<p>The past few years, it seems like opening Christmas presents has been monotonous. I buy the same gifts every year for the same people and I get the same gifts (either money or clothes). Most of the time, half of the clothes are too big for me.</p>
<p>I proposed this year that we shouldn't buy presents for each other this year. We would instead buy a couple of things we needs for ourselves. Therefore, we would know that the gifts would be something that we would like.</p>
<p>My granfather liked the idea and agreed with me, but my grandmother and mother didn't like the idea. They felt that I didn't want to celebrate Christmas.</p>
<p>i like the idea, but i can also see why your mom and grandmother don't - it sort of takes away a part of christmas. maybe you should all make lists of a few things you'd really like and shop for each other from the lists. that way, you know you'll like what you get, you won't overshop, and there's still that little tingle of surprise you get when you open every package.</p>
<p>There won't be any surprises. I rarely shop at retail stores anymore. I tend to buy more unique items on EBAY where you can't find at any retail store. I don't have a list of items that I want. If I see a rare item that I like, I will most likely buy it if I can afford it.</p>
<p>My mother and grandparents needs very few things, so I buy the same things every year for them. So, therefore my parents and grandparents would therefore give me money and I would buy them the same gifts.</p>
<p>The sole purpose of gift-giving isn't to provide someone with a useful item. There is an emotional part too, that you care enough about them to go out of our way and get them something that they will like. Something tells me that men on average care more about usefulness while women on average care more about the emotional part.</p>
<p>I see the practicality but also the lack of "christmas magic." How about agreeing to make things instead of buy them, so you all save money and get things that are really personal?</p>
<p>When I buy a gift, I want to buy something that the person is actually going to use. I would hate to buy something for a person and they don't use it.</p>
<p>Or what I do when I don't really need or want something is to ask for donations to charity instead of money or something I probably wouldn't use.</p>
<p>that sounds like a very good idea. i'd hate to spend money on something someone don't even like, or to receive something i don't like or want. you could always tell them what you want. or buy it yourself and have them wrap it up.. but that ruin the surprise... but you already know what you'll get otherwise anyway. lol</p>
<p>I don't like the idea. I like giving presents to people whom I love, and I also like selecting them. What you're suggesting would be taking the fun out of the holidays for people like me. </p>
<p>If you don't want things like clothes, why not give people a choice of charities that they could donate to in your name?</p>
<p>Well, considering I haven't received a single Christmas present since I was a kid, and likewise have never gotten anyone a Christmas present since I was a young teen, I'd say I've been following your suggestion quite devoutly. :)</p>
<p>I love gift giving, but it will be a little more frugal this year. We are big on stockings in our family.
What I would like this year are some practical things...like some really soft flannel LL Bean bedding.
My mother has requested that donations to various charitable organizations be made in her name...she really doesn't want for anything, so I think we will give to a local newspaper sponsored needy fund. You get to read daily who needs help and it is usually home heating and food due to loss of income/illness.
I give to kids who oherwise would not have gifts and also " adopt" nursing home patients which I feel a greater pull for..those are some forgotten folks !
Yawn , that is a little depressing</p>
<p>My family is that way as well. Every Christmas, birthday, anniversary, graduation etc. it's not "We picked this out for you" but "Here's a check so you can pick what you know you actually want."</p>
<p>I never felt that form of giving was emotionally lacking in any way (and I am female).</p>
<p>I think it's more convienent and you could argue, actually more thoughtful. Spending time picking out a gift you THINK someone will like is wonderful. Giving a gift of money so they can choose for themselves is, I think, just as good and allows for more freedom of choice and flexibility. </p>
<p>I've spent some money from gift checks on everything from buying gifts for other people to buying takeout to paying for books that semester. Having money to do anything you want with is, to me, usually more valuable than one gift with one specific purpose and meaning.</p>
<p>I love it. Our wealth has disillusioned us... we buy so much and do so in such excessive quantities that there is no longer any joy or appreciation in receiving gifts IMO.</p>
<p>I too think this goes against the spirit of Christmas.</p>
<p>When you give a gift, it is not just what you wrapped up and put a bow on that you are giving. You are giving your time and energy, your thought process and consideration of that other person, in order to find them something they would like. Giving a gift forces you to slow down and think about someone other than yourself - what would someone ELSE like? What would someone ELSE need?</p>
<p>If you don't know the answers to these questions, perhaps it is time to take a look at your relationships. It's saddening to see that you get your parents the same gifts every year, and they give you money. Perhaps bringing up the idea that more thoughtful gifts are appreciated - even if someone gives me something I wouldn't have picked out myself, I'm grateful that they spent some time thinking about me and what I would like.</p>
<p>Perhaps doing more of a Secret Santa exchange in your family this year - where each person is assigned one other person to choose a gift for - would be more appropriate. That way it isn't so daunting as having to come up with many gifts, and you can really spend some time with that person and figuring out what that person might want.</p>