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I don't know all of your circumstances, but I can tell you about what I finally did. After paying twice as much for absolute low grade goods, I simply got tired of it. We were always deluged because we had the nicest house in the neighborhood. I finally started saying that "OH, we've already purchased from John's son." Everybody knows a John. After a while, they simply stopped bugging us because John's son always beat them to the draw! LOL Norm at the office would tell them that he bought from our grandson! LOL It spares feelings and gets the job done.

Sadly, everyone knows I'm a bachelor and thinks I have a pile of money lying around to spend on their fundraisers! But it couldn't hurt to say "I already gave." It's true, more often than not.

For a while, I was in charge of our office's "Adopt-A-Family" program. For the two years I ran it, I made a point to say in front of the staff, "Listen, I know everyone has family and close friends they'd rather give to first this time of year. So I only ask that you give what you genuinely feel inclined to give. If it's not freely given, then it's not a gift. And Thank You! in advance for whatever you can provide."

Overall, the amount was about the same as previous years, but I think some gave a little less while some actually gave a little more. I just hope that whatever was given was done so in good will.