Not doing Christmas gifts this year

hbarcat · #1 11-30-2008, 04:08 PM

That's it. Money is tight right now for everyone I know, including me, and I've been talking with friends and family and have decided to not do the gifts this year. I have bought my teen daughter something inexpensive and meaningful (and useful) and that will be all I'm buying. I have told others not to buy me anything and it will be a load off my mind not to have to think about all the crap that goes along with either giving or receiving gifts. I'm not thinking too far ahead and I don't really care right now about the gift situation for next year, but I do know that this year there will have to be Christmas cheer with out having to buy it in a store.

I've seen mentioned in occasional posts in other threads that quite a few other TBers are also giving up on the gifts this year. It seems to be something of a perfect storm situation with the economic slowdown and the seemingly rampant expansion of the excesses of consumerism. The time seems right to try an experiment and see if we can get along for one year without all the greed.

What do you think?

FL Knifemaker · #2 11-30-2008, 04:15 PM

It's too late. I should have stopped my wife and daughter about two months ago

The wife is working now so my holiday bills will be easier this year. She better buy me something cool

fenderhutz · #3 11-30-2008, 04:16 PM

I am buying some things for my two kids. Something VERY small for the folks and baking good for our friends.

My budget is like 200 bucks this year and I let everyone know commercial Christmas has died for us.

From now on it's all about family and remembering good times, not who spent the most money.

Unrepresented · #4 11-30-2008, 04:21 PM

In-laws have already made mention that they're not doing Christmas gifts as their son (my common law B-I-L) got laid off and my GF/wife is doing the full time student deal.

I expect to purchase at least a little something for folks, but will stay below the record levels set in previous years.

JT_bassman · #5 11-30-2008, 04:21 PM

Materialism and consumerism have destroyed the true meaning of Christmas. I hate to see our economy in shambles, but I think people should take this time to remember what life is all about.

HollowBassman · #6 11-30-2008, 04:25 PM

I've been trying to get out of Christmas for the last four or five years. Each time I'm told that I'm being selfish and am guilted into participating.

crimson_basser · #7 11-30-2008, 04:34 PM

ive always bought a little something for most of my friends/family
especially for those who rarely get anything at all, at least getting one gift on christmas is enough to make them smile

and thats what its about, smiling and enjoying the company of those you love
it shouldnt be about the biggest, bestest, most expensive presents
something small, thoughtful, meaningful (and hopefully) useful is the best gift.

the only thing ive asked for this year, are books about recording, building studios and stuff like that. (oh, and star wars encyclopedias

haha)
and i will be more than thrilled if i only got one of them on my list (even im guilty)

i just want to be with all of my friends and family
no pressures to out do someone or anything like that
just good times

honestly, my best memory from last christmas was a full out sit down turkey dinner with me, my cousin and a about 10 other of our closest friends at my cousins house. So many laughs and good times, and not one gift was bought or given to anyone. We just shared eachothers company for the night, watched some movies and hung out. It was one of my greatest memories.

hbarcat · #8 11-30-2008, 04:38 PM

The last straw was on Thanksgiving Day at my brother's house. The TV was on all day just for the sake of being on and I got assaulted by non-stop Christmas shopping ads. I don't have a TV in my house and seeing all this blatant commercialism in one big, obnoxious pile really disgusted me.

Particularly annoying is when they have actors sing Christmas carols but they change the words. Like "Here Comes Santa Claus" turned into:

Lets go shopping now /
lets go shopping now/
Right now lets go to the store/
We'll get a cart and fill it right up/
then go back and do it some more/
Our bank account/
Is empty right now/
But we can't stop 'til we're poor/
So take out your credit card/
and then max it out/
Cause Jesus says that's how you adore/

or something like that......

iamlowsound · #9 11-30-2008, 04:38 PM

I am not participating in gift-giving this year, but I decided that last year before Christmas. It go to the point with my family that it was "I'll buy a $50 gift certificate and you buy me one" ($50 limit on spending). It is pointless, I would rather just spend time with them and eat some good food. Not to mention that anything that I really need/want, I'll save up for it and buy it myself.

lowsound

hbarcat · #10 11-30-2008, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crimson_basser

honestly, my best memory from last christmas was a full out sit down turkey dinner with me, my cousin and a about 10 other of our closest friends at my cousins house. So many laughs and good times, and not one gift was bought or given to anyone. We just shared eachothers company for the night, watched some movies and hung out. It was one of my greatest memories.

Selta · #11 11-30-2008, 04:41 PM

I'm just making gifts as I can. Beyond that, not buying things, and not giving out lists or ideas of things to buy me either.

crimson_basser · #12 11-30-2008, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hbarcat

haha, im hoping for a repeat this year, everyone has expressed sincere desire for another dinner

so hopefully it happens

jambassist · #13 11-30-2008, 05:24 PM

The data indicates that black Friday spending this year was $10.6 billion up from $10.3 billion last year. I can't figure it out. The economy is in the tank and everyone is supposedly worried, but they keep spending. Maybe these people are charging everything figuring that if they get in trouble, there's always bankruptcy. Ain't life grand!!!

Baking things, having a nice dinner, maybe buying a small gift, or even doing something nice for someone are all wonderful gifts and I applaud the lot of you that are doing things like that. I've been preaching for so long that Christmas isn't about how much money you spend or how many gifts you get. Religion aside, it's a time for love with family and friends. It's because American Society as whole is greedy and materialistic is the reason we're in the shape we're in. The more people refuse to participate in the nonsense that is Christmas shopping, the more likely we'll see a return to the true meaning of Christmas.

Trevorus · #14 11-30-2008, 05:27 PM

Yeah, my wife and I are looking to buy a house. That's our Christmas budget. I think we'll cook dinner with the family, and have a good time. That's good enough for me.

iamlowsound · #15 11-30-2008, 05:53 PM

Actually I lied. I will be buying one gift. Every year a bunch of my friends from high school get together and do a gift exchange. Limit is $5, so it turns into who can buy the funniest/strangest gift. It is just an excuse to get everyone together, plus I am bringing chocolate covered bacon.

lowsound

NS2A · #16 11-30-2008, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JT_bassman

Materialism and consumerism have destroyed the true meaning of Christmas. I hate to see our economy in shambles, but I think people should take this time to remember what life is all about.

So true. My wife and I have never really bought eachother much. That is good and bad, but mostly good. Last year, my sister and I agreed we'd quit buying eachothers kids (nieces and nephews) Christmas gifts. Part of it was my mom overindulges the kids and our time, effort and money put into getting the gifts was upstaged by her giving. So the kids make eachother gifts or give them old toys they no longer want. I think it's a good lesson for the kids.

Armueller2001 · #17 11-30-2008, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jambassist

The economy is in the tank and everyone is supposedly worried, but they keep spending. Maybe these people are charging everything figuring that if they get in trouble, there's always bankruptcy. Ain't life grand!!!

Hey maybe the GUB'MINT can bail me out when I can't pay my credit card bills too... that'd be cool.

lump · #18 11-30-2008, 06:58 PM

Haven't you heard? If you spend less than $500 each on your kids, they will end up retarded. Or in jail. Or both.

There was an article on CNN last week about some lady whining about how she felt guilty because she couldn't spend 600 bucks on her 3-year old like she did last year. YGBFSM.

Fortunately, I have a recession-proof job and can actually get more bang for my buck right now. Life is good. But this is indeed a fine time for us all to take a look at our priorities. Good on you.

**HeavyDuty** · #19 11-30-2008, 07:18 PM

We've already inked a treaty with most of the family - no gifts this year, just cards.

hbarcat · #20 11-30-2008, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lump

There was an article on CNN last week about some lady whining about how she felt guilty because she couldn't spend 600 bucks on her 3-year old like she did last year.

I saw one of those in-depth news stories about the economy where they interview families to see how they are struggling and I was appalled by the fact that most of it was along the lines of "We've had to cut back of the number of between meal snacks we purchase for the kids" and "We sometimes take the sedan to the store instead of the SUV to save on gas."

I just talked with my grandmother (age 87) yesterday and she told me how she and my grandfather had to sacrifice every luxury that most of us take for granted just to survive during the Great Depression. They shot and ate pigeons and squirrels and most of their meals were stew and bread. It was a rare treat to have a spoonful of honey to put on a piece of bread for a snack. This was common during that time and people who think they have it tough now and are comparing this recession to TGD have no ******* idea what real hardship is.