huge! When it's my turn to build on the ball, I put in modest gift cards, money, candy, and cool little items. You can really use your imagination.
Nobody knows what anyone puts in, so if someone really can't afford to do much, or anything at all, that's just fine. Passing it around makes it so one person doesn't incur the entire cost.
On Christmas Day, after the meal, we all sit around in a huge circle and play the game.
We haven't done it with oven mitts.
Scrivener7
(51,021 posts)Rorey
(8,445 posts)Somehow I never took away any of the loot. Anything I unwrapped somehow ended up in a grandchild's pile, which was just fine with me.
bluestarone
(17,058 posts)Will use THIS!
LittleGirl
(8,291 posts)Really? Who can afford that?
marble falls
(57,269 posts)Sherman A1
(38,958 posts)Is probably a good idea. Ill be doilies gift cards for the younger folks in the family. The adults with whom I exchange gifts will be e gift cards for local businesses. I except to mail one holiday package and it will go out before thanksgiving.
C_U_L8R
(45,021 posts)Be your own supply chain.
Rorey
(8,445 posts)The traditional things didn't happen in my family. We didn't get together. We didn't give gifts. I know some of the kids were sad about it. Personally, I was fine. I had some video chats with my kids, and I watched movies. I was thankful to get to do those things.
Nobody was in the hospital. We're all still here. I think a lot of people learned important lessons about what matters. That's a gift in itself.
Demsrule86
(68,696 posts)age IMO...and there was little need. You could order gifts and food. We used zoom and our phones to make Christmas special...it was different as we had to be careful. I had Covid during Christmas.
Rorey
(8,445 posts)The kids in the family all had plenty of gifts in their own homes, and some of us grandmas got to watch via video chat.
What I meant was that last Christmas was different from what they're used to having. No huge family gettogether with their grandmas and great grandmas. We're a very close family, including the in-laws. The cousins didn't get to have their usual massive play date.
Sorry I misrepresented the way it was. From me, they got money, which doesn't really impress a young child.
Demsrule86
(68,696 posts)be vaccinated. My daughter's boyfriend has a Covid although he was vaccinated so it is mild...but the baby...well we can't take the chance. I will buy gifts and mail them to Indiana. The other kids will be here for Christmas. I want to make it very special.
Demsrule86
(68,696 posts)Rorey
(8,445 posts)When my kids were young, two brothers who lived across the street, and were friends with my kids, used to almost always show up at supper time. We were struggling, but of course we let our kids invite them to eat with us. One day my husband asked them why they always showed up at meal time. They told him that they were "grounded" from eating with their mom and younger sisters. After the mom and sisters finished eating, they were allowed to eat what was left, which was usually not much. Then they got to do the dishes and clean the kitchen. I have no idea why they were being punished. Probably for existing.
For Christmas they got very little from their mom. She would shower whatever boyfriend she happened to have at the time with gifts, and their sisters got gifts, but they got practically nothing.
The boys grew up and had families of their own. They were always very sweet. Then one day I found out that the older one had committed suicide. It was pretty heartbreaking to hear. I wonder if his mother even cared.
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)I know a few people who always boast "I've finished my Christmas-shopping!" --- Usually it's right before, or just after Thanksgiving... I hate them. (And when I say "hate" what I really mean is... I'm envious.)
I wish I was that organized.
I still have a couple of boxes of brand new Christmas cards (from Costco) that I bought three years ago... intending to send a card to friends and family. Maybe one day I'll get around to sending them. --- I hope there's no copyright date printed on the back anywhere.
I can't recall the last time I actually GIFTWRAPPED any present (ie: traditionally... with colorful paper that's folded and cellophane taped) ... Typically, I'll just let Amazon do the wrapping. Their draw-string fabric gift bags are perfect! And I save them all to re-use!
Tom Rinaldo
(22,913 posts)on the economy which is overly dependent on consumer spending during "the Christmas season". And THAT would lead to a political hit for Democrats who will get blamed for a poor economy on our watch.
Rorey
(8,445 posts)cinematicdiversions
(1,969 posts)Most aAMericans simply have too much stuff as it is. It simply is a case we don't need to buy anything else for a while.
Tom Rinaldo
(22,913 posts)No unnecessary purchases, but it isn't necessary to stop making purchases because of supply chain issues either. That's why I said "shop early."
Efilroft Sul
(3,582 posts)Last edited Tue Sep 28, 2021, 11:38 AM - Edit history (1)
And given the complete breakdown in the supply chain, it looks like Santa Claus ain't coming to town again this year.
cinematicdiversions
(1,969 posts)I really wish Microsoft or the retailers would simply have a waitlist instead of selling units to resellers that double the price.
Scrivener7
(51,021 posts)Luciferous
(6,085 posts)Demsrule86
(68,696 posts)and it took about a month...love it.
Scrivener7
(51,021 posts)pay half up front. And now I just wait.
MissB
(15,812 posts)I'm used to 12 week lead times for some of the furniture we've bought over the years - locally made craftsman stuff by a specific place.
But it's just odd to see such long lead times for large chains.
SYFROYH
(34,184 posts)It's simpler that way.
Plus, for a while, we had to have both because some friends were XBox and some were PS4.
He assembled it himself which was exciting for me to see as a father. Of course, he fubarred the motherboard and I had to buy another one, but it was a $400 learning experience.
Efilroft Sul
(3,582 posts)We live in a saltbox of a house, and the Xbox is the only good option for us, space-wise.
central scrutinizer
(11,662 posts)We pledge money (suggested amount: $25) and each person nominates a nonprofit. If there is no consensus, we draw a name out of a hat, bundle the money and make the donation. No gifts to each other except hand made things like knitted items, canned or dried stuff from the garden.
Rorey
(8,445 posts)PoindexterOglethorpe
(25,902 posts)My family stopped exchanging presents years ago. I have a grown son I send something to. I will probably spend Thanksgiving with my sister, who has three grandchildren, and while there I'll most likely purchase gifts for them. But the total obligation is quite small.
I do like the money to a non profit. That's admirable.
Luciferous
(6,085 posts)whole family, so Christmas has been a pretty low-key affair in our family for a while now. This year there is a new grandbaby so I'm sure she'll be getting spoiled though 🙂
Amishman
(5,559 posts)We have a family member who makes great candles, soaps, and bath scrubs; we're going to buy a bunch from her for gift ideas.
Support local small businesses and crafters.
Demsrule86
(68,696 posts)We need to start making our own stuff...China is costing our auto companies billions because we can't make chips here...it is a security issue.
samnsara
(17,640 posts)Last edited Tue Sep 28, 2021, 10:27 AM - Edit history (1)
......a Can of Cougar Gold cheese ( made right here at Washington State University),
......a box of Applets and Cot-lets ( also made right here in Washington State)
....... just added: 4 Cosmic Crisp Apples ( again, developed here where the cheese is grown)
.......a bottle of 2 Buck Chuck ( bought here in the state
and this year I will include candles my dtr makes
everyone gets the same and everyone loves to eat and drink
MissB
(15,812 posts)My niece bought us a big can of the cougar gold cheese last year. I had no idea that it was supposed to be refrigerated!! It sat in the pantry for months.
MineralMan
(146,333 posts)I'm content to let everyone decide such things on their own.
samnsara
(17,640 posts)cinematicdiversions
(1,969 posts)brooklynite
(94,745 posts)Demsrule86
(68,696 posts)family dinner.
maryellen99
(3,789 posts)joetheman
(1,450 posts)the list.
PoindexterOglethorpe
(25,902 posts)The only adult I buy for is my son. He's a happy coffee drinker, so I now just get him some coffee. I can get some special New Mexico flavors which he really likes and I don't think can get on the East Coast.
Rorey
(8,445 posts)They visited last month, and we had never even met in person. It was if she knew my soul. I already liked her, but she definitely gained some points.
jmowreader
(50,564 posts)The tray that will be used is a ceramic tile with rubber feet glued to the bottom.
True story: my mom had the lowest-grade laminate countertops in her kitchen, and was always worried about scorching them. (I have her house now and trust me, those damned countertops are gone, gone, gone.) She bought one of those countertop ovens that looks like a big crock pot with an aluminum pot instead of a ceramic one and was worried about scorching the counter, so I went to Home Depot, bought an 18 porcelain tile, a pack of rubber feet and a small tube of silicone caulk and glued the feet to the tile. This happened the day before Thanksgiving and the entire day before, plus until noon of Thanksgiving, she was like where am I going to store this? I have nowhere to put this.
And then she accidentally put a pan on the thing. Suddenly she realized what I had done was installed the worlds biggest trivet in her kitchen. She used it every day of her life.
PoindexterOglethorpe
(25,902 posts)BannonsLiver
(16,470 posts)cinematicdiversions
(1,969 posts)Nt
MissB
(15,812 posts)but my last made-in-the US Etsy item is still in Fed Ex purgatory, and it was an item for myself that I considered getting for a niece for Christmas if I like it.
But... now I'm back to the standard consumables that we've gone to generally as a family.
I'll buy the great niece and great nephews some locally made something from the Saturday Market closer to Christmas. Everyone else gets a bottle of wine, some home canned pickles and jam, and my fabulous toffee. It's simple and largely local stuff.
My adult sons are in their early 20s, but they don't need anything in particular. I'll figure something out over our Thanksgiving visit and look locally for it. They'll be home for Christmas. DH and I usually drop down to Powells Books and buy them each a book. It is a tradition. But definitely smaller this year in general, and nothing off Amazon or the like if I can absolutely avoid it, simply because shipping is so utterly fucked up.
It is kinda funny to exchange bottles of wine with my siblings, but frankly I see it as a chance to get out of our rut of four or five wines.
LiberatedUSA
(1,666 posts)Response to cinematicdiversions (Original post)
Name removed Message auto-removed
Dorian Gray
(13,501 posts)Ten year olds are very understanding about this type of thing.
Tink41
(537 posts)First time since early 2019. First time as in browsing, looking at things as opposed to a mission. Shelves seemed bare as opposed to 2019. These stores have really "slimmed" down, selection wise. Target. Went to grab some new Halloween decorations as this will be the first year decorating again after several year empty nest break. They didn't have much. Went home empty handed.
I didn't purchase gifts last year, and don't see it this year either. Is it so bad to have supply chain issues this Holiday Season? Might be better off doing activities w the family as opposed to an onslaught of gifts soon forgotten.
cinematicdiversions
(1,969 posts)I was surprised by the sheer number of people spending money though. Tons of 30 something couples dropping 5 figures on a picture.