Ideas for Gift Giving in a Large Family?

Question

My family keeps growing & because Christmas is a major tradition in my family, a few of us are trying to think up ideas on how to do the gift giving. Between my siblings, their spouses & the kids, we're at 18 people huddled around the tree on Christmas morning (+3 dogs).

This is how we currently do it: Each adult pulls a name & spends between $100-150 on them. Plus at least $30 per kid (7). We always buy for our parents regardless. The problem is that of obligation & Catholic guilt.

We all get into the gift giving spirit & before it's all over, everyone gets everyone gifts & can spend upwards of $1500.

So my mom, sister & I are trying to think up different ideas to make it less expensive. Two are:

1. Each family has their own Christmas & then later goes to my mom's house for dinner.

2. Everyone spends $100 on the adults & buys unisex gifts to put in stockings. Then have a white elephant.

Any ideas will be great.

*We would still prefer everyone be there all day.

P.S. No one is into making crafts, etc. I've tried that and no one did it.

P.S.S - This is also the first Christmas without our dad as he died in January.

Answer 1

In my family we only buy for the childern. we have a big family like yours and buying for everyone is crazy expensive. it is nice to have everyone together for christmas, one thing you can do is put a cheaper price limit on the gifts. even 100.00 for the adults is lots. how about 20-30 for adults, and have a theme, like gag gifts or somthing for the kichen. the chldern love their gifts im am sure, like in my family, but you dont have to spend much to make them happy. i spend aroud 20-25 on each child,, and it adds up! drawing names for the adults is a great idea, then u only have n gift to buy for the adults and everyone gets a gift! or say if their is 10 adults, then the women get together and get like 20.00 from everyone and then by 10 small gifts, so many gilrs things and men things, rap them put them under tree and on xmas day have someone hand them out to the adults, the point is everyone gets somthing, but the cost is less! god uck, and have a great Xmas.

Answer 2

U guys must be rich. To me, that seems completely ridiculous. That IS NOT what Christmas is all about. Sounds like the giving and getting is out of hand. Sorry I can't offer any suggestions except to get your family together and try to get them to understand what a great time they can have just getting together and watching the kids open presents Put a limit on how much the adults can spend on each other, such as $20.00 or $50.00. Something reasonable. Good luck and Merry CHRISTmas.

Answer 3

did you try to have a santa clause of your own? i suggest each family should give their budget for example each family can give $1000 (budget would depend on how many people are there in your family) and it will include all, the food and the gifts. you must get someone in your family to organize it. separate the budget for food and for the gifts. then make a list of the names of your family and start to think what gift fits on them. tip! try to look of someone who's good in budgetting ok! then on the christmas day you ask the santa to give all the gifts.. it would be more happy if you'll organize parlor games so everybody will enjoy!!! goodluck i'm looking forward for your christmas to be successful and enjoyable yet cheaper one!!!!

Answer 4

I have five married kids and nine grandkids so I know.....my adult kids draw names among themselves and then the grandkids draw names among themselves. Lower the amount you spend for Heaven sakes. My kids have a $50.00 limit for adults and I think $20.00 for kids. I'm the one who can't figure out how to cut costs as I feel I need to buy for all of them.