I think I need a Christmas mental makeover- - Page 2

blueerica · 12-03-2007, 01:36 PM

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.

Betty · 12-03-2007, 02:28 PM

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 · 12-03-2007, 02:49 PM

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.

Morrigoon · 12-03-2007, 03:02 PM

Neph: FWIW, Silly string occupies a large portion of the space in a stocking. So do bottles of bubbles

Bornieo: Fully Loaded · 12-03-2007, 03:56 PM

I never had Christmas as a child - I want lots of stuff!!

Kevy Baby · 12-03-2007, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarTopDancer

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

How about giving bad memories?

Gemini Cricket · 12-03-2007, 04:06 PM

Okay, here's how cheap a$s my mom is:
When I was 20, she bought me a Fossil watch for Christmas and mailed it to me (I was in college). A month later, it broke. I was bummed. So she said to mail it back. After that, I kinda forgot about the watch.
On my birthday, in March, my mom mailed the fixed watch to me with a note attached to it: "Happy Birthday".
That was it. No other present that year. She exchanged it for one that worked and now it was my birthday present, too.
Cheap dinglecheese.

lizziebith · 12-03-2007, 04:10 PM

If either of my parents even remembered the day of my birth I'd cheer.

katiesue · 12-03-2007, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

Okay, here's how cheap a$s my mom is:
When I was 20, she bought me a Fossil watch for Christmas and mailed it to me (I was in college). A month later, it broke. I was bummed. So she said to mail it back. After that, I kinda forgot about the watch.
On my birthday, in March, my mom mailed the fixed watch to me with a note attached to it: "Happy Birthday".
That was it. No other present that year. She exchanged it for one that worked and now it was my birthday present, too.
Cheap dinglecheese.

I got a 35mm camera for my 16th Birthday, which was also my Christmas present, and my next years birthday present. Top that

Gemini Cricket · 12-03-2007, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katiesue

I got a 35mm camera for my 16th Birthday, which was also my Christmas present, and my next years birthday present. Top that

You win.

12-03-2007, 01:36 PM	#1
blueerica Nueve Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 6,497	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. __________________ Tomorrow is the day for you and me
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12-03-2007, 02:28 PM	#2
Betty Kicking up my heels! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The Silver State Posts: 3,783	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. __________________ Nee Stell Thue
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12-03-2007, 02:49 PM	#3
lizziebith Wishing these titles could be longe Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Pearblossom CA Posts: 984	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. __________________ $ DO \|\| !$ DO ; TRY TRY: COMMAND NOT FOUND
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12-03-2007, 03:02 PM	#4
Morrigoon I throw stones at houses Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Location: Location Posts: 9,534	Neph: FWIW, Silly string occupies a large portion of the space in a stocking. So do bottles of bubbles __________________ http://bash.org/?top "It is useless for sheep to pass a resolution in favor of vegetarianism while wolves remain of a different opinion." -- William Randolph Inge
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12-03-2007, 03:56 PM	#5
Bornieo: Fully Loaded Lego Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Disneyland, USA Posts: 3,704	I never had Christmas as a child - I want lots of stuff!!
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12-03-2007, 04:06 PM	#7
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	Okay, here's how cheap a$s my mom is: When I was 20, she bought me a Fossil watch for Christmas and mailed it to me (I was in college). A month later, it broke. I was bummed. So she said to mail it back. After that, I kinda forgot about the watch. On my birthday, in March, my mom mailed the fixed watch to me with a note attached to it: "Happy Birthday". That was it. No other present that year. She exchanged it for one that worked and now it was my birthday present, too. Cheap dinglecheese.
	Submit to Quotes

12-03-2007, 04:10 PM	#8
lizziebith Wishing these titles could be longe Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Pearblossom CA Posts: 984	If either of my parents even remembered the day of my birth I'd cheer. __________________ $ DO \|\| !$ DO ; TRY TRY: COMMAND NOT FOUND
	Submit to Quotes