So sorry to be raising a thread with the dreaded C word in it especially for my first post 
I know I probably am BU but would love to know what you all think.
Bit of background, I don?t have much contact with my own family and they live abroad anyway so they don?t really factor in the Christmas present line-up.
Been with my DP for last 8 eight years and guess I made a rod for my own back early on where the seasonal festivities (plus birthdays etc) are concerned.
Left to his own devices DP will go present shopping on xmas eve and since there are about 20 people to buy for (adults and children) I find this a tad stressful (since I?m required to go along and help him choose)
So, every year for the last 6 years I have thought about what to get everyone (tricky, since we don?t see his family any more often than about 3 times a year)
gone shopping/ordered off internet and paid for it all as well incl cards, wrapping paper etc.
All while DP is moaning and asking how much is it all going to cost while simultaneously sitting on his butt and doing precisely nothing.
When asked for his opinion on any particular gift, he doesn?t have one.
So far so convenient for him ? to put the final icing on the cake I his family think HE IS wonderful for giving them such lovely presents since he doesn?t mention my contribution at all when it comes to the thank you?s.
Grrrrrrrrrr........!!
I have mentioned that I am thinking of being on xmas present strike this year for the reasons listed below. DP was shocked and told me not to be such a Grinch........
Two main points that make me think this year ?sod it, I?m sick of it and am not doing it again?:
? Money - don?t know why but feel really awkward asking DP to pay his share for his families presents. When I do ask he moans about how expensive it all is (it?s not when split between two!!)
and eventually I might get some money from him. Usually he just forgets all about it though and I then feel too tight and mean to keep asking.
? I am very careful in choosing presents the receiver will either like or will be able to use and his family have said they find the gifts they?ve received from ?us? thoughtful and they look forward to receiving them.
So, I cannot understand why I am the one who gets given the most thoughtless items of unsuitable dare I say it ?tat?. I seem to be the only one effected by this as well since everyone opens their presents together when we?re there for xmas day dinner so I see what gets chosen for others. I?m really really really not a greedy grabby person, I don?t even want a big flashy expensive present but a bar of galaxy chocolate wrapped up with an air freshener plus a bag of broken value biscuits really is the height of thoughtlessness in my book (gifts from xmas 2009) Even DP gasped when he saw that and that?s saying something!
Could list countless others but this post is long enough as it is.
Soooo sorry for the saga but am I? Would it be totally out of order to give everyone a card and a bag of homemade fudge this year and leave it at that?