Scrooge-y post of the day - how do you feel about giving gifts?

KathrynMD

Do you enjoy giving gifts - and picking out the perfect thoughtful gift for Aunt Ida, co-workers, Father in Law or do you feel more obligated to get them gifts?  People always seem more stressed than happy by giving gifts.

I like the idea of picking out great gifts, but I also see so many people just as happy w/ cash/GCs that I sort of think, why don't we all just save our money?

DH managed to tell me a few things he wanted last night, but honestly, its not like I'm any more qualified to pick those things out for him than he is. 

I'm already struggling to figure out gifts for my nieces b/c they are at an age where they want very specific things and just getting them shiny stuff at this point is not right.

misscastle

I love buying presents for my husband, but I don't particularly enjoy finding gifts for anyone else. I think it's because I don't particularly like spending money.

SarahKate31

Generally, I love giving gifts. I particularly love wrapping gifts!! I like when I can think of something that I know the person will really like. But...I do stress over thinking up gifts. And giving gifts for certain people is really hard. Like my grandparents who need/want basically nothing. Or my dad who has many hobbies which would seem to provide many gift ideas, but he really doesn't like much.

Megcheer2

I love giving gifts when I feel like I've picked out something really great for that person or I know they really want what I've gotten them.

I hate giving gifts just for the point of giving them. Meaning, its Christmas and the person/people don't need a dam thing and haven't given me any ideas of what they want but they'll be pissed if we don't get them something. 

I love getting gift cards and don't mind giving them, but I do agree that we should all just save our money. If society (and my family) would accept that, I'd be perfectly happy. 

mrs. remy

I'll be honest here. I love giving gifts to my kids and that is about it.

My parents don't need anything-I end up giving them gift cards, they give us gift cards back....seems silly.

Thankfully my family came to their senses and agreed to only give gifts to the kids in our families (instead of buying for every aunt, uncle, cousin, etc). I even struggle with this because all their kids are so spoiled and have way too many toys as it is. So we get them more junky toys that probably don't get played with and take up space. And they do the same. My kids have so many toys already.

Very rarely I will find someone a cute thing on etsy that I get very excited for them to open but I don't have time to hand-select the perfect gift for everyone. Plus I am frugal. Money is tight and I am always thinking how it could be better spent. Holidays really stress me out. I wish I could enjoy them.

Megcheer2

mrs. remy:

 Holidays really stress me out. I wish I could enjoy them.

Amen sister!

jcsntms06

Personally all I want to give my family this year is pictures of the girls and call it a day, but I know my inlaws would never go for that. I actually told my MIL what SIL/BIL and DH/I are doing this year (going out to dinner together) and she give me odd look. Personally I can't think of anything I really need. Every year it's hard to think of something for them (when really they don't need anything). But they like giving us stuff, so I will let them keep doing that. My parents like to give us $, okay, I'll take it, but really I dont need it. Next year I plan to just tell them no to shop for Tim and I and just give the girls stuff, but then again I they don't need anymore toys either.

I also hate wrapping gifts too. Everything would co in a bag if I had my way. 

KathrynMD

jcsntms06:

Personally all I want to give my family this year is pictures of the girls and call it a day, but I know my inlaws would never go for that. I actually told my MIL what SIL/BIL and DH/I are doing this year (going out to dinner together) and she give me odd look. Personally I can't think of anything I really need. Every year it's hard to think of something for them (when really they don't need anything). But they like giving us stuff, so I will let them keep doing that. My parents like to give us $, okay, I'll take it, but really I dont need it. Next year I plan to just tell them no to shop for Tim and I and just give the girls stuff, but then again I they don't need anymore toys either.

I also hate wrapping gifts too. Everything would co in a bag if I had my way. 

Jen - we've done the group dinner out as a Christmas gift w/ my SIL and husband - it was really fun and so much better than buying each other stuff.

jcsntms06

KathrynMD:

jcsntms06:

Personally all I want to give my family this year is pictures of the girls and call it a day, but I know my inlaws would never go for that. I actually told my MIL what SIL/BIL and DH/I are doing this year (going out to dinner together) and she give me odd look. Personally I can't think of anything I really need. Every year it's hard to think of something for them (when really they don't need anything). But they like giving us stuff, so I will let them keep doing that. My parents like to give us $, okay, I'll take it, but really I dont need it. Next year I plan to just tell them no to shop for Tim and I and just give the girls stuff, but then again I they don't need anymore toys either.

I also hate wrapping gifts too. Everything would co in a bag if I had my way. 

Jen - we've done the group dinner out as a Christmas gift w/ my SIL and husband - it was really fun and so much better than buying each other stuff.

We are going to Volt in Frederick on Saturday and I'm super excited! I hope we can make this a yearly tradition with new restaurants of course. 

madladybride

I agree with many of you. I hate giving gifts. I find it stressful to shop for and purchase crap/things that people don't need. Also, if I want something, I would rather just go buy it than wait for someone to get it for me. I think our money could be better spent. My DD doesn't understand gifts yet, so that is lost on me,too.

tmm140

I always struggle with gifts.  I personally love gift cards.  A gift is nice, but if I can go and pick something out myself it makes me happier.  One year my mom spent a ton on a pair of boots for me.  They were pretty, but I am on my feet all day and these things had a hooker heel.  While nice, it wasn't practical.  I returned them and bought a pair that would be better.  I think I make a bigger deal of DS's gifts than anyone, I want his to be perfect.  Everyone else I am just eh about.