tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607280648455026881.post5182592831695922695..comments2024-01-17T21:29:33.044-05:00Comments on Sparing Change: The Gift-Less Christmas 2012SparingChangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14091078784546773507noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607280648455026881.post-12155791249528596682012-12-16T15:47:18.694-05:002012-12-16T15:47:18.694-05:00I agree about children loosing interest. Adults d...I agree about children loosing interest. Adults do too! :-) I am surprised at how many adults act like children when they dont get "what they want" for Christmas. I think we all know the gifts arent what is important. I cherish the time we spend with our family. I will always remember my brother being home from the Marine Corps last year, lying on the floor with my niece playing a board game with our pup sleeping in front of him. I will never forget that "mental picture."SparingChangehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14091078784546773507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607280648455026881.post-13097613985467089952012-12-12T10:17:38.558-05:002012-12-12T10:17:38.558-05:00I think people are accustomed to getting SOMETHING...I think people are accustomed to getting SOMETHING, so maybe just a picture and a handwritten note would suffice. But yeah, I am right there with ya on the crazy consumerism - I have nephews and I can't stand how their mom will get them stuff from a toy retailer (items ranging in price anywhere from $50 to $200 apiece) and then they will lose interest in these items after a week or two. Ugh. Ack!<br />Antonionoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607280648455026881.post-80102949455490342792012-12-12T05:48:06.854-05:002012-12-12T05:48:06.854-05:00Rachel, I completely agree with everything you'...Rachel, I completely agree with everything you've stated. And you are right, there really is no right or wrong answer. SparingChangehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14091078784546773507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607280648455026881.post-58685540060628195752012-12-12T05:30:12.419-05:002012-12-12T05:30:12.419-05:00Kathy, I love that you are doing homemade (and mi...Kathy, I love that you are doing homemade (and minimal) gifts this year. That's awesome!SparingChangehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14091078784546773507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607280648455026881.post-41114736704772040362012-12-10T09:12:38.163-05:002012-12-10T09:12:38.163-05:00I've also been doing more thinking on the cons...I've also been doing more thinking on the consumerism of the season. The few times I've been in stores this season, I've just been blown away by people pushing around carts full of stuff. It's just hard to understand how people can spend so much and consume so much when there are people in their communities without adequate food. <br /><br />This year, we purchased our boys a few small gifts. They each have a puzzle as their 'big' gift and we've put some small things in their stockings like toothbrushes, toddler snacks, etc. We've not spent much but in some ways even what we've done so far seems a bit excessive, especially knowing that they'll be getting gifts from 2 sets of grandparents, 4 sets of great grandparents, great aunts/uncles. Part of us would like to say no gifts but at the same time we know that family members enjoy giving gifts to our children. (And quite frankly, we do too, it's fun giving a child a gift you know they'll love!) It's hard to know what to do. I don't think there's a right answer or a wrong answer and we all have to decide what's best for our families. Rachelhttp://intentionallysimple.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607280648455026881.post-10809037626917501822012-12-10T05:50:55.909-05:002012-12-10T05:50:55.909-05:00Gifts are minimal. My granddaughter (8) will have...Gifts are minimal. My granddaughter (8) will have gifts for Christmas. I made homemade gifts for my daughter and picked up a couple of dish towels with the same theme. I may pick up some costume jewelry or something. My son will get a small amount of cash so he can go out to dinner or pick up a book - he's halfway across the country this year- and my mom will get a gift or two. That's about it except for the small donation at work to get our manager something. Kathy Felsted Usherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10471923897561942341noreply@blogger.com