I hate obligatory gifting!!!!

Charlie003
Charlie003 Posts: 1,333 Member
in Chit-Chat
I know, you will say, do not do it if you do not want to. That's nice in theory. But, if you know someone is going to buy you presents, you need to reciprocate or look like an *kitten*.

"Thank you for this completely unwanted and useless token gift....here, I got you an equally useless and token gift too............ummmmmm................well, at least we have something to regift for next year..........yup........want a beer.....yep.....

Beer is the best best gift, helps you through he holidays.

Do you get stuck with obligatory gifts, or do you say screw it,
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Replies

  • sedwards9999
    sedwards9999 Posts: 160 Member
    Best solution for guys is to get married. Then you only have one person to get for. :laugh:
  • Charlie003
    Charlie003 Posts: 1,333 Member
    Best solution for guys is to get married. Then you only have one person to get for. :laugh:

    No dude, that is when the problems occur. You never gift your bros. It is the wives that try to civilize you. Plus they always gift their friend, which now comes out of your pocket.
  • belladonna786
    belladonna786 Posts: 1,165 Member
    Luckily my husband has no shame, he will just come out and say we're not getting you anything.
  • sedwards9999
    sedwards9999 Posts: 160 Member
    It's a trade off...you hand over the money and watch football while she happily goes to the mall. Win-Win!
  • bombedpop
    bombedpop Posts: 2,225 Member
    Give the gift of a charitable donation and ask others to do the same for you. Problem solved.
  • DebraYvonne
    DebraYvonne Posts: 632 Member
    I just bake & gift -- no obligation. I don't buy any presents for friends at all! No guilt either. I didn't know guys even bought each other gifts. My bosses and I made a pact not to exchange gifts 6 years ago so I'm cool there too!!
  • JamieSK
    JamieSK Posts: 266 Member
    Luckily my husband has no shame, he will just come out and say we're not getting you anything.

    I like this....straight and to the point. :happy:

    The only gifts I give are cookies I've made...70 dozen of which about 67 dozen have been shipped out so far...
  • secretlobster
    secretlobster Posts: 3,566 Member
    Give them the $10 Starbucks gift card you got last year from someone in a similar situation but never used because you think Starbucks coffee tastes burnt
  • katscoots
    katscoots Posts: 255 Member
    It's a trade off...you hand over the money and watch football while she happily goes to the mall. Win-Win!

    SMART MAN
  • cbrrabbit25
    cbrrabbit25 Posts: 384 Member
    I HATE christmas for this reason! i dont need or want any gifts. if i want something, i will buy it for myself. If someone is buying you a gift, you feel obligated to buy one for them when all you really should do is buy what you want for yourselves so that you actually get something you want! Also, the work grab bag is stupid and buying a group gift for bosses and someone tells you that you need to give a certain amount of money for it. I would rather buy something on sale and make it LOOK like i spent a lot more on it than i really did! Ok, thats my rant. thanks for the topic :-)
  • Pedal_Pusher
    Pedal_Pusher Posts: 1,166 Member
    Give them a 5 hour energy
  • Molly_Maguire
    Molly_Maguire Posts: 1,103 Member
    I think you just answered your own question! Give them a sixer of seasonal craft beer as their gift. Not only will it actually be appreciated and put to use, but there's also a good chance they'll share with you.
  • neverstray
    neverstray Posts: 3,845 Member
    I just tell people that the only people I buy gifts for are kids. If you're over 18, you are not getting a gift. It only takes a few years before everyone around you realizes that you mean it.

    Yeah, and guys don't buy each other gifts. That's awkward and so lame.
  • sedwards9999
    sedwards9999 Posts: 160 Member
    If it were up to me, I would only get gifts for kids. Adults can get a job and buy their own crap.
  • JustJennie1
    JustJennie1 Posts: 3,749 Member
    I don't get stuck with obligatory gifting however I would be that *kitten* who buys something for someone because I just LOVE buying things for people period. I'll buy stuff for people when I'm on vacation just because. I am really good at picking out things that I know someone will like and I take great pleasure in buying stuff for others. :blushing:
  • sullus
    sullus Posts: 2,839 Member
    I always get a case of OK, but not great, wine and a bunch of gift bags, and leave them under the tree. If we hit the situation where someone has a gift for us, but we didn't plan for them .. no problem. And hey, if there's any left over ... bonus.
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    I think I have been here too long, I read the title as: I hate obligatory Lifting
  • fattypattybinger
    fattypattybinger Posts: 337
    Not exactly true. My hubby would prefer to do the shopping so I don't buy more. I will watch the football. We both come up with a list and try to stick to the budget. We pay cash and only spend what we budget. No big credit card bills for us.
  • CincinnatiDEIFan
    CincinnatiDEIFan Posts: 188 Member
    I buy for my husband and kids. That is IT.

    Can I stay home from the mall and watch football with you guys instead PLEASE?

    edited to add: You will NOT have to explain a thing, I understand sports..thanks.
  • msaestein1
    msaestein1 Posts: 264 Member
    If it were up to me, I would only get gifts for kids. Adults can get a job and buy their own crap.

    This is how we do it in our family: kids and my parents ONLY!
  • AmberLee2012
    AmberLee2012 Posts: 540
    I don't like it either. My husband and I do not have any children, though we end up buying for his 5 nieces and nephews (two of which are step) and spending about $120.00. I'm thinking about skipping that next year. The kids won't miss it and it will save us a lot of money. Both famalies are well off while we struggle here and there with our bills. Even my husband's mother says the kids don't need anything, but we keep buying.
  • Molly_Maguire
    Molly_Maguire Posts: 1,103 Member
    I don't get stuck with obligatory gifting however I would be that *kitten* who buys something for someone because I just LOVE buying things for people period. I'll buy stuff for people when I'm on vacation just because. I am really good at picking out things that I know someone will like and I take great pleasure in buying stuff for others. :blushing:

    I have some pleasure for ya: I'd like a par of suede fringe moccasin boots and some yellow 1 carat Swarovski crystal stud earrings, please. :tongue:
  • AmberLee2012
    AmberLee2012 Posts: 540
    I think I have been here too long, I read the title as: I hate obligatory Lifting

    Me too LOL!
  • sillygoosie
    sillygoosie Posts: 1,109 Member
    I don't feel obligated to get anyone anything. The whole point of giving gifts is to see something you know someone would love and you feel they must have it. Besides, I'm poor and I'm not going to rack up credit card debt just to buy people crap they don't want and don't care about.

    The best thing about this Christmas is that my parents and I decided we either had to make each other gifts or find things at thrift stores. Turns out that they will be getting the coolest gift ever this year, handmade by me!
  • superpapa16
    superpapa16 Posts: 244 Member
    I just tell people that the only people I buy gifts for are kids. If you're over 18, you are not getting a gift. It only takes a few years before everyone around you realizes that you mean it.

    Yeah, and guys don't buy each other gifts. That's awkward and so lame.

    ^ This. My wife and I aren't even doing gifts for each other this year.
  • crimsoncat
    crimsoncat Posts: 457 Member
    I always bake for obligatory gifts. It's cheaper and I have yet to have someone turn down my cookies.
  • aliciagetshealthy
    aliciagetshealthy Posts: 946 Member
    aaaannnnndddd this is why I hate Christmas!

    Or used to. I have become annoyingly verbal in my disdain for the ridiculous financial waste and stressful atmosphere the whole "holiday" season created. My kids are adults, and apparently becoming responsible for your own finances has brought them around to my way of thinking. We draw names with a $50 cap. The only other presents bought are for small children - period! If I need something, chances are I've already bought it for myself...I don't WANT any other stuff, just for the sake of stuff! This year is the first time in a really, really, really long time that I've had zero holiday related stress. Shopping took about 30 minutes, and wrapping, even less. What this did was give me time to "enjoy" the season...the lights; the smells; the excitement of small children waiting in anticipation for the big day; all the silly holiday movies...the people who matter, not the stuff.
  • Charlie003
    Charlie003 Posts: 1,333 Member
    I think i spend about $200.00 in unwanted spending each x-mas. Present for teachers, daycare, 3 of my wifes friends. And one dog variety pack. I do not mind spending $25.00 on the dog for my friend because they always buy my kids expensive things. They are well to do. Their dog is like their child. They cook it meals. I always need to be careful what I say around them because they are too generous and have been taken advantage of alot. If they hear me say that I am looking to get something, it ends up on my door step ( not literally) they bring it in. So when they ask me what I want from santa clause, I say nothing.
  • SadieToughLady
    SadieToughLady Posts: 44
    I hate it too. Life is too short to do stuff you don't want to do and don't have to do. I don't give gifts to people just because. You should give someone a gift because you want to and not because you feel like you have to. Just accept their gift graciously and that is all. If they are only buying you gifts because they feel like they have to then they will stop when you don't reciprocate. End the cycle! LOL
  • sullus
    sullus Posts: 2,839 Member
    I just tell people that the only people I buy gifts for are kids. If you're over 18, you are not getting a gift. It only takes a few years before everyone around you realizes that you mean it.

    Yeah, and guys don't buy each other gifts. That's awkward and so lame.

    I give 1 guy a gift. He was my best man and is my son's godfather. I get him a nice bottle of single-malt every christmas. But the gift card DOES say "From: [My son]"

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