As I got the first of my Christmas packages shipped yesterday, I was feeling rather proud of myself. I only had one or two gifts left to buy. The rest were under my tree, wrapped and sparkling with Christmas cheer... or so I thought.
I thought that quitting my job meant never having to buy another "coworker gift" for the rest of my life. I was wrong. It turns out I have another kind of co-worker these days...
My playgroup mommies.
As I was informed last night that the precedent was set (long before I joined) that our playgroup gets each other Christmas gifts. For the kids AND the mommies...
There are (officially) six boys in our playgroup, including my son. However, there are two older brothers who are always with us and undeniably part of the group as well. That's SEVEN additional gifts, plus five mommy gifts to purchase. Although I consider these ladies to be good friends (and more importantly, awesome travel companions) and love their kids like my own, that's more additional dinero (plus time shopping) than I'm wanting to spend...
I know I shouldn't feel obligated to give a gift, but then again, I kinda do. Do you think I can get away with being the one that sends the lovely and prompt thank you cards?
I thought that quitting my job meant never having to buy another "coworker gift" for the rest of my life. I was wrong. It turns out I have another kind of co-worker these days...My playgroup mommies.
As I was informed last night that the precedent was set (long before I joined) that our playgroup gets each other Christmas gifts. For the kids AND the mommies...
There are (officially) six boys in our playgroup, including my son. However, there are two older brothers who are always with us and undeniably part of the group as well. That's SEVEN additional gifts, plus five mommy gifts to purchase. Although I consider these ladies to be good friends (and more importantly, awesome travel companions) and love their kids like my own, that's more additional dinero (plus time shopping) than I'm wanting to spend...
I know I shouldn't feel obligated to give a gift, but then again, I kinda do. Do you think I can get away with being the one that sends the lovely and prompt thank you cards?
10 comments:
That sucks! How about going to the Oxfam site, buy a goat on behalf of the whole group.
No shopping and someone else benefits and *snigger* you become the cool Angelina Jolie mummy!
Kelley
http://magnetoboldtoo.wordpress.com
That's totally inappropriate.
That's outrageous! Are you sure they ALL want to do this? Or is there an "alphamom" that's bullying everybody? Maybe you could be the champion of the moms-who-think-this-is-outrageous?
-HH
Oh, good grief! Is there any bigger Christmas buzz kill than the "obligation" gift?
Whoa, that's insane! Is it too late to suggest a secret santa kind of deal? Or I like Kelley's idea too.
That is just a total bummer. You so don't want to be the only one not buying gifts, but that is a ton of shopping!
Yep, always a gift exchange wherever people assimiliate together. I'm sure the thought behind it is sincere, but it does get to be too much...
Could you suggest doing a 'secret santa'? Or all just bring a kid gift and a mum gift, place in a basket and run a lucky dip??
It seems a little harsh to expect people to buy gifts for everybody else.....The secret santa idea from Sasha sounds like a good idea.
wow....what a mess! I wold see about the secret Santa thing, and you could focus on the fact that you are trying to go with the "less is more" philosophy this year, and having your child receive 5 additional presents isn't going to help. That way you are really saying YOU want less presents, not that you want to GIVE less presents. good luck with that!
Post a Comment