Gift Baskets Make Christmas Easy!
By Viewer on Mar 31, 2009 in Shopping
Last year for Christmas, my family got together to have a discussion about gift giving. I come from a huge family and each year some of my family members, including myself, are finding it a struggle to buy gifts for everybody. Two Christmases ago I think I ended up purchasing close to 40 gifts! I just didn’t think it was realistic of us to continue the way we were when it came to Christmas.
I made a suggestion that I was really happy everybody agreed with. I suggested that instead of giving frivolous gifts to each member of the family, that maybe we all pitch in a few dollars for each family member and do up gift baskets. Gift baskets for women are super easy to do, with most of us liking candles, scented body lotions, teas, hot chocolates and candies. You might think that gift baskets for men would be a bit of a problem, but if you know the person well enough, it’s very easy. My husband had received a couple of get well gift baskets when he had his appendix out and he loved them.
My family decided that this was a great idea and much more economical. Two or three dollars a person was much more realistic then, say, even ten dollars a person. And this way everyone got a big basket full of goodies.
7 Comment(s)
By Cara Fisher on Apr 1, 2009 | Reply
I tried to do something like this a few years ago, and if you are getting everyone together for Christmas be prepared for the tree to look strange surrounded by baskets. It also kind of takes the fun out of gift giving.
By Sammy J. on Apr 1, 2009 | Reply
How much does each basket cost? I always thought they were kind of expensive, and it might be more economical to just put a cap on gift price than try to make this work.
By Shawna Byrne on Apr 5, 2009 | Reply
The hardest part about making this plan work is having the initial conversation with your family. Some people really like individual gift giving and will be offended you don’t feel the same.
By Ava Pact on Apr 6, 2009 | Reply
You know what is so nice about this idea, is that you can put just about anything in a basket. DVDs, clothes, lotions, even Barbie’s. Fabulous idea, I will def. remember this for next year!
By David P. on Apr 8, 2009 | Reply
This topic is such a hard one to deal with, but in this economy it just isn’t doable to get every person in a large family a present. This is a great suggestion, though I think you would need to designate a gift basket point person.
By Evelyn Mark on Apr 8, 2009 | Reply
I think this is a fabulous plan, and it can work for people of all ages! Kids can get a toy-filled basket, men can get golf themed baskets, and women - well, as long as it’s chocolate we will like it!
By Kate Austen on Apr 8, 2009 | Reply
One basket per person is nice, but still can be costly. Maybe it would be a better idea to do one big basket per family unit within the larger family, as in Uncle Joe and his wife and kids get a basket, your parents get one, etc.