Exchanging Gifts With Old Friends

[TheCatsMother1]

I have three old friends who I don't really see anymore, but we still exchange birthday and Christmas gifts. Apart from this, we rarely see or even communicate much.
I'd like to suggest that we stop the gifts, but I'm unsure how to approach this.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance 🙂

If you don't really communicate with them then just let it die... would they normally just text out the blue to say "hi I have a present for you?" I'd just reply with "oh no need! sorry can't meet up at the moment, things are crazy!" and leave it there.

Just send a card instead on the next birthday and they will probably think “phew we can stop!”

Instead of gifts suggest going out for a meal (that's if you want to stay in touch?).
Be direct e.g.just planning for Xmas and we've decided to keep gift buying to kids only but would still love to meet up...or we're cutting down on gifts/cards this tear and giving to charity?
They will both probably breathe a sigh of relief as they may want to do the same.

Thanks for all the replies 👍.
They all moved away, hence the reason we've kinda drifted apart, so we post the gifts to each other.
I messaged them when my birthday was coming up this year and said not to send any gifts. I suppose I was hoping it might prompt the response of "why don't we all stop given we never really see each other anymore". Now Christmas is coming, and I just don't know how to start the conversation.

How about suggesting you all donate to a charity of your choice for each other instead. Just like "all this posting up and down the country is getting so silly with prices of everything at the moment, I feel so guilty you're all having to make the trip to the post office for me! How about we all donate to a charity instead of buying gifts this year? X"

Send the same message re Xmas as you did for your Bday .... say you don’t want gifts - so they can assume they won’t get any from you.

I find gift giving and receiving all v tedious unless it’s an event / activity that we do and enjoy together.

I don’t need anymore ‘stuff’ and I can buy anything I want myself.

The only people benefiting from all of this are the retailers ..... certainly not out planet or our bank balance but maybe I am just a joy-sucker.

Op we cut back alot as so many birthdays. Cost of living too. Think friends were happy when I said it.

Gloriously, I couldn't agree more 😃.

Definitely do as Gloriously suggested! Say you don't want gifts (so people would know the tradition is stopped by your side), maybe replace them with cards or Smartshow 3d themed videos if you think something absolutely has to be done.

I think everyone would feel nothing but relief tbh. Gifts are nice but if one feels they are unnecessary, chances are, others think so too. Everyone is just too shy to say this out loud 😃

Thanks so much for all your great advice 😊.