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Several years ago we all decided NO MORE GIFTS and I must say it is a wonderful feeling. No malls, no big credit card bills, no more purchasing of junk just to have something to give someone. When I am cleaning out closets I always find all these past gifts -- expensive and not useful. I do buy one nice but modest gift for each of the grandchildren. And for my two adult children -- I try to do something thoughtful like offer to pay for their airline tickets for a visit. Now for their birthday I will splurge a bit because who doesn't love getting a present on your birthday??
Several years ago we all decided NO MORE GIFTS and I must say it is a wonderful feeling. No malls, no big credit card bills, no more purchasing of junk just to have something to give someone. When I am cleaning out closets I always find all these past gifts -- expensive and not useful. I do buy one nice but modest gift for each of the grandchildren. And for my two adult children -- I try to do something thoughtful like offer to pay for their airline tickets for a visit. Now for their birthday I will splurge a bit because who doesn't love getting a present on your birthday??
Wonderful isn't it? It's such a waste to spend a fortune on often useless or unwanted gifts.
NYChistory -- We do the same thing! We are all grown up, except for one grandchild and she is disabled so does not really play with toys too much, so we stay pretty frugal, too.
I'm nearly finished. Just need to get a few things for our nephews and then I'll be done. I stayed within budget and I think everyone will like their gifts. Happy to be done with the shopping, now I can relax and enjoy the holidays.
When I was working my husband and I shopped on Veteran's Day and usually got most of it done. When you work, you have to have a majority of purchases bought before Thanksgiving or it is going to be a crazy holiday. Parties start shortly thereafter and the laundry always has to be done. When shopping is finished by Thanksgiving you can relax and enjoy the holiday. I always started planning what to buy on October 1st and usually finished on Veteran's Day which was a day we always got off together.
When you work, Thanksgiving is usually 3 or 4 shopping days before Christmas.
Now that we don't have teachers, etc. to buy for we write a check for each child and grandchild. Haven't had a complaint yet. Our oldest granddaughter is getting really smart. She tells us we give her too much.
My husband likes to buy the gifts for the kids and he usually likes to get them electronics so I usually let him get the big gifts and I buy a few fillers or fun gifts as I see them. I'm not particularly motivated this time of year. I save my coupons and incentives as I see them and buy now if it fits my schedule and I'm in the area. Justice must have had some sort of class action lawsuit because I received a $30 coupon in the mail. My own child is past that stage, but I think my niece will love something from there. I bought some shirts at Bass Pro Shop the other day that were in the $15 range. I thought about them as Christmas gifts, but think I will go ahead and give them now for my son.
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