Post # 1
Member
403 posts
Helper bee
Christmas has become such a struggle. Not only do I have to worry about buying gifts for all my family members (they all buy for me), but now it’s resorted to my co-workers giving me gifts, aquaintances giving me things, and a whole load of people who I never intended on getting them anything because we’re not that close.
While it’s nice receiving things, now I feel obligated to get them something back. I already have a TON of people (boyfriend, his parents, brother, aunt, my parents, manager, etc) to buy for… it just takes the fun out of the season because you’re so stressed worrying about how you’ll look if you don’t get these random people something back. Anyone else get this?
I can’t wait for January 
Post # 3
Member
687 posts
Busy bee
@westcoast_girl: I feel you. What about baking a whole bunch of cookies and making little christmas tins?
Post # 4
Member
403 posts
Helper bee
@mrsalexander:
That is a great idea…I made a big batch of different kinds for my aunts and uncles and am going to wrap them nicely. But it’s more the unexpected gifts that catch you off guard. Like my boss got me something and I didnt think she would, so at lunch I RAN home, and quickly wrapped a box of Godiva chocolates and scribbled in a card.
Today, I have to make a dash to Starbucks to get a giftcard for a coworker who just got me something.. I can’t receive and not give back, ya know?
And the CONSTANT things left on my desk by the girls who sit next to me… chocolate, cookies, goodies… bah!
Post # 5
Member
714 posts
Busy bee
i just make a variety of baked goods and little treats. i fix them up and make them all festive and give those out. i hope a lot of these people aren’t expecting gifts back just because they gave you something!
Post # 6
Member
403 posts
Helper bee
@omglauren:
I’d turn into a one-woman baking factory if I had to give everyone cookies (with all the butter and ingredients, they really add up too) 
I don’t think they expect anything, but I just feel rude if I don’t. Its just really annoying, cuz I’m scrambling to get Christmas ready for my family and am constantly getting sidetracked by having to run to the store and buy things for these people lol.
Post # 7
Member
244 posts
Helper bee
Tell me about it! FI and I agreed to only buy two items, plus usual toiletries/chocolate for stockings. He’s bought me three EXPENSIVE items, plus toiletries, some of which are the same price as the big presents.
It’s amazing of him to buy me lovely things, but I can’t afford to buy too much – that’s why we set a limit in the first place. Really worried that on Christmas morning he’s going to be super disappointed! 🙁
Post # 8
Member
3341 posts
Sugar bee
- Wedding: April 2013 - Rhode Island
@westcoast_girl: I feel the EXACT same way! I hate how commercialized Christmas is. I don’t want anything, and I hate feeling obligated to buy gifts for people that they will mostly not need or want.
Post # 9
Member
403 posts
Helper bee
@Christy42213:
I wish we could all call a truce and not have to worry. I don’t need or want anything either, cuz if I do, I would just buy it for myself. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE buying things for my parents and boyfriend and loved ones… but I’d like to draw the line there.
I think I should pull a “4 Christmases” and go on a holiday every year lol. That was such a funny movie!!
Post # 10
Member
1214 posts
Bumble bee
I buy gifts for whoever I feel I have a “gifting” relationship with (close team members, boss, select friends, etc). I also give greeting cards to others in my office. If I get gifts from anyone else, I just graciously accept (especially because they are always small <$5).
I like to give gifts, and I have never been offended if someone didn’t get me something “in return”. In my mind, I like to think it goes both ways?
Post # 11
Member
875 posts
Busy bee
@westcoast_girl: OMG! I JUST thought the same thing this morning and I even was trying to gauge who would be the most upset at me if I dared try to “go help vaccinate poor kids in some third world country”…lol
Post # 12
Member
875 posts
Busy bee
@Christy42213: Same here… Have you ever watched The Big Bang Theory and heard Sheldon’s theory on gift giving or seen the episode where he bought about 20 different sized gift baskets for Penny in varying denominations to have on hand so he could see which one he needed to give her to be “even”…??? I feel like that!
Post # 13
Member
3341 posts
Sugar bee
- Wedding: April 2013 - Rhode Island
@westcoast_girl: Exactly! If I really need something, I go buy it. So there’s really nothing I need or want to ask other people for. The only thing I can even think of that I want right now is a glass display case that’s over $1000. If I could find a cheaper one, I’d buy that instead. I’ve done a lot of research and it’s the only one I can find that has the right dimensions I need. If everyone gave me money towards the display case, I could actually get what I want for Xmas. Instead, everyone is going to go out and buy me a bunch of stuff I don’t like that I’ll end up giving to charity, which is what happens every year. Plus, I don’t wait for holidays to give people gifts. If I find something they would really like, I buy it and give it to them. I don’t see the point in waiting months for Christmas to come around. I hate feeling obligated to buy things just because society says to.
@Billsgirl: And then he gave them all to her, LOL! Yeah, that was a funny episode.
Post # 14
Member
403 posts
Helper bee
@Billsgirl:
LOL…totally… and when I get these unwanted gifts by surprise, I buy something of the same value.
Or re-gift something someone else gave me! Gift swap!
Post # 15
Member
3028 posts
Sugar bee
- Wedding: July 2014 - Prague
I totally feel you. And I hate to say it, but I’ve stopped feeling so guilty. I give who I give to and don’t sweat the others.
If people giving me gifts *expect* something back, I’m sorry.
Post # 16
Hostess
8584 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
My family doesn’t really exchange gifts anymore. I bought for my mom & her husband, fi, my brother & his fiance, and my niece [whom got the most presents of all].
Normally I get smaller type gifts like those holiday tea or coffee gift sets, and in return make or bake something for the gifter [my co workers are very fond of my peanut butter fudge, which really isn’t all that expensive to make]
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