As for me, I’m only giving gifts that will double in value when they’re opened. That means I get top dollar out of the “joy of giving” aspect of gift giving, and the recipient receives a gift he/she truly wants.

Just things they will really love/need or 529 contributions from me this year!

I love all the comments. I really don’t understand why there is so much shopping and craziness this time of year. Does anyone know when it all started?

In the 1800′s children would get a piece of fruit, a penny and a little candy. (generally speaking of course.) Then they went to church.

We feel exactly the same way. But my in-laws hound us until we send them some sort of wish list and then send us the exact item they want us to buy them. It’s really ridiculous–shouldn’t we just buy ourselves the things we really would use/need??

And then there is my family who lives 12 hours away–none of whom really has “extra” money to buy Christmas presents. We tell them over and over not to buy us anything, but if they feel they must get something, get it for our 6 year old daughter (though we’d much rather it be a contribution to her 529 plan than some piece of junk made in China she’ll stop playing with in 2 days). But I’m sure they’re out at Wal-mart getting some plastic thing with batteries as we speak…

Our solution has been to send one giant gift basket of food goodies to each side of my family where everyone will be meeting so that they can enjoy it and think of us since we aren’t there. As for the in-laws, since there are only the MIL, FIL and BIL, we’ll just keep going along with the absurd, “here, buy this for me and tell me what you want” routine. Maybe I suggest adopting a needy family next year instead of exchanging gifts, but I’m guessing it will be vetoed.

Here’s the quote:
“Christmas gift suggestions:
To your enemy, forgiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
To all, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect.”
Oren arnold

I understand that their kids are in it for the toys, but aren’t grown-ups supposed to be a little more wise? Is the value of the family determined by the amount of money spent on presents?

Also, who the heck decided that Christmas is about buying presents? Before the age of marketing, Christmas was a holy day for love and giving and gratitude and God. It wasn’t about shopping! People have accepted the consumption mindset so completely that they cannot imagine a Christmas without stuff bought from a store.

Perhaps Christmas could be a lot more pleasurable and less stressful if we stop thinking about it as a product-giving-and-getting ceremony and more as an opportunity to be grateful for all of the things that we already have.

I admit I do feel discomfort to not being like the default consumer christmas(er) this year, but I think I could get used to this. Now, I am not sure about my kids.