We have a large family we get togeather for the holidays and give gifts we used to buy for everyone but now we do grab bag and buy for the children. Usually bro sisters aunts, uncles, great grandchildren neices and nephews and grandparents all get togeather over the years our family has grown significantly. How do we have christmas togeather where everyone is treated equally and fairly and no one is left out. It gets overwhelming. We have some that like to get gifts but not give them and thats not fair to the others. If it were up to me i would just give to my brothers and sisters and parents and my children but we have lots of in laws and out laws and extended family that would be hurt. Last year i bought for alot of family that didn't attend and didn't give back. Any ideas or fun things we can do to make christmas like it used to be many years ago when the hype didn't get in the way????? Thanks
2006-12-20 09:33:40 · 11 answers · asked by mistiful2001 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Marriage & Divorce
tell them you are converting to a religion that doesn't allow gift giving and you are only able to receive from now on.
2006-12-20 10:03:35 · answer #1 · answered by Jennifer D 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
We have the same issues in our family. It is now solved by the kids do a name drawing. Put one person in charge of puting all kids names into a hat, have all kids names written on paper, then as you draw each name out of the hat write it next to the list names. Then let the parent know who's child their child buys for. So all kids get a gift. And it's kids exchanging with eachtoher.
As far as adults, we do the "White Elephant game." It's fun! Each adult brings a gift. Set a price, ours is 20 dollars. Then at the party, you draw a number out of a hat. Once every person has a number, then each opens gift by the order of that number. When first person opens gift, the next person gets to take the person's gift or open another. ( If they take the gift, then that person picks another. ) The rule is the gift can only be tooken twice before it stays whom it's with. It's fun and everyone ends up with a gift. Good luck...
2006-12-20 18:01:38 · answer #2 · answered by Emily :) 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have the same issue. THANK GOD we all agreed to start shaking dice and play a game for a gift.
Everyone brings ONE gift, If you are male you bring a male gift, females bring the gal gifts. Put them all in a pile in the middle of the table after the meal and shake dice or play some game that requires one at a time to pick a gift. Everyone who WANTS to participate brings a gift. Those who do not for whatever reason still watch the game and enjoy the fun.
This has worked out for the HUGE family of ours.
Merry CHRISTmas!!
: )
2006-12-20 18:15:17 · answer #3 · answered by Kitty 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why not offer those that want to attend but not bring a gift to bring a dish to pass? Or, keep track of those that haven't given in the past and be sure not to give to them. Hard to do, but, it's only fair to the person giving. Secret Santa is always fun... grab bag etc. Or, just worry about the immediate family and have small gifts to those whom had given you something already (i.e. family picture in a photo frame, snow globes, socks, dollar store gifts....), or print off pictures from the internet claiming to had already gotten them that present, wrap it in a box, and tell them that it will be arriving late.. and then purchase it as soon as you can to back up your story...this way you didn't waste money on a gift for someone who didn't get you something and only give it to that person if you've received something.
2006-12-20 17:41:23 · answer #4 · answered by born2bfree 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have the SAME problem. My family is HUGE. Ten people that I have to buy gifts for every year (and that is not including everyone). But I just suck it up. I try to save money every year for Christmas and promise myself I will not spend over a certain amount. Last year put me in so much debt but this year I decided nobody was gettign anything extravagant. I mean, obviously, my parents get nicer things but siblings and stuff, I am not dripping in money to afford them something insanely incredible. So just spend what you can and remember, Christmas is not about the presents. It's about Jesus and being with your family and loved ones. :) I loooove spending the holiday with the fam!
2006-12-20 17:43:57 · answer #5 · answered by Mimi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hmmmmmm of course there is always the gift exchange in the hat because of the big family tree do it and the gift would have to cost say maybe 20 bucks and buy only for those who participated in the gift exchange gl take all out to dinner and everyone pitch in on the bill
2006-12-20 17:39:09 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
do a kris kringle gift exchange.
Usually done at places of business, so you only are obligated to get one gify over the xmas season. This way nobody is getting more presents or nobody gets left out
In our large family what we used to do is every family unit (ex-parents and children) are responsible for getting gifts for one other family unit, and you choose who gets who by picking out of a hat and you are responsbielf or getting the parents presents and the kids of that family unit
2006-12-20 17:40:13 · answer #7 · answered by loki_43 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do it JUST for kids and as a family decide on the amount per gift item. I suggest gift cards ONLY. We did this at my job this year and it was $10 gift cards. it was great and no chance of regifting for the next year.
2006-12-20 17:37:50 · answer #8 · answered by Mean Carleen 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Make it a habit of not giving gifts to relatives other than your immediate family. If they give to you and your family, just thank them. They will stop giving when they realise you are not reciprocating.
2006-12-20 20:34:54 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try making something:
http://www.familyfun.com ,
http://www.make-stuff.com
http://www.foodnetwork.com
2006-12-20 17:38:32 · answer #10 · answered by miladybc 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋