Sweet little nothings
Christmas is one of my favorite times of year, in large part because it's one time I can get away with giving people things. I love to give gifts. That's just who I am. (I'll be the first person to admit that I love to buy things just for me, or that I'll buy two of something so I can have it also.)
My mother's side of the family has drawn names for years now as a way to only have to buy a "big present" or two for one person. Stockings are still up for grabs from Santa, though. But I've never been a big believer in the "one gift" idea. My mother accused me over the weekend of being upset if I only get one gift--that's not it at all. I'm more likely to give several things rather than just one, because I am just impulsive that way. (My "nephew," Aidan, will never run out of books because I keep finding more that he just has to read--the poor kid is only a year and a half.)
Is it wrong to break a "no gifts" pact? I'm really not expecting anything in return. I just happen to see things at certain times that are appropriate for certain people.
Comments
In the abstract, I agree with Becka about dollar amount restrictions. But in practice, I think they're a necessity.
For spousal gift exchange (for me, the most fun gifts to choose and buy), we have to have a dollar limit, or else very bad things will happen to our budget. That typically means a tough choice between one or two "big" things, or a bunch of little things. But such is life...
For Knowles kids-n-significant others gift exchange, we draw names and have a dollar amount as a guideline. This is a huge financial relief -- if we didn't do this, we'd all have to buy/make gifts for 6-8 others on top of everything else. I love both giving and receiving gifts, but that's just too much. It stops being fun and starts being stressful at that point.
Posted by: Stacie | December 20, 2004 11:15 PM
i hate $ amounts. i very often make things for people and there is no dollar amount to set for that kind of thing. i also love buying gifts and i feel like it's up to me to decide that $25 is too much to spend on you, not something for you to tell me. i try not to make no gifts pacts because i don't follow the rules.
Posted by: becka | December 16, 2004 06:11 PM
People could feel guilty. We have a max $ amount. People could go to the dollar store and get 25 things if they want.
Posted by: Dr. Hunter | December 16, 2004 07:22 AM