The gift-free Christmas

[ua_guy]

I just wanted to say that I had an honest discussion with my folks about how I feel the point of Christmas is kind of muddied/lost by continuing to do a gift exchange now that we're all adults. None of us truly need anything, and none of us particularly love shopping, and while we all love each other and nothing else about our plans to spend time together this year will change, I suggested we all save ourselves some money and stress and ONLY buy for the kids!

I've tried to broach the idea in years past, but it fell on deaf ears (maybe they really did like my desparate attempts at finding good gifts for them? lol). But this year, success! I feel like such a great weight has been lifted off my chest.

Who else has gone "gift-free" for the holidays? (No bah-humbug about it!)

[LittleMissSplendid]

I have felt similarly for years. All of the small kids are now part of my extended family (many of which are nearby) but I refuse to go broke buying gifts for kids who's names I can hardly remember. They have plenty of other gift sources and if I show up to visit them once in awhile that should be gift enough lol. My sister and I are both adults and it would just be ridiculous to expect our mom to overextend herself getting us stuff we don't really need.

I didn't actually have a discussion with my immediate family about not going crazy with gifts, I just did what I wanted to do. On years when I had extra money I'd pay one of my mom's smaller bills, spend the day not arguing with my sister, and call it a day. Sometimes we'd go to the movies or out to breakfast and enjoy giving the hardworking waitress a very nice tip, but we didn't feel obligated to spend the day together. Many times I lounge at home or am out volunteering, my mom goes to church, and my sister is with her friends and its nice that it just isn't a big deal. We see each other year round and that's what counts. When money is tight we just keep it business as usual.

[feh]

The commercial aspect of Xmas drives me nuts. Every year I try to get my MIL to not buy my wife and I gifts, but she insists.

I keep asking my wife to have Festivus instead of Xmas. One of these years I think she'll allow it.

[creditcardfree]

Last year we didn't do adult gifts on my husband's side. Loved it! I haven't heard we are doing it again, and we won't even be in attendance, so I think we have come to our senses! I will buy small gifts for nieces and nephews. One family with four kids just wants be to buy a state park admittance pass...that's easy and only costs $25!

I would prefer to only buy for my immediate family, husband and kids. And them for me. It gets to be too much to be getting and giving gifts from too many people.

[miranda1990]

But the important thing is where and how can we know?

[suite001]

I would prefer to only buy for my immediate family, wife and kids. And them for me.

[Singuy]

The commercial aspect of Xmas drives me nuts. Every year I try to get my MIL to not buy my wife and I gifts, but she insists.

I keep asking my wife to have Festivus instead of Xmas. One of these years I think she'll allow it.

I'm the opposite. The religious aspect of it drives me nuts! I do like the commercial aspect of Xmas, everything is on SALE! Beats paying 2x as much for the same tv/game/whatever.

[creditcardfree]

I would prefer to only buy for my immediate family, wife and kids. And them for me.

I feel the same way. If most people did this Christmas would be so much easier on everyone! If you are a single person, buy yourself a gift.

[JanKlein]

Christmas is very special day for all over the world...