Okay, so I think I've decided that I won't celebrate Christmas anymore...

...I've told my dad and he doesn't like it. I don't mean I won't celebrate, just not buy presents. I'd decorate, watch Christmas movies, and have a Christmas dinner, go see Christmas lights displays, etc. but it's too stressful buying presents for six or more people. I don't like having to buy and wrap presents, dealing with saving money for all the presents, returning unwanted items, etc.

My dad asked for my wish list anyway (I haven't given it to the rest of my family, unless my dad has). I told him that before I open any presents I receive this year, I will tell everyone that they can take whatever they got me back and get their money back because I didn't get them anything. And I will take that time to say I won't celebrate Christmas anymore (in terms of buying presents, anyway).

Birthdays are easier to shop for since it's usually one person, and they are more spread out, so you're not spending thousands of dollars at once.

Gifts can be something we make, something we already possess recirculated, or something we pick up at non-commercial venues like yard sales and thrift stores.

It makes you think a lot harder about what the recipient might really like, because obviously some junk from the thrift store has to really resonate to be appreciated -- for instance, knowing my reading habits and my library, my sister got me a handful of old 'Tom Swift' books like I read when I was a kid 40 years ago. It was Tom Swift that originally got me interested in science fiction and in writing. She is an educator, and I found her an alphabet poster from the turn of the last century.

You might give it a try.

http://www.overstock.com/

http://www.amazon.com/


Either of these websites offer cool prices, choices, and will gift wrap and ship to wherever. Quite easy actually :)