quit gift giving...perish the thought.
While I would not spend big amounts, gift giving is a family tradition. Though stressful, it is one worth keeping.
"While I would not spend big amounts, gift giving is a family tradition. Though stressful, it is one worth keeping."
That's fine! I'm not preachin'! Do what works for you, of course.
On my husband's side of the family, we now pool our $30 "gift stipend" each and give it to charity each year. Those of us that care to, get up and give little presentaions on which charity we want the money to go to, then we vote as a Family. Last year we gave it all ($600) to Juvenile Diabetes, as one of the Grandkids was diagnosed that year. (Skinny, hyper little Elliott. Who would've guessed?) The year before we gave it to a local Nursing Home, then the year before that we gave it to Africa to build a water-well in some obscure town. (My liberal SIL won that year with her impassioned plea; but that's what Family Democracy is all about!)
This year, I'm re-doubling my efforts to get that cash to The Disabled Veterans of America; a group I've campaigned for for years. I'll win ONE of these years. I'll wear them down, I swear, LOL!
We (each couple) get a $60 tax deductible receipt each year. It may SEEM selfish, but we're throwing money at projects we deem worthwhile and we all sleep very well at night, thank you!
And that works for me. :)