Wednesday, December 23, 2009

The Old Christmas Question

Next Christmas there will be (God willing) 25+ family members at my house on Christmas Eve, so the old question comes to mind -how will 25 people handle the gift giving?
1. Everyone exchanges gifts.
2. Everyone draws names.
3. Give gifts only to those under 18 years of age.
4. Or something else?

We seem to always be mulling over this puzzle.

What is gift-giving like in your extended family? I would love to hear about your traditions and challenges. What seems to work best?

Wishing You A Merry Christmas And Many New Year Blessings!

10 comments:

cherokeefox said...

I like the idea of letting everyone bring one gift then playing a game to distribute them. Dirty Santa would be good for the adults. Maybe something else for the kids. Just let everyone do whatever they choose for the kids. As long as the kids get at least one present, they probably would be fine.

Linda said...

I think we should do the white elephant for adults and only give gifts to those under 18. Christmas is about the kids, and really, adults are hard to buy for. Children are happy with almost anything. Next year there are going to be lots of kids at Christmas.

Unknown said...

Draw names for the adults and kids. That way, if money is tight for a few people, it would be less stressful for them than having to buy gifts for so many.

Lea and her Mustangs said...

While we can, we get a gift for each grandchild and our children. But I shop through the year and make things too. That is what we have on Christmas Eve here and then they have Christmas at their homes Christmas morning. It has worked for us. Hope your day is filled with peace, love and blessings overflowing.

Pam said...

This was the first year we had kids present and basically whoever wanted to give to them did. For the adults, girls bring a gift for a girl and boys for a boy. We each get a number and when our number is called, we can either take a gift from the pile or steal from someone. Once all the gifts are chosen we open them. We used to draw names but it got difficult when unexpected guests attended or someone wasn't able to make it.

Anonymous said...

my entire family is scattered across the United States so basically we all send cards and the kids always get checks from grandparents and sometimes gift cards. But we dont gift each child in the extended family, we send a Christmas box to the family...candy and some ornaments. I have done this with my cousins for a long time. I dont do this with my sisters because they dont care to send even cards or anything and thats fine too (we arent close and I have tried to be with them, but they were raised with my mother and I was with my dad so I am just closer to my dads side of the family) We send a Christmas box also to the family members of my husbands side of the family and his mom sends us things she makes (she embroiders and knits and is very crafty!) Her gifts are always the favorites!
We used to live close to family members and it was chaotic going to many houses on Christmas eve and Christmas...I dont miss it. I like the peace and quiet we have now.
Back then we were required to get a gift for every single person, it was stressful, expensive and difficult to feel happy when we were all so broke! LOL

phaedra96 said...

I would say gifts for the children. Adults are supposed to be just that. If someone wants to give someone else a gift, so be it. Gifts are just that; not mandatory.

Amanda said...

at my big family christmas, each adult brings a lady or man gift, $5-10 gift limit. then the parents bring a gift for their kids to open. then each lady and man picks a number and you go in order picking out a gift. everyone seems to like it.

dezmembrari auto said...

3. Give gifts only to those under 18 years of age.
That is my answer
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Ivana said...

Happy New Year!

"Dirty Santa" sounds hilarious!