Christmas: Should we do away with gift-giving?

I am referring to after you grow up. I know that gifts are important to children.

But after you grow up. What's the point of buying someone a gift that (most likely) they won't even like.

Or, sometimes it seems like it's just an exchange of gift certificates. What's that about?

It's all absurd.

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"Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood." - Benjamin/Marcus/Caldwell

"You could find better things to do than to break my heart again." - Lennon/McCartney

I think we should give love freely and abundantly to all who are close to us on Christmas time (as well as always, but it's easier to get motivated to do that on a holiday like celebrating the birth of Jesus). Giving gifts to each other is one small way to show love. So I don't think it's in any way necessary, but I don't think it should be done away with either. It should just be a tool that we can use if we want to help show our love for those close to us.

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Revived: "There's just no counter-punch to love!"



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Well, you can do away with gift-giving if you like Go for it.

Me, I'll keep it.

Have I received gifts I didn't like over the years? Yes ... but it was the thought that truly counted, and I felt very appreciated regardless. And yes, it's true as well that some people don't even put much thought into gifts, but I still love the gesture of gifts. Even if it was a crappy gift that you got at the drug store three seconds before you gave it to me, I still appreciate it.

All in all, no point in being jaded about the concept of gift-giving. If someone gives you something, why aren't you pleased that they even thought of you, even if the gift sucks? You really have to go out of your way to find negativity in Christmas gifts.

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The only time it really "worked" in my family was around the time I was in college. Everyone would make a list of items they wanted ($50 each, or you could group some together). Then we exchanged names and received that person's list at Thanksgiving. So everyone bought something for another person, and each one received roughly the same value. (My mom usually got us more though.)

But even then, I couldn't see the point. It was still like an equal exchange.

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"Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood." - Benjamin/Marcus/Caldwell

"You could find better things to do than to break my heart again." - Lennon/McCartney

Some gifts make me depressed. Especially if it's like a "practical" item. One time someone gave me a tube of toothpaste! And a card. To be honest I appreciated the card, but I really *hated* the toothpaste. It just made me really depressed for some reason.

I do appreciate inexpensive gifts. But nothing practical. Give me a break.

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"Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood." - Benjamin/Marcus/Caldwell

"You could find better things to do than to break my heart again." - Lennon/McCartney

I would like to do away with gift giving on Christmas, but just for myself. I don't really like receiving gifts most of the time and I hate that my siblings will spend money that they don't really have on me, just because it's Christmas. I told my brother this year not to buy me anything and he agreed. He struggles financially to support himself and my nephew, yet still bought me a Christmas gift last year. My sister is more difficult. She likes to exchange gifts. Spending time with them is gift enough for me.

I love shopping for gifts so I wouldn't really want to do away with them. I am not that bothered when it comes to myself, although it does make me feel loved when someone puts effort in and gets me something special If you don't want gifts you could always ask for donations to be made to a charity of your choice or something like that?

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Don't let past pain or future fears keep you from walking in all God has for you - Rick Bezet

In bilico tra santi e falsi dei, sorretto da un'insensata voglia di equilibrio

sounds like a fine idea to me,

I dislike shopping, I dislike people asking me what I want, and I hate having to pretend to have the faintest clue as to what anyone else I know would like.

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Originally Posted by ceh85

I love shopping for gifts so I wouldn't really want to do away with them. I am not that bothered when it comes to myself, although it does make me feel loved when someone puts effort in and gets me something special If you don't want gifts you could always ask for donations to be made to a charity of your choice or something like that?

In fact I decided to support charitis for my friends and family this christmas, because it's so hard to get proper gifts for them.. I mean, no one here needs anything anyways, so I thought it were a good idea to make them happy in some way.

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Even to your old age and gray hairs
I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
I will sustain you and I will rescue you. - Isaiah 46:4

That is a great idea I usually get one of those charity gifts that Oxfam, CAFOD, etc do, where you can buy a goat or some schoolbooks or teacher training etc for people who really need it. It is usually my favourite present!

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Don't let past pain or future fears keep you from walking in all God has for you - Rick Bezet

In bilico tra santi e falsi dei, sorretto da un'insensata voglia di equilibrio