by Bronwyn Jameson
My family has decided to try a no-gift Christmas this year and the concept didn't sit comfortably for a while. I confess: I do like to shop and shopping at Christmas is a special delight. I love the store displays, the decorations, choosing the gift-wrapping, even the challenge of finding the perfect gift for those I love.
I admit that this "perfect gift" for my very grown-up and citified sons has become increasingly difficult and, okay, expensive to find. Last year our youngest mooted the idea of a gift-free Christmas but I couldn't pull it off. We knew it would be Mum's last Christmas and the extended family all came home, even my brother for the first time in yonks. There were many small people (Mum's great-grands) and how could there not be gifts under the tree?
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This year will be a quite different Christmas. Our eldest is moving to London after New Years and is in the midst of decluttering and packing. The youngest is focussed on moving in the New Year. I've just finished packing up Mum's house and the process has inspired me to declutter. I admit that I am something of a pack-rat but how did I manage to accumulate so much unnecessary stuff?
When the first "So, Mum, what do you want for Christmas?" call came through I was in the mood to reply, "Honestly? I don't need anything." Which isn't quite the truth. What I need is my family around me, loads of laughter, long meals and comfortable conversations. I need time to reflect, to remind myself of the true meaning of Christmas, and if I feel compelled to shop, then it should be for those who truly need a gift this Christmas. There are many charities who will help with this.
In the end, my sons and I are content with our decision not to gift each other. I can only hope that my husband will not go renegade on Christmas Eve, as is his way, and spoil the experiment. I will let you know how that goes.
Have you tried a gift-free Christmas? Did you -- or would you -- miss the pile of presents under the tree Christmas morning? Or do you believe the true gift of Christmas is found somewhere else?
Never tried it, Bron but it sounds like a really great idea. Definitely something to try when my kids are a bit older. I like the idea of all of us making a donation to charity one year and just getting together on the day to spend time together - to eat, drink and be merry without focusing on gifts.
ReplyDeleteThat's the aim, Amy, but my guys are a bit older than yours. We'll see how it goes.
DeleteBron, what a great idea. The closest we've come is giving donations to charities as gifts to relatives. Don''t you just love the idea of giving a brother in law a card with a photo of a toilet on the front saying the money donated for his gift has contributed to a waste disposal system somewhere?
ReplyDeleteLove it, Annie!!! We have a very large family, both sides, and so dropped the gifting to everyone many moons ago. Now we do a Kris Kringle, bring one gift, and it's a lot of fun -- somehow the guys turn it into a competitive event. "See who we can lumber with the worst joke gift of the night." the
DeleteWe're going gift free for extended family this year. It has just become too difficult to buy a meaningful gift for everyone anymore. I discussed, last night, with hubby about using some of that money we would normally spend and buying up a whole bunch of toys and donating them to the Salvation Army, or making a hefty donation to some other worthy cause that especially assists families in need over the Christmas season. Which reminds me, I must give the SA a call about what would be the best option to take.
ReplyDeleteThat's a grand idea, Yvonne, and what I'm intending as well. It's on my to-do list for tomorrow!
DeleteHmmm, interesting experiment Bron. As my kids and nieces and nephews on still on the smaller side, we are probably in for a few more years of mass present buying, but I have to say, I like the idea!
ReplyDeleteSomething for the future. If we are blessed with grands in the years ahead, then I'll the first in line at the toy department again!
DeleteHi Bronwyn
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like such a great idea and I would lean to this but at the moment I have 7 grandkids that age from 9 down to 1 and yep we need presents but I am pushing for the adults to go present free in this day and age I think that if you want something people just go and buy things nowadays and as you say there are lots of charities out there that you can gift to and I love the idea of spending that special time with loved ones :)
Have Fun
Helen
And yes let us know how it all turned out
I've just replied to Jennifer that this is the ideal time for us to try, before any grands (if we're so blessed) happen along. Then all best are off!
DeleteThis is a great idea, Bron. I'm going semi-present free this year - we decided not to ship a bunch of presents back home because it costs so much in shipping fees but we're doing a small present exchange between my husband, roommate and I. We each buy the other two people a small gift plus we can buy a small treat for ourselves which we put under the tree as well. Give us something to open on the day, but there's a reasonable price cap so it keeps spending to a minimum. It's a good compromise for us!
ReplyDeleteAn excellent compromise, Stefanie. We do a similar thing with my husband's big family: he is one of seven and when you add in their kids and now grandkids it is quite the crowd. So we buy one gift each, with a maximum price limit, and there's a draw and swapping and all kinds of mayhem and fun.
DeleteI think this is a lovely idea, Bron. We do present-free with one side of the family and it means the focus is on the getting together and a lovely meal. For some reason that feels so much more festive to me. :-) Wishing you and yours a fabulous Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI've given my boys the go-ahead to bring home any delicacies they may wish for the festive feast. I'm looking forward to that part!
DeleteNo, not gift free though I can see the merits. Sometimes my husband and I have agreed on a joint present and then forget to buy it. But this year we have grandkids, 3 years old and four months old, coming to stay and there's no way they're not getting presents. Totally agree that just having the family there is the best present.
ReplyDeleteShopping the the grandkids must be such fun, Sue. I keep seeing fab things and sending links to my sisters who have grands. I'm sure they're sick of me!
DeleteBron, I like this. We're doing a $10 limit this year, so a bit of a compromise, because you're right - we already have enough stuff.
ReplyDeleteThe other thing I like to do at Chrismtas is presents via charities. I know I could just give a donation, but, like you, I quite enjoy the shopping and finding the perfect thing. This year we're doing the handbags for Share The Dignity's It's In The Bag drive. http://www.sharethedignity.com.au/its-in-the-bag.html
In the past we've done presents for dogs in the shelters, and the packages of goodies for kids in other countries. Maybe something to satisfy your Christmas shopping urges in future years if your no-gift plan this year works.
I LOVE this Rachel. We don't have a collection point locally, but if I get my bag of goodies in the mail tomorrow it *should* make the Dec 11 deadline. Thank you! I'm going to have such fun choosing the contents!
ReplyDeleteWe've done gift-free Christmases for quite a while now, Bron. It was a bit odd to start with but now it's actually lovely and stress free. No more settling on something in desperation because I can't think of anything better. It started with my family because we realised we were sometimes spending nearly as much on postage as on the present itself.
ReplyDelete