We are have money trouble right now, and cant afford to buy EVERYONE in the huge family we have a gift. There are 21 counting kids and adults, my aunt doesnt want to give up TRADITION but she keeps saying she also is having money problems. Our family is not the only family that is have problems there are also my grandparents and other aunt. So I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on how we could set up a plan that everyone agrees on but like i said we cant buy a present for the whole family.
Thanks in advance
:-)
2007-10-07 13:47:08 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Christmas
Plan a Party where you do a Pollyanna. You know, where you put everyone's name in a box and each person pulls out someone's name (make sure it isn't their own/ or else they have to put it back in the box!) then, you must get that person a present. That should work; this way, everyone get something and you don't break tradition.
2007-10-07 13:53:05 · answer #1 · answered by heart x3 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Long time ago we decided to buy only for the kids (set a $ limit). Then give each couple a token gift (set a low limit).
Or you could do it by family (set a $ limit), i.e. buy a family a DVD & get the kids something small to open (i.e. a coloring book, bubbles).
Another idea is a white elephant (set a price limit). Each person brings a gift. Each person picks a number. The person with #1 picks any gift & opens it. The person with #2 can either take the open gift away from the first person, or open a new gift. Each person can have (steal) each gift 3 times until the last gift is open & then everybody keeps what they have. It's usually very funny--have done this at work. Somebody has to keep track of how many times people had each gift.
If you end up getting gifts for everyone, you could crochet scarves for people. Or buy pretty calendars (even at the $ store) and inexpensive frames and frame the calendar pixs. If you have time/patience buy paint by number pixs you know people will like, paint them, then buy inexpensive pixs with matted frames & put your painting in. You can usually find straw hats & silk flowers at the dollar store. You can decorate the hats & give to people as door decorations.
Also, go to websites like Amazon or Ltd Commodities and shop in their "bagain" and "clearance" areas. Start shopping now.
2007-10-07 21:09:15 · answer #2 · answered by Dee 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My family got to the point where we couldn't buy for everyone so we do a Yankee Swap.
We pass around a Santa hat and everyone picks a number. The number you get is the order you get to pick a present. Everyone brings 1 gift that is $25 dollars and puts it in the middle of the room. When that person opens it, they can decide to keep the gift they picked or to steal one from someone else.
It ends up being lots of laughs and very inexpensive!
2007-10-07 22:39:13 · answer #3 · answered by Rebecca C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1) Draw names, set a limit for like $30.00 that way it doesn't get really overwhelming
BUT
2) I would leave the kids names out of the drawing, meaning kids w/o jobs. Buy something for the kids, and the oldest members of the family, like the grandparents
That is what we did and it has helped.
Also, for fun, you could play that silly Santa game where the adults draw a number and get to open that gift w/corresponding number, then the next number decides whether to take that give, or open then next present......
2007-10-07 20:58:39 · answer #4 · answered by not at home 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The adults can pick names and buy for that person. Pick a money amount to spend and do it that way.
You can even set a money amount and do a Chinese Grab bag present exchange.
We do both of those in my family and then we buy for all the little ones only. We have a big meal and enjoy the family time.
Best of luck to you and your family. Have a very Merry Christmas.
2007-10-07 22:02:14 · answer #5 · answered by Bella Italiana 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many large families pick names and buys one gift (other then their immediate family). I tend to think of Christmas is for the kids. You guys should just forget the presents and enjoy each others company and good food. If you want you could all pitch in and buy one gift from all for the oldest two members of the family. It's just crazy to buy gifts and you can't really afford it.
2007-10-07 20:57:23 · answer #6 · answered by JusMe 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can do the secret santa thing where you all buy a gift- unisex and then bring it for xmas number all the gifts and then pull numbers from a hat whatever number you get is your gift
2007-10-07 20:57:40 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Each pick a name of person to give gift to and then spend your money on them. If people should do little, thoughtful, little money, give time of their own.. gifts for the others....they just wanted to! Sometimes that can be more fun.....Good luck with it!
2007-10-07 21:27:56 · answer #8 · answered by PattiAtk 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Draw names
2007-10-08 04:52:09 · answer #9 · answered by honeybear 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
buy a board game
or how about this instead of commercializing christmas why dont you and your massive family celebrate it for the REAL reason it was meant to be celebrated
2007-10-07 21:27:59 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋