Anybody else stopped giving gifts?

[Courtesy Flush]

I've been married for 23 years, and many years ago we realized the silliness of gift giving. On birthdays we'll go out to dinner or something. There may be flowers involved, depending on the occasion, but we don't give each other gifts, and we've NEVER missed it!

I also don't give gifts to other adults, unless it's unavoidable (like they already gave me one).

Our Christmas shopping is easy. Savings Bonds for our godchildren, plus a modest gift. No gifts for each other, or for other adults.

I HIGHLY recommend this. Why do grown people need gifts anyway? If I really wanted it, I would have bought it for myself already.

There are exceptions, of course. My wife gives a little thank-you gift to our cat sitter, and we'll bring a bottle of wine when invited to dinner, but nobody's getting an ipod out of us.

[NewWaveChick1981]

1. I've known my husband for 23 years and been married to him for`

the last 14 of those years. We stopped doing the gift thing about four years into our marriage. We do the same thing you do---dinner on special occasions, and we definitely acknowledge every event, like birthdays or anniversaries. My side of the family draws names at Christmas, and we only have one gift ($25 or less value) to buy. My husband's side is kind of scatterbrained and can't decide whether to draw names or buy gifts for everyone, so it's a little harder to deal with. But I'd love it if we did something similar.

We don't have children, but my sister has two young daughters (ages 6 and 8). We get them little gifts for their birthdays and Christmas, but at the request of my sister, it's nothing extravagant. :)

[datasuspect]

2. i don't do holidays/birthdays

nope.

[raccoon]

3. I think this is a real good idea.

Although I still give gifts.

[Beausoir]

4. We ask relatives to donate to our adoption agency.

I have five kids and that's alot of presents for grandma and grandpa and the aunts and uncles to buy for. We asked that instead of presents, they write a check to the agency that facilitated our adoptions. Couldn't go to a more worth cause.

[ganeshji]

5. I've quit giving gifts to most people

I come from a family of people who, if you bought them a gold necklace would complain that it's not silver. My mom is the only exception. Any gift you send her, no matter how large or small, is responded to promptly with a thank you card. Other than that, no adults get gifts from me.

[scarlet_owl]

6. My husband and I don't give Christmas gifts to each other anymore.

We do buy for our parents and siblings, though.

[azmouse]

7. My husband and I stopped years ago.

We still give Xmas gifts to our mothers (both of our fathers are gone) but that's it.
It makes for a more peaceful and relaxing holiday not having to fight the crowds.

[William Bloode]

8. Adults get nothing, maybe a card.

My kids on the other hand get as much as i can afford.