How to Reduce Christmas Present Obligation?

Mojisola

Ggardener wrote: »

But I see and spend time with my sister.

But never met her youngest child? Strange.

Next time you meet up just tell her that you're not buying any presents this Christmas.

Pollycat

Ggardener wrote: »

I have been sending presents to my nephew, niece and their children for years. I haven't seen them for years & I haven't even met the youngest one! I never get an acknowledgment from them and they are much better off than me. I'm afraid of upsetting my sister (their mother) if I stop giving. Help!

If you stop buying for these ungrateful relatives, will it really upset your sister?
If so, she needs to teach her offspring some manners.

I'd say - tell her you can't buy 'stuff' for people you don't know, haven't met for years/never met anymore and this year it stops.

Pull on your big boy/girl pants and go for it.

chirpychick

Ggardener

If they never acknowledge the gift it would be pretty shocking to acknowledge not receiving one. If it upsets your sister I would explain your reasoning - i fail to see how anyone would expect you to continue when they're so ungrateful

Brie

I started to cut back on the rot last Christmas.


We have had a system of all of us having just 1 present to buy for just 1 of all the adults in the family (mom, 3 brothers, 2 sister in laws, me, OH). There's a $15 (that's Canadian dollars!) limit which often gets ignored. Plus there's postage as some of us live zillions of miles away.


So last year when someone didn't know what to get my OH I suggested an Oxfam chicken. For a small amount of money someone in Africa gets a chicken to raise and the person in the family gets a email to say this has happened. My suggestion for my OH actually generated another 2 similar presents. No wasting on postage, no posting deadlines, all online, feels good all round.

Pollycat

Brie wrote: »

I started to cut back on the rot last Christmas.


We have had a system of all of us having just 1 present to buy for just 1 of all the adults in the family (mom, 3 brothers, 2 sister in laws, me, OH). There's a $15 (that's Canadian dollars!) limit which often gets ignored. Plus there's postage as some of us live zillions of miles away.


So last year when someone didn't know what to get my OH I suggested an Oxfam chicken. For a small amount of money someone in Africa gets a chicken to raise and the person in the family gets a email to say this has happened. My suggestion for my OH actually generated another 2 similar presents. No wasting on postage, no posting deadlines, all online, feels good all round.

:T. Love it!

oldtractor

just do it no explanations necessary did this years ago. i n ow no longer send cards either,. if any one moans or calls you scrooge then say you send a donation to charity instead of gift giving.

candygirl

Forgot to say, I donate to staffy rescue now instead of giving cards, except for close family

LuckyPenny

I used to buy gifts for colleagues at work but was made redundant this year. I've started at a new place, I'm already thinking about what I can buy as little gifts because I love getting gifts for people. But I'm going to resist because once you start, you just can't stop without feeling guilty/tight/embarrassed. Someone has suggested a secret santa and I may take part if she asks again.


My favourite gifts have been gifts made by my DD, last year she made me a cushion. Thoughtful gifts are the best. Quite like experience gifts too because I'm trying to declutter at the moment.


I genuinely mean it when I say to anyone, I don't expect anything in return. I don't give to receive. But understand that people feel awkward with this.



LP x

Kim_kim

I really think the presents side of Christmas is for children.
I’d much rather we went back to that, presents just for children, adults can enjoy the other parts of Christmas. For some reason Christmas has become 90% presents - 10% food & nothing else :-(

VfM4meplse

It seems to me that presents are just an angry symptom.

The real cause of contention is relationships, and to have to honour inauthentic keep-the-peace type relationships with an actual financial committment has an understandably inflammatory effect! Are we scared to be too honest? :think: