So I'm doing christmas shopping and something struck me - why the hell do I need to buy my sister, brother in law, mom, and dad a gift? I cheerily bought my 3 year old niece a v.smile kid-console and would never cheap out on her..Ever.. But my grown relatives? They make more than me and, honestly, I'd rather take them out to a movie and dinner than buy them some crap they'll never use to show them that I "care." It honestly feels really silly to me, my brother in law drives a cadillac and bmw and can buy himself whatever the hell he wants, will a pack of designer socks change his life? BA, HUM BUG!
Am I being the grinch?
- Thread starter slackerinabox
- Start date
I'd rather do that on my own accord than being forced to, because it's.. Um.. Jesus' birthday? Wait, shouldn't Jesus be getting the gifts? Not that I'd buy him anything, the dude can turn water into wine - he aint need a new toaster over...
Hopefully one day you'll be mature enough to realize that Christmas, for many people, is not just about Christ's birthday, but about spending time with your loved ones and showing your appreciation for them.
Do you not buy presents for people on their birthday because you feel forced to do so? I mean wouldn't you rather want to do that on your own accrod rather than being forced to?
Because Christmas is the only time you can show your appreciation for others...
Why should people feel required to do Christmas crap? They can do it anytime of the year, and I think it means more if they do so it at another time.
Because normally during the Christmas season, people get off from work/school/other obligations all at the same times and have the opportunity to be together, unlike during other times of the year. For example, between work and school, I hadn't seen my parents for 6 months prior to Thanksgiving because I'm 270 miles away. But because of Thanksgiving, I was given off and was able to make it home. Because of the Christmas holiday, I'll also be able to make it home to see them again.
Also, the season (besides the commercialism) tends to bring out the best in people, with them going the extra yard to help others, donate to charities, and generally be a bit cheerier. I know, why can't they do this at other times. Well because they might not be able to, and any season that tries to brighten peoples' lives is OK with me.
I mean, why not do away with all holidays? Let's get rid of birthdays too.
Go ahead and hold your revolution against Christmas. Just don't be suprised if people get pissed off at you for ruining their good time.
I think it's MORE thoughtful to MAKE time for your family, friends, etc. than to do with when the powers that be said it's best.
Random acts of kindness - I think that's charming and, yes, I think that show's love.. Annual gift day? Most people give gifts then out of obligation.
Make time? I have 0 days off available because I hurt my back pretty bad a few months ago. If I were to take days off, I'd be fired. If I sacrified academics, I'd be throwing 30k a year annually down the drain. My parents would be more upset that I sacrificed school and my job to see them than from not being able to see me.
And who says you shouldn't do random acts of kindness? Is it that much of a problem for you to do random acts of kindness and have this "annual gift day" that your family seems to be so fond of? To me, it seems like you'd rather go on a selfish crusade against Christmas than to appease your family and respect the fact that they do indeed like this "annual gift day."
Jeff7
Lifer
- Jan 4, 2001
- 41,596
- 20
- 81
At home, we all kind of have very specific things that we like. You can't just go buy something related to computers and expect me to want it. "Oh look, a video card. I hear that computers have those. 'Excuse me, Best Buy employee, One video card please!'" My mom likes sewing. Sure, I could buy her needles maybe, or fabric. But she uses particular kinds of needles, she uses only cotton fabric, and I don't have any sense of what looks "pretty". So what we kind of do in terms of gift giving may be, she'll tell me, "I'd really like something chocolate for Christmas." So I go to a nice candy store that she likes, buy what I think are the most horrid sounding things (including dark chocolate coated orange peels), and buy them for her. She always loves that sort of stuff.
It's never anything major though, and there are always some less-than-subtle hints given. I wanted a Thrustmaster Tacticalboard one year. So I found a link where it was sold at a good price, and e-mailed her the link, Subject: Hint, hint.
I got exactly what I wanted.
I've never cared much for surprises anyway.
So I suppose Christmas is more of a personal thing. Buy gifts because you want to, not because you think you have to. If your family likes gifts, well, fine. If they wind up not using the stuff because you don't know what to get them, maybe you're not getting the right stuff, or perhaps a nice card would suffice.
Some families have fun too. At my family reunions, we play Dirty Bingo. There is no bingo involved. There are a bunch of gag gifts, all wrapped up, and when your number is called, you pick one. You have the option of taking gifts away from other people though. But it might not always be worth it. Some notable gifts in the past: A large bra laid over two cantalopes, and a bag of horse manure.
Or my grandfather, he likes giving money to my sister and I, because he says we'll put it to better use than he will. And I'm perfectly ok with that.
It's never anything major though, and there are always some less-than-subtle hints given. I wanted a Thrustmaster Tacticalboard one year. So I found a link where it was sold at a good price, and e-mailed her the link, Subject: Hint, hint.
I got exactly what I wanted.
I've never cared much for surprises anyway.
So I suppose Christmas is more of a personal thing. Buy gifts because you want to, not because you think you have to. If your family likes gifts, well, fine. If they wind up not using the stuff because you don't know what to get them, maybe you're not getting the right stuff, or perhaps a nice card would suffice.
Some families have fun too. At my family reunions, we play Dirty Bingo. There is no bingo involved. There are a bunch of gag gifts, all wrapped up, and when your number is called, you pick one. You have the option of taking gifts away from other people though. But it might not always be worth it. Some notable gifts in the past: A large bra laid over two cantalopes, and a bag of horse manure.
Or my grandfather, he likes giving money to my sister and I, because he says we'll put it to better use than he will. And I'm perfectly ok with that.
A grinch is someone that steals christmas from other people.
A jackass is someone that cant get past the idea of doing something nice for others during the holiday season.
You sir, are a jackass.
A jackass is someone that cant get past the idea of doing something nice for others during the holiday season.
You sir, are a jackass.
Originally posted by: axelfox
Donations to the Human Fund FTW
My aunt gave me an early x-mas gift today since she was visiting - $50. I didn't accept it and asked her to donate it to charity.
I love being with my family, I enjoy that part of x-mas and even like going to Church since it's with my family. Christmas dinner is awesome and my mom makes a rockin' leg of lamb. I just dont' get giving gifts to adults this time of year.
EDIT: Wait.. Seinfeld reference.. Just got it
Originally posted by: BigJ
Make time? I have 0 days off available because I hurt my back pretty bad a few months ago. If I were to take days off, I'd be fired. If I sacrified academics, I'd be throwing 30k a year annually down the drain. My parents would be more upset that I sacrificed school and my job to see them than from not being able to see me.
And who says you shouldn't do random acts of kindness? Is it that much of a problem for you to do random acts of kindness and have this "annual gift day" that your family seems to be so fond of? To me, it seems like you'd rather go on a selfish crusade against Christmas than to appease your family and respect the fact that they do indeed like this "annual gift day."Who says that's i'm going on a crusade? I'm buying everyone gifts, just whining about it on a forum.. Sheesh.. It's sunday night and nothing's on tv.. CHill
bravo! I think I might do that in the future and make reservations (plus hire a babysitter) for a famiy dinner out on x-mas eve..
freedomsbeat, don't get your panties in a bind, ignore these jackals. You're absolutely right, find out what these people really want or need, and if you want then get them the gift for christmas. Overall though, the holidays is basically an excuse for impulse buying..
CrackRabbit
Lifer
- Mar 30, 2001
- 16,642
- 62
- 91
bigdog1218
Golden Member
- Mar 7, 2001
- 1,674
- 2
- 0
No, you give gifts out of obligation. Just because you don't feel like it, are too cheap, or just a plain ass doesn't mean other people can't actually enjoy giving someone a gift they've looked forward to all year.
Are you that naive? Didn't you just describe what the holidays are for millions of people, making time for their family and friends. Do you think my sisters are coming up from Florida so they can get their Christmas presents?
Oh your brother in law drives a BMW so you can't get him anything, sounds to me like your just cheap and jealous. Maybe you could put some thought into a gift and he'll appreciate it, but I guess that would be too much work for you. You care about your family way too much to actually think about giving them something they'll like. Hey maybe you can post in June when you don't give them anything either because you're full of BS.
Inspector Jihad
Lifer
- Apr 17, 2005
- 13,465
- 3
- 81
i think the op makes sense. I would set up some sort of agreement with the adults to not exchange gifts and instead use that money on the kids. I'm sure most adults will be happier with gifts that arent necessarily materialistic.
moshquerade
No Lifer
- Nov 1, 2001
- 61,504
- 12
- 56
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