How many pp do you buy for at X-mas?
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How many pp do you buy for at X-mas?
| Sat, 11-17-2007 - 6:47pm |
I am starting to find the holidays a little tough. DH and my neice's birthday is Nov 5th, mine is the 13th and DD is the 30th. Then my other neice is Dec 4th and my Dad Dec 6th. That is a lot of birthdays in a short time frame and of course we buy for everyone. Now at Christmas i have to buy for my parents, my two kids, DH and i buy something for each other that we would like (this year we are getting

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We stopped doing birthdays a long time ago. After I had my 2nd child, and sil had her 3rd, we just decided to do Christmas.
It makes it a lot easier.
I hear you LOUD and CLEAR!!! I have dh, my two kids, my parents, my brother and his wife and their two kids, my grandparents, and in-laws. In addition, my dad's birthday is the 16th and my brother's is the 17th. This doesn't even include family friends, coaches, teachers, crossing guards, Sunday School teachers, and other significant people in our lives. This year is EXTREMELY tough because we are really strapped for cash. Oh, and ds's birthday is next Sunday. Poor kid. His birthday is gonna suck this year. No party, just taking two friends to the movies and not much in the way of gifts I'm afraid. I haven't bought anything yet. I'm afraid to buy anything because the money I spend may make the difference between making and not making the mortgage payment December 1. Dh and I need to have a serious talk when he gets back from the out of town swim meet tomorrow. He's gonna be mad because it makes him feel guilty but I have to say something.
Sorry if I hijacked your post. This has been on my mind all week.
Ramona Mom to 2 great kids and wife to one wonderful hubby since 1990!
I used to buy for my cousin's kids. There were 8 of them. The thing was, not all of them bought for Kristen, so a couple of years ago I let it be known that it was over. I was spending more money to ship the stuff (no one lives here) than I was to buy it. It was ridiculous. I always said if they had been really poor and my gifts meant the difference between the kids having a Christmas and not I would continue, but all of these kids have a tree full of gifts and were not missing mine. Now we only exchange school pictures and cards. Its much easier for all of us.
So now I only buy for Kristen, my parents, my Grandma and my ex. I like only having to buy for 5. Makes life much simplier. Its too bad everyone is not on the same page as you. Maybe you just have to make the break, tell them that next year you can't buy for everyone and you're prefer they didn't buy for your kids as they have plenty. However you would love a picture of the kids or the family. Then if they choose to exchange amongst themselves that's fine, but you are out of the rat race a bit. Its hard though, expectations are very strong at this time of year.
We buy for:
Our two kids (eek, a LOT this year!)
10 neices/nephews ($30 limit)
5 parents ($50 limit per)
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I think the idea behind Christmas is being overlooked. It is supposed to be about spending time with family and enjoying the holidays. The insanity has got to stop somewhere.
When i asked my sister about it she said well i have bought for your kids since they were born (they are 14 and 11) and it doesn't seem to fair to stop when her son is only 5. I must admit she has a point. My other sister said well lets stop at 20. I think we should stop at 16. By the time they are 16 most kids have parttime jobs and can buy things they would like on their own.
I forgot to include teachers, they are both involved with exchanges with guiding as am i. Will it never end?
Kelly
When i asked my sister about it she said well i have bought for your kids since they were born (they are 14 and 11) and it doesn't seem to fair to stop when her son is only 5.
To me that sounds very materialistic. Christmas is not about keeping track of how much money you've spent over the years with the intention of getting an equal amount in return. And definitely before 20. Some people are married with kids at 20. I think 16 is more than sufficient.
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have 6 nieces & nephews ranging in age from 1 yr. to 19. We still exchange gifts with all of them, and it is SO hard. Especially because for the 4 younger ones, we also do birthdays, 3 of which are in February. I stress out way too much trying to figure out what to get them. We also buy for my brother, his wife, my parents, my sister-in-law, my mother-in-law. Add teachers' gifts and my own kids and husband, and it is no wonder I am SO stressed out at this time of year. It is WAY out of control. I just don't want to be the Grinch by being the one to say "This has got to change."
Maybe you could suggest drawing kids names so each only gives gifts for as many children as they have themselves.
We give to DH's and my parents and
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