Re: How Do You Feel About Gifts These Days?

AngelPuppy1 · ‎03-13-2010

A lot of truth to what was written by OP. I don't get gifts from many people these days, but I feel pretty much the same way. I have a very small house and I have plenty of "stuff". If I want something, I have a certain idea of what I want and then I will get it. If anybody wants to get me something, I'd prefer a gift card. Some people say - that's not personal - it is for me! I get exactly what I want and I'm very happy about it!

"A day without sunshine is like, you know, night." - Steve Martin

KailaS · ‎03-09-2010

Like many others, I no longer want or need anything that someone might buy me. I need an occasional ride to an appointment much more that I need a candle which I cannot burn. I need help buying groceries rather than a decoration for which I have no space.

I no longer after this year will give gifts to my few living relatives. The gifts will be replaced by a gift card or cash. I still have one long time friend, on the other side of the Commonwealth, who loves to send and receive gifts. She is well off, complains about having too much, but still refuses to give up exchanging physical gifts. I hope soon to convince her to stop the practice.

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

@KailaS wrote:
Like many others, I no longer want or need anything that someone might buy me. I need an occasional ride to an appointment much more that I need a candle which I cannot burn. I need help buying groceries rather than a decoration for which I have no space.

I no longer after this year will give gifts to my few living relatives. The gifts will be replaced by a gift card or cash. I still have one long time friend, on the other side of the Commonwealth, who loves to send and receive gifts. She is well off, complains about having too much, but still refuses to give up exchanging physical gifts. I hope soon to convince her to stop the practice.

@KailaS From personal experience, I will say there is a good chance that the gift she gives you is really the gift she gives herself. And she will not stop. I'd give her a card and a small gift card and say this is what I am doing now, so I would rather not exchange, but this is what I'm doing.

Then she will probably give you more gifts but let it go and don't worry about it. You can't deal with those people that are going to give you a gift no matter what and that's that.

I had a relative that would ask what you wanted for Christmas and then say "That's not what I want to get you!" Honest!!!! That's what she'd say and you would have to think of something else--and it was NOT about money with her. She might get you something MORE expensive than your first choice.

chrystaltree · ‎05-10-2010

In other words, you don't like gifts. There's nothing wrong with that. The older we get, the more stuff we have. You can make that known to friends and family in a loving way without sounding so bitter. Im in my mid 60s. Retired. I buy whatever I want so I don't need anything but I love receiving gifts. Somes I love the thing but sometimes I just love that someone cared enough about me to give me something they thought I would enjoy. The feelings behind the gift are what matter. If a gift misses the mark, so what? I regift, donate, return or exchange. My in-laws are nearly 90. They let us know years ago, that they prefer food items for gifts. They live in rural northern Maine and dont go out much in the dead of winter. They garden and can. We send them meat and meals from Omaha Steaks as gifts. I also send specialty foods from QVC. Things I know they can't get locally. They have some big freezers. We were very thankful that they told us this.

Marsha2003 · ‎03-12-2010

I can relate to so many sentiments expressed here. Years ago, I started sending a VPH wreath to each family on my gift list. They can enjoy them for the holiday and then recycle them in the green waste bin. I understand that people have all kinds of dietary and decorating preferences. I would never be able to keep up with those, so the wreath is an easy choice. I have no expectation of receiving anything in return.

As many of you said, I am in the time of my life that I am getting rid of things. I much prefer spending time and/or sharing a meal with friends and certain family members rather than exchanging gifts.

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

@chrystaltree wrote:
In other words, you don't like gifts. There's nothing wrong with that. The older we get, the more stuff we have. You can make that known to friends and family in a loving way without sounding so bitter. Im in my mid 60s. Retired. I buy whatever I want so I don't need anything but I love receiving gifts. Somes I love the thing but sometimes I just love that someone cared enough about me to give me something they thought I would enjoy. The feelings behind the gift are what matter. If a gift misses the mark, so what? I regift, donate, return or exchange. My in-laws are nearly 90. They let us know years ago, that they prefer food items for gifts. They live in rural northern Maine and dont go out much in the dead of winter. They garden and can. We send them meat and meals from Omaha Steaks as gifts. I also send specialty foods from QVC. Things I know they can't get locally. They have some big freezers. We were very thankful that they told us this.

@chrystaltree I don't enjoy having people spend money on things that are a burden to me to either find a place for or have no use for and feel guilty getting rid of. I don't count that as "don't like" exactly. . .