Giving Christmas/holiday gifts: do you?

[shootingstar]

What got me thinking and remembering my own childhood was this article:

http://grist.org/living/married-fath...sents-allowed/

I thought I'll mention that true poverty....is very tough when there are no/hardly any presents for children.

I don't agree with the opposite either, parents who might be able to afford a small gift but righteously impose no gifts allowed or similar. Crankin I came from a family, where I don't quite recall if our birthdays as young children were even celebrated with gift until we were much older. It was hit and miss....when my parents got around to it. Neither parent didn't know how to bake a cake, except steam an egg cake (Chinese style). Couldn't afford to buy a birthday cake each time... Maybe we had a cookie or a candy, but not for every birthday even. BEcause of cost. We were that poor. Quite poor. I don't recall missing the cake probably because we never regularily celebrated with a cake/party. But the birthday was acknowledged on the day and dinner was abit bigger.

BAking at home never happened anyway until myself and others learned how to bake from home ec. classes.

Then later on, when we all started to earn money after university (it was expected we save our part-time, summer job wages for our education/accommodation out of town..or some clothing for ourselves), what was noticeable of my parents was that they still gave the same type of presents: clothing that my mother sewed, socks, mittens/gloves, etc. Then for whole family box of chocolates, cookies. They didn't try to buy presents that reflected our hobbies, passions, etc.

I really think...to them, culturally, presents were just superficial gestures, for all the time and effort they did give their care and love to each of us. My mother does know certain favourite food dishes for each of us, so it's other times of the year, she would make this stuff for the person when the person visited,etc.

At first for awhile, it felt strangely wierd to get these presents, but now we know they mean well...and one day we will not get gifts even like this anymore.

I write a small cheque for my parents, Crankin. I've been doing this for past few decades every Christmas. We know that's what they really need: money because my parents are low-income.

The general rule of thumb when I buy for my siblings, nieces and nephews, cost of gift is around or under $25-$30.00. It is possible to buy neat/useful stuff with that amount. I haven't raised the bar in the past few....decades. If I count it all..it's buying for 12 people.

For dearie, I spend lots more money.