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February 04, 2012, 05:47:17 PM
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Author Topic: When to give gifts?  (Read 1075 times)
HappyWifey
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« on: December 02, 2009, 02:58:17 PM »
Since everyone is thinking about Christmas and gifts, I wanted to ask something that I have been musing about for a while. DH and I don't celebrate Christmas, we do celebrate Chanukah,  but not as a replacement for Christmas, so DH says no gifts then. The rest of my family celebrates Christmas ( except my parents, siblings, and grandmother) so they give us gifts during this time. I feel really bad because they are giving us gifts, and we aren't giving anything back. We don't really do birthdays or anything with them... So giving gifts at birthdays is out. Sad  Does anyone have any ideas for when I could give some gifts to my extended family?
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denim&lace
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« Reply #1 on: December 02, 2009, 03:31:20 PM »
Ah!  Since I know where you live...

We have made up our own holidays.

After the first good snow of the year we take the day off and go sledding and come home to hot cocoa and family game time. 

We celebrate summer solstice.  The longest day of the year is REALLY long up here... even longer up where you are! 
We also celebrate winter solstice.  FINALLY we start gaining SUNLIGHT!
We have a fall festival with friends where we dunk for apples and play games and a spring costume party!

Oh, and break up.  Everybody, put on your rubber boots and meet me in the street!

I know some may raise an eyebrow at us for celebrating days that are also associated with pagan worship, but we celebrate the blessing of longer days and more sunshine.  We praise the creator for his genius in how he created this world to work.  Besides... if we wanted a day that wasn't associated with something worldly... we'd never celebrate. 

I find it interesting that God chose the week of Ishtar for Christ to be crucified...  He paid no mind to the fact that pagans celebrated that day, He used it anyway!

Maybe you could just send gifts with the note attached, "Because we love you!"  any day of the year.  Just pick one!   
« Last Edit: July 07, 2010, 06:35:50 PM by denim&lace » Logged
Mrs. B
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« Reply #2 on: December 02, 2009, 03:57:04 PM »
I would also add that a lovely homemade basket, like Beka has mentioned in the homemade gift thread, is also a nice hostess gift to present.  I wasn't sure if you were visiting with family or if they sent you items, and this might be a nice way of greeting family at this time of year.  If you are showing up for what could be a 'festive' occasion I find it never hurts to bring a gift along to thank my hosts for their hospitality. 
Also, I find that we don't tend to give adults gifts in our family, but try to find a little something special for their kids.  It might just be a bag of homemade cookies or candies.
If things are being shipped to you from out of town, I might just wait until after the holiday is over and send a nice thank you note with something thoughtful and handmade just for them.
« Last Edit: December 02, 2009, 05:57:19 PM by Mrs. B » Logged
ForeverGirl
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« Reply #3 on: December 02, 2009, 03:59:05 PM »
Give anytime and all the time! That's the best time to receive a gift, IMO!

We also have a family holiday... Nov 1st. I don't remember exactly how it started, but it was something to do with a vow that was made and then answered...

Anyway, we usually spend the day having fun as a family (usually going to the forest and making wreaths with pine boughs) and we keep our eyes open all day for someone that God will bring our way to share the evening feast with. The funny thing is - He always brings someone to our door. We've never gone looking for a dinner guest so far. This year it was several families! I don't think we ever even told them it was our family holiday.  Cheesy  I had a huge meal already prepared, the house was clean, preparations made. Invitations happen when the guests arrive... and they always have, right on time.  The evening was spent enjoying our new friends and old friends together and God really blessed it. We look forward to seeing who God will bring next year.

I guess that was off track since we didn't give gifts??? Unless you call a big meal a gift. I think it is!

Beka
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smfmommy
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« Reply #4 on: December 02, 2009, 04:21:27 PM »
How about sending a homemade treat with the thank you note for the gift?  Or a small framed picture of the family.  This way you are sharing something nice but it isn't associated with a holiday per se.  Or how about New Years?  Send them a blessing for the new year along with a treat.

Just some ideas
 Grin
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HappyWifey
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« Reply #5 on: December 02, 2009, 06:07:50 PM »
Thanks for the ideas! I asked DH of what he though of a "thank you for coming" basket for on Chanukah, and then I'll ask him if I can bring a small hostess gift if we go somewhere. Which he liked the thanks for coming basket idea, now I am excitedly planning it!
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amy3js
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« Reply #6 on: December 03, 2009, 09:27:11 AM »
I like this thread! We aren't doing christmas either this year (first year for us!) and are doing chanukah instead, but we are still giving gifts and going to families around christmas.  Giving gifts might change next year, not sure yet. But anyway, I like the idea of randomly picking a day and sending a gift to someone.   And then you could give just one at a time, or one family at a time, instead of so many gifts all at once that you get totally bogged down.  Let us know how it goes for you, I may do it myself sometime.  Smiley
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Amy Joy
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« Reply #7 on: December 03, 2009, 11:21:16 AM »
Quote from: HappyWifey on December 02, 2009, 02:58:17 PM
Does anyone have any ideas for when I could give some gifts to my extended family?

One thought I had was to consider sales.  If you know a certain company always has a big sale with free shipping in a certain month, then you might send everyone the same thing from that merchant as your "signature gift," each year.

A relative of ours used to send a silver coin to each person in our family.  We looked forward to that annual gift and established quite a collection!  Another person sent gourmet sea salt every year when the company did steep discounts and free shipping. These were easy annual traditions that meant a lot to each recipient.  
« Last Edit: November 11, 2011, 08:01:04 PM by Amy Joy » Logged
freshisbest
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« Reply #8 on: December 03, 2009, 04:00:28 PM »
My mother gives a calender to each of us kids each year ( they can be $1 at the dollar store or Walmart up to $15 at stationary stores...whatever your pleasure. She tries to match the calender with our personalities...gardening, birds, the ocean, etc) and she records the birthdates, anniversaries, etc of every family member. This is a GREAT gift that we look forward to every year! Of course, with it comes the responsibility of remembering cards for everyone's birthdays..ha ha
« Last Edit: December 03, 2009, 04:03:22 PM by freshisbest » Logged
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