I think I need a Christmas mental makeover-

[Nephythys]

Repeat this mantra- it's not about STUFF- it's not about GIFTS, it's not about a load of CRAP under the tree!

Crap they won't care about in 2 weeks.

Why and when and where did I develop this idea that my kids needed oodles of STUFF to open on Christmas, and oodles of stuff for their stockings?

My parents? Yes. To some extent- because the gifts always filled the space under the tree plus more. Stockings were always filled with lots of fun little things-

Not anymore of course- we kids are grown and my parents don't have the $$ to spend on such insane frivolity- yet I know I got this mentality in part from them.

I love to give gifts- and my daughter is a good example of being spoiled. She's sweet as can be but she has SO MUCH stuff she neither remembers nor cares about most of it.

So why do I struggle with there not being more STUFF to give? I don't have the funds to buy them everything they want all in one shot. Nor would they appreciate it all- if they get too much they just want more and they don't appreciate what they have! Maybe- just maybe if they get a couple of things that they really want they will enjoy them more?

I can remember opening a dozen presents or more- Dudley Dursley am I indeed- though not as nasty This year though my family has 2 gifts per person-and one is from the kids and one is from the adults.

If I let every member of my family buy gifts for every other member of the family? Let's see-6 in my family, then 2 for outside family (more if you count R's family as well- but we don't for this purpose)- so 8 total gifts for 8 people- maybe even 10 if you count two couples as 4 people and not 2.....

64-80 gifts. 64 to 80 GIFTS!!!!! Add that up!

Holy hell- no wonder my brain is fried.

Why is it like this? How to I fix it?????

**headdesk**

[BarTopDancer]

One big family gift - a vacation, a trip somewhere special. Give memories, not stuff.

Make it fun though, make a scavenger hunt, or wrap up clues in boxes for them to open (one box has travel sized toiletries in it, another has a book about where you're going or what you are going to do, etc...). Then they have *stuff* to open but it's to meet an end.

[wendybeth]

Boy, do I feel your pain. We've told Tori that this year, it's quality, not quantity. She seems good with that, but now I have the two sides of family to address. We always buy gifts for the kids, but there are soooooo frikken many of them! We just can't keep up, so we're considering just giving the older ones gift certificates or money, and not a huge amount either.

[Not Afraid]

I've gotten so I hate the scurry of Christmas. I love the lights and the smells, but the shopping part I hate - which is odd for someone who loves to shop. We went to Target yesterday for a shower curtain and curtain rod. It was a NIGHTMARE! Crowds, parking mess, crazy stressed people, screaming children - Calgon take me away!

I'd much prefer to have a gathering, a meal, a hot drink, a good Christmas story read aloud.

I think that is why New Years has become THE winter holiday of preference.

[blueerica]

At least this year, it's pared back for me. I'm not a mega gift-giver. If I find something that makes me think of someone when I see it, I'll get it and hold onto it if there's a holiday around or I'll give it to them right away.

My father's side of the family is ridiculous about the number of gifts given each year. I don't like having a bunch of random things, so it ends up somewhat aggravating for me - even if I put on the Alex "ahh shucks" act and do it for them. This year, since I'm moving and I'm WAY too busy to set aside days to buy gifts, I've notified them that I won't be getting gifts for anyone except grandma, two aunts and my dad, who will all get coffee, since they love it so much anyway. My sister will get her birthday gift (She's a NYE baby). And that's it.

In kind, I've explained that I'm getting rid of a lot of stuff and don't want to haul a bunch of random things to Utah, so they're not to get me anything. My aunts, dad and grandma, on the other hand, will be getting me Target gift cards. Which, considering South Ogden is bereft of normal grocery stores, will help me eats while J is on his work trip and I'm looking for a job. Go Target!

I'm happy.

It was nice to be up front with them about it.

[sleepyjeff]

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

- Calgon take me away!

~Ancient Chinese Secret~

I miss the old commercials(sorry about the derail)

[Gemini Cricket]

My recommendation is theft.
If we learned anything from "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" it's that stealing gifts from your fellow townsfolk will ultimately cheer them up and make them better people.

[DreadPirateRoberts]

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

My recommendation is theft.
If we learned anything from "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" it's that stealing gifts from your fellow townsfolk will ultimately cheer them up and make them better people.

You're a mean one

[Betty]

We've gone the route of picking names for Christmas - so each adult buys for one adult. But we do that on both sides of the family - so we've got 2.

But we also do a pirate gift exchange and that's fun.

AND - we do buy for all the nieces and nephews - so that's 6 more.

But it's much better than it used to be buying for everyone.

[lizziebith]

We've spent several years spoiling the kids (computers, DVD recorders, iPods, Wiis -- all expensive stuff) but this year they know we're really broke. The older kids (hubby's) don't really want stuff anymore -- or at least they're mature enough to say they don't want anything, but mine, the youngest, keeps saying heartbreaking things like "I know you can't afford it, Mommy, but if you could, I'd like_____________." It's really hard. After years of bounty, to have a sudden drought to explain sure is a splash of cold water on kids. (<--- that is one of the funniest sentences I've ever seen myself write!) Anyway, I know how you feel Nephy...our little tree is going to look really empty at the bottom this year. It breaks my heart.