Comments on: My Personal Quest to De-Commercialize the Holidays http://20somethingfinance.com/my-personal-quest-to-de-commercialize-the-holidays/ Personal Finance Blog for Young Professionals Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:08:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Carrie http://20somethingfinance.com/my-personal-quest-to-de-commercialize-the-holidays/comment-page-1/#comment-27895 Carrie Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:07:37 +0000 http://20somethingfinance.com/?p=1610#comment-27895 Nobody has mentioned re-gifting yet, so I'll add my thoughts. I admit I am a notorious gift returner and re-gifter, though never on gifts from the people closest to me. I'm talking about "obligation gifts" from extended family and coworkers, the kind of pre-packaged gift that you just snag because you have to bring something to a secret santa. The reason I do this is because I don't need the extra clutter, sweets, or gift cards to random places. I'm not saying I don't appreciate the gifts, but as a de-clutterer, their value to me is higher if I can use them in place of an obligation gift I would otherwise have to buy! My absolute favorite kinds of gifts are the donations you can make to organizations like Samaritan's Purse and World Vision, which have catalogs full of practical things for people struggling in developing nations. My parents, sisters and I have purchased farm animals, medical supplies, and clothing, and nothing makes me happier Christmas morning than to know the gift someone gave to me is helping someone in need. Nobody has mentioned re-gifting yet, so I’ll add my thoughts. I admit I am a notorious gift returner and re-gifter, though never on gifts from the people closest to me. I’m talking about “obligation gifts” from extended family and coworkers, the kind of pre-packaged gift that you just snag because you have to bring something to a secret santa. The reason I do this is because I don’t need the extra clutter, sweets, or gift cards to random places. I’m not saying I don’t appreciate the gifts, but as a de-clutterer, their value to me is higher if I can use them in place of an obligation gift I would otherwise have to buy!

My absolute favorite kinds of gifts are the donations you can make to organizations like Samaritan’s Purse and World Vision, which have catalogs full of practical things for people struggling in developing nations. My parents, sisters and I have purchased farm animals, medical supplies, and clothing, and nothing makes me happier Christmas morning than to know the gift someone gave to me is helping someone in need.

]]> By: Natalie http://20somethingfinance.com/my-personal-quest-to-de-commercialize-the-holidays/comment-page-1/#comment-16715 Natalie Fri, 10 Dec 2010 05:47:08 +0000 http://20somethingfinance.com/?p=1610#comment-16715 Both my husband and I come from poor families and we have had to forgo gift giving many years out of necessity on both parties. However, we usually manage to do "something," even if it is just baking some cookies. I crochet and I have given homemade gifts many years. Sometimes I ask for gift cards specifically because I love shopping and I'm very picky. I'm a little surprised that gift giving is an issue for so many people. You guys must be well off. I do enjoy the holiday season, with gifts or without. I've had to be creative out of necessity. Although I do like the idea of a no "stuff" policy, coupons for services, homemade baked goods, and favors still make good gifts. For example, I'm helping to install new flooring for my mother-in-law's gift this holiday. It will save her hundreds if not thousands, but not a dime is changing hands. Both my husband and I come from poor families and we have had to forgo gift giving many years out of necessity on both parties. However, we usually manage to do “something,” even if it is just baking some cookies. I crochet and I have given homemade gifts many years. Sometimes I ask for gift cards specifically because I love shopping and I’m very picky. I’m a little surprised that gift giving is an issue for so many people. You guys must be well off. I do enjoy the holiday season, with gifts or without. I’ve had to be creative out of necessity. Although I do like the idea of a no “stuff” policy, coupons for services, homemade baked goods, and favors still make good gifts. For example, I’m helping to install new flooring for my mother-in-law’s gift this holiday. It will save her hundreds if not thousands, but not a dime is changing hands.

]]> By: nikc http://20somethingfinance.com/my-personal-quest-to-de-commercialize-the-holidays/comment-page-1/#comment-11091 nikc Thu, 13 May 2010 14:59:17 +0000 http://20somethingfinance.com/?p=1610#comment-11091 whell my family is not right but we do prity well because my fauther if frugal and dos not spend much money but my mom blow it like water whell my family is not right but we do prity well because my fauther if frugal and dos not spend much money but my mom blow it like water

]]> By: G.E. Miller http://20somethingfinance.com/my-personal-quest-to-de-commercialize-the-holidays/comment-page-1/#comment-10867 G.E. Miller Tue, 11 May 2010 23:01:09 +0000 http://20somethingfinance.com/?p=1610#comment-10867 $2,000 seems like a lot. But if your family is millionaires, it might just be a drop in the bucket. I'm not one to judge your family's situation. $2,000 seems like a lot. But if your family is millionaires, it might just be a drop in the bucket. I’m not one to judge your family’s situation.

]]> By: Nick http://20somethingfinance.com/my-personal-quest-to-de-commercialize-the-holidays/comment-page-1/#comment-10849 Nick Tue, 11 May 2010 15:26:53 +0000 http://20somethingfinance.com/?p=1610#comment-10849 My mom spent 2000 dolers on my little brother last year do you thing that is a little over kill and i told my mom that i dont need any thing because i got a banjo for my b day and x mis and she still got me stuff but i did not need it or want it so i told her for next year you dont need to geat me any thing My mom spent 2000 dolers on my little brother last year do you thing that is a little over kill and i told my mom that i dont need any thing because i got a banjo for my b day and x mis and she still got me stuff but i did not need it or want it so i told her for next year you dont need to geat me any thing

]]> By: Dub http://20somethingfinance.com/my-personal-quest-to-de-commercialize-the-holidays/comment-page-1/#comment-6552 Dub Mon, 11 Jan 2010 08:45:25 +0000 http://20somethingfinance.com/?p=1610#comment-6552 Those are great ideas Jemby. I try to do experience gifts as well. This year was the first that I had to buy presents for my boyfriend's family (or rather, felt obligated to). I stuck to small gifts and baked cookies as a family gift...this worked out fine, although just the thought of more people added to my gift list really stressed me out. I hate that the holidays have become such a stressful time when money is literally the last thing we should be worrying about. We should be relaxing with our families and enjoying what we have, rather than worrying about what we need to get. Gifts are great, but the pressure of consumerism has really taken away from the meaning of the holidays. Those are great ideas Jemby. I try to do experience gifts as well. This year was the first that I had to buy presents for my boyfriend’s family (or rather, felt obligated to). I stuck to small gifts and baked cookies as a family gift…this worked out fine, although just the thought of more people added to my gift list really stressed me out. I hate that the holidays have become such a stressful time when money is literally the last thing we should be worrying about. We should be relaxing with our families and enjoying what we have, rather than worrying about what we need to get. Gifts are great, but the pressure of consumerism has really taken away from the meaning of the holidays.

]]> By: Jemby http://20somethingfinance.com/my-personal-quest-to-de-commercialize-the-holidays/comment-page-1/#comment-6167 Jemby Sat, 02 Jan 2010 07:24:46 +0000 http://20somethingfinance.com/?p=1610#comment-6167 My Wife and I decided to stop doing gifts on Christmas and use that money that we would give to give to Charities. When we do give gifts it is usually giving money in the the receiver's to a charity that the person is interested in. For kid's birthdays we usually give what we would spend on gifts and give them that money for college savings... They will get enough toys from everyone else at the party. My Wife and I decided to stop doing gifts on Christmas and use that money that we would give to give to Charities. When we do give gifts it is usually giving money in the the receiver’s to a charity that the person is interested in. For kid’s birthdays we usually give what we would spend on gifts and give them that money for college savings… They will get enough toys from everyone else at the party.

]]> By: b http://20somethingfinance.com/my-personal-quest-to-de-commercialize-the-holidays/comment-page-1/#comment-6102 b Wed, 30 Dec 2009 06:07:34 +0000 http://20somethingfinance.com/?p=1610#comment-6102 I'm a little late for this year's Christmas but this movement is exactly what you are talking about... www.adventconspiracy.org Enjoy. I’m a little late for this year’s Christmas but this movement is exactly what you are talking about…

http://www.adventconspiracy.org

Enjoy.

]]> By: G.E. Miller http://20somethingfinance.com/my-personal-quest-to-de-commercialize-the-holidays/comment-page-1/#comment-6079 G.E. Miller Tue, 29 Dec 2009 14:56:34 +0000 http://20somethingfinance.com/?p=1610#comment-6079 @ Samantha - wow - forced consumerism despite extensive thought and effort - that's when you know values in this world aren't quite right. @ Samantha – wow – forced consumerism despite extensive thought and effort – that’s when you know values in this world aren’t quite right.

]]> By: Samantha http://20somethingfinance.com/my-personal-quest-to-de-commercialize-the-holidays/comment-page-1/#comment-6075 Samantha Tue, 29 Dec 2009 13:52:22 +0000 http://20somethingfinance.com/?p=1610#comment-6075 My husband and I instituted the experience gift idea this year. It works great between the two of us, but it is harder to get others on board. We asked relatives not to buy us objects and explained we'd be doing the same for them. It mostly worked. It's actually harder with friends who insist on buying us material gifts. So, you get an awkward moment where they give you something and you have no object to give in return and you hope they won't do it again. I also believe in making gifts. This year I created handmade holiday cards with a nice personal message to each recipient. I also made an elaborate photo album for a relative's milestone birthday, which took many hours and actually a lot of money, but then I was told we needed to purchase a material gift as well because what I made didn't cost enough. That was disheartening and I put my foot down. My husband and I instituted the experience gift idea this year. It works great between the two of us, but it is harder to get others on board. We asked relatives not to buy us objects and explained we’d be doing the same for them. It mostly worked. It’s actually harder with friends who insist on buying us material gifts. So, you get an awkward moment where they give you something and you have no object to give in return and you hope they won’t do it again.

I also believe in making gifts. This year I created handmade holiday cards with a nice personal message to each recipient. I also made an elaborate photo album for a relative’s milestone birthday, which took many hours and actually a lot of money, but then I was told we needed to purchase a material gift as well because what I made didn’t cost enough. That was disheartening and I put my foot down.

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