to only buy for the kids this year. Anyone not exchanging gifts with their spouse, siblings, parents, etc? With my sister we decided years ago to only buy for the kids not each other. Dh said he doesn't really need anything, he just enjoys watching the kids open their presents.

We just decided a couple of weeks ago to do that for this year. The past few Christmas' have gotten out of hand with the spending...so we decided to keep it simple. We are going to have dinner at my parents house (who happen to live next door), everyone will make a special dish and we are going to make Christmas ornaments with the kids. Being together as a family is what matters most anyway!

I wish we would for Dh's family! For us, it's not really a monetary issue but more that none of us adults need anything. With Dh's family, his extended stepbrothers/stepsisters...we don't really know each other enough to really know what to buy one another. So we pick names and then have to go off these silly lists and then end up buying each other gift cards. Last year I suggested we all just buy ourselves the gift card we want and leave it at that. Went over like a lead balloon. LOL

With hubbies side of the family, we just have all the kids draw names. So each niece or nephew picks a name. We usually get his parents a gift. I don't remember if I did last year. It was tough. I think I just baked them something. For my side of the family I just baked goodies. Me and hubby didn't get each other anything. This year I will still bake a lot of goodies for presents. But we will probably get his parents a gift. My mom too. And we should be able to get each other a gift this year. I only have one nephew on my side, but my other brother has a girlfriend with 2 kids. I will probably buy them all something.
I need to get started on a budget.

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"It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching."

-- St. Francis of Assisi

We have not exchanged gifts with extended family for years. It wasn't a money issue, just a everyone has everything they need. This year I am requesting family cut back on my children because there is only so much "stuff" they can use at one time. I would rather they have things that will enjoy and use than stuff I end up donating because it is sitting on the shelf for six months.

We are doing that this year. My parents moved away in the spring and with everyone in different areas of the state it just made it easier to lug presents and such. Plus this year it really makes sense for money reasons.

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~~Sonja~~

My 3lynns~ Ashlynn-8, Brooklyn-4 and Kaylin-3

we dont buy really for the extended family. We buy for my parents and DH's mom but thats it. otherwise its straight for the kids. DH and I dont even exchange gifts

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Sam
Mom to Devin and Jordyn Anne
Loving Wife to Dave

We do that. We get gifts for our kids and all the nieces and nephews. Basically any one under 18 and anyone over 60. It was a bit hard the first few years getting use to not getting anything but Christmas really is about the kids and it really simplifies things.

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In our family the gift giving is now only for children and has been that way for several years. We just feel that the gift portion of christmas really is for children and that adults should be celebrating more the true meaning of the holiday. After many years of trying to buy for everyone, spending way more than we could afford and getting a "wish list" from my inlaws I decided it was time to put a stop to the craziness. Adults can buy their own stuff and more often than not do not like the gifts they get and return them anyway. We let the kids help bake cookies & candy for the grandparents and that along with family time is more than enough for us now.

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Standard of Living and Quality of life are NOT the same thing.

I so would love to do this! It won't happen though in both of my families.