Good Old Christmas... Stress? (How Many People Do You Give Gifts To & How Much Do You Plan to Spend?)

[seoulsearch]

Hey Everyone,

I recently read an article that said the average American will likely spend about $1100 on Christmas this year, and that many people are even taking out personal loans to pay for it.

And so, I was just curious:

* How many people will you give gifts to?

* How much do you plan to spend? (As a total amount for everyone?)

I realize this is a bit of a personal question, so I've included a poll in case you'd rather answer anonymously. I am certainly NOT trying to condone or push for materialism AT ALL, I'm just curious as to how stressful the holiday season is for other singles. (And of course I realize it can be stressful for many other reasons, such as having to deal with family drama, but maybe we'll save that for another thread.)

I have to admit that I feel pretty blessed during the holidays because the only gifts I have to worry about buying/giving are for the little ones in my family, and it's a reasonable number. Once upon a time, I used to have a fairly large list of people I bought for and spent probably about 2 week's worth of paychecks just on Christmas.

These days, I am VERY appreciative of the fact that my family finds spending time together to be more than enough and I would honestly feel overwhelmed if I dated someone and/or married into a family that expected or had a tradition of giving several and/or expensive gifts.

How about the rest of you? (Our married friends are welcome to answer as well -- does having two families to buy for double your stress during the holidays?)

Disclaimer: In the old CC system format, I could create polls with different headings (thereby asking several questions in one poll) -- this new format doesn't really allow for that (or else I haven't figured out a way around it yet), so that's why the answers in the poll will go straight from numbers of people right on to the amount spent.

Thank you for sharing!

P.S. I just finished the poll and used up every option box allowed. You should be able to choose as many answers as you want, and all answers should be anonymous.

Of course, not all possibilities are covered in the poll, so please don't let it stop you from answering or telling what you voted and/or why in a regular post.

 

[MegMarch]

Oh, yes. The family drama begins at Thanksgiving when my dating, or non-dating, life becomes one of the topics of conversation. Get a life people. 😑😂

I absolutely love to give thoughtful, unique, personal gifts, so gift giving around Christmas time can be stressful due to the pressure I put on myself.

I used to be close with a family who gave upwards to 10-15 gifts per family member including one large/very expensive gift. Granted this family was well off, but I always dreaded the process of finding, giving, and receiving gifts in the family. Gives me hives just thinking about it. I’ve simplified my process since then to mostly online shopping. Haha.

 

[Alby]

I find spending Christmas alone solves most of this stress haha

 

[seoulsearch]

Oh, yes. The family drama begins at Thanksgiving when my dating, or non-dating, life becomes one of the topics of conversation. Get a life people. 😑😂

I absolutely love to give thoughtful, unique, personal gifts, so gift giving around Christmas time can be stressful due to the pressure I put on myself.

I used to be close with a family who gave upwards to 10-15 gifts per family member including one large/very expensive gift. Granted this family was well off, but I always dreaded the process of finding, giving, and receiving gifts in the family. Gives me hives just thinking about it. I’ve simplified my process since then to mostly online shopping. Haha.

I totally get you, MegMarch.

I used to love hunting down JUST the right gifts for each person... I tried my best to find something personal and meaningful that they'd hopefully really love...

Maybe too many years of that just wore me down, lol.

These days, I'd honestly just rather pay to take someone out to eat or something, but that's just me...

I find spending Christmas alone solves most of this stress haha

There have been many holidays I've spent alone because of distance (couldn't get time off work or couldn't get a plane ticket that year, etc.)

Have I ever mentioned that distance can sometimes be a blessing?

 

[Magenta]

Having come from a large family, we dispensed with the giving of gifts to all early on and began choosing names, so we were responsible only for buying a single gift. However, as I live quite far from most of my family members, I am not included in the name draws, which suits me fine, though I still like buying gifts for my closer siblings. One year I sent gifts for everyone who was going to be at my sister's house for Christmas dinner (more than thirty people; lots of home-recorded CDs), and the one time I have been back for Christmas since leaving my home province over forty years ago I did the same thing (lots of essential oils). Aside from that, I buy gifts for my daughter mostly, and her family, which includes a number of dogs and cats. I have already bought their gifts (except for the animals )

I still need to get some special items for Bob

 

[laughingheart]

I have an envelope system where I put aside a certain amount each month. I always know my budget for Christmas because it is based on what is in the envelope. All the travel, special food, gifts etc. have to come out of that amount. It really takes the stress out of Christmas spending. I do that for all other variable expenses. This way I don't spend what I don't have.

 

[oldethennew]

(((zero/zero)))

 

[Dino246]

My family (parents and brother) long since dispensed with the giving of physical gifts if we aren't getting together, which we aren't. That means my Christmas shopping was done before it started.

 

[Mel85]

Spending it on my children, furbabies and parents.

Also, my siblings cause they want to do ss this year 🤦🏽‍♀️

 

[Lynx]

I find spending Christmas alone solves most of this stress haha

That's what Denny's is for.

WARNING: Depressing song. Don't listen to it. Doesn't have any cussing though.

 

[Lynx]

I do Christmas whenever i find something that somebody I know will like. I can't wait until the end of the year.

Last time I went to McKay's used bookstore I found eight CDs of irish music. That was aunt Diane's christmas present. She got them next time I saw her.

The only present I worry about is the Dirty Santa present. Christmas day we all bring a $10 gift, wrapped, and play Dirty Santa. With 14-ish people, Dirty Santa gets fun!

This year I'm going to have a note, in an envelope, in a small box, wrapped in duct tape, in a bag, in a bigger box. The note will say "Look at the TV" where I will demonstrate the real present, a screencast dongle.

 

[G00WZ]

I usually just buy gifts about 7 months before, wrap them and i keep them sealed in a closet, then give them out Christmas day or when people show up. Not a big fan of standing around in crowded lines buying stuff during the holiday seasons, or trying to figure out who to get what at the last minute. I just like to relax during the holiday and do my own thing. They can keep the stress, black Friday sales, and starting off the new year already in debt.

 

[Pipp]

I have about 20 people closest to me I get gifts for.

 

[Alby]

Having come from a large family, we dispensed with the giving of gifts to all early on and began choosing names, so we were responsible only for buying a single gift. However, as I live quite far from most of my family members, I am not included in the name draws, which suits me fine, though I still like buying gifts for my closer siblings. One year I sent gifts for everyone who was going to be at my sister's house for Christmas dinner (more than thirty people; lots of home-recorded CDs), and the one time I have been back for Christmas since leaving my home province over forty years ago I did the same thing (lots of essential oils). Aside from that, I buy gifts for my daughter mostly, and her family, which includes a number of dogs and cats. I have already bought their gifts (except for the animals )

I still need to get some special items for Bob

we used to buy presents for our pets, i kind miss that tbh

 

[TabinRivCA]

Hey Everyone,

I recently read an article that said the average American will likely spend about $1100 on Christmas this year, and that many people are even taking out personal loans to pay for it.

And so, I was just curious:

* How many people will you give gifts to?

* How much do you plan to spend? (As a total amount for everyone?)

I realize this is a bit of a personal question, so I've included a poll in case you'd rather answer anonymously. I am certainly NOT trying to condone or push for materialism AT ALL, I'm just curious as to how stressful the holiday season is for other singles. (And of course I realize it can be stressful for many other reasons, such as having to deal with family drama, but maybe we'll save that for another thread.)

I have to admit that I feel pretty blessed during the holidays because the only gifts I have to worry about buying/giving are for the little ones in my family, and it's a reasonable number. Once upon a time, I used to have a fairly large list of people I bought for and spent probably about 2 week's worth of paychecks just on Christmas.

These days, I am VERY appreciative of the fact that my family finds spending time together to be more than enough and I would honestly feel overwhelmed if I dated someone and/or married into a family that expected or had a tradition of giving several and/or expensive gifts.

How about the rest of you? (Our married friends are welcome to answer as well -- does having two families to buy for double your stress during the holidays?)

Disclaimer: In the old CC system format, I could create polls with different headings (thereby asking several questions in one poll) -- this new format doesn't really allow for that (or else I haven't figured out a way around it yet), so that's why the answers in the poll will go straight from numbers of people right on to the amount spent.

Thank you for sharing!

P.S. I just finished the poll and used up every option box allowed. You should be able to choose as many answers as you want, and all answers should be anonymous.

Of course, not all possibilities are covered in the poll, so please don't let it stop you from answering or telling what you voted and/or why in a regular post.

I was watching a Christian talk show and one of the ladies said the best Thanksgiving she and her daughter ever had, was giving out food to the needy. They helped out at a food bank and said it was such a blessing.
A neighbor friend sent me down 2 turkey dinners in containers. I had already cooked a 21 lb turkey but thought how nice it would be to give them to the homeless. Taking my daughter home, we saw a man walking with a long robe w/a hood and was probably wet from the rain. He was frail and took the dinners, I just wished there was more I could have done, but I did pray for him.
So, your question prompted me to think that I could make 5$ gifts, plus a trak in an envelope and give out maybe 10-15. Everyone I know has just about everything they NEED so I'm thinking about doing that. Maybe put a candy cane or two in. There is certainly many homeless around the city.
What do you think?

 

[Subhumanoidal]

My mom would out my parents in debt at Christmas. But not out of obligation but because she genuinely enjoyed giving to her family and seeing their expressions. My dad was less thrilled about the debt that they spent all year paying off, but it made my mom so happy he never complained.

Me, on the other hand, I'm stingy about Xmas gift giving. Usually it's just my dad. If I'm involved with anyone I'll get for them.
We usually have a big family get together but that's 20 people. I'm not doing that.
But neither do I expect anything from anyone.
Besides I hate getting courtesy gifts from people that don't know me well.

 

[TabinRivCA]

I was watching a Christian talk show and one of the ladies said the best Thanksgiving she and her daughter ever had, was giving out food to the needy. They helped out at a food bank and said it was such a blessing.
A neighbor friend sent me down 2 turkey dinners in containers. I had already cooked a 21 lb turkey but thought how nice it would be to give them to the homeless. Taking my daughter home, we saw a man walking with a long robe w/a hood and was probably wet from the rain. He was frail and took the dinners, I just wished there was more I could have done, but I did pray for him.
So, your question prompted me to think that I could make 5$ gifts, plus a trak in an envelope and give out maybe 10-15. Everyone I know has just about everything they NEED so I'm thinking about doing that. Maybe put a candy cane or two in. There is certainly many homeless around the city.
What do you think?

However, I do like giving gift cards and getting gift cards. People like certain foods. I used to get my dad gourmet stuffed olives and someone else homemade beef jerky from Joy's Mkt. My son got his wife a giant gummy bear last year and her family in the Philippines similar goodies. That always brings a smile and not too expensive.

 

[Tinuviel]

I have a big family, and for some reason we've never done the draw the names things. We just get everyone a gift and have fun with it. They're not extreme gifts, and sometimes several of us will double up on one person to get them something larger, but that's always the way we've done it. Every year we talk about drawing names, now that everyone is grown, and it never happens. Counting family and a few very close friends, I buy about 15-17 gifts and try to keep the spending under $250

 

[Magenta]

PS~ that Christmas box arrived at my sister's house just in time, and she was impressed that I had found purple duct tape to secure

However, I do like giving gift cards and getting gift cards. People like certain foods. I used to get my dad gourmet stuffed olives and someone else homemade beef jerky from Joy's Mkt. My son got his wife a giant gummy bear last year and her family in the Philippines similar goodies. That always brings a smile and not too expensive.

Once my daughter began to like shopping (she was into her twenties by then ) I knew where she like to buy most of her clothes, and also knew where she liked to eat, and shop for other things such as pet supplies... so a couple of Christmases ago I bought her a slew of gift cards, some of which were on sale, for all her favorite places, and a movie night out, and even a gas card for her to spend as she saw fit even though she does not drive, so she would have something to contribute to others who drive her about. I also buy food goodies for her family from a European deli You can hardly go wrong with specialty foods!

I was watching a Christian talk show and one of the ladies said the best Thanksgiving she and her daughter ever had, was giving out food to the needy. They helped out at a food bank and said it was such a blessing.
A neighbor friend sent me down 2 turkey dinners in containers. I had already cooked a 21 lb turkey but thought how nice it would be to give them to the homeless. Taking my daughter home, we saw a man walking with a long robe w/a hood and was probably wet from the rain. He was frail and took the dinners, I just wished there was more I could have done, but I did pray for him.
So, your question prompted me to think that I could make 5$ gifts, plus a trak in an envelope and give out maybe 10-15. Everyone I know has just about everything they NEED so I'm thinking about doing that. Maybe put a candy cane or two in. There is certainly many homeless around the city.
What do you think?

I was on a panel tonight that was "carrying the message" into a detox center here, and management there asked us to request our home group members to contribute hygiene items and things like socks and gloves for the clients who will be in the facility over Christmas. There are always those in need, and it will be wonderful to do some small thing that will make a big difference in the life of another at a time of year that is so difficult for some.

 

[Tinkerbell725]

I will only give food or cash gifts this Christmas. I don't want to give or receive gifts that would just become unuseful and possible clutter at home. I am trying to be a minimalist.