Comments on: Christmas gifts for siblings?

By: Megan

Megan — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 22:42:58 +0000

On my mom’s side of the family, we do a non-Secret Santa for everyone over 16, with a suggested value of $30 (draw a name out of a hat and buy that person a gift.) The younger children still receive gifts from everyone, but it certainly helps my parents out by not buying gifts for her 5 siblings. My father’s family (also a family of 6) has been doing a Yankee Swap for quite some time now, with a similar age limit to ‘graduate’ into the swap, which helps keep the gifts interesting for everyone. The problem with the swap, though, is that everyone has to be there… but it’s always a fun party.

By: Dealing with Christmas Gift Budget Surprises at Clever Dude Personal Finance & Money

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 05:51:12 +0000

[...] didn’t expect to buy a gift for my sister since we agreed [...]

By: Jessica Bennet

Jessica Bennet — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 11:19:04 +0000

Hi,

I do prefer giving gifts but mine is slightly different. I go the Kris Kringle way wherein I am able to make each of my friends and family member choose a paper from a hat and then buy a gift for the person who’s name is on the paper.

I usually prefer savings come cash aside each month in my Christmas club account so that when it comes to spending money for gifting and giving a home-party to my friends, I don’t have to think twice. And, even then, I don’t go overboard. I guess that’s because I am to move on according to a budget and i do follow some tips that help me stay frugal during festive seasons.

Merry Christmas in advance!

By: Link Love: 14 Gifting Ideas at Clever Dude Personal Finance & Money

Link Love: 14 Gifting Ideas at Clever Dude Personal Finance & Money — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 08:01:37 +0000

[...] wealth of great ideas and took me a bit of time to get through. Hot on the tails of my own story of trying to limit gift-giving with our siblings, Penny Nickel at Money and Values has 14 different ideas for exchanging gifts this (and any) [...]

By: plonkee

plonkee — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 19:54:29 +0000

I’m not really that surprised that your sister probably got you something. It sounds like she wasn’t into it in the first place, and since there are only the two siblings, buying something for you wasn’t such a big deal.

If it were me on the receiving end of a suggestion to only give to the kids, where I was the only one that had kids, I might feel like a bit of a charity case.

By: Fiscal Musings

Fiscal Musings — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 19:21:59 +0000

Some people will get you something no matter what you tell them. You then feel obligated to get something for them (even if they say you don’t need to). I wish more people could just agree not to buy useless items for each other and focus more on the time you get to spend together.

By: Mrs. Micah

Mrs. Micah — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 18:05:05 +0000

Our family waited to do Secret Santa until the kids were grown up…BUT I think it’d also work nicely among the adults while everyone gives to the kids. As you say, they enjoy it more.

By: Jerry

Jerry — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 16:32:40 +0000

I thing Veteran Military Wife has some good ideas that are “non-traditional”. Many people nowadays are opting to have folks give to charities rather than each other. I understand it’s a nice way to show people you care but it can get costly and overwhelming as families grow. Then there’s work, like my insurance company is doing a secret Santa and at each party we’ve been invited to they’re doing a yankee swap. No thanks!! I don’t need anything and I don’t want to give people junk they won’t use. I think you’re on the right track. We over consume and it’s time to try and quell these habits. I hope it leads to changes in the future.

Jerry
http://www.leads4insurance.com

By: Veteran Military Wife at Life Lessons of a Military Wife

Veteran Military Wife at Life Lessons of a Military Wife — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 13:55:14 +0000

My vote is for the Secret Santa among the adults in the family. It’s really more fun that way any way…that way you’re not totally “bah humbug” and don’t feel guilty either.

Another lowcost suggestion..how about making a little basket with things to eat and putting some “experiences” or gift cards in there? Pedicures, manicures, a trip to the barber with massage, steam, etc or even homemade coupons of things you can do (cutting the grass, baking something, dropping off a dinner)…can go far!

I just blogged about some “other than ordinary” ideas for gifts on my blog, and I was pleasantly surprised that one visitor took one of my suggestions and bought her husband a flight with a WWI flying ace plane! I can’t wait to hear how it went!

By: Stu

Stu — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 13:03:08 +0000

yeah as you have seen these things backfired. We agreed same in our family (drew names on who to buy for, 1 person each).

Only SisterInLaws birthday is 2 days before xmas. Of course we all have to shell out for bday presents. (I can kinda understand but it still kinda po’s me) heh

Just make some homemade hot chocolate+marshmallow mix in a jar and foist off on her