My group of acquaintance agree not to exchange gifts, we take turns buying beers when we get together.
After my being embarrassed in the first year of my marriage by an expensive gift from a poor member of the extended family, I suggested to my wife that she and her sister in-law pull names out of a hat, where one family member buys one thing for one other member. It's common knowledge I really like business socks and a casual shirt. I often get the black sheep of the family, who looks forward to his bottle of bourbon, I'm told he makes it last several months.
For close family, we decide on a more expensive 'family present' which might be a new TV or a holiday, usually a road trip. One year it was to replace the broken air-conditioner.
I encourage my kids to buy experiences, not 'stuff'. I still get nice hand drawn gift cards with socks or joke T-shirts.
My wife is the fussiest person in town so I ask her what she would like, and she knows my favourite gift is the smile on her face when I give it to her.
After my being embarrassed in the first year of my marriage by an expensive gift from a poor member of the extended family, I suggested to my wife that she and her sister in-law pull names out of a hat, where one family member buys one thing for one other member. It's common knowledge I really like business socks and a casual shirt. I often get the black sheep of the family, who looks forward to his bottle of bourbon, I'm told he makes it last several months.
For close family, we decide on a more expensive 'family present' which might be a new TV or a holiday, usually a road trip. One year it was to replace the broken air-conditioner.
I encourage my kids to buy experiences, not 'stuff'. I still get nice hand drawn gift cards with socks or joke T-shirts.
My wife is the fussiest person in town so I ask her what she would like, and she knows my favourite gift is the smile on her face when I give it to her.