Comments on: Too Much Stuff? This Is the Best Way to Request No Gifts This Year

By: Evelyn

Evelyn

Great Ideas. For the grandparents and great-grandparents that my child sees frequently, I told them any toys they gift will stay at their house for him to play with when he visits. I much prefer this because it gives me control of what I have at my home. For more extended family, we do a secret Santa for all the children. Everyone gives 1 gift, and gets 1 gift. It works out great and I love it!

By: Lana

Lana

I don’t have children of my own, but I have nieces and nephews whom I love so much. If my sister told me to never gift them anything, it would break my heart. I feel like I get to be a part of their lives, making something a little magical for them. Whether I’m gifting them an experience with their favorite aunt (ahem), or buying them something I know they’ve been dreaming about, well, I just want to be that little spark of magic in their lives. Enjoy it. Because someday it’ll end. Grandparents pass away, children grow up… so just relish every bit of clutter.

By: Loving Gramma and Grampa far away

Loving Gramma and Grampa far away

We are guilty grandparents. We have over gifted every year (one 5 y/o grandson, will never have more). Our kids have asked us to send no gifts this year, for any of them. We respect and understand. They are not materialistic and kiddo has enough toys for any dozen boys. At the same time, we are in the far north corner of the US and they are on the Gulf Coast. We cannot visit this year for Christmas, but would definitely like to find a way to share something with them. Suggestions?

By: Erica

Erica

In reply to sunshine. @sunshine Some gifts of the heart still clutter homes unnecessarily and that is what this article is about. How to try and avoid that. I think all points made here are excellent for trying to talk to loved ones about how we want to reduce material possessions in our home.

By: Lynn

Lynn

I am retiring next year, and will NOT NEED anything. Nothing. Zip. Is there a letter/paragraph I could enclose in Christmas cards (I always send mine out on Nov 30th) asking that no gifts be sent and just send me a holiday card?

By: Mandy

Mandy

In reply to Jennifer Zobel. In our house santa only brings 1 gift and it is not wrapped which is why I put it under the tree right in front of the other gifts from me when the children are sleeping. And it's not a expensive gift either it's somthing simple like a fuzzy body pillow they had asked for or a sled. I keep it simple because I don't want my children telling their friends all the gifts that "santa" got them because their friend may not be as lucky and I don't want to ruin their Christmas spirit!!

By: Debra Cox

Debra Cox

In reply to Angela Burkey. At our house, Santa fills stockings and everyone gets a book. Then, they get 3 gifts each. This year, they will get their stockings and a book from Santa and grandpa & grandma will give one nice gift each. They will also get $100 to spend on gifts such as goats, chickens or whatever they choose to 3rd world countries.

By: Deborah

Deborah

What I have done for my grandkids is I send a gift certificate from kiva.org and they get to choose someone to donate the money to. Through that they learn that they can make a difference in others lives and because of them someone’s life is better.

By: Grace

Grace

In reply to Angela Burkey.

In our house, Santa fills stockings – no big gifts. The stockings have mostly chocolate and other candy, stickers, nail polish, markers, Pokemon cards – stuff like that. =)

By: Rebecca Craigie

Rebecca Craigie

In reply to Karin. We have the same problem Karin! I would love to make the transition, but I feel like it would be a tough sell with both the extended family and the kids!I wish I I had've taken control of the reins years ago!

By: DES

DES

You inspired me to write and Dillustrate a book about our Xmas tree. Every year I try to tell my kids the stories behind our ornaments. Who gifted them, who made them and when. Photo books are so easy to make these days and it will be a great way to pass on the memories of our family tree.

By: Jennifer Zobel

Jennifer Zobel

In reply to Angela Burkey. Sure! I think Santa would get them 1 or 2 gifts, and then maybe a family gift like a game or movie.

By: Angela Burkey

Angela Burkey

In reply to Jenn. How does Santa fit into this 4 gift rule? Only four from Mom and Dad and then some from Santa?

By: Jenn

Jenn

I don’t have children yet, but I was one of those kids whose parents over gifted every single Christmas, birthday, Easter, etc. – every holiday! When I was in my mid-twenties, I began asking for less, and it offended my parents :\ Now that I’m 31, I’ve continued having this conversation with my parents, and although the gifts are still too many, they have greatly reduced over the years. This is the first year that my significant other will be spending the holidays with us, and my mom has said she would rather spend it just with me (i’m an only child) because she’s embarrassed by the number of gifts. Ugh! I reminded her that I don’t want for anything, and would really just enjoy spending the day playing games, but I was told I was ungrateful.

ANYWAYS, I have thought about the way to minimize gifts for my kids when that time comes, and I love this idea of 4 gifts. One way that I thought about requesting no gifts from family is to set up a 529 plan or an investment account for my children, and asking family to contribute to that.

By: Kassy Eichele

Kassy Eichele

What wonderful ideas, Kelly! I’ll be sharing this article with a family member who has been trying to slow the gift train at her house.

Our kids have been asking grandparents and uncles and aunts for goats this year for a family in a third-world country. They are going to take the money they get as gifts and buy as many goats as they can. Plus the family members feel good about being a part of a good dead!

Another of our favorite ideas for family members who really want to give something is to have everyone go in on one larger item like a bicycle. It’s practical and the child can really enjoy the one gift.

By: Melanie

Melanie

In reply to dodo suska. You make a really good point here! I’m going to do this test on my kids tonight. Thank you for the reminder that every person is different.

By: avery

avery

I ask for family stories that I can read or tell. Any story, just something that involves a family member. This way we get something really important to us, our family heritage through story and the family member gets to give something unique and real.

By: dodo suska

dodo suska

And as ususal, there´s always an exception :-) My daughter received a lot of christmas presents last year (she was 9). So much, that I said to my husband: “I bet she will be overwhelmed, that is definitely too much!” Well, she cherished every single one, full of joy, everytime she unpacked a present. She also opened the presents one by one, exploring each one for a while before moving on to the next. Later on she said it was the best christmas ever. So I checked her love languages in a online test and receiving gifts was right up there with physical touch. So I guess it also depends on your child´s love language!

By: Jen

Jen

We do the gift of experiences rather than things. It’s the gift that keeps on giving because it can be used throughout the year. Bowling, skating rink, paintball, hayrides, amusements, movies, etc.

By: Amanda

Amanda

In reply to sunshine. Did you not read the article? That was an entire section. And the sentiment of the whole piece is about helping kids be both grateful and generous.