Holiday Blog

By Procrastinator

December 20, 2007 8:21 AM | Link to this

My strategy: gift certificates. I wish that was everyone else’s strategy too, instead of giving me things I don’t want.

A nice donation to charity would be even better. There’s a good list from Real Simple online.

By LD

December 20, 2007 8:46 AM | Link to this

I agree with gift cards instead of these useless things I neither want nor need. I know they say it’s the thought that counts, but they usually end up at Goodwill. So please in-laws, save your money.

By wirelessg

December 20, 2007 9:21 AM | Link to this

I try not to give gift cards, except for my kid’s teachers or a distant relative. I have had pretty good success giving quality kitchen utensils, not “like seen on TV”, but good quality stuff that will get used regularly. If you do give gift cards, be creative. For a movie gift card, include popcorn or popcorn bag. For a shoe store, wrap the card in a sock. For a clothes store, include a paper doll & clothes or doll clothes. Just do more than the card and envelope itself. If you just give the gift card, it looks like you went to store Christmas Eve just to have something, which you probably did.

By Mrs. Warren

December 20, 2007 11:09 AM | Link to this

I got more of my shopping done early. Still have a few presents to pick up. I’m a newlywed so the pressure to buy for everyone this year was big. I have sent out over 100 Christmas Cards. Felt some weird obligation that if they were invited to the wedding, we should send them a card, even if they did not come. My husband and I decided to just buy one present for each person from both of us instead of what we have done in the past when we were dating (one from each of us). This helped save money big time.

I like to buy presents vs. gift cards if I can, but only if I know the person wants what I am getting and will use it. Otherwise, gift cards are a great option.

Since I can’t vent to anyone but my husband and mom on this one… I’ll vent here… REGIFTING IS TACKY!! Don’t do it! My G-I-L gave us a “housewarming” present last weekend. The present was the same present I saw her open at their 50th wedding anniversary party I helped throw back in the fall. This was the same present her granddaughter and grandson-in-law gave to her, who happened to be standing right there when we opened the present. Talk about rude. Apparently we’re not worth picking out something new. I think re-gifting is tacky, rude and unclassy. Anyone else agree? And don’t pull the “she’s an elderly lady. She doesn’t know better or have the money.” She’s only 70 and knows exactly what she is doing and she has the money.. She’s had at least 6 NEW cars since I started dating my husband 2 years ago…. and 2 purebred dogs…

By JJ

December 20, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this

I don’t like giving gift cards to my family, but will give them to friend’s kids if I can’t find a suitable gift…

I don’t like receiving them either. To me, it’s like someone saying, I have no idea what you would like, and I just don’t have time, so go pick yourself something out. Very impersonal.

By Mrs. Warren

December 20, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this

JJ - gift cards don’t always have to be impersonal. My dad just got an IPOD so I got him an ITunes gift card since he mentioned he needed to downloand some stuff to it. Also, my mom loves to go to the spa, so I can get her a giftcard to the spa.

By JJ

December 20, 2007 12:54 PM | Link to this

Mrs. Warren For your situation, that particular gift card is a good idea. As a matter of fact, my daughter is getting an iPod for Xmas, so my brother got her a gift card for that so she could start using the iPod Christmas day.

But for general gift giving, I don’t like to give cards.