Do we really need to give presents during Christmas?
By Andyvil
@Andyvil (793)
Philippines
December 12, 2011 9:49pm CST
In my country people usually give presents to their godchildren during Christmas. We also give presents to our niece and nephews during this season. If a friend gives us a present we usually feel obliged to give that person a gift in return. I really don't know if this is the same all over the world. As of the moment I am trying to minimize my expenses to prevent going over board on my credit card bills. I made a list of the godchildren that I am going to give present to and I realized that I have quite a number of children to give presents this Christmas. I am usually particular with the quality of presents I give to my godchildren. I usually give them expensive gifts but I think this year will be different. I know its not about the price and brand of the item but the thought that counts. Anyway I guess in my family gift giving during Christmas has been in bedded in my mind. I guess I just need to be wiser in buying my presents so that I can give all my godchildren presents this Christmas.
2 people like this
14 responses
@varier (5685)
• Indonesia
13 Dec 11
Yeah, you already said it, anyway..
"its not about the price and brand of the item but the thought that counts"
Giving present at any condition we may have is surely great :). And anyway, you got a special day to give someone else. You got a special day to share the happiness.. Then, why not? 
Just pick the brand and the price than you can afford, so it will not troubled you in the future..
Just pick the brand and the price than you can afford, so it will not troubled you in the future..1 person likes this
As of the moment I am trying to minimize my expenses to prevent going over board on my credit card bills.
@SIMPLYD (90721)
• Philippines
13 Dec 11
Actually, it's up to us if we will give gifts. Children are in anticipation of our presents, so whatever we can muster to give, let us give them.
It's not the value of the gift that is important, but for children , they just have to have a gift on Christmas. Though, it is always a good feeling that when we give a gift, it is well liked by the recipient.
1 person likes this
@jaiho2009 (39141)
• Philippines
13 Dec 11
I agree my dear.
It's so easy to satisfy kids wants.
And seeing the smile/happy faces of those little ones gives us undefined happiness :)
@SIMPLYD (90721)
• Philippines
13 Dec 11
And there's a lot of difference between what a child wants and what an adult wants as a gift, Jaiho. 
For the kids, they like toys. But for the adults, usually they want practical gifts.
For the kids, they like toys. But for the adults, usually they want practical gifts. 
@simplychic (41)
• Philippines
3 Jan 12
In my country, it has been a tradition to give gifts. However, it is still just an option if one can afford it. Giving gifts is one of the things that makes christmas, merry, but it's the thought that counts; so any gift, expensive or not, should be well appreciated. Unfortunately, some parents are quite particular about the gifts their children receive, that's why some people prefer not to give gifts if they can't afford to give an expensive one. To me, it's the spirit of love, sharing & forgiveness that count; and spending christmas with the people you love is the one that makes christmas really merry and meaningful.
@safety69 (592)
• Taiwan
13 Dec 11
Its ok You just can stick up with the kids, nowadays is too expensive to buy gifts for everybody. Yes, thats true if you give a gift the other person feels compromised to return, but , it shouldnt be like that , when I give a gift I dont like them to return them to me . unless they had the gifts before . whst I am trying to do is that if somebody gives a gift to my kids I just let go ,he or she wasnt on my list , and for others if they gave I try to dont return , just to say thanks . Gifts have to be from heart not by compromise. we have to understand that , ahh also, if I am going to give a gift I look for something that has in common with the person i am giving to. have a great christmas.
1 person likes this
@drambits (96)
•
13 Dec 11
You can still find quality presents at a very low price. I also make sure to give gifts to my friends and love ones during Christmas since Christmas time is celebrated just once every year. I don't feel bad if I don't get something in return because the great feeling that you get when you give something is enough for me.
1 person likes this
@Andyvil (793)
• Philippines
15 Dec 11
That is good to hear Drambits. The reason why I give gifts during Christmas is because I know how it feels to receive gifts back when I was a child. I just want to return the good things I experienced on my childhood to my godchildren and family members.
@taura2p (349)
• Romania
15 Dec 11
Presents are a tradition in my country too for Christmas. Santa Claus comes every year to children. But sometimes we just don't have enough money to give people we love the things they wish. It is quite frustrating. Something small, for instance, should be given, just to remind them of holidays. I am not a fan of this habit, I don't really care much if I receive smth. for Christmas or not. Of course, if I do, I am very happy, but that's not the most important thing to me. The most important is to have the ones I love close to me.
@chiyosan (30183)
• Philippines
14 Dec 11
i think it has become part of the celebration, giving gifts and presents to those we love, to people we work with, and out friends. it adds fun and it adds excitement when we give presents and give gifts to each other... but there is really NO NEED to do so. it is not only in this manner that we are able to share and relive the spirit of christmas right? :)
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
13 Dec 11
Christmas gift-giving has gotten ridiculously out of control. If you cannot afford gifts, just send your godchildren cards that tell them how much you love them and that you hope that is enough of a gift for them. Love is what the holiday is all about, after all. I know this isn't really helpful but it's how I feel. My grown children are not getting much this year and that's what I told them. Happily, they assured me that material goods don't matter very much.
I know you feel badly about your financial circumstances but everyone needs to roll back their expectations and appreciate Christmas for what it's really all about, the gift of our Savior.
@incredibleDNA (1742)
• Philippines
14 Dec 11
Yes, because for us Filipinos, Christmas means giving back. Giving back for all the blessings you've received for the year. This season means for us as it's also a great time to renew and be good to everyone. I do have godchildren myself even at a young age and I never forget to give them presents even if that gift is not as expensive.
@jaiho2009 (39141)
• Philippines
13 Dec 11
To avoid over spending- I start to buy gifts for little kids as early as October.
I have 6 little nieces/nephews that always expect gifts from me.
Since I know their favorites and likes- I know what to buy for them.
So-I start buying things for them.
@rokudaime (339)
• Australia
14 Dec 11
Hello there Andyvil. Well presents are only ok to give if you have the capacity to give so. Otherwise, it would be impractical to give something which does not come from your heart or because you were just coerced to give it because "its Christmas". Although, one may say that one of the real essences of Christmas is giving, still you cannot force yourself to buy presents just to be on to it. The greatest gift that I can probably suggest that you can give to someone is not the material things that you can think of but the gift of yourself, your presence, your concern, your humor, your laughter and above all your love.
@enelym001 (8322)
• Philippines
14 Dec 11
Well it's not really necessary, it's our choice to give a gift to someone or not. But as we know in most countries celebrating Christmas, a gift would be expected from our friends and especially the children. I am not giving any gift to my grown up godchildren but if they do come to my house I would try to give them some money. I was still in HS when I started to have godchildren, and there were a lot of them. Most of my first set of godchildren are my relatives. So I usually asked someone to send the gifts to them even if they don't come and visit me. I don't particularly buy an expensive one, but I do buy a gift that I think they will like. Toys or educational stuff (not the school supplies) usually. Now my younger godchildren are my friend's kids... It's really hard to find a gift now especially that it's getting expensive every year.
@tang888 (23)
• China
14 Dec 11
Christmas will be ,I should buy some presents.Yes, I will buy some toys to my daughter.My daughter like dogs and cats. I give presents to her ,she may happy all day.and my brothers have a son and a daughter .so I also give presents to my niece and nephews.They like toys.I will buy mode car for them .Merry Christmas!I love all my boys and girls .
