Alternative to Pollyanna

[ChrisAlli]

DH's siblings and Dh's/Dw's, older nephew's and nieces always do a pollyanna. It just seems to be getting pointless. It's usually the wives that do all the shopping and the DH's barely know how they have or what they got them.

So this year I was trying to think of something else instead. I suggested we all put in money and give it to a charity, like Toy's for Tots . Not everyone was with me.

What do the adults in your family do or any suggestions?

 

[RUDisney]

We used to do the pollyanna thing but everyone started making up lists. It made it easier to buy for everyone, but then no one was creative anymore. So, we opted out of the adult gifts altogether. Now the kids buy a token gift for all of their aunts and uncles. I bought the things on lenox.com in January when they were on clearance and there was free shipping. Everyone (couple) is getting a Christmas candy dish that was about $6.

It's easier to do it this way and plus we can all be creative in what we find since it is under $10 per couple.

 

[rie'smom]

I think that the Toy's for Tots is a wonderful idea!

 

[MerryPoppins]

DH's family has tried several different things over the years. We've done the pick a name and buy a gift for that person. We've chosen a name and given a personalized Christmas ornament (for example a fishing ornament for the guy who fishes, a ballerina for a dancer, a sports team ornament for someone who is a big fan, etc.) We've also done homemade gifts, made with the person you draw in mind. That one was interesting. (We had everything from food gift baskets to homemade bird feeders, to wreaths.) We've skipped the name drawing and brought a gift that could be for anyone, so not gender specific. (That year we had car care stuff, a throw, a goodie basket, a grilling basket with marinades & a cookbook, etc.)

 

[suzij13]

On my dads side of the family the adults do a gift card draw. Everyone buys a gift card to a store or restaurant and then all the adults draw one out.

 

[bigbabyblues]

We've decided not to exchange gifts among the siblings anymore, it's so much easier!

We're all getting together one Sunday before Christmas and taking the kids to ride the Santa Train, each family paying their own way.

 

[diznygirl]

On my dads side of the family the adults do a gift card draw. Everyone buys a gift card to a store or restaurant and then all the adults draw one out.

I like this idea!

 

[cccm]

I thought this was about the Disney movie. I never heard of this before.

We stopped getting the siblings and DHs gifts. I still get my Mom and my sister in FL as they are both divorced.

Another great idea is Adopt A Family. We (volunteers at work) do this through a local neighborhood center in the city where my dad was a policeman for 30 years. We also take on a center for children who have been removed from their homes and have nothing.