Question about Christmas

hersheykiss

Situation: DH's family does a gift exchange, $100 limit per person. This year I want to suggest that we either eliminate the gifts to the adults OR lower the price to $50. 

Problem: I have already started E on making handmade gifts for the grandmas, grandpas, aunts & uncles. Grandmas & Aunts are getting handpainted bags. Grandpas & DH are getting something handmade appropriate for them. I haven't decided what, except DH is getting an apron with E's handprints on them that says, "Emme's chef."

So if we eliminate the gifts to the adults but you received a handmade gift, would you feel like we broke the rules of no gifts? It would be Emme giving the gift to them, not DH & I.  

fricksgirl

IMO that is not breaking the rules b.c they are going to buy her gifts, yes?  I would think of that as more of a thank you gesture than a gift, know what I mean?  We are drawing names this year but I will still have my boys buy for the adults as a "thank you".  We only have my mom/dad, bro/gf, and DH, so I gave him $10 per adult in Target and the gifts he chose were HYSTERICAL.  I'll totally do that again because that laugh factor alone was worth the $50. 

I think that a handmade gift from a child is not breaking the rules, but rather very cute and teaches reciprocal giving, which is important (to me anyway).

hersheykiss

Thanks for your thoughts. E loves to do arts & crafts so I am having her make the gifts this year. She is having a blast painting the bags. Plus, we get to work on our color mixing and she sees that yellow & red make orange, etc.  

Next year I will probably do the $10 limit in Target. I can only imagine how hilarious that can be.

oceanangelbeauty

Have you drawn names yet?

hersheykiss

oceanangelbeauty:

Have you drawn names yet?

Nope. We usually do not do that until mid November.

oceanangelbeauty

It would not hurt to ask then. As far as the gifts from DD I think that Awsome. I would live to get something from my niece and nephews.

hersheykiss

oceanangelbeauty:

It would not hurt to ask then. As far as the gifts from DD I think that Awsome. I would live to get something from my niece and nephews.

Even though you have a child of your own now? I know my family will totally rock the handpainted bags. My SIL is now a mommy though so I don't know how she would feel.

The bag is large enough though that it makes a great beach bag, overnight bag, etc. It isn't just a "purse" size.

oceanangelbeauty

Ya I would love it! I have been a gift giving, nephew and niece spoiler to the tune of 5 of them, starting 12 years ago. Their ages range from 12 to 3. I love spoiling them but a little something from them would be cherished. So I guess for a really long time before I was a mom I was an aunt. I am also still their aunt and a mom. I do have to say the older 3 really went all out on DD's gifts last year. That did make me feel appreciated.

jsugrin

Receiving a handmade gift from a child would not at all seem like "breaking the rule" to me.  Now if you do the vast majority of the work then you're on thin ice.  I think the other consideration is will the adults be genuinely exciting to receive them.