OPinions please... is this crass ( re:gift lists)

[binny]

Every year we go through the same thing... I, ( being the only girl and apparently the only PSYCHIC in the family of 3 brothers) get calls from everyone asking what everyone else wants for Christmas. I truly do not mind helping out, I am just looking for ways to make this process a little easier on everyone.

So here is my idea...

I start a "wishlist email campaign" I can write down my family's wish list, email to the next brother, who fills in his family's wishlist and on down the line till I get the full and completed list back.
I *know* I will still get calls, which is fine, but maybe it would make it easier on everyone?

Just a thought. Would it be rude to suggest this to everyone?

and yes Im planning ahead. We're all planners.

 

[piglet too]

Go for it! I know some people think it is tacky, but I register my kids (and my one sister does it with her kids) at Toys R Us for birthdays and Christmas.

I would add a part about being sure to let others know what you got for so-and-so, to avoid duplicate gifts.

 

[ilovepcot]

A few years ago I thought the "Wish List" would be a practical and helpful idea for my family. I was informed that it took away the "surprise" for the recipients which was a huge part of the gift itself. Oh well.....

 

[lilpritch04]

I think that sounds like a great idea! If people are asking for answers I don't think it matters what form they get the answers in, especially if they are email savy

I told my mom to register for gifts this year because she is always the hardest one to shop for! She is registring at Pier 1 and a local bike shop!

 

[Aimeedyan]

My immediate family has always done Christmas lists, and even now that we're in diff states and I'm married, we STILL do them. Though on occasion I do find things that are perfect for the other person and the didn't ask for it, usually I really want to get them something they truly want and can use. I know that I tire of getting gifts each year that I have no use for and feel ungrateful when I pack it into a box or give it away...

It's worked for us for almost 20 years now, and we continue to do it! DH's family does something similar, so it works well for both families!

What we DO try to do is give LOTS of ideas, so we don't know we'll get everything on our list, you know? So it's still a surprise, and give lots of price ranges (sometimes I'll buy dad a few things he didn't ask for and then a smaller item that he did).

I don't think it's tacky, but only YOU know your family. If they don't think it's tacky, then who the heck cares what anyone from the outside thinks!??!

 

[Beth76]

I think it sounds fine. I never know what to get people for x-mas.

 

[binny]

oh definately!
This would be purely a " Heres some ideas" type of thing not a "get me this!" list. None of us feels that way that I know of.

Kids especially are hard to keep up with on what they like and dont like you know? For example Cam is ALL about football right now, last year it was chess.

I DO know though that I have a 14 year old nephew who wants nothing but "guitar stuff" I have no idea what he has or doesnt have, so hes getting a gift certificate lol. So ONE down!

None of us live near the others either, so its pretty tough to keep up that way.

 

[dzneelvr]

I'd go even one step further and have your family draw names. If there's such a number of gifts to purchase each year and no one is really excited about the spending for all of it--the next time you're together at a family function close to Christmas, have the adults in one pool and the kids in another.
My DH has a huge family and by doing this, the focus becomes the fellowship, not the opening of presents for hours.

You could even do it on the number system instead of names and have a "take away" game. Some years we do that and it's a hoot!

 

[HollyJoy]

Why not!?

 

[crz4mm2]

I totally agree and think this is a great idea! I wish my family would do it.

 

[enchantedpixiedust]

I have a big family and (unfortunately) everyone buys multiple gifts for everyone else. Last year we set up an online wish list, everyone could go on and list stuff w/ websites, etc or just put general info like "anything Disney", etc. It worked great - everyone wants to do it again this year. The only bad thing is everyone still had to kind of communicate if someone already bought something, but overall it worked good. I think everyone was more happy that they got stuff they actually wanted/could use.

 

[ElizK]

My family writes "letters to Santa" each year at Thanksgiving. (yes, an actual "Dear Santa", etc...) We then email them to everyone, and have some ideas to choose from for gifts.

The grown-ups have a lot of fun telling how good we've been, and how deserving we are.

 

[binny]

oh I love the Dear Santa letter!!

My kids would be all over that!

Thanks