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central scrutinizer

(11,635 posts)

17. Our family stopped years ago

Reply to cinematicdiversions (Original post)

Tue Sep 28, 2021, 08:21 AM

Sep 2021

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.

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This might be a good year to skip gifts for Christmas. [View all] cinematicdiversions Sep 2021 OP

Years ago, we went to Secret Santa grab bag for relatives. 3Hotdogs Sep 2021 #1

Same with my family. Buckeye_Democrat Sep 2021 #35

"especially for non-spousal adults" milestogo Sep 2021 #2

Wondering the same obamanut2012 Sep 2021 #5

Well non partners would be more inclusive. cinematicdiversions Sep 2021 #11

Thank you for posting this Rorey Sep 2021 #3

What is the Saran Ball Game? Scrivener7 Sep 2021 #15

How it's done Rorey Sep 2021 #21

I LOOOOOOOVVVVVEEEEE THIS!!!! Scrivener7 Sep 2021 #32

It's great fun. Rorey Sep 2021 #37

Great idea! bluestarone Sep 2021 #49

You exchange gifts with your family? LittleGirl Sep 2021 #4

It used to be insane. Now it's somple and with few gifts. Much better. marble falls Sep 2021 #6

Less stuff for all of us Sherman A1 Sep 2021 #7

Better yet, make something. C_U_L8R Sep 2021 #8

I think a lot of people, including children, learned a valuable lesson last year Rorey Sep 2021 #9

We made sure the kids had Christmas...Kids don't need to learn lessons like that at a young Demsrule86 Sep 2021 #29

Sorry, I worded it poorly - very little sleep due to booster side effects Rorey Sep 2021 #36

I had Covid last Christmas...and I expect my son won't come this year as his baby is too young to Demsrule86 Oct 2021 #56

No need to be sorry... Demsrule86 Oct 2021 #58

This reminds me Rorey Oct 2021 #62

I know a few people who always boast "I've finished my Christmas-shopping!" NurseJackie Sep 2021 #10

Shop wisely, shop early, but if most people stopped shopping it will be a big economic hit Tom Rinaldo Sep 2021 #12

That's a good point. NT Rorey Sep 2021 #38

I am not sure we should buy things just because our guy is in office. cinematicdiversions Sep 2021 #47

Agreed. That's why I said "shop wisely." Tom Rinaldo Sep 2021 #48

I still can't get my kids the Xbox they were supposed to find under the tree last Christmas. Efilroft Sul Sep 2021 #13

I have been trying for the past year as well. cinematicdiversions Sep 2021 #14

I ordered a new sofa in June. They told me I MIGHT have it by December. Scrivener7 Sep 2021 #16

I bought a couch last winter and it took about 4 months to get it Luciferous Sep 2021 #19

It is hit or miss...I ordered a new sofa from Ashley after the House sold in Austintown... Demsrule86 Sep 2021 #27

This is disconcerting. I dropped what for me is a lot of money on the store, bc you have to Scrivener7 Sep 2021 #33

I've seen some 7-9 week lead times recently on furniture like sofas. MissB Sep 2021 #46

I'm grateful that my kid and his friends moved to gaming computers. SYFROYH Oct 2021 #57

Glad to hear your son and friends have a workaround to the consoles. Efilroft Sul Oct 2021 #61

Our family stopped years ago central scrutinizer Sep 2021 #17

I love that idea NT Rorey Sep 2021 #39

Love that. PoindexterOglethorpe Oct 2021 #51

We don't buy adults presents, and my kiddo is in high school and was the baby of the Luciferous Sep 2021 #18

Don't buy something shipped in from a Chinese factory, buy small and local Amishman Sep 2021 #20

The small and local goods are likely made in China as well. Demsrule86 Sep 2021 #26

My gift giving has been whittled down quite a bit but everyone gets the same: samnsara Sep 2021 #31

that all sounds lovely. MissB Sep 2021 #45

It might, but that would be an individual decision, I'd think. MineralMan Sep 2021 #22

gifts cards will never be in short supply samnsara Sep 2021 #23

Cash is a very helpful gift. NT cinematicdiversions Oct 2021 #55

Or, just buy gifts earlier... brooklynite Sep 2021 #24

No, I am going to have Christmas period. I am buying gifts for my family and having a Demsrule86 Sep 2021 #25

Same here...nt maryellen99 Sep 2021 #28

Actually, my family has no choice. Mortgage, food, school, medicine...Xmas gifts are not even on joetheman Sep 2021 #30

I have several young great nieces and nephews, and get something for them PoindexterOglethorpe Sep 2021 #34

My son's girlfriend brought me coffee beans from a shop in Seattle Rorey Sep 2021 #40

I'm going to do homemade goody trays jmowreader Sep 2021 #41

What a nice story. PoindexterOglethorpe Sep 2021 #43

A Christmas doom thread before Oct 1! BannonsLiver Sep 2021 #42

With supply chain issues even the Christmas doom threats have to be early this year cinematicdiversions Oct 2021 #53

I've been trying to hit up Etsy MissB Sep 2021 #44

Just tell the kids Santa didn't make it. N/t LiberatedUSA Sep 2021 #50

Message auto-removed Name removed Oct 2021 #52

My daughter will love that! Dorian Gray Oct 2021 #54

I actually did some retail therapy today Tink41 Oct 2021 #59

I hit an art auction over the weekend and I did a lot more damage than I meant to. cinematicdiversions Oct 2021 #63

Cindy Lou Who gives that a hard no. 11 Bravo Oct 2021 #60