My family has decided because there are too many of us and two of us (me & my wife and my sister-in-law) are expecting, we're going to drop our limit to $100 per person for adults. That way we can concentrate on the kids (which is fine with me). We're supposed to come up with $20 gift ideas five times. They'll all be thrown in a hat and picked from.
Our family did that as well, but later, progressed to another step. We no longer buy any presents for adults, because either you bought the wrong size, the wrong colour, the wrong thing, and then they had to take it back, and they can buy what they want anyway, so we said forget it. The kids we still buy for and I'll tell you what it did for me. It allowed me to truly enjoy the Christmas season - the music, the pageantry, sights and sounds.
There was no more last-minute stressful shopping, rushing from this store to that, worried about depleting the bank account, etc. etc. My wife and I are separated for the last 28 years, but we've been going out together for the last 23 - this is in aid of understanding the following: She buys all the presents for the grandchildren, tells me how much it is and I give her my share - problems solved!
She enjoys shopping, I do not (outdoorsy stuff excepted). I drive her to the mall, maybe go home, she phones me when she's finished and I go pick her up. PERFECT SOLUTION!
The family gets together for supper, etc. and we share our time together, not the lastest commercial offerings. And, of course, when we go someplace for supper, we take some flowers, wine, etc. BUT THERE IS NO MORE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING FOR ME! HOORAY! :thumbup:
Sorry if this didn't help you, but it might............
Doc
