Good evening y'all

Avatar for lottie77
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Good evening y'all
15
Tue, 12-09-2008 - 6:48pm

How do I get through the Christmas Season?  Every year, I wish part of it would just go away.  I keep trying to scale down and others are just wanting to 'ramp' it up!!!  Eldersis and I had parents who died at Thanksgiving and Christmas time; her DH died a little before (Oct.' 01), if I remember correctly.  Our families understand, and they too, are trying to scale it down.  Our neighbors, on the other hand, are coming and bringing gifts, which I wasn't expecting.  I don't know what to do; this is putting me under so much stress that it just isn't funny.  A neighbor, who hasn't come forward with a gift before, has called and left a message on our answering machine that she will send her son to leave something for us.  How do I put a stop to this?  I was hoping that I wouldn't have to worry about presents for anyone except our nephew and niece who will come to visit us from TX.  What do I do?  If I come up with a gift for them, that will just prolong the agony.  If I don't have a gift for them, are we just cheapskates?


Does anyone have any suggestions???


Everyone just meet me at the sink!  There is something here for you.  Cal, I know you'll have a good 'stiff one' with me.

lottie77~~~

lottie77~~~

Pages

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-10-2008
Tue, 12-09-2008 - 6:59pm

Whether it is because they like to give gifts or they feel some sense of obligation, some people just do it. I've gotten good at just saying thank you and wishing them a happy holidays. Are you the only older neighbors? Maybe it's a respect thing. Don't stress yourself out about giving back. If it bothers them, then they'll skip it next year.

No stiff one for me - I've been sampling the batch of bourbon balls - :)

Jacquie

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-11-2004
Tue, 12-09-2008 - 8:53pm
Lottie I would just tell them,

Betty L. Keep and Angel on your Shoulder & a prayer in your heart.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-30-2003
Tue, 12-09-2008 - 10:30pm

I'll have a stiff one too.


Lottie, I wouldn't stress over it. I agree that you are not obligated to reciprocate. They probably know your dh hasn't been well and want to cheer you up. I would bet they don't expect anything in return.


Just buy the gifts for the niece and nephew and relax and enjoy the Holidays.


Hugs,


 



 
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Wed, 12-10-2008 - 10:58am
For what it's worth...I'd send them a Christmas card with a thank you note written
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-19-2003
Wed, 12-10-2008 - 1:45pm
hey lottie,i dont know about a stiff one,but i will have a drink.LOLOLOLOLOL i kill me..i concur with all of the above..i think your neighbors see you guys as someone to be respected,and probably two people who have helped them in many ways thruout the years and are trying to show their admiration for you.i say dont stress over it..if you send a gift,you will have to go thru this next year...send them a thank you card and be done with it.personally i could live with cheapskate,it dont bother me..people have said worse about me..LOLOL...dont sweat the small stuff lottie..really...now can i have my drink...:o))) hugs mindy

    

                      

Avatar for lottie77
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Thu, 12-11-2008 - 7:52pm
I did do something that I hadn't thought about; we said 'thank you' for a lovely Poinsettia, then when I made my donation to the Alzheimer's research, I gave 'in honor' of the neighbors that I knew would show up with something.

lottie77~~~

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2007
Fri, 12-12-2008 - 2:59am

Lottie:


I think Cal has the right idea.

Always, Lou
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-19-2003
Fri, 12-12-2008 - 9:00am
there ya go lottie,that gift was a great idea,one that will satisfy the neighbors and like you say,do some good for others. hugs min

    

                      

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-15-2005
Fri, 12-12-2008 - 3:41pm
Lottie-that was a very thoughtful thing to do. But I agree with the posts here. I am sure your neighbors don't expect anything in return. I have a feeling you are a very good neighbor all year and not just at Christmas :-) and they want to say thank you to you. How about we meet at the sink for some eggnog? :-)
Hugs,
Carol
Avatar for lottie77
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 12-12-2008 - 4:25pm

Cal, how did you know that I kicked over the traces and bought some eggnog at the grocery store?

lottie77~~~

Pages