Advice on how to tell people you are not gift giving

*max*

The easiest way to tell someone you're not sending a gift is to not send one. It'll be clear as day.

Seriously, why would you be worried of being thought of as a cheapstake? Presents are not a due. Don't give it a second thought, I'm sure they won't. And don't announce it, you don't have to justify yourself! Just send a card (if you're so inclined).

tealady

Why do you need to announce it? If the "friends" ask where their presents are then they are sponges and not friends.

Pollycat

I wouldn't make an announcement either.
I'd just stop.
And I'd do it this year instead of next.


I'd find it very difficult to buy gifts for off-springs of friends that I never see anyway.
I don't buy gifts for a lot of people but when I do buy, I invest a lot of care and thought into each gift.

trailingspouse

They won't notice.
Mine didn't.

hazyjo

Similar boat. I have one set of 3 friends. One with 1 child, one with 2 and the other with 3. The first one, I just stopped and bought for my friend instead. The others, I still buy for their kids as they're all young. Does annoy me as you never really get a thanks and I rarely see them. I don't have kids. My 3 friends all buy for me - I know it's not about the money - but I do end up forking out loads more for 5 kids than they do each for me. Used to buy the kids birthday presents too but I don't bother now. I think I muttered something once about 'just doing Christmas presents'. It's impossible to choose them stuff, plus we take each other out for our birthdays so I don't want to be spending for each of my friends and all their kids as well!


I've tried to win a few presents this year. Even if it's just one present, it's a tenner-ish saved.


Someone did have a good idea on here before when I've mentioned it and said just buy them all a box of chocs, biscuits, or sweets or something between them. Will think about doing that next year I think...

ophiuchus

Red-Squirrel wrote: »

They've probably been hoping you'd get the hint and stop for years.

I can relate to this. A relative who we haven't seen for years and are unlikely to see in the near future, if ever, still feels the need to get us all presents. Several unsuccessful attempts have been made to tell her to not bother, and that none of us expect a gift from her.

System

I had a friend who (it was a wedding actually) adopted elephants for the bridesmaids to say thank you for their help. Really did show who was a real friend then when some started to complain.

Rev

fiestafantastic wrote: »

I would like advice from people about how to stop giving xmas presents to other people, in particular, their children. I have friends who I never see, never get an acknowledgement of gifts received and from next year my financial circumstances change so am less likely to afford.

As time has gone on the number of children has more than quadrupled, I dont think these children them as need as they get plenty from others and I genuinely think environmentally it's not good either. I would rather donate to local charities who need and appreciate it.

I don't want to appear cheap so how do announce this is the last Christmas and in some cases birthdays I am giving presents.

Why would you by gifts for people who can't even say thanks and acknowledge you got them a gift?

You're clearly putting far more effort and thought in than they are. Just stop sending them.

Seems strange to buy gifts for people who you never see, never mind their kids. If you never see them, they're not friends.

AnotherJoe

Another vote for dont announce and dont give this year.
If you've already bought, donate them to a charity shop.

Ilona

fiestafantastic wrote: »

I would like advice from people about how to stop giving xmas presents

I don't want to appear cheap so how do announce this is the last Christmas and in some cases birthdays I am giving presents.

I echo what everybody else has said. JUST STOP NOW. Do not buy any presents. None for this year, none ever again. No announcement needed.

I stopped a few years ago, I don't care if other people think I am cheap, I am a tight @ rse and proud of it. I live within my means, I spend my money on what I want to spend my money on, not on what other people expect me to. I am not a sheep.

ilona