I am the Grinch-in-law that decided no gifts this year... in September.
Okay, not entirely... I suggested that we just do gifts for the kids this year.
JUST the kids, as in the 6 and under crowd, and only because I think it's fun to get them stuff (I'm not a completely heartless and uncaring killer of Christmas.)
In my e-mail to my sisters-in-law, I cited the outrageous cost of shipping internationally... blah, blah, blah... possible custom charges... blah, blah, blah... ridiculous, ridiculous... So let's just NOT this year (ever again), mmm-kay?
A completely reasonable offer considering we're the ones that moved out of the country and stopped spending Christmas with them since... oh, about 2005.
However, the truth is I REALLY don't want to shop for them anymore. I'm not very good at it and at the risk of sounding totally callous and ungrateful, neither are they.
I don't need another Banana Republic sweater/snowflake dessert platter/seasonal bath salts., and my husband never wants anything that costs less than a mortgage payment.
Instead, he usually get a sweater too, which he will never wear and keep IN the box until the following Christmas when I'm looking to reuse the cardboard...
Likewise, I doubt my brother in-law wants another shirt and tie or his wife, another random silver bracelet and matching earrings, but we're just not close enough to know that about one another.
In fact, we're not close at all, which makes gift buying that much more of a chore and an obligation, instead of finding something that you know they will just cherish and enjoy.
I love Christmas, but giving my in-laws lame gifts just to "check them off my list" totally sucks the joy out of it.
8 comments:
Yes. A thousand times YES!
People just want to be thought of at the holidays. I don't know anyone who needs more crap just to have more crap.
Well-thought-out gifts given with joy are fabulous, but the obligatory gift is such a PITA.
Did they agree!?! I so want my inlaws to do that. I also want to say, "Don't get me anything!" I have no room for the crap.
I am so with you on this. Christmas is not much fun unless you are a kid. I say send cards and be happy.
GIFT CERTIFICATE!! My brother & his wife get one big one to their favorite store. They could give a fark about me or my family, so I make it as impersonal as possible.
I don't blame you at all. I just had the talk with my husband last night and asked him if he thinks we could get his family to agree to no more than ONE gift per child because I'm just so very very sick of STUFF. I'm not holding my breath, but maybe.
I completely agree. I am already stressed about gifts and my lack of money. And I hate those decorating items people give me. Of course, maybe they are trying to tell me something.
Well, from one Grinch to another...I couldn't agree more! Seriously, every year they buy me napkin rings. Really, napkin rings? Do I seem like someone in dire need of napkin rings? The in-laws and I just don't know each other at all.
Here's a hint...go to a running store:O
After reading this post, I am happy to report that you are not alone in your feelings... I did the same thing last year to my entire family and did not even have to move out of the country to do it... Bah humbug? I think not. Initially, it was not a welcomed idea, but after Christmas came and went, the sil that was completely against the idea actually admitted that she could not believe how much it helped them out. I had a lot less crap to get rid of and feel guilty about.. I think it is the responsible thing to do... So much easier, too!
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