No-Gift Christmas

I think that there was never a Christmas that I was not able to give each member of my family a present. We grew up exchanging gifts and I do not want to see sadness in their eyes if they will not receive anything. Although, it is not mandatory, but still, Christmas is not Christmas without the gifts. I just earn a few dollars in a year ever since I lost my job and I try to ave as much as I can for me to be able to buy gifts for my family.

I believe the gift giving tradition shouldn't be mandatory. It should rather be voluntary. If you find it in your heart that you want to make them happy by giving gifts and you can very well afford to do so then do. Tell them you don't do that so that you can get something in return but it is just that you wanna give for it brings you real joy. Giving real joy if it comes from your heart after all. The problem is we have actually made gift giving a "must-do" tradition so every one should follow even if others can no longer afford or even if some are against this idea. We must understand that life is really hard so it is understandable that not all is able to keep up with this tradition. And if others don't like this anymore then where is the spirit of fun? This will only create some kind of misunderstanding. I believe the very presence of every one is enough. Just make the most of every minute to enjoy each other in your reunion party. Just be creative. I agree however that giving gift to the parents is one thing we should not forget though. It is one joy to an oldie to receive something. It is one way of honoring them and it makes them feel loved and cared for. While they are still alive we ought to do just about anything that will make them happy.

While it can be fun to give gifts, in my family we have slowly been eliminating them. Now we do a draw on my mom's side, while in other branches of my family we just don't exchange gifts. However, each year some of us will also do things like make toffee or knit dishcloths and give one to everyone. Could you maybe suggest a handmade gift exchange?

i would but no one else in my family would. it would be nice if you had suggested that everyone make something for each other. that way, you could have still gotten something and made something for the other person.

If your family can't afford to exchange gifts this year, as many can't but you still want that "special" gift to remember your sibling by, you can always suggest hand crafted gifts only. These are gifts that come from the heart, are special and made with you in mind. I know I won't be exchanging gifts this year with my brother and his family simply because I can't even afford to buy my own kids gifts. I won't be making gifts either, or sending out cards. It is just to much on my little income. There are years when I can do this, but this year I just can't. Do I want to? Sure, but sometimes we have to think logically.

your so kind... you do what your heart tells you to do.

I guess I could maybe understand them not wanting to do this because they can't afford to buy gifts so that could be understandable. I think it was this way in our family as well, we didn't exchange gifts except to the grandparents and also to the small children that was about it. This arrangement went along fine with us. I say why not if they can't afford it then its a great idea and that at least everyone should get together for a family Christmas dinner or something like that.

I am making several gifts this year and also buying gifts. Money has not be great for me, but I still love giving gifts and exchanging cards. I am making my sister a gift (a wooden plaque that says Christmas Stars and it will have all four of her kid's name on it). I am also making my parents an ornament. I am making my grandparents gifts as well (my grandmother is getting a plaque that says, "Grandma's are antique little girls and my grandfather is getting a set of golf ball ornaments). I think that making homemade gifts come from the heart and that they are better than store bought.