Christmas preperations

[otherwise]

A couple of months ago I made an executive decision on behalf of my extended family. This year when the 30 odd people and 5 dogs gather at my place for Christmas Day we will have no exchange of gifts. Those who continue with the gift exchange tradition please do so before you come or after you leave. Sharron and I will only give gifts to the children under 10. To our surprise this was well received by most and the couple who weren't completely happy with the arrangement were OK to do the exchange thing in the morning at their respective homes. The pressure taken off mentally and to a lesser degree financially has been surprising. We've been concentrating on a bit of overdue painting, cleaning blinds and generally polishing the place up for the day.

Today I gave the lawns a final mow (all 2,000 sq mtrs) and they will have a nice fresh green top in 4 days.



Sharron just returned from grocery shopping and without the big ticket items like ham, pork turkey etc she still managed to spend $431.00. :y8:



I must say this year I'm actually looking forward to Christmas now that a lot of unnecessary pressure has been removed. Family together looking out for each other instead of looking after the big business side of town.

Merry Christmas to all.

 

[Rocky]

I agree with your decision about gifts. It's just nonsense running around trying to find gifts for people who have most everything and need nothing.
After my two children were born I decreed that we were only going to exchange gifts within my own family and all other relatives should do the same - except for the grandparents. I don't know what the other relatives did among themselves, but that was up to them.
You have some nice green grass. It's -11C here today :y8:

 

[Gromit]

Your garden looks beautiful! I agree with the 'extended family' - we stopped buying for anyone over the age of 16 many years ago. With 6 siblings, their spouses, 14 nieces and nephews and their spouses and 16 great nieces and nephews it just got waaaay too much!
Good 'executive' decision

 

[DaveM]

I think when you have a huge group of people it is a bit much to have to get everyone a gift thing are just may to pricey as it is and just being together is a gift in itself. For us it's only myself the wife and her mom that we really get the big gifts for. Then we have a very close friend and his wife a small gift each and their two girls a gift and that is it.

Kevin who is that down and out in your garden is he the hired help or what

 

[Rocky]

I think when you have a huge group of people it is a bit much to have to get everyone a gift thing are just may to pricey as it is and just being together is a gift in itself. For us it's only myself the wife and her mom that we really get the big gifts for. Then we have a very close friend and his wife a small gift each and their two girls a gift and that is it.

Kevin who is that down and out in your garden is he the hired help or what

I think it's some homeless vagrant who wandered onto the property and should be driven off

 

[CarlS]

Kevin, I agree with your executive decision. We made that decision years ago. I buy for only the grandchildren at Christmas as well as a few special friends. It does remove a lot of stress and financial burden. I still do birthdays for my three kids as well as the grandchildren.

Your place looks gorgeous and so well manicured.

Merry Christmas to you and Sharron.

 

[gumpt1oo]

Great looking garden Kevin!!
Hmmmm 2000sqm on lawn? You need some jumps and some berms creating, and Santa to bring a couple of dirt bikes!

 

[otherwise]

Well, those comments came as a surprise. I was sure I'd get some flack about being a miserable old party killer. I'm also surprised that so many have made similar decisions long before me, I figured that I was a trend setter not a follower.
As for that down and out in the garden, Sharron lets him hang about in exchange for small jobs.:y8:

 

[The Seeker]

I don't want to let you down.....

[video=youtube;nzXKWKaxt3c]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzXKWKaxt3c[/video]

 

[otherwise]

Thanks AJ you've restored my faith.
When I saw that movie it was like looking into a mirror but unfortunately it had a sad ending.
Now lets all get out and celebrate Grinchmas.

 

[DaveM]

Well, those comments came as a surprise. I was sure I'd get some flack about being a miserable old party killer. I'm also surprised that so many have made similar decisions long before me, I figured that I was a trend setter not a follower.
As for that down and out in the garden, Sharron lets him hang about in exchange for small jobs.:y8:

Well since I have become older I just find mugging old ladies for cash to purchase Christmas present just does not work anymore as they normally end up beating me up in the process, so I had to also make the executive decision not to purchase for everyone anymore.

I am also a bit relived to hear you all feel this way as I have been beating myself up trying to think what I was going to get yea all