For your parents and siblings?
Your significant other?
Extended family you don't know very well?
Good friends?
Acquaintances?
I see these commercials to buy things like laptops and digital camcorders as holiday gifts for people and it makes me clutch my chest. Okay, I'm cheap and I know it, but that seems WAY out of line. On the other hand, I'd have to smack myself if I gave my mom a box of chocolates.
So, what's considered appropriate?
2006-12-08 12:24:45 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Generally: spend what you feel is reasonable. But what does THAT mean?
For parents and siblings, you don't really have to regret digging deeper into your pockets. Same with your significant other. My music teacher bought his bro an iPod for Christmas, and I've known two other students whose parents bought them laptops. These are the people special to you. Think special. But of course, the pricier the gift doesn't always mean the better.
Extended family, not so much moolah, as well as acquaintences. You can stick to the rule: do not give what you can't afford to receive. In other words, don't give them something expensive that you would give to family, because you wouldn't expect them to give something like that for you. Basically, don't give a distant relative a new synthesizer. A nice book or journal, or good quality pen, or a CD or gift card will do.
As for good friends - gotta use the noodle here. They're in between family and distant relatives you barely know. :P
Well, that's what, from my perspective, is appropriate for gift giving. Happy shopping, and happy holidaze! :D
2006-12-08 12:57:41 · answer #1 · answered by A M 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Its the thought that counts-not the cost,but don't spend what you can't afford.
If you want to spend more,open up a christmas club savings account and put some money in it each payday. You won't get the money until sometime in Nov. to start your shopping and there is nothing wrong with giving your mother a box of chocolates.
You could also have given her a new robe and slippers,sweater,blouse,slacks/pants,money-then she could get what she wanted or needed.
A christmas card for aquaintances and family members you don't know wery well,friends who don't live close to you.
A small gift and card for good friends who live close to you.
The same ideas for you dad and siblings as for your mom.
2006-12-08 12:46:48 · answer #2 · answered by Ralph T 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Whatever you can afford is appropriate. I usually spend about $50 each on my parents and siblings (and their significant others). But we have no kids in our families yet. We've agreed that once kids and grandkids come along, the spending will be on the kids, not the adults. For friends usually no more than $20-$30 a piece. For my God Daughter...the sky's the limit!!!!
2006-12-08 12:32:25 · answer #3 · answered by LindaLou 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
i think of you're able to purchase your present in accordance to what she does for you. Now what she does for the team does come into play slightly. i might say from the style of folk you have working for you around $50-$seventy 5. a cutting-edge card is okay however not very own. via an identical token in case you do not know her properly sufficient to choose on something suitable then the present card is the extra suitable thank you to circulate. extra suitable to be a splash impersonal the to spend stable money on something she would be waiting to not fairly delight in. i anticipate she would be waiting to be getting a Christmas bonus from the corporation. If not, i might get her a splash something and supply her a money bonus your self of a minimum of $2 hundred or $3 hundred.
2016-12-11 05:16:11 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it depends on you income, we spend 25 a person on everybody except acquaintances, but we don't have a lot of money. Plus its Christmas and no one should EXPECT a certain $ amount gift, its the thought and the effort that counts, so spend what you can AFFORD.
2006-12-08 12:31:29 · answer #5 · answered by nicole80881 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's appropriate to buy what you can afford without still paying for it after February.
Like a wedding Christmas is just one day you shouldn't still be paying for it next year.
2006-12-08 15:13:20 · answer #6 · answered by daljack -a girl 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
$25 bucks is enough to spend on a gift, but I guess it also depends on how much you care about the person..
2006-12-08 12:40:21 · answer #7 · answered by younglady7826 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Give from the heart, don't put a monetary value on the gift.
2006-12-08 12:27:46 · answer #8 · answered by darling 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋