How Many People Do You Exchange Holiday Gifts With?

[PeterG]

I've been waiting many months to ask this question. Wanted to wait 'til we were close to the holidays...and we certainly are now! The city/town I live in is not that big (about 70,000) and it has just a few small malls for shopping. But the other day, the parking lot of the mall closest to me was packed. We've got over three weeks until Christmas! (By the way, I'm trying to be generic with this thread, so the poll, etc. is meant for any and all holidays/celebrations of this time of year.) The other mall is even more crowded. It's crazy! So many people, buying, buying, buying. So I wanted to do a poll and see what things are like for others. In my family, we stopped exchanging presents somewhere around 15 to 20 years ago. Partly because the extended family was too large and partly because everybody was starting their own familes. We did the "one gift" exchange for a while before that, where everyone's name was put in a hat and everbody picked out one name and then bought a gift for that person. Anyway, I haven't done gift exchanges with anybody for over a decade. So my holiday shopping is always done!! I love it this way. It's much more relaxed when we get together for dinner and it's just about the people. And the food.

So the poll question is, how many people do you exchange gifts with during the holiday season? Anything else you wanna share or talk about is cool as well. Happy holidays!

[Angelskates]

I have mum, step-dad, eldest sister and nephew who I get something "big" (my sister and I are going to see Cirque du Soleil with VIP tickets while I am home, I got my nephew a polaroid camera kit, and have no idea for the other two still!). I buy gifts for my dad and brother-in-law as well. I usually don't buy gifts for friends anymore, the ones in Beijing, we have a party, and the ones home, we catch up for a meal. My closest friends and I have agreed that we don't buy Christmas gifts, and instead we buy things during the year "just because". I like this much better as it takes the pressure off! The major gifts I buy are experiences and usually include me, since I'm only home once a year. Last year I gave my sister a session swimming in the sea with dolphins (and me!) and it was awesome! I went to see 'A Chorus Line' with mum, and went to the movies "first class" with my stepdad.

[DAngel]

0.

I don't celebrate Christmas...

[Buzz]

Not many admittedly but I am fine with that because too much holiday shopping is such a hassle. And I have finished all my shopping already.

[paskatefan]

Just a few in the family for Chanukah.

[vesperholly]

Parents, siblings and their significant others, my nephew, my two cousins and uncle (and my late aunt before she died) as our fams grew up together and are close, my best friend, her husband and their son. I like crafts, so I make small presents for my coworkers. Last year it was ornaments and this year it's going to be candy cane vodka.

My immediate family is going on a cruise in March, so we have all forgone presents this year in order to save for the cruise. Since they are the bulk of my gift-giving, it's been very pleasant to be removed from the rat race.

[BaileyCatts]

As of 2010 .... none. I'm done giving presents. Never really did with anyone but my family anyway, but I'm sick of wasting money on stupid crap little joke presents, which is mostly what we ever did, and getting the like in return. I have too much crap now, even after giving 1/2 of everything I own away to make room in my house for my mom to move in. I don't want any more crap. Bah Humbug.

I take my mom out to dinner at a nice place (and for us, nice place means like Lone Star ), but that's it. I'm done buying presents for my 50 years older siblings. I hate them anyway.

[Japanfan]

1 at most, for Mr. Japanfan. My family doesn't celebrate Christmas really - at least not between us three siblings - and Mr. Japanfan's family decided to stop buying gifts some time ago.

To me it mostly seems a lot of stress and wasted money. Year after year people try to come up with gift ideas and a ton of money is wasted on stuff people don't want. Breadmakers and espresso makers and the like abound at Value Village after Christmas - fortunately for those of us who drink express coffee.

I do like to buy gifts for birthdays or take friend/family member out, but that's enough.

One word of advice: women have way too much hand creme. Is it just me, or is hand creme one of the most overly purchased inexpensive gifts. A friend just gave me some for my recent birthday and I fortunately was able to regift it. I've still got several tubes of hand creme from previous gifts lying around.

[NeilJLeonard]

Just a few in the family for Chanukah.

Much the same. The wife & I get stuff for the grandchildren. That's pretty much it.

NJL (...will have to get one more in 2013...son & DIL are expecting #4 in April/May 2013....one more ticket for our next family trip to WDW & Universal Studios.......)

[Aceon6]

17. 9 on my side, 7 on my husband's side and DH. Of those 18, we do serious shopping for only the youngest kids and each other. Everyone else gets something from their Amazon wish list or a check along with a token gift to open.

[PDilemma]

I clicked on six. But it is really eight. I can't count.

They are my husband, all four of our parents, his sister, my brother, and my nephew. We only spend about $15-20 per person and there is always a lot of communication among everyone about what each person really wants or needs. No stupid joke gifts, no useless crap. My parents and his parents tend to spend a bit more on everyone. And my husband and I spend a bit more on each other.

[Habs]

I buy for Mr. Habs, my mom, dad, brother and Mr. Habs's sister (but I'd rather not buy for her....). Mr. Habs looks after gifts for his parents.

I stopped exchanging gifts with friends a few years ago, or tried to. I have one friend that no matter how often I say we should stop sending gifts, sends me something anyway. Last year I didn't reciprocate (just a thank you), and she actually called to ask if my gift to her had been lost in the mail.

[duane]

My number comes to 10. Dad, stepmom, uncle, two nephews, niece, brother, his girlfriend, and a family friend. The rest of the immediate family and several cousins pull names and you buy that person a $50 - $100 gift.

I end up spending a pretty penny overall.

[TheGirlCanSkate]

I give to my kids, the younger's class teacher(not sure what yet)+coach (letting my daughter pick something out on her OWN this year-I think she will get him a remote control car or helicopter*rolls eyes*)+school office (platter of home baked cookies)+skate office (probably cookies or bagels)+piano teacher (box of See's candy).

[PeterG]

0.

I don't celebrate Christmas...

You're so mean. I used the word "holiday" over and over again and Christmas only once. I tried so hard to be inclusive!!!

[Habs]

You're so mean. I used the word "holiday" over and over again and Christmas only once. I tried so hard to be inclusive!!!

You're so misunderstood and unappreciated. (((PeterG)))

[Rob]

About 25 or so, but a third of the list gets liquor and another third gets toys or gift cards. So the actual thinking/shopping is for about a third of my list.

[aliceanne]

I'll be spending Christmas with a sister and 3 nieces. We are all grown and have jobs so we can pretty much buy ourselves whatever we want. We usually exchange our favorite movies or music for the others to try. Homemade baked goods, homemade CD's, gag gifts, thrift shop finds, or practical stuff like gloves and lotion are the norm. None of us need more stuff in our homes. We prefer stuff we can consume or easily recycle. We do enjoy opening gifts though.

As far as work is concerned we do the White elephant exchange and there is a dollar limit. I could do without it but some of my co-workers really enjoy it and it only involves buying one gift.

I don't exchange gifts with relatives or friends I don't spend Christmas day with, just cards and phone calls.
I do get a gift for my hairdresser because she enjoys it so much, but she is happy with anything.
Everyone I buy gifts for is more than happy with a bottle of wine, so I don't have to wrack my brains unless I want to.

[JasperBoy]

Mother, husband, daughter, 2 grandkids. Oh, dog and cat, too. that's 7. Mr JB and I often get something we both want, often in the electronics line. (Nespresso this year)

The list is short, and I enjoy finding the right thing for the people I love. If I had to shop for great aunt Susan, I would quickly cut her off!

[DarrellH]

Three. My best friend and I exchange, and Mom and Sis.