Gifts versus 'Gift' Exchanges
#12
Banned
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Central Pa
Posts: 521
I prefer not to exchange gifts with friends. Let's go out to lunch and have fun! Nothing much I can do about my family though. Gotta give our parents and siblings gifts.
One thing I do like though, my husband's family has a BIG get together on Christmas Eve and we have a Left Right pass it game. We're only supposed to spend $10 or less on a gift and sometimes we get some really great gag gifts! Last year we got stick on mustaches and a disco ball! Now something like that is really fun.
One thing I do like though, my husband's family has a BIG get together on Christmas Eve and we have a Left Right pass it game. We're only supposed to spend $10 or less on a gift and sometimes we get some really great gag gifts! Last year we got stick on mustaches and a disco ball! Now something like that is really fun.
#13
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 3,955
I am doing the secret santa & cookie exchange in our department this year - both mandatory. Good thing I pulled my bosses name - easy to buy for. Last year was my team mate's and by day 3 she figured it out. I will enjoy it and eat all my cookies! I did do a white elephant exchange with a neighboring department - now that was fun - I made a quilted ornament!
#14
How many of you do Gift Exchanges with your grandchildren? We always do it, but this last year 2 of them got married, so we are now doing it with their spouses also. With 7 grandkids and now 2 spouses, I'm beginning to think it is too much, also it seems that one or another some years forget to send even a card back, but always say a Thank you.
#15
Once again you and I are in agreement, Bearisgray. A gift is GIVEN. If it is expected, or you are TOLD who to buy for, and how much to spend, it is not a gift.
If I give you a $50 gift card and you give me a $50 gift card, to me that is an exchange. And totally nonsensical.
If I give you a $50 gift card and you give me a $50 gift card, to me that is an exchange. And totally nonsensical.
#16
I agree that you should only buy gifts if you want to. Nothing should be mandatory. My family stopped getting together & trying to exchange gifts years ago when we grew so large in numbers that it was just nearly impossible to even give just a token gift.
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Southeast Michigan
Posts: 339
We did the white elephant exchange at work this year. Anyone who wanted to participate did, those that didn't simply didn't bring a gift. If you brought one you received a number and it's duplicate was put the drawing dish. It was the last item on the day's agenda. If it was your choice, you could leave. However, almost everyone stayed to watch. It was quite hilarious. Our instructions were a usable item, cost should be less that $5, a regift is fine and no trash. Because we all have a wicked sense of humor, it was pure entertainment. I'd join the fun again.
#18
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Alaska
Posts: 2,356
I'm doing secret santa this year. Sad that who I'm giving gifts to has commented on the fact that she is not getting what she listed on the sheet of paper.
Oh well.
The final day- I will tell her why she received the little gifts 1-3. Gift 4 is the finally.
It makes me wish that I did not do it this year.
Oh well.
The final day- I will tell her why she received the little gifts 1-3. Gift 4 is the finally.
It makes me wish that I did not do it this year.
#19
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,611
We don't exchange gifts anymore for various reasons. Yet we have cintinued to buy my DM ( the only parent we have left between us) a Christmas gift. For a couple of years now she has respectfully asked us not to buy her anything because she feels at age 89 she is ready to get rid of things and needs nothing more to worry about finding a place for in her home. We still kept buying something for her because it didn't seem right not to do it and it made us feel happy to do it. This year, I told my husband that I am going to do what she sincerely wants. She wants nothing for a gift. I am not giving her anything except a very nice card. It feels strange to me and I told her that. She again told me she wants and needs nothing more to have to find a place for in her home. With six children and more grand, great grand and great great grand children than she can count giving her gifts; she has no room left.
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