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Nov 14, 2012, 01:25 AM
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Member Since: Mar 2010
Location: Indy
Posts: 43,373
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I hate it because I hate seeing what it does to people. I have friends that call and cry because they can't afford to get their kids the latest fad toy/electronic and they will be made fun of at school for not having it. I get to watch my mom sink into a pit of despair and anger because she spends her house payment and utility money to get presents and then it takes her the rest of the year to dig out of the hole.
A few years ago I finally put my foot down and talked to my extended family and told them we would love to have a family dinner. That time we spent together and the memories made would mean more than anything we could buy and with that being said we would not be participating in the gift exchange. My aunt was thrilled. It was 5 less people she had to buy for and she copied what I said and opted out of another gift exchange she was part of. My mother, though relieved, has still not forgiven me. From about Nov.1 - Christmas she only will call me Mandynezer. I also talked everyone into a $25 limit. Since it came out my brother has wanted a Xbox 360 so we are all going to go in on it. He knows he's only getting one present but is tickled because he's wanted it so long. His bday is the 28th and we're going to go in together to get him some games too. I don't know if this will help anyone else but I also started saving $5 a week. I just put it in a jar and refused to touch it no matter what happened. Now I don't even have to stress if someone else has to bail on their part of my brother's present.
To all those that don't have anyone have you ever considered volunteering at a soup kitchen? Or visiting a nursing home? Just a visit means the world to those that have been dumped there and forgotten. Best wishes to everyone on making it through a difficult time of year 
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