Gift Giving.

[HotStreak]

Do you take into account what someone gave you the previous year, when shopping for them this year?

[Dr. Jack]

lol - some people I would but most not. It doesn't matter to me. Afterall not supposed to give so that you receive

But yes, I have some family members that are cheap so we return the favor. Doesn't sound right but we've done it.

[RogueScholar]

I hate the whole materialism of Christmas, and my participation in gift-giving is begrudging at best, so I'd say the value or thought behind someone's most recent gift to me is the only thing I take into consideration. I just don't want anybody pissed off at me over some perceived inequality in the presents we've exchanged. When it comes to giving for the sake of giving, I leave that to other times of the year.

[HotStreak]

Originally Posted by Dr. Jack

lol - some people I would but most not. It doesn't matter to me. Afterall not supposed to give so that you receive

But yes, I have some family members that are cheap so we return the favor. Doesn't sound right but we've done it.

Exactly.

My wife, being the good person that she is, puts a lot of thought into what she is getting people. She puts together themed baskets and wraps and ties gifts as if they were in a NY City window display. Its an art.

Each year, I remind her of the chipped ceramic item from the damaged bin, or the re gifted candle holders wrapped in today's newspaper and some masking tape.

Phuk. One year a brother in law was serving me 4 year old beer. I thought the can looked a little different, and looked on the bottom for the born on date. LOL! I think he fished it from his Mom's basement where it had been aging since his dad passed away years ago. For the record, these are not poor people.

When certain family members continue to give gifts as if they dug them out from the trunk of their car, I want to reciprocate with something equally as thoughtless; however, my wife soldiers on, and we continue to be thoughtful gifters.

I'd just as soon skip the gifts for adults all together, have a nice dinner, let the kids have a blast, shake hands, hug, and be on our way.

[LordCC]

To me, it is not about receiving, it is about giving. I will get what I think they will like or I have heard they wanted. So far in my life, there has never been any issues & hopefully none forthcoming lol.

[justdonating]

For the friends and family I send gifts to, I could care less if they send me something. It has no bearing on what I send.

[Lukester]

Reminds me of what one of my clients once said:

"You really know who your friends are when it's gifting time"

(When he married they received a beautiful handmade lace tablecloth...but had a coffee cup stain on it--LOL. He even asked me if I wanted it for free but I said NO! It's supposedly worth $1,000)

I would rather receive i.e. a small box of fancy chocolate of $10 instead of a super large size box of cheap chocs at $18. Also, would rather receive something old and used at $10 but very practical instead of a brand new useless gadget of $60.

[Victor]

I like to give than receive. If I want something I`ll just go buy it.

[revnecro1273]

Originally Posted by RogueScholar

I hate the whole materialism of Christmas, and my participation in gift-giving is begrudging at best, so I'd say the value or thought behind someone's most recent gift to me is the only thing I take into consideration. I just don't want anybody pissed off at me over some perceived inequality in the presents we've exchanged. When it comes to giving for the sake of giving, I leave that to other times of the year.

so why give in?

[HAMILROCK]

Originally Posted by HotStreak

Exactly.

My wife, being the good person that she is, puts a lot of thought into what she is getting people. She puts together themed baskets and wraps and ties gifts as if they were in a NY City window display. Its an art.

Each year, I remind her of the chipped ceramic item from the damaged bin, or the re gifted candle holders wrapped in today's newspaper and some masking tape.

Phuk. One year a brother in law was serving me 4 year old beer. I thought the can looked a little different, and looked on the bottom for the born on date. LOL! I think he fished it from his Mom's basement where it had been aging since his dad passed away years ago. For the record, these are not poor people.

When certain family members continue to give gifts as if they dug them out from the trunk of their car, I want to reciprocate with something equally as thoughtless; however, my wife soldiers on, and we continue to be thoughtful gifters.

I'd just as soon skip the gifts for adults all together, have a nice dinner, let the kids have a blast, shake hands, hug, and be on our way.

exactly how I feel...

[Lukester]

There's only three kids in the extended family so that's easy.

Victor is right--this is the land of plenty and we adults can buy each our own what we need or want.

I only bought my mom and my girl a box of fancy chocolates. That's all.

I know my mom will be happy...

[RanPicks]

I used to... my sister and husband have a LOT more money than me and I was spending 4 times as much as they would on me - I knew this b/c they would always get me a gift card (I'm single)... used to piss me off... I used to worry about what I get them... now, I don't worry and don't spend as much time or money.

funny thing... since I did that my gifts from them have gotten better. maybe they figured it out maybe it's just coincidence..

[RogueScholar]

Originally Posted by revnecro1273

so why give in?

Because it's a very small village and I can't avoid running into my family a few times per week just in the course of conducting my own affairs. Much easier just to buy some stupid gifts and pass them out to placate everybody than deal with sneers and stink-eye for a whole year.