Oh dear, I misjudged that one!

[Gemini]

I am getting this in now as Daisy is still on holiday

Over the years I have heard people, including I think some on here, talk about deciding as a family to forgo adult Christmas presents and just buy for the children. Some do no adult gifts, some a low cost token present and others Secret Santa - each buy and receive one gift.
Each time I hear it mentioned I think 'That's a good idea I wonder if we should do that?'
It's always too close to Christmas by then though.
So, once I got back from my holiday I decided to address it. I started a new Christmas Whatsapp group for myself and DDs and put out the suggestion. I wish I hadn't.

DD1 said if we did this she would get no Christmas presents at all

DD2 was appalled and very unhappy at the idea

DD3 thinks it is a very good idea. I out of 3 then!

I should have realised that DD2 really loves Christmas (they married on December 20th for that very reason) She loves everything about it including choosing, wrapping and buying gifts.
She said it would feel so strange choosing and buying presents for her friends and not us.

I don't want anyone to be upset and I certainly don't want DD1 to be present-less!
I would have liked to do the Secret Santa idea, one good present each, but for peace and harmony I deleted the entire chat and said Let's just carry on!

I do love Christmas, but I have had over 50 years of present buying for so many people. For the last few years of my mum's life I did all her Christmas shopping too.

It's not the cost (although saving a bit of money would be welcome) It isn't even the shopping as now I do at least 80% online. It more the thinking what to get everyone, and getting it all sorted out and wrapped.
I think I am now the Grinch of the family, with DD3 at my side

So, for me yet again Christmas present planning will begin soon. I usually get the two October GC birthdays over with then make a serious start.

[Oma]

Oh Gem 😁 you started world war 3 then 🤣🤣

As you know we do secret Santa now have done for the past 3 years ,
it works well for us but it’s not for every family is it .

It has taken all the stress out of Christmas for us ,
We all agreed to it willingly so I suppose we were lucky.

[Gemini]

Oma that is what I fondly imagined

[Nanto2girls]

Well that went down like a lead balloon Gem.

I am struggling this year with what to buy for presents.
So, me and hubby have agreed they will get some Christmas chocolates and money.
I know its the easy way out,but i'm sure money will be appreciated.
We'll get a present for Tommie and some chocolates.

[Plantaholic]

For some years, my DD and Sil’s children and their other halves have had a secret between just them. DD, Sil and myself buy for them all. My son and Dil only buy for myself and the children. I, of course, buy for them all. Better start now.

[Enfys]

We have done a family secret Santa for a few years now and luckily everyone likes the idea. Saves stressing about what to get everyone. Also, we on,y have adults in the family now which made the decision a bit easier.

[Gemini]

Enfys Secret Santa for the grown ups and presents from all for the 4 children would be my choice, but heigh ho!

I'm glad some of our members will have an easier Christmas shopping experience

[WeeGranny]

I usually ask for suggestions and go with whatever is asked for! I only buy for DC, SiL, GS and I shall buy something for GGN! Problem is both DD and DS have their birthdays in December so it can be an expensive month!
Not as expensive as when we lived in Holland, we celebrated the Sint's arrival and then came back to England and Santa's arrival!

[Gemini]

Double expense WG!!

We have SIL3's birthday on January 6th and I have to make an effort to remember to shop for that along with the Christmas shopping, otherwise he would be overlooked!

Fortunately the other nearest birthdays are late February and late October, so not too close.

[Daisy]

I am getting this in now as Daisy is still on holiday

But I'm back now, Gem!

I think your idea was great, but I know you wouldn't want to upset anyone, especially family at Christmas. I hope you've started shopping.

I sympathise with those whose family have birthdays around Christmas. Our GD2 and my Goddaughter both have Christmas birthdays - 27 and 28 December - and it's GS2's birthday on 14 January.

WeeGranny - ouch, celebrating two countries' customs sounds very expensive.

[Gemini]

Despite 2 out of 3 of them wanting to continue with presents for all (which means we decided to all carry on as usual) no one has given me any present suggestions yet

[Daisy]

Gem, that makes it all so much harder. They could at least give you a little clue.