Does anyone else out there prefer adults not exchange Christmas gifts?

[lexsooner]

I think we should definitely buy gifts for kids and it is also a time to buy for the needy. But if it were up to me, adults would not buy each other Christmas gifts. I think Christmas should be celebrated primarily as a religious holiday. It is also a time for getting together with family and friends, which is consistent with the season and spirit of Christmas. But the materialistic part of the season wears on me, and it would be fine if nobody gave me any material gifts. Does anyone else out there see it this way? I know at least several friends who agree (so they ain't gettin anything nor am I). OK, I know the practical effect of this would be disasterous to the world economy.

Now if I just had to be given a gift, give all us OU fans a freakin MNC on Jan. 8, 2009. I can wait two more weeks past Christmas. Please!

[Curly Bill]

I keep telling my folks I don't want anything and not to get me anything. They insist on getting me stuff, which means I get them stuff, and so we end up buying and exchanging lots of stuff.

[AlbqSooner]

My family, now four living generations, has made an agreement that we buy for those who are in high school or below. Cards, emails and phone calls for the adults.

[Rogue]

I like to GET gifts.

[SoonerInKCMO]

I really wish I could convince everyone in the family that I really don't want any gifts for Christmas. It just doesn't make sense to me that they should be getting me stuff when I already have or am able to get everything I want.

[SicEmBaylor]

I think we should definitely buy gifts for kids and it is also a time to buy for the needy. But if it were up to me, adults would not buy each other Christmas gifts. I think Christmas should be celebrated primarily as a religious holiday. It is also a time for getting together with family and friends, which is consistent with the season and spirit of Christmas. But the materialistic part of the season wears on me, and it would be fine if nobody gave me any material gifts. Does anyone else out there see it this way? I know at least several friends who agree (so they ain't gettin anything nor am I). OK, I know the practical effect of this would be disasterous to the world economy.

Now if I just had to be given a gift, give all us OU fans a freakin MNC on Jan. 8, 2009. I can wait two more weeks past Christmas. Please!

I couldn't disagree more with everything you just said.

[SanJoaquinSooner]

Agreed, no gifts for adults in normal siteations.

[royalfan5]

My family just draws names on one side and a grab bag on the other. All are small gifts. And everybody gets a box of chocolate covered cherries in memory of my grandpa on one side. Most of the gift on the other side are food. The three 12 and under kids get some stuff but not an excessive amount.

[Veritas]

I would agree with you, lex, except for I'm my mother-in-laws favorite child-in-law, so she buys me super kickass presents.

OTOH, there is the cluster**** that is my mom and sisters trying to engineer a gift exchange. Let's just say I got all the brains in the family, so that should tell you something. :D

[OUHOMER]

we draw names as well, put a limit of $40.00 on each.. Do it's not to bad.

But I dont ask for anything, drives the kids nuts :D Dad what do you want for Christmas, On i dont need anything, just to spend time with you more next year is enough. It drives them crazy :D

[FirstandGoal]

I think we should definitely buy gifts for kids and it is also a time to buy for the needy. But if it were up to me, adults would not buy each other Christmas gifts. I think Christmas should be celebrated primarily as a religious holiday. It is also a time for getting together with family and friends, which is consistent with the season and spirit of Christmas. But the materialistic part of the season wears on me, and it would be fine if nobody gave me any material gifts. Does anyone else out there see it this way? I know at least several friends who agree (so they ain't gettin anything nor am I). OK, I know the practical effect of this would be disasterous to the world economy.

Now if I just had to be given a gift, give all us OU fans a freakin MNC on Jan. 8, 2009. I can wait two more weeks past Christmas. Please!

I absolutely could not agree with you more about this.

My family is the absolute worst at buying into the selfish materialism that rises up and infests everyone this time of year.

This year I will continue to ask the same gift of my family that I ask for every Christmas.... instead of buying me and my children expensive gifts that you really can't afford in the first place and mean nothing, please please please come to church with me instead.


I'm still waiting for that gift. :(

[1890MilesToNorman]

Are you trying to ruin our ruined economy?

I've been trying to get my family to stop the adult gift giving for 10 years, it isn't working. Buying for kids 15 and under is fine with me but anyone older should get a Merry Christmas and a glass of eggnog.

[Tulsa_Fireman]

Why NOT give gifts to adults? AKA, the folks you love?

Yes, the holiday is commercialized. Yes, companies and advertisers assault your eyes and ears with "BUY ME" tripe from shotguns loaded with televised vomit and aural puke. It's their job. To get you to spend, spend, spend on their crap, crap, crap. But don't make the mistake of assuming one equals the other.

Giving gifts to friends and family has zero to do with the commercialization of the holiday. It only appears so because you've made the mental connection of Christmas = insanity at the mall/TV ad blitzes/street cramming traffic. The lesson of the Magi doesn't have ANYTHING to do with Toys R' Us, Sears, Home Depot, et cetera. It has EVERYTHING to do with the spirit of giving, a display of love for those nearest to you. It does my heart good to pass on my gift and tell the recipient that indeed, I love them. An honest, heartfelt merry Christmas to you.

Again, it's in the giving. If you're blowing your paycheck on the latest trendy BS they're schlepping from Sphincter Incorporated, that's your own fault. The fact that this argument even exists is a telling indictment as to a loss of Christmas spirit and a vanishing of the lesson and tradition passed by three humbly offered gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh given in praise to the newborn King.

[soonerboomer93]

I couldn't disagree more with everything you just said.

so you don't want OU to win a MNC?

bane him...

[tbl]

I don't necessarily think it's the commercialism, but I do agree that adults should not get gifts for one another. The only exception is husband/wife, and even there I don't want anything personally. When you have the office or group parties with friends, dirty Santa is ok but that's more of a social thing and the gifts are usually limited to $10.

When it comes to big family get togethers, adults should be excluded from the drawing of names.

[yermom]

i'm pretty anti-obligation gifts, birthdays, Christmas, and especially Chick Christmas

if you want to buy a gift, why wait until Christmas, etc...?

[SoonerJack]

does anybody do a Dirty Santa gift exchange (or Yankee Swap per The Office?) Those are a blast. I just wish we had a larger family.

Our extended family is going to do that this year.

[OhU1]

I am anti exchanging gifts with co-workers. To me having too many work related holiday obligations just adds stress not enjoyment and relaxation. I don't mind exchanging gifts with family but I hate to shop.

[RacerX]

My family, now four living generations, has made an agreement that we buy for those who are in high school or below. Cards, emails and phone calls for the adults.

We started doing this last year.

[JohnnyMack]

Christmas is for kids.

Which you'll note is why SicEm still wants presents.

[lexsooner]

I must have struck a sensitive nerve with Sic Em by starting this thread. He negged me for it. Never would have guessed this thread would bring out such harsh feelings.

[lexsooner]

I am anti exchanging gifts with co-workers. To me having too many work related holiday obligations just adds stress not enjoyment and relaxation. I don't mind exchanging gifts with family but I hate to shop.

Ok, so how stressful is it to log onto some website and order Lexsooner a great gift for Christmas? ;)