Now they decide not to exchange Christmas gifts....
12-04-2010, 07:39 PM
#131
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 701
Originally Posted by amma
I would go ahead and give the gifts as planned.
Find a white elephant gift and join in on the fun.
Maybe hand them the gifts as you are all leaving, and wish them a heartfelt Merry Christmas. Don't let their inconsideration bother you, or your Christmas spirit :wink: :D:D:D
Find a white elephant gift and join in on the fun.
Maybe hand them the gifts as you are all leaving, and wish them a heartfelt Merry Christmas. Don't let their inconsideration bother you, or your Christmas spirit :wink: :D:D:D
12-04-2010, 07:49 PM
#132
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Ilion, NY
Posts: 1,293
Originally Posted by QuickStitch
Originally Posted by amma
I would go ahead and give the gifts as planned.
Find a white elephant gift and join in on the fun.
Maybe hand them the gifts as you are all leaving, and wish them a heartfelt Merry Christmas. Don't let their inconsideration bother you, or your Christmas spirit :wink: :D:D:D
Find a white elephant gift and join in on the fun.
Maybe hand them the gifts as you are all leaving, and wish them a heartfelt Merry Christmas. Don't let their inconsideration bother you, or your Christmas spirit :wink: :D:D:D
12-04-2010, 08:56 PM
#134
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Washington State
Posts: 1,840
Thanks to all for letting me vent and for your points of view, it is always nice to see things from all sides. You are all wonderful.
This is what I think will happen:
1. I enjoyed making the gifts because I love each one of them (even if their behavior doesn't always deserve it --but that is life and family)
2. I will give them their presents (for dh, my sons and my benefit and pleasure)
3. We will participate in the white elephant to be good sports.
4. I will have a great Christmas.
I wish I could blame their behavior on money issues but can't. Dh has talked to his family many times on their behaviors to our family (and to others relatives, community and neighbors) to no avail. I keep telling myself that I knew better (but I guess I always hope for the best in people --I am still a little naive.)
Next year, I will do something small the wee little ones and concentrate on charities and my beautiful boys and the greatest dh ever.
This is what I think will happen:
1. I enjoyed making the gifts because I love each one of them (even if their behavior doesn't always deserve it --but that is life and family)
2. I will give them their presents (for dh, my sons and my benefit and pleasure)
3. We will participate in the white elephant to be good sports.
4. I will have a great Christmas.
I wish I could blame their behavior on money issues but can't. Dh has talked to his family many times on their behaviors to our family (and to others relatives, community and neighbors) to no avail. I keep telling myself that I knew better (but I guess I always hope for the best in people --I am still a little naive.)
Next year, I will do something small the wee little ones and concentrate on charities and my beautiful boys and the greatest dh ever.
12-04-2010, 09:37 PM
#136
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Texas
Posts: 201
Originally Posted by QuiltnCowgirl
I would go ahead & give them each their gift - just from you to them - something you want to do just because & not because you are or are not getting a gift from them.
And then...go find a real good white elephant gift..."real good" as in the gag gift that none of them will want to have.
It will be all in fun...and no hurt feelings because they each have a special something from you already!
And then...go find a real good white elephant gift..."real good" as in the gag gift that none of them will want to have.
It will be all in fun...and no hurt feelings because they each have a special something from you already!
12-04-2010, 09:41 PM
#137
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: East Hampstead, NH
Posts: 481
Does not sound like they consulted with you in that "everyone" remark, so go ahead and give the gifts as planned.. and let them know that this is how YOU do Christmas, your way.
I have a different problem. I believe Christmas gifts are for children..., so if you are not under 18, you don't get a gift from me! My family has plenty of detrimental things to say about that, but I stick to my guns. I always request that in leiu of gifts for me, they buy a gift for a needy child, through any agency of their choice, such as Toys for Tots, etc.. because that is what I will be doing. I take my young nephews with me to buy gifts for children their own age and they love doing it. I will do the same with my little granddaughter (avatar) when she is old enough.
My favorite gift in the past 10 years was a sheet of patriotic window clings that my 7 year old nephew HAD to get for me because I have them count all the American flags they see while driving in the car and I teach them to sing patriotic songs from the time they start talking.
Diane
I have a different problem. I believe Christmas gifts are for children..., so if you are not under 18, you don't get a gift from me! My family has plenty of detrimental things to say about that, but I stick to my guns. I always request that in leiu of gifts for me, they buy a gift for a needy child, through any agency of their choice, such as Toys for Tots, etc.. because that is what I will be doing. I take my young nephews with me to buy gifts for children their own age and they love doing it. I will do the same with my little granddaughter (avatar) when she is old enough.
My favorite gift in the past 10 years was a sheet of patriotic window clings that my 7 year old nephew HAD to get for me because I have them count all the American flags they see while driving in the car and I teach them to sing patriotic songs from the time they start talking.
Diane
12-04-2010, 10:27 PM
#139
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Adelaide, Australia
Posts: 330
Sounds like SIL is a little jealous maybe.....
Anyway don't let it get you down, give as initially intended and enjoy the day and the smiles I am sure will come with the acceptance of each beautiful gift.
Anyway don't let it get you down, give as initially intended and enjoy the day and the smiles I am sure will come with the acceptance of each beautiful gift.
12-04-2010, 11:13 PM
#140
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: S. W. Indiana
Posts: 7,484
Originally Posted by mmonohon
I talked to the extended family way before Halloween to get colors, likes/dislikes, and suggestions for all my dh side of the family. I made 28 popcorn snowmen for each, 6 tooth fairy pillows for the grandkids, 12 coffee cozies with their initials embroideried on them for the young adults and 2embroidered pillowcases for the teenagers, embroidered 3 photo albums for dh sisters and a table runner of the inlaws and 6 framed family art for each family. It took me over a month (and lots and lots of hours and money). At Thanksgiving we spoke again about Christmas and my dh informed them of how I had worked so hard to finished all the gifts for everyone.
So today, my sil called and said that everyone has decided that we are NOT going to exchange gifts but instead do a white elephant (exchange junk from the garage or gag gifts). I know Christmas is about giving but I fill like I have been hit in the stomach. I am very sad and feel so unappreciated.
What would you do????
So today, my sil called and said that everyone has decided that we are NOT going to exchange gifts but instead do a white elephant (exchange junk from the garage or gag gifts). I know Christmas is about giving but I fill like I have been hit in the stomach. I am very sad and feel so unappreciated.
What would you do????
White Elephant can mean some pretty poor choices. Just be suck it in if you get a real bummer.
A club I was in did that one year. I made a nice gift that about anyone could use-----------adn got a plastic bed pan. I didn't read between the lines to read GAG GIFT.
You have, so maybe you won't be slappped again.
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