Christmas Pressure anyone?

[true55]

Anyone besides myself feel like you're under a tremendous amount of pressure to "GET" the right things for people this time of year ?
Why can't Christmas be celebrated for what it really is instead of what it has become??????

 

[herodotus6]

Nope. I take the route that if they don't like what they get, there's 364 other days I don't give them a damn thing, this one has just become another one of those days.

 

[UnfrozenCatfanLawyer]

TIME TO PUT THE 'JESUS' BACK IN 'CHRISTMAS' WHOSE WITH ME???????????????

 

[UKGrad93]

In recent years, the only gifts that I have cared about getting right was buying one of those angel tree gifts for some kid with cancer. She wanted a soft hat to wear. I never knew if the kid liked what I picked out.

Buying those gifts mean more to me for some reason. With my family, if they don't like it, it doesn't fit or whatever, we can exchange it.

 

[sg24_]

There is no pressure. Like Jason said, we ask our kids what they want and get them that as best we can. My kids generally know what they get already. If they are not happy, then they should have picked differently.

 

[domino79]

Why would anyone feel pressure on Jesus's birthday?

Let go and let God.

 

[krazykats]

No. the only thing I had to get was and Xbox 1 and I have it already.

The rest will come at some point around December 23/24 per usual.

 

[Ron Mehico]

I get my wife something nice every year and don't really give a **** about anyone else, so no.

 

[H. Lecter]

My wife buys everything. I buy a few things for her. This year it was a finish nailer and an extension ladder. She's gonna be so surprised

 

[morgousky]

The female handles female ****. Like shopping and buying **** for everyone. Just put my name on the bow and let it go.

I expect the same every year. Autograph from the pops. Ammo and guns from everyone else.

 

[YourPublicEnemy]

No, because it's 2016 and not 1950 and people actively tell you what you want and then you go and get it. Unless it's a kid, there's no "surprise" in it.

My parents and I have always done this. We would make a list of stuff we liked (didn't expect the whole list or anything, basically just a variety of things) and they would make a selection. Now my wife and I do this as well.

My mother in-law thinks this is "tacky" or makes it appear you're entitled. I disagree. It's just better than you wildly guessing what people might like and wasting your money.

Seriously, send a link of five or six things you like and I'll pick one or two to get. Which ones I get are "the surprise."

 

[YourPublicEnemy]

I get my wife something nice every year and don't really give a **** about anyone else, so no.

My list has decreased as well. Now it's

My wife and I's parents
Kids (even though the grandparents buy so much for them so we don't stress)
Each other

No one else makes the cut anymore. I used to buy my brother something cool every year but after so many years of my brother putting forth zero effort in getting any decent gift and would wait until Dec. 23 or 24th to buy a generic Nike sweatshirt, I simply said eff it. No more wasting my time.

 

[TortElvisII]

I want pop tarts for Christmas.

 

[UKGrad93]

My list has decreased as well. Now it's

My wife and I's parents
Kids (even though the grandparents buy so much for them so we don't stress)
Each other

No one else makes the cut anymore. I used to buy my brother something cool every year but after so many years of my brother putting forth zero effort in getting any decent gift and would wait until Dec. 23 or 24th to buy a generic Nike sweatshirt, I simply said eff it. No more wasting my time.

My list is similar. Although, I would consider a Nike sweatshirt to be a decent gift.

 

[We-Todd-Did]

TIME TO PUT THE 'JESUS' BACK IN 'CHRISTMAS' WHOSE WITH ME???????????????

According to my in-laws that will get you jail time.

The war is real. Stay safe.

 

[RacerX.ksr]

There is no pressure. Like Jason said, we ask our kids what they want and get them that as best we can. My kids generally know what they get already. If they are not happy, then they should have picked differently.

I'm assuming your children are under 18. If so, they can't be held legally responsible for picking you.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

This is no lie:

• 3 December weddings (one I'm in and have a huge part during the ceremony and reception).
• 5 December Birthdays.
• My 30th birthday is on NYE. Throwing a giant open bar party at a local bar for friends and family.
• Only child, so I have to solely shop for Mom, Dad, Uncle with no family, step mom, step grand parents, two little half brothers. I buy, on average, 4-5 gifts for each member.
  
• 4 secret santas (office, friends, family)
• Busiest time of year working in Ecommerce.
• Skiing (so I don't kill people) for roughly $65-70 a lift ticket/day.

About to start selling my body. Is there a Paddock thread for prostitution? Mods would probably want a 40% cut, thieving bastards.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I'm kind of in the quiet before the storm.. A lot of the shopping, wedding, office crap is out of the way.. but still have the big wedding and finalizing NYE details..

Bourbon also helps hahaha.

Aso, this is not normal. While the birthdays stay the same.. the fact that it's 3 weddings and a 30th... perfect storm. It should never be this busy again.. well, at least until friends and family start dying..

 

[TriangleUKCat]

Sorry you are a tremendous poor, OP

 

[AustinTXCat]

(to the tune of :"Jingle Bells")

Christmas bills, Christmas bills
Piled on the floor.
Everyday the mailman came and brought a dozen more.

Oh......

Christmas bills, Christmas bills
Making me lament
I've got my back against the wall
From all those gifts I sent

Writing out the checks
All in great amounts
Sending them today
Knowing they will bounce!
Bill collectors come
Notify my boss
Now they've got my salary
My life's a total loss!

Christmas bills, Christmas bills
Piled on the floor.
Everyday the mailman came and brought a dozen more.

 

[ukalumni00]

This is no lie:

• 3 December weddings (one I'm in and have a huge part during the ceremony and reception).
• 5 December Birthdays.
• My 30th birthday is on NYE. Throwing a giant open bar party at a local bar for friends and family.
• Only child, so I have to solely shop for Mom, Dad, Uncle with no family, step mom, step grand parents, two little half brothers. I buy, on average, 4-5 gifts for each member.
  
• 4 secret santas (office, friends, family)
• Busiest time of year working in Ecommerce.
• Skiing (so I don't kill people) for roughly $65-70 a lift ticket/day.

About to start selling my body. Is there a Paddock thread for prostitution? Mods would probably want a 40% cut, thieving bastards.

Got sick and tired of all the birthdays, Christmas gifts, etc. Told everyone I am donating to a charity and being done with it. All I ever buy is useless toys or junk the kids/adults do not appreciate after a few days and would rather give to kids who will not get anything and will appreciate it much much more.

 

[sg24_]

I'm assuming your children are under 18. If so, they can't be held legally responsible for picking you.

There is that, but for them, they just have to play the cards they are dealt.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

What kids get these days is insane. I don't even think my brothers (2 and 4) have even touched the last 3-4 gifts I got them. I'd rather just put money aside for their college fund or something.

 

[UpstateNYCat]

Other than parents, adults buying other adults actual gifts is just stupid. We ship out locally made candy to our family members and that's it. No sweat, no stress. My wife and I don't even exchange gifts anymore, anything we want we buy ourselves throughout the year. Same goes for birthdays, anniversaries, any other holiday BS there is.

 

[UKGrad93]

This is no lie:

• 3 December weddings (one I'm in and have a huge part during the ceremony and reception).
• 5 December Birthdays.
• My 30th birthday is on NYE. Throwing a giant open bar party at a local bar for friends and family.
• Only child, so I have to solely shop for Mom, Dad, Uncle with no family, step mom, step grand parents, two little half brothers. I buy, on average, 4-5 gifts for each member.
  
• 4 secret santas (office, friends, family)
• Busiest time of year working in Ecommerce.
• Skiing (so I don't kill people) for roughly $65-70 a lift ticket/day.

About to start selling my body. Is there a Paddock thread for prostitution? Mods would probably want a 40% cut, thieving bastards.

• Weddings - you know your budget & I assume the parties are registered/done
• Birthdays = go by age: <10 (toy), 10-20 (money), >20 (card)
• Parents, Grandparents & up = 1 gift each (most don't need anything)
• Secret Santa = didn't know you are a lady

In short, you are busy because you have made yourself busy. At one time, my list was much longer. It has shortened over the years (a few deaths). Its not that I don't care, but looking back, there was a lot of money & time wasted on stuff rather than experiences.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

It's actually not the money so much.. just the grind of it. Every night is something.. be it an office event, a wedding, a birthday.. tonight is my brothers Hanukkah party at school (I'm not Jewish, just want to clarify). And while it's busy, I'm having a blast more or less. Just thought it was crazy ALL the stuff I have for this month.

Also, that's very weak gift giving regiment you got. Sure, you can go the gift card route.. but as the only gift? Poor form. No one in my family gets less than 4-5 gifts from me personally, which I know is overdoing it.. but I believe you have to get an actual gift for people, for most circumstances.