Am I the only one who??

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-26-2004
Am I the only one who??
15
Thu, 11-12-2009 - 2:53pm

Doesn't buy for my brother and sisters in law, nieces and nephew and their husband and wife. Yes we pick names but that's it and a spending limit. When I read your messages you all are buying for the neighbors, co-workers, etc. Isn't that overboard a bit?? It just doesn't seem like a good thing. I buy for my husband, kids, mom and mom-in-law and the exchange present. THAT'S IT and my husband comes from a large family.

To each their own, if you feel you're obligated to do so then fine. But if you tell them that you cannot afford it, I'm sure they will understand. I know my family does.

Kelly

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-05-2006
Thu, 11-12-2009 - 3:03pm

I don't buy for a lot of people, but then again, I have a small family. All of my extended family lives across the country and even some of my own immediate family lives a few states away. I have my own family of 5, my inlaws and my own parents, then my brother, my Sis in law,

Community Leader
Registered: 07-26-1999
Thu, 11-12-2009 - 3:06pm

I think it all depends on your family.

Photobucket
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2008
Thu, 11-12-2009 - 3:47pm

This year, on DH's side, it's our grandson and nephew and a chip in all together gift for his Mom & Dad.

Norma


"Patience is the best remedy for every trouble"- Plautus


iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2005
Thu, 11-12-2009 - 3:48pm

Not including my husband and son. I buy for my mom, my inlaws,my one niece and nephew and dh and I draw a name for the family that's it.

Total gifts there 7.

My son buys for us (mom and dad), his grandparents (two grandmothers and one grandfather), his Godparents and his girlfriend.

stacy

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-02-2008
Thu, 11-12-2009 - 3:53pm

I have cut back on who I buy for. Coworkers are out now. We do a grab bag with siblings but in all I do still buy for a lot of people. This doesn't bother me and I don't feel an "obligation" to do so. Gives ME joy so therefore I'm all good with it.


I do get a little something for my sons teachers - they are helping mold him and I am thankful for that. I am giving $10 bookstore gift cards and I think that's more than enough. I am getting his bus drivers (two) a small plant. These women have dealt with my son crying the first few weeks and my son walks on the bus I have always seen the bus driver smile and greet him by name. As a nervous mom that gives me comfort and I am thankful for that.


Course, I can afford that little extra now so I am happy to provide it. If things were TOO tight - I would give a nice card and that's it. Guess it depends on the person, finances and situation.

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-03-2006
Thu, 11-12-2009 - 3:55pm
I totally agree. My family used to buy for everyone including siblings, in-laws, cousins and aunts/uncles. That was over 20 people! And pets, too! As a family, we all decided last year that it was too much so we scaled back. Now I only buy for my parents, my 7 neices and nephews (kids should be the ones you cut back on, in my opinion) and of course DH and DD. My family also is going to do a Yankee trade kind of thing for the adults this year with a set price limit. I think that is a little much but it is still more affordable then buying for everyone.
Avatar for sohappilyme
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 11-12-2009 - 4:13pm

I have a pretty big list by choice. I do a lot of baked goods (I'm "famous" for baked goods and desserts around here) and homemade/personal gifts. My grandma, for example, is suffering from dementia so I'm giving her a small photo album with pics of the kids on one side of the page and a little written insert on the other - this is (name) and s/he is (doing this) with their age and date for each pic. So while I have a big list, very little of it is going to the store and buying something because I have to.

If we weren't able to "afford" it (I use that term loosely, b/c technically if we're in debt we shouldn't spend anything - even cash - on extras and Christmas is certainly that!) then I wouldn't have a problem telling folks as much. But my grandma's photo album was a freebie and it's red, so it's perfect for Christmas. I need 19 pics at 19 cents each. It's worth far more, but costs next to nothing. My huge list is full of items like that.

Photobucket


FIVE KIDS.

Sarah
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-05-2006
Thu, 11-12-2009 - 8:16pm
Ritz camera does a special in my part of the country. If you develop pictures on Tuesday, they are 5 cents each. They are a little smaller than the normal picture 3 by 6 or something like that, but for 5 cents a picture, you can't beat it. Also - the online picture places often give you free photo developing of a certain amount of pictures when you join. I've gotten a lot of mine developed like that.

Avatar for sohappilyme
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 11-12-2009 - 8:21pm
Thanks for the tips! I'll check them out, other than Ritz. You can not PAY me to go to our Ritz.

Photobucket


FIVE KIDS.

Sarah
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-16-1999
Thu, 11-12-2009 - 9:05pm

brace yourselves...I am not Scrooge.

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