Do you give a gift each year that is expected and you are tired of giving it?

[redshoes]

This thread comes on the heels of an afternoon of frustration and guilt. I'm not really looking for a solution and I understand that a gift is just that a gift and it should be given with a happy heart. I also know this is a dumb thing to be stressed about during this time of year so forgive me for the stupid vent. I'm just overwhelmed and feeling like a idiot that I'm feeling that way over something so trivial.

Every year for the last five years, I have made a photo calendar for my parents. When I first started it was just my boys. As nieces and nephews have been added to the family, I added them to the calendar as well (rightly so). I asked, again this year, if someone would like to take over putting the calendar together and got no volunteers.

My boys are growing up and the pictures are different this year. Not that my boys aren't cute and delightful, but they are no longer small and the photos are just not the same as they were when they were 2 and 3. But it's not all about them.

Because of the above and me just being busy, I have waited til the last minute to put the calendar together and have spent the afternoon trying to get it done and it's just not going smoothly. My parents expect this gift, it's one of their favorites (or at least they tell me it is). I have bought them other things this year that are meaningful and I would so love to call it good, but I feel guilty that I can't get my crap together. It's just a calendar, not a work of art and it should be easy to put together, but everything with it is just falling apart.

Thanks for listening to such a stupid thing to be stressed about (I'm sure my DH is thankful too cause now he doesn't have to hear all about it when he gets home ).

 

[hegsag]

I too make a calendar & it is very stressful! Vent away...

 

[Stacerita]

I know what you mean. There is no easy way out of it, and you almost resent having to do it.

 

[Robinrs]

3 words.... chocolate ... chip..... cookies....

I used to have my own home company selling those darned things, then I decided to ONLY bake them at Christmas time.

Now EVERYONE expects them and won't let me in the house without them! To tell you the truth I am SOOOOO tired of making them!! But I will be up early baking them tomorrow and Friday.....

 

[C.Ann]

Yes - a gazillion different varities of cookies to a large number of people.. They would even call to "remind me" of their "favorites" every single year.. I stopped doing it in 2003 or so - after lord knows how many years..

Way too much work - baking day after day after day..

 

[brasswillow]

Every year everyone in the office gives out little gifts. Since I am the youngest and closer to the bottom of the totem pole it's hit or miss if I will get anything, but I am expected to get something for everyone else. This year is cookies in pretty dishes. I wish I could do it because I wanted to, not because it was expected of me.