Christmas presents

KathrynMD · November 2011

so . .. I just suggested to my mom that we scale back the gift exchange for Christmas this year and just do some kind of silly thing and/or charitable contribution.

We'll see how that goes over. I feel like Christmas w/ my parents turns into the great Macy's/Nordstrom shopping trip. And, seriously - how many sweaters does everyone need? I'm worried she'll be offended, but honestly, its more stressful to think of presents that everyone hasn't gotten themselves.

jadebaby · November 2011

Yeah the past couple of years we have just gotten a few small things for each set of parents, siblings and then bought gifts for the kids. And really there was only one child on each side (my nephew and then DH's niece). This year DD (so weird to say) and my 2nd nephew (who was born in June) will be with us. So nephew #1 and niece on DH's side are really still the only ones who will be old enough to enjoy opening.

We still get things for everyone else and always hear the "Oh you guys didn't have to do that. I thought we weren't exchanging gifts this year!?" to which we always say "Right. Do you have a gift for us? Nope so it isn't an EXCHANGE. Merry Christmas!" My DH loves giving gifts so we always budget and save throughout the year so we can afford to indulge a smidge.

ucgrad · November 2011

I actually would like to tell MIL to scale back Christmas. We don't have a ton of space, and every year we come home with a ton of stuff that I have to find space for. And, she gets mad at me every year because I am not good at making a Christmas list. I honestly don't want that much stuff. That is why my list is short. I tend to end up with a lot of stuff that is cool but I never use and don't have space to keep. Lots of kitchen gadgets join our family every Christmas.

KathrynMD · November 2011

ucgrad:
I actually would like to tell MIL to scale back Christmas. We don't have a ton of space, and every year we come home with a ton of stuff that I have to find space for. And, she gets mad at me every year because I am not good at making a Christmas list. I honestly don't want that much stuff. That is why my list is short. I tend to end up with a lot of stuff that is cool but I never use and don't have space to keep. Lots of kitchen gadgets join our family every Christmas.

that's the thing - I just don't want alot of "stuff" and the few things I do want/need are so specific that I feel like its sending my mom to run my errands if I ask her to get it, you know?

Cooper81 · November 2011

As a resust of endless requests from my mom and MIL for Xmas and birthday ideas (my b-day is right after the new year), in the months following up to the holidays anything that I come across that I like or want, I write down, or copy the link. In the past it's been, jewelry I've liked from etsy, a cute piece of clothing, a pair of shoes, a cute calendar from paper source, a book and then I just divide the list and give it to each of them in December. I don't really like doing it, but it makes them happy and I dont' have to hear them b!tch about not having ideas! And a fail safe, I always say iTunes gift cards

daisyterp · November 2011

I would LOVE to ask both my mom (since my dad really doesn't do any shopping and doesn't really want much or anything for that matter) and my MIL to totally scale back. Even for the kids.

Since we are going on the holiday "trip" w/ my ILs that is their present to us. Which I guess is better than "stuff" but I have zero say in all of the trip planning, where we go to eat while we are there, etc. And since it's expensive we have to go all out on nice gifts and pick up the tab for the priciest dinner on the trip as their anniversary gift. At least we are done all of the Xmas shopping for them- it only took me driving to 5 Tuesday Morning stores to find the 6 plates she asked me for via 2 pushy e-mails she sent before Halloween. Plus the monogrammed towels. FIL is getting a photo mug of the kids I just ordered off shutterfly w/ a free coupon.

Seeing as I manage to fill up a bag to donate/consign/freecycle on a weekly basis (of clothing, kitchen stuff, kids' toys, etc.) I am trying hard to stop the flow of CRAP into this house!

lauranne · November 2011

I would love to scale back with ILs, but I don't see it happening. MIL buys us soooo much stuff and it's all stuff we don't need/isn't our style/is tacky. We do ask for specific things, but DH is the only one who she really listens to.

madladybride · November 2011

Well, MIL is pretty good at not getting us too much crap,, but we still get stuff that sits around and is holiday themed ( we have FIVE menorahs. You really only need 1. We also have a Hannuakah cookie jar. It's nice, but takes up a lot of space. I am thinking of filling it with cookies and putting it somewhere that the dogs will get it, though I am afraid it will break into too many pieces and they would accidentally eat glass shards.)

My mom always gets us the wrong things or never gets out to get anything, i.e. a month before our anniversary she asks what we want (a 12 inch cast iron skillet). She says she's going to get it and they don't have it at any of the stores she shops at and she never gets around to going online. It ends up being this big production. She then says "oh, I just never got around to getting it. I'm going to send you $20 instead."

I don't need presents from my mom, but don't ask if you are not going to bother to get it for me/us. Send us the $20 or better yet, save everyone the time and hassle (because I know this is hard for you) and just call us and wish us a happy whatever.

Christmas presents

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