New Rules

[Lynda Kamrath]

There are new rules at our house for Christmas this year.  No cash, no checks, no returns.  I really disliked the older members of the family giving out cash or checks since they didn't know what to get anyone.  If you don't know what the grandchildren want or need, then don't give them anything.  Also, returns were a PITA for me, so if you don't want something that you got for a present, put it in a recycle container and pass it on to somebody who could use it.  HOPE comes to our neighborhood every month and it is easy to drop off at the Salvation Army or Goodwill.  I took my mom shopping to get a little something for everyone and brought her the wrapping materials.  She used to always give checks or cash.  Seems crazy to be giving adults who are doctors, lawyers, artists, acupuncturists, etc. checks when they have much more money that their grandparents.  My feelings, but everyone seems to go along with it.  We will see after the holidays.  (The dogs love anything you get them and have a great time opening presents.)

[Martha & Cooper]

Hope it works for your family, Lynda.   It wouldn't work in mine.   My family doesn't like to be held to rules of any sort.  LOL! 

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

Over the years I have cut the gift giving out with friends it got to be too much buying for friends then the kids came along then you were buying for the friends AND kids, etc. etc.  Was spending way too much time and money.  Now we all just get together eat and drink and our gift is our friendship, eating and drinking.  All diets are left at the door and do we have a blast and a lot less stressful :)   Of course I still exchange with my immediate family which is very small and the doodles :)

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Makes sense to me.  We try to focus on the kids, and they never seem to have any problem coming up with a list for Nana and Grandpa.  I do my "Toys R Us" run early, before the rush and get as much as I can online.  For the older kids, the ITunes gift card is always a hit.  This year the groomer and trainer are getting Doodle Wine....whether they like it or not. 

[Donna K & Quincy]

Wonderful idea Linda, we should all be more like the dogs. :>) I have to admit that for the first time this year I am giving my neice and nephew a little gift and cash. They are both at university and I thought they could really use a little cash and I know this is what they want.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

College students or young adults ALWAYS need/want cash so I would think this would be an excellent exception to Lynda's rule.  I think new parents would be another exception - gift cards to baby stores can always be used.

[Pat and Traveler]

Funny how the kids never want to return the cash.  LOL  I agree that it doesn't make sense to give cash to adults who have a good income--but I don't have a problem with cash, a nice check or gift certificate occasionally for the younger ones. 

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

My friend has taken the gift-giving "rules" in a very different direction this year.  Instead of giving material gifts (except for the kids), each family member is giving the gift of a performance of some kind - singing, reading a poem, performing a dance, etc.  My friend is putting together a computer slideshow of Christmases past.  I think this is a good idea (it would never fly in my family though), but it might be even better if family members donated the money they would have spent on gifts to the charities of their choice. 

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I have been wanting to do the charity thing for a while. I did send my aunt and uncle a donation on their behalf for 2 nights of rent for flood victims.

Maybe when I have kids we can buy for the kids and then donate to a charity for the adults.

Another idea: when I have kids I may ask our parents to put money into their college funds instead of giving me and DH gifts. 

[Lynda Kamrath]

What a great idea!  Kids can always use money in college.  I have been asking for an animal from Heifer the last couple of years.  Last year I got a goat and this year I asked for a llama.  When I asked for the goat last year, my husband asked where I was going to put it and I said "give it away".  You can also deduct donations from taxes - something we all need.

So many ideas out there.

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

For years, we've given my parents (who really had all the "things" they needed or wanted) charity-type gifts.  My mom always "gets" a goat or a sheep for Heifer Project.  We'd give my dad, who's no longer with us, a donation to the museum where he was head docent or to a Marine Corps related charity.  Those types of gifts are a win-win-win!!! 

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

LOL Lynda, I should have read you post before my posting below.  I have been getting the Heifer catalog for a few years now.  This year niece & nephew are getting a flock of chicks. 

[Bonnie and Kona]

We have all agreed to give to the charity of our choice as a gift to the members of our immediate family. The little ones (4 1/2 and 2 1/2) get gifts but the rest of us do not need anything and there are plenty of people in this world who do. We have done this for many years and it works out well for all.