always around the holidays, you have different stressful situations that creep into families. I have one that I would like your opinion on. there are at least three people in my family that really can not afford to buy any gifts this Christmas for anyone. In my family, all but one REALLY understands the situation. How would you deal with a family that doesnt really want to understand the situation and thinks that you should at least try and get something? How would you go about telling this family member that you cant buy any gifts this Christmas for them or their children?
2007-12-08 16:05:12 · 7 answers · asked by elvizpressley 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
My best Christmas was the year I moved to Florida. My entire family was back up north and since I was new in town I knew no one. There is a lake in the middle of town with a park around it. The weather was beautiful and so were the decorations. So many people were there smiling and saying hello to perfect strangers. I met a new friend there who happened to be from my old home town. She had a tradition of spending Christmas day feeding homeless people who hung out in the park. We spent a wonderful day enjoying the outdoors and the friendliness of strangers and I didn't regret for one minute not being back at home among the chaos that is Christmas day.
I tell you this to show that Christmas isn't about how much money you have and what gifts you receive. The holiday season has become too commercialized and too many people only care about receiving gifts. How often have you received something that has nothing to do with who you are or what you like? Because someone felt obligated to buy a gift, they spent their money on something meaningless so they had something to give.
This is an opportunity for you to bring back the meaning of Christmas in your family. If you don't have the money to buy for everyone, don't feel obligated to do so. If someone objects, remind them what Christmas is all about. Maybe get together with other family members and decide that only the kids will get gifts or do a family pollyanna. Or do something totally different. Don't buy gifts for family members but give to someone in need. There are many homeless shelters and food banks that would be happy to accept donations from the family as a whole.
If one family member is unable to see that giving out of obligation is meaningless, that person is a little lost. Try to explain your situation, ask them to understand. If they choose not to understand, they are the one who will have to deal with their own emotions. You have to do what works for you.
2007-12-08 16:40:37 · answer #1 · answered by innerradiancecoaching 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Just be honest with them if you feel it's necessary, but then should they really be expecting gifts?
If money is a problem, there are heaps of handmade gifts that you could make, there's tonnes of ideas out there. Handmade decorations, food, whatever. Even a nice christmas card to the family would mean alot. There's plenty of ways around it. All the best. =)
2007-12-09 00:15:18 · answer #2 · answered by Curious Me 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would call a "adult" family meeting explain the situation and ask if everyone could celebrate Christmas by writting something special about each person. have some kind of a note book or make one out of construction paper and let each person write something nice about that person in each one. there is more to Christmas then giving presents... or even have everyone in the family go to a soup kitchen and volunteer their time...ect.... do something different for Christmas for a change that don't envolve money...
2007-12-09 00:19:56 · answer #3 · answered by yak4the8car 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You explain the situation maturely and hope they understand. If they don't then it's really not your problem.
DO go out of your way to make a gift or write something nice. There's ALWAYS something you can make if you put thought into it. ALSO.. you can give a gift of your time.. offer to clean a closet or a garage.. whatever you think the other person would like.
2007-12-09 00:09:35 · answer #4 · answered by mosaic 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You used just the right words in your question! Send them an email or copy. Surely they wil get it, when they read it in black and white!
Remind them "Jesus is the Reason for the Season"
It's time for families to enjoy one another not stress out about gifts. Even little kids understand "no money!"
2007-12-09 00:26:00 · answer #5 · answered by Victoria 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Shop at the dollar store. Surely they can come up with $10 to spend.
2007-12-09 00:08:14 · answer #6 · answered by janicajayne 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
well this christmas my mom told the less important ppl in her life that money was tight nd she coulndt by presants for them ... she also told them not to by presants for her or her kids to make it easier dn equal .... try nd make things as easy nd equal as possible .... <3
good luck
2007-12-09 00:09:42 · answer #7 · answered by ki-ki V 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋