Anyone else need a support thread for cutting back on gift exchanges?

[Whatsleftnow]

I’m sure I’m not the only one who struggles a bit with reigning in the gift list. I thought a support thread, to cheer each other through awkward conversations might help.

So far I’ve negotiated a book and chocolate exchange on my side of the family (jumped on by everyone), and I’ve sent a smaller gift earlier than usual to an old friend who tends to be more extravagant but who I never actually see anymore.

I’m happy to send her a Christmas gift, but I’m not in the same financial bracket. I’m hopeful that by getting in early (it’s a gift that can be enjoyed through advent) she might scale back. I know she doesn’t generally buy early so I think I’ve timed it right.

I’m quite pleased with my chocolate&book suggestion because there were vague rumblings of gifts for dc only and I really don’t want to have to deal with anymore piles of toys.

Anyone else trying to wriggle out of anything?

I thought this was going to be about giving.gifts :D

I enquire ever year with close family and friend groups if they’d like to try something different this year or to opt out of the gift exchanging, sometimes twice just to make sure! No takers again this year. After a misunderstanding with 1 group that’s back on again now too.

I tried a 'we all pick a name and just buy a gift for them' but a few people picked a name then just bought gifts for others anyway so it all went to pot. I didn't try again and decided to just buy gifts for children and the over 70s and stuck to that.