Quote:
Originally Posted by HomerMcvie
Exactly. Macfan, did you read mine? My family has stopped exchanging gifts, so I got nothing. Well, nothing MATERIAL. It was a fantastic Christmas, nonetheless. Maybe it's different, if people have actual needs....I can see how it would be. I'm only middle class, but I have everything I need. I don't need gloves, or underwear, or whatever.
Now if someone wanted to buy me a new car, that would be a different story!!!  |
I only exchange gifts with my parents because I always go down to visit them, and I
never show up and stay at someone's home empty-handed, holiday or not. That's just guest decorum rule No. 1! However, this year I showed up empty-handed because I was at a complete loss as to what a well-to-do retired couple in their 70s with no hobbies (is church considered a hobby?) or outside interests would need or want. I basically had to forage around the house for things that were outdated or worn, which was impossible to find; we actually played cards on one of my baby blankets- in mint condition. Finally, after some leading questions, I found out that their printer/scanner was not working, so I went out on Christmas Eve and bought a new wireless multifunction machine and spent Christmas day setting up their wireless network. Painful. They always give me a check in a card on birthdays and Christmas, which I have always refused to cash, but this year they got wise to me and handed me a plain envelope stuffed with $20s.
Kinda tacky, but much harder to politely refuse in person.