X-mas shopping…Why???

  • mike_leclaire
    Grand Rapids, MN
    Posts: 412
    #1279728

    Here are my thoughts on X-Mas shopping…Why should I waste an entirely perfect weekend of hunting or fishing to spend in a mall/department store with hundreds of other people that; are more often than not don’t want to be there either. Other than shopping for kids I think that all adults should just give each other gift cards/money in the spirit of X-Mas. I hate having to walk (more like follow) with the better half around stores for hours looking for gifts for everyone. Why can’t the adults just take the money I give them and buy what they want after X-Mas. To be perfectly honest why do most adults even exchange gifts, they already know what they are getting for the most part becaused they told you what the wanted and you told them about a gift around the same price. So why don’t we just give each other a card with the same amount of money in it, again in the spirit of X-mas.

    Now two years ago I did this where everyone got a VISA gift card and the same X-mas card; I even went as far as to sign the card. I thought it was brilliant I was done shopping in less than half an hour the day before Christmas Eve. Only downside was I was outcasted for the entire Christmas everyone was pissed off. I personally would love if everyone just gave me money so I could pool it all up and go buy what I really want.

    Sorry for the rant, but was just informed we are Christmas shopping on Saturday and I planned on going to Red Lake fishing. I know I shouldn’t be pissed since I have got to do whatever I want on the weekends for the past month and a half but I HATE HATE HATE shopping; unless its for hunting and fishing stuff.

    wimwuen
    LaCrosse, WI
    Posts: 1960
    #1117230

    I’ve got it pretty good. I have to buy for my wife, my dad, and maybe my brother. She takes the rest.

    out_fishing
    Moorhead, MN
    Posts: 1151
    #1117232

    I agree cash is king and my wife does most of the shopping but we have both been buying more and more stuff online. It sure beats taking up the entire weekend and plus its something you can do at work to pass the time!

    suzuki
    Woodbury, Mn
    Posts: 18602
    #1117233

    Maybe get the shopping done on a weeknight or two to salvage the weekend?

    Or put your foot down and demand to call the shots!!!

    Randy Wieland
    Lebanon. WI
    Posts: 13469
    #1117234

    There is new method that I found – ONLINE! Less stress, no crowds, better pricing, and leaves me plenty of my OWN TIME!.
    Try it!

    Pete Bauer
    Stillwater, MN
    Posts: 2599
    #1117235

    Please refer back to this thread…

    She’s cashing in

    vikefanmn77
    Northfield,MN
    Posts: 1493
    #1117238

    Quote:


    There is new method that I found – ONLINE! Less stress, no crowds, better pricing, and leaves me plenty of my OWN TIME!.
    Try it!


    x2

    t-ellis
    Colorado Springs, CO
    Posts: 1316
    #1117240

    Quote:


    Please refer back to this thread…

    She’s cashing in


    I was thinking the same…

    mike-west
    Amery, WI
    Posts: 1422
    #1117242

    I thought it was our duties as Americans… too Stimulate our economy

    PowerFred
    Posts: 395
    #1117244

    I talked the whole family into no gifts this year. We all make enough money that we just buy whatever we want throughout the year, so gift buying is a real PITA.

    We all just get together for a big prime rib dinner with good booze and good company. My son brews homemade beer and my daughter makes a cheese cake that is second to none. We have fun enjoying each others company with no stress of gift buying.

    Isn’t a big part of Christmas supposed to be family time, not gifts? In the end, no one remembers what was given as a gift, but family time is remembered forever.

    jon_jordan
    St. Paul, Mn
    Posts: 10908
    #1117245

    Been doing the same thing for over ten years. Only the real young kids who still believe in Santa get gifts!

    -J.

    lhprop1
    Eagan
    Posts: 1899
    #1117247

    Quote:


    So why don’t we just give each other a card with the same amount of money in it, again in the spirit of X-mas.


    So if I give you $50 and you give me $50, why bother? I’ve always been against gifts between adults. I’d rather just get gifts for the kids and then get together with my family and eat and drink and laugh.

    If you absolutely insist on exchanging gifts between adults, make it fun. I’ve instituted gag gifts between me and my siblings and our significant others. My poor younger brother is going to be getting a nice new set of Truck Nuts this year.

    the better half
    Champlin, MN
    Posts: 336
    #1117250

    I don’t mean to be a bich but I say suck-it up!! In this case it looks like you have to give a little to gat a LOT.

    kooty
    Keymaster
    1 hour 15 mins to the Pond
    Posts: 18101
    #1117251

    Quote:


    Please refer back to this thread…

    She’s cashing in


    You are whipped.

    suzuki
    Woodbury, Mn
    Posts: 18602
    #1117255

    I cant imagine not giving my wife and others suprise presents for Christmas. Its always worth it. Its alwasy nice to get gift cards but there’s something special about recieving something you like that someone else took the time to figure out for you. And I enjoy giving gifts. I may feel differently in the future but for now most of you sound like scrooges to me.

    mike_leclaire
    Grand Rapids, MN
    Posts: 412
    #1117263

    Quote:


    Isn’t a big part of Christmas supposed to be family time, not gifts? In the end, no one remembers what was given as a gift, but family time is remembered forever.


    I agree, and I give little surprise gifts throughout the year and buy flowers for no reason at all or do the little things without being asked. So why spend the extra money at X-Mas when we all do things for each other throughout the year and buy what we want. I think the meaning of X-Mas has been lost. We should go back to having to make meaningful gifts rather than buying things.

    How much more special would it be to have a handmade ice fishing rod from one of your kids vs. a store boughten one (because we all know they won’t buy the right one anyway)?

    I have an old gun my dad restored and gave to me for X-Mas one year. Its an old .22 he got at a garage sale for $5; I remeber the day he brought it home, all rusted, cracked stalk, no sights. I didn’t even know he was working on it, he would spend nights in his workshop anyway. Now you would think it was bought straight from the store, he polished and blu’d the barrel, re-made and finished the stalk, put a scope on it. The funny thing is I have never even fired it because I don’t want to wreck anything, that $5 dollar X-mas present means more to me than anything.

    85lund
    Menomonie, WI
    Posts: 2317
    #1117264

    Quote:


    We all just get together for a big prime rib dinner with good booze and good company. My son brews homemade beer and my daughter makes a cheese cake that is second to none. We have fun enjoying each others company with no stress of gift buying.


    Well said. I take care of the kids and the rest should rethink what it is all about if the want a bunch of gifts.

    outdoors4life
    Stillwater, MN
    Posts: 1500
    #1117290

    Quote:


    Isn’t a big part of Christmas supposed to be family time, not gifts? In the end, no one remembers what was given as a gift, but family time is remembered forever.


    BINGO!

    I made sure everyone knows not to buy me anything. I am not getting anyone presents. I do however buy things during the year when I find something that the could use. Don’t need an excuse to buy a gift.

    Whiskerkev
    Madison
    Posts: 3835
    #1117312

    I was hoping for another Viking Super Bowl loss but it looks like they won’t even make the playoffs this year.

    DaveB
    Inver Grove Heights MN
    Posts: 4465
    #1117315

    Some friends of ours went to Mexico every year over Christmas. The trip was the gift, family time.

    I think they were on to something.

    coleycrawler
    Minneapolis
    Posts: 308
    #1117346

    I agree, It takes a lot of mental energy to shop this time of year. I’d rather babysit 10 families kids while they shopped than go myself.
    I don’t buy much, only what I have to. I make family calendars with dates if I get time. But that is EXACTLY what feel like the best gift is. TIME. Undivided quality time spent with each other.
    Shopping for other people is very stressful. What do they like? What is their size? Do they have one? ….
    And I also don’t like buying from registered gifts… It just rubs me the wrong way… Don’t get me wrong, I understand why and all but if anyone gets a tangeble gift from me it’s going to be personal, from the heart, and it will rock!
    Giving a gift of money is win-win. Kids may not understand this but adults should.

    Beaver E
    Posts: 137
    #1117386

    Quote:


    Some friends of ours went to Mexico every year over Christmas. The trip was the gift, family time.

    I think they were on to something.


    I tried to get our family to everts for Christmas. It didn’t happen because I would be in the boat the whole time. I guess I will try for next year.

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