gift buying etiquette

[smilingcat]

I do not wish to impose on others. I also disdain those who impose upon me. I see Christmas season as a means and as a reminder to extend goodwill to those around us. It isn't about material giving. I always look for thoughtful cards locally and hand made. Unfortunately, sometimes its not all that local. But the artist who thoughtfully created probably appreciated my purchase. I add my personal thoughts for the season and usually attach the card to a gift I think they would appreciate.

It's only once a year, so I try to be thoughtful and being mindful that it is the season of "goodwill to others". If the recipient isn't happy. well I tried.

[Crankin]

This thread makes me glad I don't celebrate Christmas. I do admit it gets on my nerves to see the way some of my clients go all out for the gift giving (to the extent of taking out loans), to make themselves feel better. However, I did have a couple of parents tell me how they were scaling down this year, which was a good decision. Then there's the person who put her tree up sometime after Halloween! My agency used to have us choose 6 of our neediest clients to receive gifts from corporate donations. It was a real hassle and my first year, I didn't sign up in time and I got very bad vibes from the admin when I said, "What's the big deal?" This year, we are no longer participating.
I used to buy stuff for co-workers. That stopped quite awhile ago. We also did a Chanukah exchange with 3 other couples we've known for years. That stopped this year, except for my one friend who doesn't know when to stop. I told her I didn't buy anything for her!
We buy gifts for our sons and DILs and for the couple we are closest friends with.

[malkin]

Brewer and I just bought a grand piano and did some house renovations, so not a lot of shopping going on between the two of us.
As usual I mailed some little funny stuff to my brothers' families, which won't arrive until Thursday at least. At my new job, there was much less of the strange exchange of soap, lotion, and fragranced candles that was so oppressive where I worked before.

I heard Calvin Trillin reading his poem "Christmas in Qatar." Give it a Google if you are feeling over-Christmassed especially by family; I found it delightful!

[Veronica]

We're not doing any gifts this year either.

I did get a new helmet and gloves for my birthday. I finally found a pink helmet that fits my head. Nothing wrong with my blue helmet, but I like pink. And Thom did just get a new bike.

We are planning some cool trips this summer. We're going to the Galapagos with Thom's parents, so we got them a Galapagos coloring book and some colored pencils. And we're going back to Colorado to do some road and mountain biking, so we don't need "stuff".

Veronica

[lph]

Christmas in Qatar sounds like just my kind of thing! I did manage to convince my closest family to go to Jordan over Christmas a few years ago. It was WONDERFUL. I'm trying hard not to pine for Thailand either. We went there on two long winter vacations when our son was small, and I've wanted to go back ever since. Not compatible with school holidays though - unless you go over Christmas.

I have a sneaky plan for next year.