General Discussion

csziggy

(34,189 posts)

17. We haven't since 2001

Reply to redstatebluegirl (Original post)

Tue Nov 5, 2013, 04:11 PM

Nov 2013

After Shrub told the country to get over 9-11 by going out and spending money, my family stopped giving presents to each other. Sometimes we'll see something we want to give to another family member, but that is not Christmas spending, it happens throughout the year.

The same year or maybe the year after, my husband's family decided to draw names for presents. That way each adult only buys one present and receives on present. Lots of years it's been gift certificates when I couldn't get out to shop and my husband wouldn't.

Children are excluded, but we've never given very much to the kids. Usually it's a few books - every single kid in either family always has too many toys and they don't need more. Kids over about 12 get money or gift certificates on the theory they are old enough to select what they really want.

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Highlight:

How many of you are NOT buying much if any this Christmas? [View all] redstatebluegirl Nov 2013 OP

no xmas posts till after Thanksgiving snooper2 Nov 2013 #1

Okay redstatebluegirl Nov 2013 #5

Hey, JimboBillyBubbaBob Nov 2013 #2

Our only granddaughter turns "1" next week... KansDem Nov 2013 #3

I'm in exactly the same boat. pnwmom Nov 2013 #47

I should have said "only grandchild" KansDem Nov 2013 #72

Why? The 1year old won't care if you don't. 1-Old-Man Nov 2013 #68

You have a point... KansDem Nov 2013 #73

Nope, not alone. yesphan Nov 2013 #4

My beef is when Awknid Nov 2013 #9

You are not alone fredamae Nov 2013 #6

I'm not frazzled Nov 2013 #7

I don't usually post commercials, but Chrismahanukwanzakah comes only once a year hatrack Nov 2013 #62

Very cool! I don't remember ever seeing that commercial /nt frazzled Nov 2013 #66

The animated version was better - a multi-armed Santa playing the sitar sitting on a mushroom hatrack Nov 2013 #67

We have pretty much stopped doing Christmas gifts. mnhtnbb Nov 2013 #8

I love your pic of Molly! I miss her so much! redstatebluegirl Nov 2013 #10

Aye. It just benefits the corporations anyway. nt bemildred Nov 2013 #11

me to MFM008 Nov 2013 #12

I buy for my niece and nephews Xyzse Nov 2013 #13

Probably not .... Myrina Nov 2013 #14

I was just getting ready to post this thread myself: clydefrand Nov 2013 #15

If that's the game your family plays...YUCK! cynatnite Nov 2013 #16

We haven't since 2001 csziggy Nov 2013 #17

I haven't purchased much in years MissMillie Nov 2013 #18

Haven't done the Christmas present stuff in more than a decade. sinkingfeeling Nov 2013 #19

I stopped doing all holidays and birthdays in the early 1990s lunatica Nov 2013 #20

How did your family react? redstatebluegirl Nov 2013 #22

They all thought for a minute and said "OK" lunatica Nov 2013 #24

I do not buy anything for Christmas.... chillfactor Nov 2013 #21

I did my shopping last January Bombero1956 Nov 2013 #23

Not buying this year, or any other year :) Holly_Hobby Nov 2013 #25

Me. NoOneMan Nov 2013 #26

I haven't done Christmas in about 15 years. MadrasT Nov 2013 #27

I've already done most of my Christmas shopping. SheilaT Nov 2013 #28

I have 2 grown kids wendylaroux Nov 2013 #29

This year has been kind of an expensive year. woodsprite Nov 2013 #30

I just want to say, for those who do shop for the holidays, Arugula Latte Nov 2013 #31

I don't do xmas at all. 2naSalit Nov 2013 #32

What we buy, and our budget has always been very small, nadinbrzezinski Nov 2013 #33

As Festive As RobinA Nov 2013 #34

I love the holidays and was kinda disappointed when hubby's family went to woodsprite Nov 2013 #42

Going to be thin this year. GreenPartyVoter Nov 2013 #35

My group of friends does a gift exchange where we buy one gift of about $20 and theres a game that Erose999 Nov 2013 #36

"Dirty bingo" is fun when used in lieu of a plain "white elephant" woodsprite Nov 2013 #43

Haven't bought gifts in years PasadenaTrudy Nov 2013 #37

I spend very little on Christmas every year. Rex Nov 2013 #38

My wife's side of the family is decidedly 'home/handmade' this year... Earth_First Nov 2013 #39

You are not alone... dixiegrrrrl Nov 2013 #40

I love Christmas Tree-Hugger Nov 2013 #41

Another idea for a handmade gift -- treasure boxes! woodsprite Nov 2013 #46

I never know what to get for family. Denninmi Nov 2013 #44

I don't know HOW we are gonna do C-mas ... FirstLight Nov 2013 #45

Giving gift card to grocery stores ChazII Nov 2013 #48

I like this idea! redstatebluegirl Nov 2013 #49

Self preservation is the key :) ChazII Nov 2013 #51

We have three dogs a pet coupon would be wonderful! redstatebluegirl Nov 2013 #52

I'll buy one package, but that goes to my girlfriend sakabatou Nov 2013 #50

I'm only buying one major gift this year LittleBlue Nov 2013 #53

Self preservation is key! redstatebluegirl Nov 2013 #54

Checks for my grandchildren...That's it. Paper Roses Nov 2013 #55

We can't afford a tree, probably not much for a meal either. Nictuku Nov 2013 #56

Thrifty. madamesilverspurs Nov 2013 #57

I give my niece and nephew 'money' cards Siwsan Nov 2013 #58

Don't BUY gifts, I build them. oneshooter Nov 2013 #59

I don't celebrate the religious aspect of Christmas NastyRiffraff Nov 2013 #60

No, but then we never do . . . a few presents for nieces, Christmas dinner . .. . hatrack Nov 2013 #61

Since our boys have been grown ups, we quit the gift thing SoCalDem Nov 2013 #63

Homemade personalized calendars for my extended family. LanternWaste Nov 2013 #64

I'll be buying about the same goldent Nov 2013 #65

I plan on doing our usual FreeJoe Nov 2013 #69

I have 7 grandkids and I am glad I have a credit card I can use Grateful for Hope Nov 2013 #70

I've really enjoyed reading this thread IrishAyes Nov 2013 #71