Our holiday gift giving plan...it's a goodie!

Our family just consists of Tony, my son, my daughter and moi. None of us really need anything. We sort of buy what we want and need all year long (although, I'm still lusting for a WII, but I know that won't happen). This year we are trying something new, and I think it will be fun and interesting.

We've decided we can all part with $75.00 easily. Like everyone else, we are watching our pennies.

So, we've decided that we will each get each other a $25 gift card to a specific store that we love. Example, I plan to get my son a gift card to Dunkin Donuts, my daughter a Jamba Juice card, and Tony, a Tommy Bahama card. No generic Mastercards, Visa cards and Amex cards. We really have to think of some place that will tickle us!

In fact, we are all getting Tony Tommy Bahama cards, so he will get 3 $25 cards. (It's really all he wants, and he's made it VERY clear!)

I think it will be fun to see which different cards we get!

It's something new, I'm sure there are some kinks to work out, but I think it will be fun. The biggest gift of the holiday, is us all being together!
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sounds like a good plan :)
That sounds like a smart idea esp. since you'll finish Christmas feeling good about your bank account. :lol:

What a good idea :)

Every time I try not to spend much, I end up buying the same amount every year. My control is horrible, but I think a lot of it is my personality. I overdue everything I do (cooking, hosting a party, cleaning, etc). ....but I will say I don't buy toys for family and our own all year ...and their birthdays (of all 9 nieces/nephews) are all in the next few months, so I feel obligated to make it a big event. I think the rest of our family members feel chained to the same thinking!!
I think your plan is wonderful! Many years ago, when I was just starting out in life and my then new sister in law was starting a family, neither of us had much money. Each Christmas got more and more expensive..

One year we decided to do something different and fun. We put a limit of $10 to spend on each others gift. What a ball we had finding stupid little things for each other!

Another year we decided to make our gifts :roll: Now that was a true riot. Neither of us were very crafty....I think I still have the photo album I attempted to make but somehow glued it shut forever 8O
We go the 25.00 route and sometimes we make it a 10.00 joke one :lol:
Our parents, sister, and I are true minimalists - after 68 years of marriage Mother and Dad have very very little, and I hope to keep up that tradition - it helps the dusting situation, too. My sister and I donate to one another's favorite local charities - our parents will be waited on hand and foot - cooking favorite meals and cookies, etc, etc. BUT, throughout the year, Sis and I occasionally will find something we know the other cannot live without!!
For Todd's large family we always have drawn names. It is way too expensive otherwise. The drawing is split into 4 categories. Adults - Male and female, Kids - boy and girl. You draw within your age and sex category. It has worked well. :D

The adults spend $20, the kids spend $10. This is the same prices as the last 20 years, so we have not adjusted for inflation! It takes some creative thinking to get those presents. We draw names Saturday at the family Thanksgiving party, so I am already wondering who I will get and what to get them!
This is the first year we have drawn names with my
immediate family....
My Mom's gift to us is renting a nice cabin in the mountains
for us all to spend a week away from the choas!

I hope she sticks to that and not the
"Everybody needs things to open" :roll:
I always overspend on the kids for Christmas, but I justify it by saying that I don't buy them stuff (except for their birthdays) during the year, so I'm just stocking them up!

Dale and I don't need anything, and both our birthdays are within a month of Christmas, so we usually use the 4 occasions to get ourselves something big, usually for the house. This year's purchase is our very first large flat screen TV, which just got delivered today. Pretty darned cool!
Drezzie's Mom wrote:
I always overspend on the kids for Christmas, but I justify it by saying that I don't buy them stuff (except for their birthdays) during the year, so I'm just stocking them up!

Dale and I don't need anything, and both our birthdays are within a month of Christmas, so we usually use the 4 occasions to get ourselves something big, usually for the house. This year's purchase is our very first large flat screen TV, which just got delivered today. Pretty darned cool!


Oh Chris! You're going to love it! Enjoy!
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