Christmas gifts...too many?
@1creekgirl (41692)
United States
December 14, 2024 11:15am CST
So, what are your feelings about gifts at Christmas?
When our kids were little, I know they got way too many toys for Christmas, mostly from "Santa."
Our tradition has always been to sit in the living room and take turns opening one gift, then the next person does. Yes, it takes forever, but we enjoy it.
Over the years as even the grandkids have gotten older, we still have that tradition, but I've changed in the gift giving department.
We've all been blessed with what we need and a lot of what we want.
Now I give each person three gifts.
One is either cash or a gift card, one is something more personal, and one is homemade goodies.
I decided if three gifts were enough for baby Jesus, it's enough for us.
What is your gift tradition?
13 people like this
12 responses
@LindaOHio (181321)
• United States
14 Dec
I feel that 3 gifts are enough too. It's just me now; and hubby and I had stopped exchanging gifts eons ago. I don't get any gifts at Christmas time. We needed a washer and dryer. That will be my gift. Have a good weekend.
3 people like this
@sallypup (61566)
• Centralia, Washington
14 Dec
@LindaOhio Have you gotten a surprise chocolate via Amazon this year?
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (181321)
• United States
14 Dec
@sallypup Yes! Was that you?????? If it was, thank you SO much. You shouldn't have.
1 person likes this
@sallypup (61566)
• Centralia, Washington
14 Dec
@LindaOHio Merry ha ha ha ha Christmas. Thanks for the laugh. You are fun to drop chocolate bombs on.
1 person likes this
@aureategloom (11148)
• Bosnia And Herzegovina
14 Dec
i would only get a package from Santa for New Year. these packages come in a holidayish bag and they got snacks, sweets and some toys in it. i used to give gifts to my friends on New Year too. i would buy that "holidayish" bag and fill it with things they like. that's about it. but i moved and i can't keep up with that tradition. oh well 
3 people like this
@aureategloom (11148)
• Bosnia And Herzegovina
14 Dec
@1creekgirl it was. i hope i can get to them somehow. i love getting gifts for others. i do that even when it's not New Year or any other time of the year when people are giving gifts to each other
2 people like this
@1creekgirl (41692)
• United States
14 Dec
@aureategloom You have a kind and generous heart. Merry Christmas.
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (93740)
• United States
14 Dec
I like your reasoning for three! We used to go around one person at a time, one gift at a time growing up. Now, we just go one person at a time, and they get to open all presents at once. It’s mainly the kids now, and this year I got them one gift each, and then one gift for all of them to share.
My sister and brother-in-law took the kids to Disney World last week in lieu of Christmas gifts this year. They were very happy.2 people like this
@1creekgirl (41692)
• United States
14 Dec
I imagine that was quite the Christmas gift!
As our family has grown, we take breaks to get a snack and coffee or a Coke!
The last three Christmases have been at Tammy's, but still same traditions.
I'm taking all the stockings I've made for all the family over the years (even one for Winnie, Kristin's Maltipoo) to give to them to take to their own homes. Kind of sad, but life moves on.
2 people like this
@much2say (55901)
• Los Angeles, California
14 Dec
That was pretty much our family tradition as well . . . the things we do to make things special for the kids, right? But our kids are older now - and none of us need another "thing" now. We decided as a family (this year, in fact) that it's not about the gifts - but about the memories. Instead of "gifts", we would do something for ourselves from now on - beit a local day trip or an event - something as a family.
1 person likes this
@much2say (55901)
• Los Angeles, California
16 Dec
@1creekgirl It could also be at a later date . . . does not have to be on Christmas or even in this month . . . whenever it is most convenient for all. Thank you and a Merry Christmas to you and your family 
.
.1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (41692)
• United States
14 Dec
That is such a wise decision. I wish our daughter and her family lived closer so we could plan activities together like that. Merry Christmas!
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (41692)
• United States
16 Dec
@much2say Thank you. Merry Christmas to y'all, too!
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (90294)
• Arvada, Colorado
14 Dec
We are just grateful..that is our tradition.
2 people like this
@1creekgirl (41692)
• United States
14 Dec
That's a very special tradition we all need to have.
How is your son doing? You're both in my prayers at this special time of year. May Jesus bless you both.
@Ronrybs (19588)
• London, England
16 Dec
@1creekgirl They are the same. Some are exchangeable in just about any shop
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (50596)
• United States
14 Dec
The three gift idea sounds really nice. Now that our son is grown we go light on the gifts. Being together is what’s the most important to us.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (50596)
• United States
15 Dec
@1creekgirl I hope that yours is as well.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (41692)
• United States
14 Dec
Being together is the very most important thing of all. I pray you all will have a blessed Christmas.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (80635)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
14 Dec
Now I don't need to get any Christmas presents. In Latvia after several years together my husband and I decided to enjoy making Christmas feasts and not exchanging gifts because we exchanged kisses instead,
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (41692)
• United States
14 Dec
That was very romantic! I know you miss him terribly.
1 person likes this
@xFiacre (13122)
• Ireland
14 Dec
@1creekgirl Well for a start I’m useless at buying presents - totally useless. We try to minimise it all. Just read this in my daily readings - “Advent is preparation for newness that evokes a very different participation in the present world, a participation that is not marked by fear, anxiety or Greed”.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (41692)
• United States
14 Dec
That reading was very good advice for us all. Merry Christmas!
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (20046)
• United States
21h
I had been gifting my best friend a calendar each year. I started making diamond paintings for my boyfriend for his birthday/Christmas gift.
1 person likes this
@Dena91 (16692)
• United States
15 Dec
We take our turns at Mike's Moms--her tradition. She thinks she has to buy umteen million gifts for everyone, yet says she will cut back the next year, and doesn't.
We buy for her, and we play Dirty Santa so there are two gifts for that. That is all we buy.
As far as Mike and I exchanging gifts, we buy what we need/want through the year and that is our gifts to one another. This year we're getting new tires for the car. Practical and needed. Thankful we can.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (41692)
• United States
15 Dec
I can totally relate. We're blessed to be able to get what we need during the year.
