We haven't bought for extended family for the last few years, its was silly for all of us to give each other gift cards.

__________________
DS-16
DD-13
DD-5
DS-3

Thats how we do it in my family *tho we do get something for our parents*
tho dh family iThinks we need to get for each other!! (I cant stand this since they expect us to get them really costly things but turn oround and give us a Cheap Kitchen utensil or somthing like that!! They get mad if we get them soemthing inexpensive!! (this isa ll but 1 sister)
dh thinks they are rude!! and they are his sisters!! I dont mind doing something inexpensive but for the last 7 years we have gotten Junk and things we cannot use!! they got me some lotion (wich i wouold not mind but they know im allergic to flower scents but yet they still get me something like that!! I think they just grab off the shelf what ever cheapest!!
I put all my mind thought and time into making up nice gifts!!!
anyhow I know its not about money but I do think its about thinking!! they just want to get gifts!! and want us to spend money on them cause they are soo cheap!!
ok I hope that didnt sound snotty!! I just hink it gets rude!!! to expect something VERY costly if you dont want to at leat put some thought into a gift!! they think we have moeny cause I stay home!! (can you tell this is a sore spot for me!!! LOL)

__________________
Kelly mom to 3 great girls A Peanut, a monkey and a little burrito.

well dh and i don't exchange gifts the kid buy us each a cd every year cause they feel like they need to get us gifts. mils extended side of the family we quit exchanging years ago it was 20 kids at that time now they just have a potluck...now fils side we do buy for kids still but there is only 6 and if i bargain shops its not to bad. now my side of the family did not exchange gifts for years and for some reason we are back to it again. wich i would like to cut out.. i personally don't need anything and i know they don't either. it ends up being gift cards for the adults anyway. i would like to get down to my kids,mil and fil...(they do tons for us all year)

We exchange with each other, our kids, our parents and siblings & nieces and nephews.

We have asked the grandparents to not buy so much "junk" (didn't use that word) for the kids, but they keep doing it. This year I am going to give them a list of magazines that the kids would enjoy and some other practical things.

My Mom's sides, one we do just the kids and there are only 4 and the other each parent brought a small gift for their children to open and that was all. That was a good idea, then your kids got something you and they wanted and you could spend what you wanted to. I just pulled some things out of my gift closet and was ready to go!

We get presents for the nieces and nephews, our kids, my parents and grandma. Sometimes dh and I exchange presents but it depends on how the work is since dh is in construction. His side of the family is all Jehovahs Witness so they dont celebrate. We started doing that a few years ago and it works out well.

You know I couldn't give it up. I am very close with my Sister I love the chance to spoil my Neice. While I am not that close with my SIL I am with her kids. I watch my Nephew 4 days a week. I just don't see myself ever wanting to stop giving to my family. I see so many things that are just perfect for my sis. Maybe if it was bigger but DH and I just have one sister each. 2 Nieces and a Nephew so its manageable

__________________
Kimberly Proud Mommy to Bethany Rose April 2006

The adults on both sides of the family haven't exchanged Christmas gifts in years. My dh and I don't give each other gifts either. It's not a money thing -- it just that nobody in our family needs anything and my mom and I got tired of the stress of trying to figure out what to get everybody. We just buy for my dd and that's it.

OK...I'll play.
DH and I still exchange gift for Christmas. It's my favorite gift to give! I love to figure out what he would just LOVE....this year it is season tickets to Illini football for next fall.

This year we are still giving to our parents, our 3 year old niece and, of course, our children. Not giving to extended family at all. No little kids of our cousins, no aunts/uncles, none of our own siblings, no friends, no mailed Christmas cards, no pictures of our kids. Not even plates of cookies for the neighbors. This year we even said no gift for DH's Gma. We even cut way down for our boys. We just want to get out of debt more than we want to express our love with $$$$ and junk.

We made this move about three years ago. At the time, finances wasn't a consideration for us (It is now). It was more that we just didn't know what to get for these people. We still get gifts for all kids under 18. If we happen to have a good photo or something like that, we'll put it in an expensive frame and give that as a gift. It's sentimental and just small enough that the recipient doesn't feel the need to reciprocate.

__________________
~Jeweled

I have to say that I LOVE Christmas and buying gifts. I put a lot of thought into it and try to get things that the receiver will enjoy.
It's not always the cost of the item either. Sometimes the items are handmade or second hand.

So, to answer your question, I buy for Mom, Dad and Grandma, MIL, 7 neices/nephews, DS, DH, 19 Friends & Kids, and 16 other stocking stuffers. I guess the only people I don't buy gifts for are siblings.

I keep track of what I spend and I know some years, it would make you shudder. BUT! I shop 12 months of the year, many MANY sales and the total value spent changes depending on the finances of the year.

I no longer (for at least 4 years) go into any debt over gifts, entertaining, food etc. during the holidays.

__________________
Children Learn What They Live, And Live What They Learn.
What have you taught your child today?
When life throws you a curve ball...it's up to you how you catch it!