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I think that the money people spend on Christmas Presents for ADULT friends or relatives would still be spent in other ways if no presents were purchased.
For example, my Aunt who really does not like me (or me her) gave me a sweater for Christmas. It was a color I did not like and seemed to be of poor quality. But I wore it anyway on occasion. If she did not purchase me that sweater I would have bought my own sweater (in a color and style I would have liked better). The money I had to spend on her would have gone towards other purchases. The final result is the same amount of money goes through the economy.
This is the first year I have actually told everyone that I will not accept any gifts or give any gifts. They looked at me like I had two heads. Will see what happens.
If they give me gifts, should I reject them and give them back reminding them of my formal letter and statement that I would not be giving or accepting any Christmas Gifts?
It's starting to become clear why you are "stranded and lonely."
Please do not reject gifts that people give you...be gracious, thank them and should you decide not to keep them take them to a charity who can use them.
Personally, we give gifts and we always put a good amount of thought into them and consider the person we are buying for...we also give to our favorite charities.
To say people should not be spending during a recession is just sillty...how do you propose the U.S. gets out of a recession if there is a spending freeze?
I was hoping to start a debate about the pros and cons of exchanging Holiday Gifts with adult relatives and friends. Yes, I know we can all decide to do what we feel is best but this is a debate board and would be interested in hearing other peoples opinions.
I agree with the OP. I hate the gift exchange, where everyone spends money but you only get what other people think you might like, which usually ends up as something you would never buy in the first place.
My extended family always did a gift exchange where you drew one person randomly to give to. But this year they decided to all pitch money into a charity as a family instead. I think it's a much better idea than getting a gift card for a store I would never go to.
good for your family but that isn't something all of us like to do. Yes, we do the gift exchange as well, we draw a name, we spend between $75 and $100 and we get a list from the person we drew as to what they want. This has worked for us for about 15 years...What works for one family may not work for all families.
I spend the end of the year providing gifts in the names of my friends to different charities like foodbanks in their hometowns.
We don't need anything for ourselves so the gifts are thoughtful and support each other's belief systems.
I buy things for my friends whenever I see them; they get them when I mail them off to them; rarely at the holidays, I'm just not that organized any more.
like the idea of giving just to be giving. As for being organized, that I agree with, it is harder as the years go by. My husband is the type that thinks if it can be done today, you should have done it a week ago and I think if it can be done today, it wait til tomorrow.
I totally agree. Instead of gifts for close friends this year, we're doing a cookie swap and each of us is going to hold a holiday dinner. That way we get time with each other, and can show that we were thinking about the other without getting into loads of debt.
I totally agree. Instead of gifts for close friends this year, we're doing a cookie swap and each of us is going to hold a holiday dinner. That way we get time with each other, and can show that we were thinking about the other without getting into loads of debt.
I like the idea of each family holding a holiday dinner.
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