Is anyone else NOT giving gifts this year?

[Aimeedyan]

DH and I are not giving out anything and I have to say that this is the best XMas we've had! I do love buying gifts for people and thought I would miss it terribly but that has not been the case. Instead, we've spent our Advent season completely focused on the season, not worrying about last minute items, never venturing into a crowded mall, or rushing around getting them all ready in time. Not to mention the budget issues!

We drove past a shopping center today on the way to lunch and were discussing how wonderful the Season has been for us. As nice as it was, I think we'll return to giving gifts next year but this has been a lesson to us about how much the gifts can take over the holiday and I think we'll be more conscious of "excess" in years to come.

Anyone else sitting out of gift giving this year? Or have in years past? Did you enjoy it or feel like you missed out?

 

[disykat]

We've always tried to keep it down, but I think before you have kids and all the people in your family are adults is a wonderful time to "take a break". I'm glad it's been such a good experience for you. I've always disliked the gift giving part of Christmas and should probably take a break one year to learn the opposite lesson!

 

[lynxstch]

my husband lost his job in June and hasn't been able to find anything suitable yet..so Christmas gift giving was out of the question..we have barely been able to pay the normal bills..our savings has been depleted..and if not for our brother in law and his family and our sister in law and hers..we would be in real trouble..so we also decided to focus on the real reason for the season this year..and truthfully..I didn't miss rushing to buy gifts..fighting the crowds in the store..buying things that people really didn't like in the long run..still running around at the last minute even though I always start in July..this year we are spending Christmas day quietly at home..having a nice dinner..and just enjoying each other and the day..
Happy Holidays to all on the DIS

 

[WDWLVR]

We've drastically cut back. With all adults in the family now we just pull a name and buy for one person. Plus for the last three years DH and my gift to each other has been a trip. In 2003 it was to WDW, in 2004 it was the 10 day Holiday cruise and this year it was an early December trip to Disneyland. It is a gift that gives us years of memories.

 

[foxfire]

Back several years ago, our immediate family decided to not give gifts at Christmas, birthdays, etc. We really don't need anything and it boiled down to the fact we were giving gifts just for the sake of giving a gift. Now every year, we all take the money we would have spent on gifts and put them into a special fund which we use to take a super blowout vacation together each year. We don't have the stress of trying to find gifts and we get to have a wonderful, wonderful trip and quality time together. We come back with happy, special memories and that is something you can't find in a store.

My DH, DS, and I still exchange gifts among ourselves though.

 

[Talking Hands]

We don't give give gifts for Christmas, birthdays,etc That doesn't mean we never give gifts though. When we see something we know a person would like we get it and surprise them. It may be something they need or just something they would especially enjoy. I would rather do that than give gifts for overly comercialized holidays.

 

[Aimeedyan]

my husband lost his job in June and hasn't been able to find anything suitable yet..so Christmas gift giving was out of the question..we have barely been able to pay the normal bills..our savings has been depleted..and if not for our brother in law and his family and our sister in law and hers..we would be in real trouble..so we also decided to focus on the real reason for the season this year..and truthfully..I didn't miss rushing to buy gifts..fighting the crowds in the store..buying things that people really didn't like in the long run..still running around at the last minute even though I always start in July..this year we are spending Christmas day quietly at home..having a nice dinner..and just enjoying each other and the day..
Happy Holidays to all on the DIS

We did it for financial reasons, too. New house and DH was unemployed. It would have meant charging every purchase and it was not worth it. Thankfully, our families understood and we got no flack for it =)

 

[EthansMom]

I would love to quit giving gifts among the adults in mine and DH's families. Honestly, there is nothing that we need. And we are financially able to get anything we truly want. I have no objection to our folks giving gifts to the kids, but I wish they would quit giving us anything.

 

[chasbos]

My family has decided to not give gifts this year either. We are still buying for the kids but no adults.

We are going to head to a new golf course in the summer and that will be our gift to each other!

DH and I never really exchange gifts. If I want something - I buy it! I am not waiting for Christmas.