tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8463832956830525523.post2766890606787861819..comments2023-06-28T05:06:08.493-04:00Comments on Me, My Girls & My Boy: Christmas is Not About PresentsMelodiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17597822422886281763noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8463832956830525523.post-39483229520957832082008-12-12T00:20:00.000-05:002008-12-12T00:20:00.000-05:00I would hug them and figure out a way to make thin...I would hug them and figure out a way to make things happen in a different way for all of the kids so that they all had fun and no one felt left out--a little white elephant exchange with items from the dollar store or something.<BR/><BR/>I love the fact that you are wise enough to know your limitations, and that you are being honest with yourself and others. Yea for your kids--you are giving them a HUGE gift in your example!Tracy P.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07750283241399825265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8463832956830525523.post-7994587275711564262008-12-11T10:55:00.000-05:002008-12-11T10:55:00.000-05:00I would exactly what you would do. Infact, I aske...I would exactly what you would do. Infact, I asked that my kids be left out of the holiday gift exchange this year, due to my salary being cut 20%. My family knows our situation and they completely understand. Family should be understanding .... I'm sorry your brother doesn't feel that way.Joannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00085311967367484516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8463832956830525523.post-40863691919411273852008-12-11T00:22:00.000-05:002008-12-11T00:22:00.000-05:00Don't take offense to this, but your brother is ac...Don't take offense to this, but your brother is acting like a jerk.<BR/>If anything he should be offering to buy your kids something extra since they won't be getting much do to the financial situation!<BR/><BR/>We don't exchange gifts with the family. We already have so much stuff that we just get together and hang out and that is good enough. Sure the 4 yr old would love to have a present, but he already got so much earlier in the day from his parents; he doesn't need one more thing he'll forget about.<BR/><BR/>I hope it all works out for you!Kelseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14757942067951645910noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8463832956830525523.post-78396678602596220692008-12-10T17:43:00.000-05:002008-12-10T17:43:00.000-05:00I have two goddaughters that I have bought no pres...I have two goddaughters that I have bought no presents for (birthday or Christmas) for the past three years because of finances.<BR/><BR/>What I do is call, email, exchange pictures, watch videos of their games (they live in a different state than me).<BR/><BR/>These things are about having a relationship with someone special. If they are so focused on the gift; then there isn't a storng relationship. My gift is being a part of their life!Jennihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09315829092172760748noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8463832956830525523.post-20433690535274202932008-12-10T14:05:00.000-05:002008-12-10T14:05:00.000-05:00You did the right thing and your brother's reactio...You did the right thing and your brother's reaction isn't right. We had to do that last year, not cut it all out but cut it WAY back and stop exchanging with some relatives. I still brought homemade goodies for everyone but they new upfront no gifts. Everyone seem fine. In fact, they appreciated the heads up like you said. Depending on how close you are to your brother, maybe try to ask what is wrong?Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04572128334553536606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8463832956830525523.post-35427406642871928032008-12-10T12:29:00.000-05:002008-12-10T12:29:00.000-05:00He's is being rediculous. He should be more unders...He's is being rediculous. He should be more understanding. I don't know why anyone couldn't understand your situation. I hope you're not really worried about his reaction. I'm sure he'll come to his senses. That's just silly.Mama Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01289229622083732190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8463832956830525523.post-51758595918549530372008-12-10T12:12:00.000-05:002008-12-10T12:12:00.000-05:00Oh no, that is AWFUL. Seeing as we are always the ...Oh no, that is AWFUL. Seeing as we are always the one with no money I would definitely understand. I would also offer to help. You know, if your brother was going to buy gifts for your kids anyway, why not just give you the money to get them what they really want?<BR/><BR/>give me his phone number. Im calling him LOL!Khadrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08272553894178287063noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8463832956830525523.post-57210618828960387932008-12-10T11:45:00.000-05:002008-12-10T11:45:00.000-05:00I absolutely would not be offended if someone said...I absolutely would not be offended if someone said they couldn't afford gifts. In fact some of my friends decided we were not exchanging this year due to financial reasons (all involved). Christmas is NOT about the presents. That being said, I love giving. I'm happily selling on e-bay, buying on craigslist and couponing to save up so that we can give to everyone we normally do (except those already decided upon mutually) and for the kids. It's not that I feel like I HAVE to. I WANT to.Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15403955482520442077noreply@blogger.com