Reply #37: Starting last year, we changed the gift-giving rules in my family [View All]

[nuxvomica]

We each picked two names from a hat so each person gets two presents. The rule is you can spend as much or as little on supplies as you like but you have to make the presents yourself. So you can write a poem, mix a music cd, knit a sweater, prepare a meal, whatever. I did two paintings though I hadn't painted for decades and the subjects were things the recipients really cared about. All the gifts were like that: personal, creative and thoughtful. Everyone was excited and a little anxious at the unwrapping but we all loved what we got. It was the best Christmas ever.