2006-11-05 12:53:38 · 19 answers · asked by tracmaster 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Been there done that. I had a job loss a few years back and things were tight that year.
Make two things positively clear:
1) You are not giving gifts.
2) Make it equally clear that you absolutely positively will not accept a gift this year since it is not in your power to reciprocate.
The only one who got it all mixed up was my father. He had bought some pajamas for me. I ended up taking them because my birthday is around Christmas and he just substituted it for then. But everyone else understood what was up.
It was an awkward Christmas I have to tell you. But the real meaning of Christmas is celebrating the the birth of Christ, so I just focused on that. Even though I felt like a loser for not being able to give and receive gifts, it was still nice to be around family.
Good luck.
2006-11-05 13:12:51 · answer #1 · answered by Think.for.your.self 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Tell them you feel Christmas has gotten too commercial, and you feel the gifts are meaningless and empty. And that you'd prefer to celebrate the season in a more personal way. Then make an effort to make dinner for your family, clean your parents' house, or bring a board game and some hot cocoa over one night to have fun with your friends.
If you really want to give gifts but simply can't afford it, say something like "I'm taking a break from gift-giving this year, and I'm looking forward to celebrating in other ways."
2006-11-05 17:00:55 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well it's easy you just sit them down, if they live close by or phone them and say I'm sorry, I'm not able to afford to buy gifts this year .
However you know you don't HAVE to buy gifts, you sitll have time to make some or make up iou's for something you can do later on. For example you could make an iou out to your mum for a free house cleaning one weekend on you. Or offer to make her and your dad a meal that you know they like.
Maybe offer some free babysitting for someone who has little kids for an afternoon so she can go shopping or to the hairdresser or just have some quiet time.
It doesn't matter how much you spend on a gift , it really IS the thought that counts.
2006-11-05 13:27:29 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hire a koolaid manager. FREE. The world and the interaction
that is required allows you " the tracmaster" to take a breather.
Perfectly acceptable, do not forget you may have resources
that have brought this idea to an ideal. Perhaps someone is
doing party work to keep your family strong. Accept the truth,
move up with participation in other options. Include a prayer
card dedicated to those that love your more organizationally.
2006-11-05 13:29:17 · answer #4 · answered by mtvtoni 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Tell them straight out. Be totally honest. Tell them the reason why (I'm assuming it's a lack of money, which is perfectly acceptable). I mean, they don't want you to go into dept, do they? Tell them that you don't expect them to buy you anything either. And tell them really soon, before they get you anything. But do tell them that you are really looking forward to spending time with them. That should be the most important part of everyone's holiday, not the presents.
2006-11-05 17:11:58 · answer #5 · answered by beachgirlkandy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You simply tell them, I really do not understand why some people get so bent out of shape on Christmas about gifts. It is suppose to be the celebration of the birth of Jesus,. God bless.
2006-11-05 12:56:11 · answer #6 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just tell them that this year, you are trying to focus less on gifts and more on other things and would like to opt out of any kind of gift exchange.
2006-11-05 13:07:29 · answer #7 · answered by meoorr 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
tell them the fact. clarify which you do no longer % any presents from them, the two. If it somewhat is all appropriate to the presents for them, then they % a reminder of the reason of the season, besides. have you ever considered home made presents? they're heartfelt, non-advertisement, and extra love is going into those than something bought from a save.
2016-10-21 08:09:25 · answer #8 · answered by titman 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Show them your check stub and if you have kids and are going to college tell them you wont have enough money this year but maybe next year, thats what i will tell them this year because its the truth. Or they might even understand if you are in this situation, without telling them anything, just make food and invite them over to your house this year.
2006-11-05 13:06:04 · answer #9 · answered by bazan333myspaceit 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How can you do that ...you can give something..if its a home-made card to baking some treats...and if they are not grateful for these gifts from the heart ...then they need to check themselves... as this world is so full of greed ......I love Christmas and cause i like to give yes its nice to receive but giving is so much more pleasurable to see a smile on someones face..
2006-11-05 13:05:07 · answer #10 · answered by iggyxx 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋